Optibike SIMBB 29C now available for pre order

[trex]

The shape of the motor (on the factory shelf) reminds me of the Chinese built 'ZF' crank motor that I looked at last year before going for the 8-Fun BBS01. The ZF has built in torque sensor, can reach 80NM @ 70 RPM - that is 586W. The ZF is very compact but requires frame modification. The BBS01 has about the same ability with straightforward Sunstar style of fitting.
I think the problem is European manufacturers try to minimize the real power of their motor to get into EN15194 class whereas things are different in the States, that may have confused the guy in the video.
By the look of the HQ, I reckon optibike produces about 1,000 to 2,000 bikes a year and if so, creating the new aluminum casing for such a small volume shows conviction and courage.
IMHO, their kit is no match for the Bosch and it's absurd to bring it to the market at that sort of price. They would be better off pitching at city riders who are scared that someone may nick their battery rather than enthusiasts for performance.

 

[flecc]

I fully agree that it might well perform as claimed Dave, and might well be a better performer than the 350 watt Bosch for all I know.

But not all that is said is realistic, 3 times the 350 watt Bosch torque for example and the mention of their battery being better because it's 37 volts against the competition's 36 volts are both just silly, as is claiming 600 watts of continuous power when speaking of barely 600 watts of input. If it's as good as they say and it may well be, it will stand on it's own merits without the hype.

 

[RobF]

There's easily enough room for a 37v 12aH battery and a controller in that motor housing. I don't know how you lot can argue about that. You'll look really silly when someone opens one up in a few months to show you how they fit. I personally can't see anything in the specification that looks unrealistic. Instead of arguing about it, you should start saving up your money. Only the speed claims seem to be a bit stretched. My GNG with a 25 amp controller can manage about 22 mph without pedalling. The simulator also says about 22mph on the flat, so maybe 24mph with pedalling and more downhill or with a following wind. The 350w Bosch would be less.

No need for the lecturing tone.

If it's so easy to pack so much battery power into such a small space, why isn't everyone doing it?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

No need for the lecturing tone.

If it's so easy to pack so much battery power into such a small space, why isn't everyone doing it?

Who said it was easy? I said that there's enough volume in that motor casing to house the battery. You have to make the casing first, which looks like a lot of machining - hence the price.

 

[trex]

No need for the lecturing tone.

If it's so easy to pack so much battery power into such a small space, why isn't everyone doing it?

packing 50 cells into the motor casing isn't clever. Batteries are the most fragile component in an e-bike. You only need one cell out of the 50 in the pack to fail and the 'engine' has to be returned.
It would cost a few extra dollars to separate the battery pack from the motor. The weight distribution is about the same and you don't have to bring the bike indoors for charging.

 

[Cakey]

In fairness to optibike , jim turner is very passionate about his bikes.
Having been an owner and helping to improve what I saw as faults . Jim constantly strived to put right what needed to be improved on . The 600, 800, 850, 1100 were at one time way ahead of the competition.
The adoption of the Rohloff drive , me being the 1st in the world to integrate it into my bike , improved the reliability no end . Opti adopted this as the premium bike kit.
For me the only downfall apart from the premium price , was the battery issues. Opti would fulfil their warranty , but trying to ship a 36volt 22amp battery back to Colorado as hazmat was let's say more than the battery was worth .
I loved my opti overpriced , overpowered , over noisy . But boy was it fun.
All the time I have spoke to jim and Craig , they have been completely honest about their specs and designs, whether this new bike is a little late to the party , time will tell .
For me the guys at opti have been at the forefront of e transport for many years.
Fanboy , I once was a big fan. But for those who know me , I am not prone to guff
Dr Cake

 

[flecc]

I agree the previous Optibike series were special in their own way and the more powerful ones good performers in a brute force way. They didn't suit my tastes but undoubtedly lived up to their claims.

That's partly why some of what's been claimed in this thread has been so annoying. Firstly if it's good it won't need hyping with nonsensical stats. Secondly, only the worst amateurs in business advertise by inferring competitors products are inferior to theirs, that sort of promotion was proven to be unproductive decades ago.
.

 

[mountainsport]

Goodness knows how they've done that but it's amazing. Range will be short if you use it at 600W continuous though !!

Have to agree that it most likely kicks all overpriced German hardtails into touch. Perfect off-road design too (except the throttle-only). Now they just need to bring it out in a full-sus version and the Haibike S-Pedelecs are totally blitzed.

The only possible shortfalls (other than low range) are the lack of PAS and vulnerability of twist throttle. Oh - and the rubbish looks, but that can be easily fixed with some better paintwork.

Alex,

For that price everything should be spot on leaving no room for improvement. Imo I preferred the bulkier look, which I know adds more weight to the system. I will say, intergrading three components into one can not be beaten, to me that is very impressive.

MS.

 

[mountainsport]

Too little, too late. They milked the original Optibike too long with no real changes to the design.

If you had added the two words 'Too much' at the beginning of your sentence it would have been that old time favourite song from Johnny Mathis. A lot of youngsters on here wouldn't know that.

MS.