Optibike 850R performance metrics
Ron G
Howdy--
I run a community bike shop where we take in donated used bikes to support our open work space. A while ago someone donated an Optibike 850R, which had motor issues. We sent the motor back to the factory, where they were kind enough to help out our small non-profit by repairing the motor for us.
It's all back together now, but I'm still not sure it's performing optimally. I've tried other ebikes, including Bionix and Specialized, and the Optibike feels under-powered for an 850 watt motor. With a third the wattage, the Specialized pulled much harder, maxing out at its 28 mph top speed quickly.
Can anyone offer any objective metrics to measure performance, or at least some subjective assessments? Is it supposed to be fairly sedate in power delivery, or should it be able to wheelie and smoke the back tire?
I have checked out this review:
http://www.electricbike.com/optibike-850r-ride-and-review/
And he seems to confirm that it's really pretty underwhelming. As he notes, it takes some time to get it up to speed.
Thanks for any advice or opinions you can offer.
Happy Trails,
Ron Georg
Shop Czar
Corvallis Bicycle Collective
Raulio
It was amazing! Popped wheelie the first time I tried it. Almost threw me off. No lack of power at all. I've ridden the specialized. (perhaps a different model?) The specialized was very wimpy by comparison.
I shredded my cassette several times. Always kept a spare cassette, chain and tools in my backpack just in case. The opti maxes out between 25 and 30MPH. It's not meant for speed.
I traded mine in for an 1100R. Have not found a trail can't go up.
My friend has a hub motor. He was able to beat me going up gentle hills. He stopped laughing when he smoked his motor on a step section. He fixed that and shredded his internal gears next. Now I ride alone.
-Raul
Q-Wing
I use a 2009 800li.
With a 45:11 and a new chain it runs 25 km/h w/o pedaling.
Cheers
Chris