Gmac
A little more than a month ago, I bought an eZip through Walmart Site to Store. I've been very happy. I ride 15 miles each way to my daytime doings, on a HILLY road. I just barely make it on juice ( battery power, total 20 Amp hours in two battery packs), I recharge while there. I weigh 230 lbs so I'm a burden to the beast. But I'm in good shape, so I can help us.
My odometer, last I looked said more than 400 miles. I've had one little problem because of poor quality control at the factory, loose fasteners, but all's well generally. It does help if you know someone who can recognize the source of any potential problem.

My first message HAD included eZip is from Currie. It cost $380 complete at Walmart Site to Store.

What do you think Wisper electric bike? 24 kgs include the battery. 32km/h speed for US market, 36V 14a battery. 50km range pure throttle. . Very cool style.

I want to thank everyone for their kind and informative responses to my question. I did lots of research into many different electric bikes and spoke with several owners. I did finally arrive at a decision and this past Friday, I ordered an optibike 600L. It won't be here until the beginning of August. I decided that I wanted a bike that I could really really start to ride far distances instead of just to work. I am 55 years old and don't often spend money on myself. I wanted to do it right (at least for me) and so I decided to go with the optibike 600L in spite of the huge cost. I am looking forward to between 50-90 miles trips and intend to order the 2nd battery too. Can't wait until it gets here.

gmac :-)

Hello,

I am sort of in the same situation. I want to get an e-bike to commute.
It is about 6 miles each way (all flat - but with some strong head wind).
I don't need a throttle on the e-bike - I don't mind pedaling a bit (but not a lot).
Unfortunately, I can't afford an Opti-bike.

I was looking at:
1. Charger-bike
2. Giant Seude E
3. Or get a crytalyte kit

For option #1, and #2, I think I am close to the limit of my budget - and not sure how good are they.
I am not mechanically inclined at all - so option #3 is not too appealing (which part of the bike is the fork? and drop? ).

Any suggestions?
Thanks!

I am wanting an optibike as well. Wish I had the cash to buy one.

$8000 on optibike???
why it so special? it tuck you in sleep at night? whynot crystalyte?

when you go on optibike, you will realize you overpaid for 20mph.
it will be mcuh much slow! you will realize once rides.l

and as advertisze for 20mph, many times for 15mph-18mph

20mph is of maximum possible theoretical, for person 70kg, no wind, flat road, and perfects fcondidnetion
may not be applicable for your case

crystalyte, modify for 20mph, 25mph, 30mph, 35mph, 40mph
usings 72V controller and chooses LiFePO4 safe battery
Li-Ion Optibike, mistreatment leads for explosions!

[quote=Elusor;6778756]fcondidnetion
QUOTE]

What a great word

[QUOTE=pajo1235;6783044]condition

salesman lie, and make up for ideal condition of high speed bike for good sell; optibike not reach speed such on real world applications. trickery for uninform buyer.

maybe I bought the bike not for speed but for other reasons.

optibike is bad, you go for refund alllowed?

https://endless-sphere.com/forums/vie...php?f=7&t=4526

So here is my question to those of you who are putting down this optibike. I know not of any of this jargon from which you sling your mud at different products. But it does seem to me that most of it has to do with that you “read” and what you “hear” as opposed to you actually getting on an optibike and actually RIDING it???

I am hearing that you are debating about what is “written” on various web sites and you throw your opinions around based on what is alleged about what is represented on the web sites. It seems to me like a bunch of most of these opinions are just more rhetoric based on what you are reading instead of your actual experience of getting on the actual bike.

I do not believe for an instant that this is ”the greatest electric bike in the world!” I don't believe anyone can make that claim. But I do have problems with people who pooh pooh a product based on what they have “heard” or “read” versus what you have actually tried out for yourself.

It is one of the downsides of forums like this that when one asks a question and wants the answer to be based on PERSONAL and ACTUAL experience, that instead, what one gets is what you have “read” or what you heard that someone else said or read but very little of it is based on the actual bike that you have sat yourself down on and went for a ride upon.

In this whole thread, or even other similar threads on this website where someone like myself asks a simple question asking for information about actual ebike experience, count just how many of those responses come from the actual bike owners and how many come from people giving their ”opinions“ about what they have “read“.

Gmac, I don't own an Optibike and probably never will. You should not be offended or surprised when people give their opinions. After all, exchanging views and information is the purpose of forums. What you can glean from people who put down a product is a sense of the healthy scepticism that will surround a highly priced item such as this. Having looked at the site, I discovered (for example) that an upgrade from a 600 to 800 watt motor will cost more than a low-end bike!
It's not a downside to have an honestly expressed opinion. You were quite critical when no-one jumped to answer your query. Now you get critical if their opinions don't meet with your approval.
You say that you 'do not believe for an instant that this is ”the greatest electric bike in the world!'. Since it's probably the most expensive electronic bike in the world, why not?

Has anyone seen one of these?
https://www.e-ride.ca/Electric_Scoote...orino_BTr.html

Has anyone seen one of these?
https://www.e-ride.ca/Electric_Scoote...orino_BTr.html

gmac, I agree comments made based on first hand experience are the ones I value.

A question for you about the Motorized Bottom Bracket, does it have a freewheel function or must the pedals turn whenever the motor is driving?

Also, I don't see any mention on their website of an optional front derailleur with multiple chain wheels. Can that be done? It's HILLY here.

thanks, Don

I can't tell you for sure, but I would be very surprised if optibike doesn't allow you to not-pedal while the motor is working.

In looking at the optibike pictures (optibike uses a system sort of like my bike) I don't think there's any reasonable way to use multiple chainrings. Keep in mind, though, that if you aren't asking the bike to haul 500+ pounds, the motor should be more than capable of climbing any hill you can find.

Thanks for the response. I agree. What is your bike? I remember seeing another one on the web that had the motor at the BB. But I can't find it now. I'm considering running a chain from the motor on my eZip up to a "stroker's chainwheel on the left side. That way the motor would have the advantage of the 21 gears. I think it would extend mileage, if the motor didn't have to work so hard on hills. But there would be no freewheel, motor would turn any time pedals moved and vice versa.

take care, Don

I bought this TidalForce in 2004...$2300 then, and out of production now.

I love it. Absolutly silent, gets right up to 20 mph, then limited. Very frustrating to feel the power fall off just as you're starting to boogie. 8,000 miles and still going strong, second NiMH battery, 10 mile range.

A guy that worked at Optibike (Richard?) wanted to ride my TidalForce when it first came in, as it was probably one of the first 5 west of the Rockies back then, and they were just starting the Optibike, so we switched bikes and rode around my neighborhood.

I liked the Optibike a lot, especially that it powered through the gearset, so could gear up to some good speed, but it made quite a whine back then, sure it's much quieter now. He seemed to realy like the smooth quite power of the TidalForce.

I now build my own bikes with Chrystalite Racers and 4840 controllers and A123 battery packs...so fast and powerful.

I like what I see of the Whisper, would have to check it out if I was to consider pre-built again.

wernmax, can you post a link to that Whisper bike?

changed my mind.
decided to cancel my order of the optibike. :-(

Bribe your neighbor kid to install a hub motor kit on one of your trikes... I think that would be one bad azzz ride.

MyPC8Brain, which hub motor kit?

The bike shop (LBS) will put assimilate hub motor kit for bike/trike for $10. You plug in. The kit for ease use, is kit, for plug in, like plug in outlet for wall of house. Simple. For plug of batteries, plug in battery like plug in battery for flashlight. Not difficult. I de not understanding for why confusion of install kit? For difficulty is where?
Crystalyte kit allow for power for hills, steep. Crystalyte Brute from power hill and pull trolleys yes for.
Addiont for assimilate kit $1000. Choose for speeds 40mph. Once you trying for 20mph, realizes such is of slow speed like turtle walk or child bike. Experience for more speed desire. 30mph.