the goods TECHed Tech Editor and gadget junkie Shane Battier test-drives the latest in tech goods. in This issue, he takes on the Optibike 850Xli. I can still remember growing up and watching re-runs of Back to the Future week after week. Watching Marty McFly on his hovering skateboard made us dream of the cool things technology would bring us in the future. While we still don’t have the hoverboard, this month’s review, the Optibike 850XLi, is exactly the type of technology we dreamt of as kids. For the Optibike is an electric bike. I know what you are saying; I said the same thing, “Isn’t an electric bike defeating the purpose of cycling?” Well, yes and no. While there are other electric bike models on the road, Optibike is the first bike to allow The Patented Motorized Bottom Bracket (MBB) drive system, which is the most efficient drive system for an electric bicycle because the MBB allows the rider to pedal in tandem with the motor. With most other electric bikes, you may pedal, but you constantly feel like you are fighting against the motor, not working with it. Your pedal Power + Electric Motor = Human Electric Hybrid The Optibike is designed so your pedaling is added to the motor power at any speed. You can feel the immediate results of your pedaling efforts with increased speed and hill climbing power. This encourages you to pedal as much as you can (or feel like), giving you a tough workout—on your terms. The first time I climbed on, I was skeptical, at best, of the smoothness of the ride. But after putting it together (if you can pay for professional assembly, do it—piecing it together is a pain), not only was I shocked at how smooth the ride was, but I also found the Optibike fairly powerful. To engage the motor, there is a throttle located on the handle bar that you rev just like on a motorcycle. The pickup speed is pretty impressive. I was able to get my speed up to 20 mph in a few seconds. Considering this is a bike, I think that is impressive. Electric motor notwithstanding, this bike has all the features of a normal mountain bike. There is a gear shifter on the handlebar as well as a sophisticated shock system that makes the ride ultra smooth. I am not going to lie to you, this thing is pretty sweet. I would recommend a helmet if you were going to ride this bike. With speeds that get up to 25 mph, this is not a toy. If you are going to ride this in a city setting, a helmet is a must. The Optibike is a great vehicle for short-term travel. Perfect for the commuter who wants a quick way to get around but doesn’t want to sweat through his attire on his journey. I rode this bike around for nearly a half hour and barely broke a sweat thanks to the help of the electric motor. Driving ranges vary from model to model; for example, the USV commuter has a 20-mile range on the battery alone and costs only $.07 to ‘fill up.’ Try that in a Prius. Even if you run out of battery, guess what, you still have your legs to get you home. In the years that I have been writing this column, this bike ranks up near the top as the coolest pieces of technology we have reviewed. This machine is not cheap, stock models start at $9,000, and with component upgrades, the price can rise quickly. It is conceivable that you could make your money back on the gas and insurance savings vs. a car. The Optibike is a fantastic piece of technology. As the price of lithium batteries drops and machines like this become more cost-effective, there is no doubt that this will be the wave of the future. Doc Brown would be proud.
Pros:
Cons:
+ Fast, will get you where you need to be in a hurry
– Pricey
+ Smooth ride, thanks to a great suspension system + Fun to ride
– Bulky, this bike does not come with a kickstand and takes up more room than a standard bike
Optibike 850XLi $9995
– It will make your friends jealous. Jealousy is never good For video reivews of Shane’s TECHed page, check out hoopmag.com
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6/30/09 4:04:43 PM