Feedback Form
   
Add to Google
Optibike Optibike
Friday, May 09, 2008 - Ehud Rattner
Home >> Picture Of The Day >> Transportation
  Peralink
Optibike
Related Pictures
Vectrix Electric Scooter
PathFindIR – Car Thermal Imaging
Optibike recently presented a new electrical bicycle model, called Optibike OB1, which features a patented motorized bottom bracket. The bicycle allows the rider to pedal as much as he or she would like to, as the thumb throttle easily powers the bicycle’s electric engine. The non-polluting Optibike OB1 is a 'green' alternative to conventional vehicles and can enhance users’ fitness routine.

Optibike designed the electric bike for people who commute a lot and for those who want to exercise more often. According to Optibike, their bicycles provide a convenient combination of easy transportation and physical exercise, since one can easily switch from the motorized transport mode to the pedaled transport mode. The Optibike OB1, is implemented with the motorized bottom bracket (MBB), which enables the rider to seamlessly switch between the two transport modes. Currently, the company has only produced a limited edition of the OB1, consisting of 24 units. 

The Optibike OB1 can reach speeds up to 3 times faster than traditional bicycles. Moreover, just like other electrical bikes, it is more economic than cars, motorbike or other vehicles, as the maintenance and gas expenses are very low. The OB1 has an internal Li-Ion battery with a 20ah and an 850w continuous brushless DC motor. The bicycle’s frame is made of aluminum monocoque, and the bike is equipped with Avid Juicy Ultimate brakes. The front suspension is Fox 36 Talas RC2 Fork and the rear suspension is Fox Float RP23 Shock, providing the OB1 with standard shock resistance. The Optibike OB1 is also equipped with TAG composite disk wheel-sets, making it more durable, and the UltraBright twin 10w halogen lights allow the rider to be seen easily at night time. Additionally, Optibike provides a Mastiff lock and a 2-years extended warranty on the OB1. 

Optibike's marketing emphasizes both the fitness and ecological aspects of using the electric bike. The company claims that the each Optibike was hand-built, and was assembled during over 40 hours. Although charging the OB1 in a conventional manner is still probably less polluting than using any type of conventional combustion engine, the OB1 battery can theoretically be charged by renewable energy sources (such as solar or wind power). 

Jim Turner, the inventor of Optibike, says he designed the Optibike to be "the finest electric bike in the world". Turner is so sure that the bike's quality surpasses others in the industry, that he offers the longest warranty available for batteries: 3 year or 30,000 miles. Although many potential buyers will surely be attracted by the innovative features and impressive specifications of the OB1, many might find the $12,995 price tag too high (significantly more than other electric bicycles and almost three times more than a Segway). 

TFOT has recently covered other innovative bicycles and pedal powered vehicles. Aquaduct is a pedal-powered water transportation and filtration vehicle, and the Hydrogen Powered Bike is a new, fuel-cell powered bicycle. Other related TFOT stories are the Tong City Bike, which is a new concept bicycle that illuminates itself, and the Easy-Glider X6, which is an electrical scooter. 

For more information on the Optibike, see the company’s website.

Other Articles Mempile - Terabyte on a CD Mempile - Terabyte on a CD Green Computing Green Computing

Related News Non-Stopping Train Non-Stopping Train Students Design Sleek Cars of the Future Students Design Sleek Cars of the Future

Other Columns Who Invented the Digital Computer? Who Invented the Digital Computer? The Differential Analyzer The Differential Analyzer



No comments have been posted for this item.

Add a New Comment
Your name:   0/20
Subject:  0/30
Your Comment:  0/999
Type the following letters: Visual CAPTCHA
Please keep your comments related to the above item's topic. TFOT reserves the right to delete any unrelated comment without notice.

Picture Of The Day
Floating Jelly Hat
Floating Jelly Hat

Video
Paralysed Rats Sprint
Paralysed Rats Sprint

Site Of The Week
Galaxy Zoo
Galaxy Zoo

Personal Column
Detroit’s Dream of Aircraft Production
Dr. Daniel Uziel
Detroit’s Dream of Aircraft Production
Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Site Profile
Copyright © 2007 The Future of Things. All rights reserved.