Optibike Reviews

Optibike really nails it when it comes to quality, customer satisfaction, and top-notch service. After spending a good chunk of time researching, we finally settled on the Argon. A few Q&A chats with Jim Turner helped seal the deal for us. My wife is thrilled with her new ride; it lets her join me on those longer and faster outings. I think the Argon fits our needs perfectly because we had a solid idea of how we wanted to use it. We were particularly keen on the e-assist feature, and the bike's weight and battery life were also big considerations for us. The standard features Jim included in the build really boosted the value compared to what we found at similar price points elsewhere. Living in South Mississippi, where it’s mostly flat with a few rolling hills and a whole lot of heat and humidity, I can say the battery has performed just as we hoped. For instance, after a full charge, we tackled two 32-mile rides, and after the last one, the display still showed 4 out of 5 bars with 62 miles logged. We were cruising at an average of 17.5 mph, and she adjusted the assist level from 1 to 3 based on the incline. She’s loving the speed, her riding technique is shifting to more spinning, and as she puts it, 'who doesn’t want to burn more calories?' I can’t recommend the Argon from Optibike enough.

This is the most amazing electric mountain bike I've ever used! I'm totally in love with it. First off, it’s a legit mountain bike with solid suspension. It has a futuristic look, super dependable, and on top of that, it’s the quickest and most powerful ride that still resembles a traditional bike.

Pros: This ride is super powerful and quick, built tough (right here in the USA) with top-notch components; it has a solid range and climbs hills like a champ; the service is friendly, top-notch, and super responsive (shoutout to Jim!); been using it for 8 years and it’s still going strong!
Cons: It can feel a bit wobbly because of its higher center of gravity (especially the R15, particularly when using the second battery mounted on the seat stem); the gearing on my version feels a bit low for my needs and comfort, making it tricky to pedal (and get a workout) when I’m using power assist at higher speeds (a broader gear range would really boost its versatility).

I purchased a pre-owned Optibike that had been returned. It showed up at my place really well packed, but it was missing enough assembly and instruction guides to make it straightforward. As time went on, I figured out how the bike operated (with its Rohloff hub and unique motor/battery), but it always felt a bit off to me. After several tests and some back-and-forth with Jim Turner (the owner of Optibike), I made the choice to send it back. I'm still hopeful and excited about Optibike, but I can't help feeling let down that this particular one didn’t suit me.

Awesome ride! We own two in our household, one 1100 and another 850. We've had them for more than five years, and they've been fantastic with zero problems. I still manage to get over 20 miles on my batteries as well. I reached out to Optibike's service team, and they picked up the phone and resolved my concern. Thank you! Optibike - the bike that turned things around for me.

These bikes still seem pretty quiet compared to all those low-power, slow-moving Chinese models; opti bikes are like a breath of fresh air. Riding feels so free, like you're just gliding in the wind. A couple on road bikes tried to overtake me on a narrow dirt path where I was cruising comfortably; they zipped past me as if I was just another sluggish ebike. When the trail widened back to concrete, I zoomed past them in mere seconds, and they looked at me in disbelief and stopped. It was a bit strange, but I just kept pedaling with a grin on my face, my pedals feeling like they were stuck in place.

I got my first Optibike (OB-1) back in 2007 after realizing that hub-motor eBikes struggle on steep hills. Nowadays, I ride one premium Optibike for my daily commute (22 miles round trip) and another for off-roading (R15c). Both the bikes and the customer support have been really reliable and quick to respond. All in all, I hold a ton of respect and admiration for this innovative company.

Christopher Pederson
Las Vegas, NV

Optibike stands out as the top bicycle manufacturer in the USA, no doubt about it. The CEO, Jim, is incredibly friendly and always ready to assist. Their customer service is truly exceptional. I’m such a fan that I’ve owned three of their bikes! I’ve got the original 400R, which is a decade old and still runs like a champ. That bike got me to buy the newer R8 for myself and the Pioneer Allroad for my wife. Sure, it’s on the pricier side, but it’s a solid investment that’ll serve you well for many years. I hope this info helps anyone sitting on the fence about getting an Optibike.

The Optibike has proven to be a solid ride. It's still holding up well after several years of use.

It's pretty obvious, but I've come to realize that the battery doesn't hold up too well on steep inclines. It's best suited for flat terrain. So, when I take long rides uphill, I end up relying on my own strength until I can recharge the battery. The bike is on the heavier side, and getting a second battery can really hit the wallet.

I've faced some issues with my tires losing air. There were slow leaks, and from what I can gather, it seems like sharp edges on the rim's interior were to blame. Using heavy-duty tubes and a file has helped fix that.

I didn't initially grasp that the battery assist cuts out when you start pushing hard with your legs. So, if you're counting on that extra boost for a speed burst... you might want to rethink that. This old guy could use all the help he can get!

I recently got my hands on the Optibike RMC Commuter. Assembly was a breeze, taking just about 5 minutes right out of the box. The shipping box was really well designed. Riding this bike feels fantastic. I encountered a couple of minor issues, but Jim Turner was quick to help me out. He personally picks up the phone and offers excellent support. In the end, I had to utilize the return policy. The road I ride on is full of potholes, and while the 24" wheels are super agile, they do create quite a bit of vibration when hitting bumps. I'd definitely consider buying one again.

I had a great experience working with Jim Turner for my electric bike purchase. No other seller I met was nearly as informed as Jim, and he really knows how to break things down for someone just starting out.

About a year back, I stumbled upon Optibike and figured the Rocky Mountain Commuter was the right fit for me. It showed up on July 31, 2018, in flawless shape, and after juicing up the battery, I kicked off a summer filled with awesome rides through the hills and trails near Madison, WI. The bike came loaded with all the handy accessories you could want: an LED headlight, a built-in rack with a detachable pannier, a rearview mirror, a bell, fenders, a tail light, a comfy seat, and a robust 500-watt mid-drive that tackled every incline I faced. Jim Turner, the owner, took care of all the details for my order, and as a sweet bonus, he sent me a complimentary second 37 V. Li-ion battery. I often hear compliments from fellow cyclists about how good my Rocky Mountain Commuter looks. Overall, I’m super happy with every part of my purchase and the riding experience on my RMC Optibike.

Pro forms just like they said. The Roloff 14-speed hub needs a bit of time to 'break in.' I've managed to get up to 50 miles on a single charge. The fenders are a bit flimsy, though. The rear fender broke pretty easily, and I had to take off the front one due to clearance issues. Any mud or gravel gets caught between the tire and the fender, which is a hassle.

If I could change anything, it would be to switch to a Gates belt drive.

The biggest headache is parking... those bike thieves really deserve a slow and painful end!!!

I had a solid chat with Mike when he was selling me a bike. However, the support I got after buying my bike has been pretty disheartening, to put it mildly. I sent several emails about getting reimbursed for warranty repairs done here in LA, but none were answered. I was meant to get $50 back for that warranty work, but it never showed up. After sending multiple emails with no reply, I realized it was a lost cause.

I’d definitely think twice before dropping thousands on another optibike.

Such a shame.

I felt let down when I found there were no assembly instructions for the Rocky Mountain Commuter, and some parts were either broken (like the tail light) or just plain missing. The packaging was all messed up because the constraints holding the front parts under pressure gave way, causing the handlebars to stick out of the box. The lcd monitor didn’t show any functions that track the rear wheel revolutions—like speed and distance. I also noticed that a magnet meant to attach to the rear wheel spokes was absent. There’s supposed to be a sensor that picks up each time the magnet goes by, but that hasn’t been replaced yet. The derailleur’s smallest sprocket started slipping, and I got a replacement set that I had to install myself.

Even with all these hassles, the bike does fit my needs pretty well. The battery life is fantastic, and having a spare battery really takes away that range anxiety.

Still, it’s tough to shake off those bad first impressions.