According to Jim Turner (Founder & President of Optibike), when many people first see the system they ask where the battery is! It is pretty impressive that everything is housed in a relatively small mid drive case.
By housing the motor and battery in the bottom bracket area it keeps the majority of the weight centered and low, which is great for the handling of a bike.
And in case you were wondering, SIMBB stands for Super Integrated Motorized Bottom Bracket.
The SIMBB system is also using a high tech smartphone and cloud based interface called eSocialBike. eSocialBike is a diagnostic software for e-bikes that connects the bike to a cloud based system via a smartphone. The system sends diagnostic information from the bike to the e-bike brand and dealer.
Let’s talk about the specs. The mid drive motor is 600 watts and that is pretty powerful when you consider that a mid drive motor has the ability to leverage the gears of the bike. The lithium battery is a 37V 14.5 ah pack (536 watt hours). This is a throttle only system (no pedal assist).
Optibike claims that the max speed is 26 mph with a range of 27 miles. Please keep in mind that this is not a review, so I cannot verify those numbers at this time.
Here is a video with Jim Turner explaining the SIMBB system at Interbike 2013:
The frame and some of the SIMBB parts are made in the US.
At this point Optibike is offering their SIMBB system on a 29er mountain bike that is priced at $5,700.
They will also be offering a SIMBB mountain bike with a Rohloff 14 speed internally geared rear hub with the Gates Carbon Drive belt drive for $7,700.
According to Jim Turner there maybe more SIMBB models in the future including an e-cargo bike, fat electric bike, and maybe an e-road bike.
Here are more pictures of the SIMBB system:
Here is a link to more information on the Optibike SIMBB.
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Again beautiful design, solid build, top line parts combined to produce one of a kind electric cycles for the discriminating and well heeled buyer of quality cycles. If I ever have a bank roll, this is the e-bike to own, hands down, period. Sincerely R. Dimock (:o{D
Wow to Jim and his Optibike. I have had three different electric bike over the years. With a different seat and handle bars this might be my next. I will rest while waiting for reports as to the reliability of this cream puff and I know Pete will keep me posted at the electric bike report.
Tanks.
Richard.
What are the prospects for these bikes to be esported to Europe?
Tony, we do not plan to export the bike to Europe in 2014. It is possible to buy one and have it shipped currently.
My dream E-bike is finally being realized with the trifecta of mid motor,gates belt drive & Rohloff speed hub.
What Jim & his crew at Optibike have created with the SIMBB
all-in-one system is pure genius!Job well done.
All the best,
Phil Constantino
I’d like to see a torque-sensed PAS version of this bike.
I’ve been looking at the photos and can’t figure how Optibike got that Gates belt there!