All about Batteries for Electric Bikes

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Battery size and Range Determination
To determine the true range of an electric bike, a person must look beyond the mileage claims made by the manufacturer.

No Standard Range Calculation for Electric Bikes
There is no National or International standard for Electric Bike range calculation, as there is with EPA car mileage ratings. Each manufacturer makes up their own mileage claim. Ranges for bikes vary widely, depending on speed and how much the rider is pedaling. An electric bike has an infinite range, if the rider is pedaling without the motor. The only true way to determine the range of electric bike is with an actual road test.

Three Factors Determine the Range of Electric Bike

Factor #1 Size Of Battery
In general, the  range of an electric bike is directly proportional to the size of the battery. A bike with a bigger battery will go further. This is an important fact to remember when researching bikes. (See below on how to compare battery sizes)

Factor #2 The Terrain
The second  factor that greatly affects range is the terrain, Just as with a car, an electric bike will not go as far if you are climbing hills versus riding on the flats.

Factor #3 Efficiency of Motor Drive System
The third factor in determining range is the type of motor drive system used. The Optibike Motorized Bottom Bracket is over three time more efficient when climbing hills than a hub motor. This means the Optibike it will climb further with the same size battery than a hub motor bike.

The Battery is like a Car’s Gas Tank
The size of the battery is analogous to the size of a car’s gas tank. A bigger battery, like a bigger gas tank, will go further. The size of a gas tank is measured in gallons,  the size of a battery is measured in watt-hrs. (amp-hrs are also used, but they do not provide the whole picture as they do not include the voltage of the battery pack).

Battery current is a analogous to the amount of gas flowing into your carburetor. As your car flows more gas, your tank empties quicker.  When you draw more current from your  battery, your battery empties faster.

How Battery Capacity is Measured
Batteries are  rated in either amp hours or watt-hours.  A20-amp hour rated battery can produce 20 amps for one hour and it’ll be drained.  A 10-amp hour battery can produce  10 amps for one hour. That’s how they’re rated.  But it’s not the whole story because the entire amount of energy you have in your battery is the amp hours times the voltage of the pack.  So a 12-volt pack at 10 amp hours is not the same as a 36-volt pack at 10 amp hours.  A 36-volt pack at 10 amp hours has 3 times the energy of a 12-volt battery at 10 amp hours because 36 volts is 3 times 12 volts.  So the standardized way to look at it would be in watt-hours, and watt-hours are actually volts times amp hours gives you watt-hours, which is energy.

Energy and  Power are Different
Many people confuse energy and power. Horse Power is power, not energy. Horsepower accelerates you,  but energy lets you go the distance. (Energy is the amount of fuel in your tank) Batteries with high power ratings can accelerate you quickly, but  usually have low energy ratings, resulting in short distances traveled. Energy is watt-hrs and energy keeps you going for the distance. In an electric bike, energy is more important than power.

The Simple Way to Calculate Range
As a general rule, look for a bike where the motor capacity rating in watts is equal to the battery capacity in watt hrs. (Many battery packs are rated in amp hrs. It is easy to convert this to watt-hrs by multiplying the voltage of the pack times the amp hrs.)  If they are equal, the bike will run for one hour at the rated motor power. The true range of the bike can then be easily found by multiplying the speed of the bike by one hour.

National Bike Month is here!

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MAY!!! National Bike Month is officially here! With longer, milder days, May is a perfect time to recognize bicycling for the multitude of benefits it provides – improving our health, economy, and environment.

 

Here are few ways to get involved, get on two wheels, and celebrate National Bike Month:

1. Go for a type of bike ride that you normally wouldn’t: If you’re a road rider, try a mountain bike ride. If you’ve never ridden your bike to work, give bike commuting a shot. And if the ride to work isn’t something you can tackle this year, ride your bike to run an errand you would normally do by car, even if it’s just a trip to the coffee shop or ice cream parlor. Remember—forty percent of trips Americans take are two miles or less, an easy bicycling distance.

2. Introduce one other person to bicycling. Whether it’s your partner, a coworker, a family member, or just a friend, help someone discover bike riding and go for a ride.  Why not encourage someone else to discover the activity that brings freedom and adventure?

3. Participate in one or more National Bike Month events. A list of community rides can be found at the League of American Bicyclists <http://peopleforbikes.org/page/m/67f21f68/3a973d67/24d1492/3af38bd2/4013629917/VEsE/> 

Here are some National Events, look at local calendars for events in your area.

Look for Optibike during Bike to Work Week, and National Bike to Work Day!

Optibike featured in Elevation Outdoors Magazine

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Turn Me On-  April 2012 Issue

Jim Turner, 55, the owner, founder and chief engineer of Colorado’s OptiBike likes to proselytize about electric bikes.

“It’s common to run away from what’s hard, but it’s my personality not to do that. I do what I want. That’s the mythos of America,” he says with a wry smile. “If you don’t do what’s hard, you don’t have a job. It’s too competitive out there.”

Optibike produces the only electric bike that is 100-percent made in America, and Turner designed and owns the proprietary internal processors, motorized electronics, frames, “everything,” he says. And most of it’s manufactured in the Front Range, with assembly and R&D occurring at Optibike’s location on 28th Street in downtown Boulder.

Read on….http://www.elevationoutdoors.com/sports/biking/turn-me-on/

Electric Bike Review: Optibike 1100R

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Are you looking for a fast, powerful, and custom off road electric bike that is built in the USA?  The Optibike 1100R may be your next e-bike.  Just be prepared to pay the price!

The Optibike 1100R is so fast and powerful that it won the Pikes Peak hill climb race in Colorado in 2011.  Not only did it win, it beat the 2010 time by 40 minutes!

read more here: http://electricbikereport.com/electric-bike-review-optibike-1100r/

Optibike Hits the Velodrome

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Optibike, the world’s leading high performance electric bike, is circling Boulder’s velodrome and stirring much excitement. Optibike has found its place as a coaching and pacing tool in Boulder’s renowned velodrome.

Boulder’s velodrome is home to a variety of classes, workouts, professional riders and teams. The facility offers riders of all abilities the fun of indoor cycling.

“The Optibike has been really useful to us, “ Tim Kyer said. “ Our track here (in Boulder) is small and makes for a unique dynamic ride. Optibike is helping riders learn the smooth pedal stroke and a consistent speed in and out of turns.”

Optibike is a Boulder company and been manufacturing the world’s finest electric for 12 years.

“We are the first and only velodrome to be using the Optibike,” Kyer said. “We are using the 1100 R model and are seeing a lot of ways that Optibike is used for a training tool. We can get through multiple workouts and groups on one battery charge.”

In other indoor cycling centers, electric and gas scooters are used. However, there is exhaust and emissions from gas machines. The electric batteries are not always reliable. The Optibike is the first electric bike powerful enough to lead a pack of very powerful cyclists and replace the scooter/motorcycle derny.

Optibike simulates riding the wheel of another bike. The height of the rider, the movement, the smoothness of acceleration are valuable aspects of using the Optibike.

“It is proving to be extremely popular,” Kyer said. “Because you can pedal it, you can control and modulate your rhythm and speed, without any choppy variations you get with other types (of a derny.).”

Optibike and the Boulder Indoor Cycling facility are excited to explore this tool and are taking it out onto the road later this month as an outdoor motor pacing tool.

“We are excited to be teamed up with a great local facility, and the Boulder cycling community,” Jim Turner, founder of Optibike, said. “We believe the Optibike will soon become an invaluable tool for cycling teams seeking to improve their competitive advantage in Boulder and around the world. We are planning to do some testing with teams racing the USPro Challenge in August.”

Optibike Weight Loss Challenge Overview

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Optibike is proud to offer their Weight Loss Challenge featuring coach Traci Brown. Once participants purchase an Optibike, they can participate in the year long program.

No other bike company in the world offers you the perfect way to exercise, challenges you to do it and helps you along the way.

Rarely do beginners have the opportunity to work with an elite coach in this intimate setting.  Traci uses her years of elite amateur and pro bike racing experience to coach Optibikers so they become not just healthy and fit, but great cyclists at the same time.

Participants can work with Traci in a variety of ways.  Basic level coaching includes a series of bi-weekly conference calls that address topics ranging from bike fit, proper training, pedaling efficiency, creative nutrition options, proper hydration and all the accessories you need to make riding really fun.

Silver level coaching includes a custom schedule just for you based on your schedule and personal needs. You are guided along your personal path towards success with Traci. She utilizes her 22 years racing and coaching at the highest levels of the sport.

Traci is a 3 Time Us Collegiate National Champion and former member of Team USA.

Maybe you do not want to be the best in the world. You want to do is be the best that you can be, and find a great balance of health and fitness. Traci teaches you the techniques so you ride efficiently and correctly. This allows you to maximize your training and your time and find long term enjoyment.

Is the road easy?  No.  Does it take commitment?  Yes. But nothing worth doing is easy.

The key to this program is the integration of the Optibike into your life for a successful lifestyle change.  You have an expert guide with the fitness program. All you have to do is commit.

A training week may include a couple of long rides, some interval days and of course rest. Yes, rest as hard as you train!  In the winter we schedule whatever activities are available in your area, skiing, hiking, gym workouts and spin classes.  Programs are designed with your work and travel schedule, all with the idea of maximum results in minimum time.

For more information on Traci Brown, please visit www.tracibrown.com.

Accessories You Need for the Road to Success

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Ok, so you’ve got an Optibike.  What’s next?  Well, you have to ride it.  But you have not exercised in a while.  Maybe a long while.  And maybe you have never ridden a bike for exercise.

The key to success is comfort.  Comfort creates consistency.  To be comfortable, your accessories must fit correctly and be the right pieces of equipment for the activity.

Most important: You need a helmet.  Helmets these days are light and comfortable, and do not impede your motion in any way. Helmets protect your most important asset. Helmets might seem a little expensive but they’re cheaper than a cat scan! And your brain is priceless! Try on a few helmets, see which one seems to fit the shape of your head. Many have extra pads and a head-lock system for multiple areas of adjusting.

never leave home on two wheels without it

Although you might think that bikers look funny, cycling specific clothing increases your comfort and the length of time you want to spend on the bike.  First, you want to look for a pair of cycling shorts (bike shorts).  Bike shorts are snug so that they don’t bunch up while you ride.  They minimize chafing and ease the stress on your rear end. A pad (chamois) is built in and gives you that extra cushion you need, right where you need it.  There are lots of brands on the market. Try on a few brands and see what is comfortable to you. Remember, they should not be baggy.

For your jersey, any breathable sports shirt will do. They are cycling specific jerseys out there with pockets for longer rides. There are many materials and styles. Find the one that is right for you.  Make sure that the jersey is long enough in the torso so when you are riding and holding the handlebars it covers your back completely. There’s nothing worse than a sunburn on the small of your back!

Get yourself a Camelbak or some kind of water delivery system.  Hydration is crucially important.  If you get 1% dehydrated, you’ll lose 20% of your efficiency. Drinking while riding is a must. And the hotter it gets, the more fluid you need.  Camelbaks have a genius design so you can drink while still keeping both hands on the handlebars.  So you are safe and hydrated at the same time!

When you really want to get serious about your riding and maximize efficiency, get yourself a pair of cycling shoes and clipless pedals.  There is a wide variety to chose from, both in width, fit and materials. The most important thing is your shoes are snug without any room for your foot to move around. Cycling shoes with an incorrect fit are painful and annoying.  Your local bike shop is a valuable resource.  Never, ever buy bike shoes online without making sure of the fit first!

And as always, any time you are outside, protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen.  Hours on the bike out in the sun can cause skin damage.  Head off trouble at the pass with some SPF 50.  My suggestion is to use Coppertone Sport, it does not clog your pores or make you feel hot.  A variety of brands are out there. Find the one you like and use it. A lot.

Winner of 2011 Weight Loss Challenge Announced

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Optibike Electric Bicycles is proud to announce Bob Brewer of San Diego, CA the winner of the 2011-2012 Optibike Weight Loss Challenge.
Bob Brewer lost 89 lbs., beat diabetes and is free of the debilitating disease. Brewer wins $5000 to donate to a charity of his choice.
Contestants spent the year riding their Optibike, changing eating habits and learning healthy lifestyle living with the guidance of a coach. Optibike is the first to offer an E-bike Coaching Program- the only fitness program designed specifically for electric bike riders. The average weight loss in the program was 40 lbs.
Bob’s story is one of inspiration, dedication and a life-changing goal.
Bob Brewer is a regular guy. He spent his life building a successful family business. The money was good and all the perks that came with it were even better. Then at age 53, he found himself overweight, way overweight. And diabetic. He was 5’7” and 270 lbs. The doctor called him ‘morbidly obese’. That’s when fear set in.
A young death just wasn’t an option for Bob. So what was a guy like Bob to do? A little exercise for a few days wasn’t going to fix the problem. An entire lifestyle shift was in order. But it sounded so hard and complicated. That is when Bob joined the Optibike Weight Loss Challenge with coach Traci Brown.
The Optibike Weight Loss Challenge is a year long coached lifestyle and fitness program. A community is created around the enthusiasm for weight loss and cycling with the Optibike. Optibikes are the perfect match for the challenge. Being electric, the Optibike gives a push when the rider needs it. The intimidation factor is gone. The rider gets a great workout, can push their athletic limits, and get some assistance when needed.
Bob found fun, along with success, in the Optibike community and started riding his Optibike every day. He followed his program closely and monitored his progress. The program consisted of riding every day with a specific plan, walking if he couldn’t ride, eating lower carbohydrates, less meat and more fish, cutting out soft drinks and alcohol, Bob has only had water to drink for a year.
The results: Bob has lost 89lbs and he’s still going. He is exercising every day, riding his Optibike and walking, and totally off all medications. He is excited about life and he still has not had anything to drink but water. And all this happened because he decided to save his own life with the Optibike Weight Loss Challenge.
Why ride an Optibike for weight loss? Optibikes are the Ferrari of electric bikes. They’re fast, sleek and fun. When beginning to lose weight they are the perfect fitness equipment. Riders get a great workout outside, a push up the hills when they need it and all the fun of experiencing the speed of a Tour de France peleton.