Optibike Essex User manual

Owners ManualV1.0
Optibike Essex
This is the Owners Manual for the Optibike
Essex Electric Bicycles. The Guide provides
for basic information required to ride the
bike. It is recommended that you always
ride your electric bike bike with a helmet
and observe all traffic regulations.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 1

Congratulations on your ownership of a new Optibike Essex Electric
Bike.
The Essex is the ultimate E Bike for smaller riders and riders that want a
bike that is easy to get on and off. The Essex is built with the finest parts
available.
Your bike was hand built in Colorado by dedicated craftsman, who
build, ride and design the bikes you ride to create an unmatched level of
performance.
Please read this manually entirely before you ride your bike.
Contact Optibike if you do not understand anything.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 2
Contact Optibike
EMAIL: [e-mail]
Phone [phone]

•The maintenance information in this manual requires a
basic understanding of using common tools. If you do not
have the experience required to perform these
operations, you should take your bike to a Certified
Bicycle Ship for Maintenance and repairs.
•Failure to perform the repairs and maintenance correctly
can result in death or injury.
•NOTE: We strongly urge
you to read this Manual
in its entirety before
your first ride.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 3
Contact Optibike
EMAIL: [e-mail]
Phone [phone]

Warning on Night Riding
Riding a bicycle at night is much more dangerous than riding during the day.
A bicyclist is very difficult for motorists and pedestrians to see.
Therefore, children should never ride at dawn, at dusk or at night.
Adults who chose to accept the greatly increased risk of riding at dawn, at
dusk or at night need to take extra care both riding and choosing specialized
equipment which helps reduce that risk.
You must use active lights when riding at night. This means a headlight and
taillight. It is also recommended that you ride with a reflective coat or vest.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 4
Contact Optibike
EMAIL: [e-mail]
Phone [phone]

Special Electric Bike Riding Tips
•Electric bikes travel faster than conventional bikes.
•Car drivers may think you are going slower than you are and
pull out in front of you.
•This may happen when they pull out from a side street or have
just passed you and turning right.
•Use Hand Signals
•Be Aware!
•Be Courteous to pedestrians and other cyclists.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 5

E Bike Classification
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 6
Ebike laws vary by state. The most popular and latest laws are the three Class
classifications.
The Optibike Essex can be configured to be a Class 1, 2 or 3 E Bike.
In standard form the Essex is a Class 3 E Bike.
Latest State E Bike Classifications
Max Power Max Speed Pedelec or
Throttle
Class 1 750 watts 20 MPH Pedelec
Class 2 750 watts 20 MPH Throttle
Class 3 750 watts 28 MPH Throttle under
20 MPH.
Pedelec from
20-28 MPH
It is your responsibility to consult your local and state laws to determine
where your bike is legal to ride.

Riding Gear
•The following riding gear is recommended:
–Properly fitted helmet
–Bicycle Gloves
–Eye Protection
–Bright Clothing
•In areas with rapidly changing weather conditions, be sure to bring extra
clothing.
•It is highly recommended that you carry the following tools and spares:
–Spare inner tube
–Tire changing levers
–Basic tool kit
–Tire pump
•A water bottle for hydration is also a good idea.
•Use Sun Screen if riding in sunny areas.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 7

Before You Ride Each Time
•Check the tires for proper inflation and wear (35 psi is
a good pressure)
•Be sure the brakes are in good working order and
adjusted
•Check the battery charge
•Check the throttle for free operation, prior to turning
on the bike.
•Each 100 miles of riding check all bolts on the bike.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 8

The Dropper Seat Post
•The dropper seat post allows you to adjust the height of the seat up
to 5 inches with pushing the lever on the left side of the handlebar.
You can have the seat low when stopping and then raise it for long
distance touring.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 9
Seat Post in Up Position
Seat Post in Down Position

Adjusting The Dropper Seat Post While Riding
•The height of the seat can be
changed quickly while riding.
•To lower the seat:
1. Sit on the bike
2. Push the lever on the left side
of handlebar.
3. The seat will begin to move
down with your weight.
4. Release the lever when at the
desired seat height.
•To raise the seat:
1. Stand up slightly and release
pressure on the seat.
2. Push the lever on the left side
of handlebar.
3. The seat will begin to move up.
4. Release the lever when at the
desired seat height.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 10

Raising Seat Post in Frame
The position of the seat post in the frame can also be adjusted.
This is adjusted so the seat will be at your desired height when fully extended.
This procedure is easier done with two people.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 11
Step 1: Loosen the seat
post clamp.
Step 2: Locate the
adjuster cable where it
leaves the frame near
handlebar.
Step 3: Use your finger
to pull the cable from
bottom of frame while
pushing cable into
frame at top. Do only
about 2 inch of cable at
a time.

Raising Seat Post in Frame
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 12
Step 4: Gently pull up
the seat while guiding
cable into seat tube
with your other hand.
Continue this procedure
until seat is at correct
height.
Step 5: Tighten the
Allen bolt on seat post
clamp.
Caution! Do not extend seat post beyond maxim extension mark.
If the seat post is still not high enough at maximum extension, a longer seat
post is required.

Lowering Seat Post in Frame
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 13
Step 1: Loosen the seat
post clamp.
Step 2: Gently push the
seat post down as you
pull the adjuster cable
from the seat tube.
Step 3: Pull the cable
out of the top of frame
downtube.
Step 4: Tighten the
Allen bolt on seat post
clamp.
If the seat post lever does not actuate the seat post after adjustment, the cable may
have been pulled too far out of seat tube.

How to Turn the Bike On
•Press the rear button on
the left control pad until
the display turns on.
•Display is ON
•Press the rear button on
the left control pad until
the display turns on.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 14
When the bike is first turned on it will always be in Power Level 1
How to Turn the Bike Off

How to Read the Display
•Battery Charge Level
•Speedometer
•Power Level
•Odometer
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 15
The Essex has an LCD display mounted to the handlebar which
provides information to the rider.

How to Check the Charge Level of the Battery
The battery charge level is shown
on the display by the “Energy
Bar” at the top of display.
In this picture the battery is full
with all 5 large segments on. Each
segment is approximately 20% of
the battery charge.
In this picture there is one bar
remaining so charge is between
0-19% remaining.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 16
The display will only change by the 5 large
segments, not the small divisions in between.
The last segment will never go away. The bike
will stop at end of charge, even though last
segment is showing. With last segment
showing, charge can be anywhere from 0-19%
The bike will be faster during the first 20-30%
of charge as the voltage of the battery is
higher.
When climbing hills the charge level may reduce
due to high power drain from battery. When done
climbing, the charge level will return to previous
level.

How to Engage the Motor
The power on the Essex is
controlled by either the half
twist throttle on the right
handlebar or by pedaling.
The spring loaded half twist
throttle is located on the
right handlebar.
To accelerate, lightly grip
the throttle and rotate the
throttle towards you.
You can adjust the amount
of power by the position of
the throttle.
The maximum power of the
throttle is limited to 250
watts, regardless of what
power level you are in.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 17
When the bike is on, turning the throttle will make the bike
accelerate. Only turn throttle when you are on the bike and
ready to ride. When moving the bike or dismounting, hold
the grip, not the throttle.

How to Change the Power Level
•The Essex has 5 Power Levels for the
Motor. Each Power Level limits the
maximum power the motor can
deliver.
•When the bike first turns on it will be
in Power Level 1, which is lowest
power level.
•To increase the Power level, push the
“+” Button on the keypad.
•The PAS Assist Level is shown on the
display.
•Level 5 is the highest power level.
•To reduce the level, push the “-“
button on keypad.
•To go to zero power, keep pushing the
“-“ button until the “0” level is
displayed.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 18
Riding in higher assist levels will increase
speed, but reduce the run time of the
battery.

How to Change the Display to Trip Distance
How to Change the Display to
Trip Distance
1. Turn the bike on
1. Press the Menu Key quickly
(If you hold too long bike will
turn off)
1. Average Speed will be
displayed for 5 seconds.
1. Trip A will show in lower left
side of screen.
1. To view Trip B, Press the
Menu Key quickly again.
1. To Reset the Trip Distance
hold the Menu and Down
Button at the same time
until the Trip Distance reads
“0”.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 19
•In addition to the main screen that has the Odometer, there are 2 other screens,
Trip A and Trip B that show the Trip distance.
•When the Menu button is pressed, the Speed Display will also change to Average
Speed for 5 seconds.

How to Turn On The Headlight
•To turn on the headlight, push
the switch on the side of the
headlight forward. This will
turn on the headlight and
taillight.
•To turn off, pull the switch to
the rear.
Optibike Essex Owner’s Manual 20
The Essex has optional custom LED Headlight and Taillight.
You must turn the headlight off with headlight
switch when done riding. Turning off the bike will
not turn off the headlight.