Some of the best speed pedelecs currently on the market come from Switzerland. In Germany’s neighbouring country, you can already ride such a bike at the age of 14 – and on ordinary cycle paths, too. Not surprisingly, it receives more attention there than in Germany. So, if you’re looking for a great speed pedelec, you should keep an eye on the Swiss manufacturers. Especially now that two models are appearing on the horizon that promise a remarkable range.
Opium is the name of the newcomer with big plans. At this year’s Eurobike in Frankfurt am Main, the brand wants to present four speed pedelecs whose integrated batteries are supposed to provide a range of up to 256 kilometres. To avoid any misunderstandings: We are talking about a single energy storage unit in the down tube. According to Opium, its maximum capacity is a staggering 1,670 watt hours. Basically, this sentence deserves an exclamation mark.
The largest version of the Opium battery provides 1,670 watt-hours.
Suddenly the distant is so close
To illustrate what this could mean in practice, a little play of thoughts. In June, the Störtebeker Festival starts again on the island of Rügen. Culturally interested and at the same time sporty capital city dwellers could cycle from Berlin to Ralswiek directly to the natural stage. Non-stop. And that’s not all. How about a trip during the Christmas season to a then perhaps romantically snow-covered Prague? Even that could be done from Berlin with the speed pedelecs from Opium. All it would take is the right clothing and the version of the bike with the additional 470 watt hours of the range extender. These increase the range by 84 kilometres to a total of 340 kilometres.
Of course, one or the other detail might have to be glossed over for this. Nevertheless, the fact that this would be theoretically feasible is fascinating. For more daily undertakings, such as the brisk commute to work, less imagination is needed. It is precisely these people that Opium has in mind with its four models, the Opium 6 LR, the Opium 6, the Opium 4 and the Opium 3. The brand name, by the way, is derived from an earlier bike from MTB Cycletech. Since both brands are under the umbrella of Revolt Zycling AG, any copyright issues are in the green 😉
Perfect for commuting to work and longer tours is the rear carrier integrated into the mudguard.
Contribution from a prominent figure
The designer of the new speed pedelecs is also well known in the industry. Torgny Fjeldskaar has already worked very successfully for big names like BMC, Cannondale and BMW. The Norwegian’s invoice could be one reason why Opium talks to the Swiss ebike magazine Easybiken about a seven-figure sum that is said to have been spent on the development. In any case, the result is a design language without any major frills, which tends to feature edges rather than curves. The down tube indicates that there is room for a larger battery inside. At the same time, you will hardly find any screws or other parts on the aluminium made frame. Perhaps the pictures shown now do not yet represent the final design. Bottle cage mounts, for example, would be really welcome on a bike that is suitable for such long distances.
Three of a total of twelve available colours
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- Cognac
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- Java Green
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- Martini
The biggest consumer of battery power is, of course, the motor in the rear hub. Opium specifies its continuous output as 850 watts. It needs to be supplied with plenty of energy at all times. In this respect, the enormous capacity of the batteries seems only logical. To a certain extent, the motor itself supplies energy back to the system via recuperation. The manufacturer is currently keeping the size of this share to itself. The 48 Newton metres of torque should propel you forward considerably and cause quite a few smiles.
Since the gearbox is integrated in the bottom bracket, the design of the rear dropouts can be minimalistic.
Swiss cooperation
Given the power of the motor, it’s also clear that even the biggest battery will be exhausted at some point. To recharge it, you are tied to the bike. The battery can be removed. However, this is only intended for a check or repair by experts. So, you need a suitable place to store it. Since a complete charge takes about seven hours, it should be adequately secured. Despite the usable charging current of 4.8 amps, this cannot be done any faster with the corresponding charger. Whereas, in the case of the Opium 3 and its somewhat smaller battery of 1,400 watt-hours, you will probably finish a little below that mark.
The FIT system acts as the control centre between the motor, battery and control unit. Initially, this was reserved for Flyer ebikes. After the spin-off of this branch of the company with the founding of Biketec AG and the associated opening for all ebike manufacturers, the way was also cleared for Opium to use the system, which has several million kilometres of practical use on the clock. According to their own statement, developing their own operating system would have completely exceeded the brand’s financial framework for this project. Instead, Opium customers will apparently be able to fall back on Flyer’s service network. We cannot yet say whether this will only apply to Switzerland for the time being.
Familiar from Flyer ebikes: firmware and control unit from FIT.
Comfortable shifting and braking
Opium’s next well-known partner is the gear manufacturer Pinion. Other speed pedelec manufacturers such as Stromer, Kettler and Klever rely on Pinion’s proven shifting technology. Opium has opted for two C-series transmissions. Both versions of the Opium 6 have the C1.12, while the Opium 4 and Opium 3 feature the C1.9. As you know, the numbers after the dot stand for twelve and nine gears, respectively, which provide you with transmission ranges of 600 per cent and 568 per cent.
Equally high-quality components ensure your safety during the ride. Magura’s impressive MCI brakes with four brake pistons and a disc diameter of 203 millimetres each at the front and rear are already something. In addition, Opium combines the system with Blubrake’s ABS. The actuator ring is already integrated in brake discs specially developed for this purpose. Hydraulics and lines run invisibly inside the handlebars. In this way, the cockpit retains its effect, reduced to the absolute essentials.
Unconventional, but efficient
A second parallel to Stromer speed pedelecs becomes apparent when looking at the suspension fork. Like its competitor, Opium also relies on the always somewhat unusual design of upside-down forks, in which the movable, narrower stanchion tubes characterise the lower part of the fork, while the steerer tubes, triple clamp and stand tube form the rigid upper part. Manufacturer Wren has put on a custom design with 45 millimetres of travel. The dropouts leave enough space for the lines for the ABS and at the same time accommodate the mudguards.
The upside-down suspension fork offers 45 millimetres of travel.
Another eye-catcher is the daytime running light embedded in the head tube. In combination with the SL-X headlight from Lupine, you will always have a clear view even in adverse visibility conditions. And since safety has long included invisible features, a GPS tracker and a keyless immobiliser are also part of the equipment.
Nearly a year until delivery
Anyone who finds these ebikes from Opium exciting should already get tickets for the upcoming Eurobike. There, the manufacturer will show its range to the public for the first time. This is synonymous with the chance of extended test rides. At the fair, they will also announce how much the batteries and the complete bikes weigh. You will be able to pre-order the models from July onwards. The price of the Opium 3 starts at around 8,500 euros. For the top model with the range extender, Opium is asking around 12,000 euros. Due to the still extremely tight availability of some bicycle components, actual delivery will be delayed until spring 2023. At least according to the current status.
Speed pedelec Opium 2022 at a glance
- Variants: Opium 6 LR; Opium 6; Opium 4; Opium 3
- Frame sizes: M, L, XL
- Motor: Opium hub motor, 850 W, 48 Nm
- Battery capacity: 1,670 Wh, 1,400 Wh
- Control unit: FIT Remote Basic
- Drivetrain: Pinion C1.12, Pinion C1.9 XR
- Brakes: Magura Mci, 203 mm
- Maximum permitted total weight: 140 kg
- Colours: Bourbon, Citron, Cognac, Dolomite, Elephant, Emerald Green, Flamenco, Flieder, Java Green, Martini, Miami Blau, Midnight
- Prices: from 8.490 Euro
Pictures: Revolt Zycling AG
