The folks from Colorado in the USA have released the Optibike 850Xli, which looks like a regular mountain bike but stealthily mounted inside the bottom bracket is an electric motor capable of producing nearly twice the power of cycling champion Lance Armstrong.

The Optibike 850Xli is the invention of award winning electric bike designer Jim Turner who claims his latest bike is the world’s fastest production electric bicycle.

“I designed the 850Xli to fit the needs of the American market- it is very fast, made with the highest quality racing components, and is powered by the largest, lightest, and most powerful battery offered in an electric bike- the 850Xli is the ultimate electric bike for the serious commuter or backcountry enthusiast.”

And it seems that true, to form – if there’s a lazy way of getting Americans to go green then they’ll take it. According to the manufacturers, the Optibikes are zooming out of the door. With the company reporting a 40% increase in profits and shift in demographic.

“Electric bikes are no longer only a niche market for enthusiasts- we sell Optibikes to people ranging from 22 to 80 years old, the biggest thing our customers have in common is the desire to have fun and get out and enjoy life,” says Optibike Marketing Director Craig Weakley.