Review: Opium T-series speed pedelec

After a week of testing, we can thoroughly describe our findings about the new Opium T series in this review. A premium speed pedelec, yet only the entry-level model of the Swiss speed pedelec brand Opium.

Opium aims to move away from direct comparison with Stromer and further establish their brand with different models in their range. After the first flagship S series, and the L series with a low step-through frame, it is now the turn of the Opium T series to claim its share of the market.

Our conclusion: …The Opium T series is a comfortable luxury e-bike that rides well on flat roads and, with extra suspension, is also suitable for bumpy paths. Although these adjustments increase the price, Opium offers quality at a good price. A test ride is recommended to assess the value of the extra suspension.

1. Design (/10)

There hasn’t been much change for those familiar with the design of the S series. The T series is the entry-level model of the S series and differs (visually) almost not at all. You can notice this in the logo: on the S, it is beautifully integrated in 3D within the frame, whereas on the L and T series, it is without the 3D relief, but rather a different color paint.

The biggest differences between the S and T are the choices in components, which we will delve into shortly.

For those unfamiliar with the design, Opium has created a very rigid aluminum frame with an integrated battery. The sporty, streamlined design provides a modern and premium appearance. The bike is completely finished, with no visible covers like the battery cover, no weld seams, and all cables are neatly concealed. Unlike the L series, where there are still some updates on the handlebars.

Due to the aluminum frame, equipped with high-quality, premium bicycle components, you end up with a relatively heavy speed pedelec; the 37 kilograms is difficult to lift. Pushing it forward also requires some effort, although the walk-assist up to 6 km/h makes it easier.

The advantage of this rigid frame and high weight is that the speed pedelec remains very stable on the road. Even at high speeds, you enjoy a lot of riding comfort and excellent stability.

Of course, this design and all these high-quality components also affect the durability of the bike.

2. Performance; Acceleration and Speed (/10)

Top Speed (8.8/10): 45 km/h – Easily achievable

Acceleration (9/10): To 45 km/h in: 6 sec

Maintaining Top Speed (9/10): Easily maintained

Performance Uphill (8/10): More than sufficient

Powerful TDCM Rear Wheel Motor

All Opium Speedpedelecs use a high-quality TDCM rear-wheel motor for both the T and L series. On the T series, this motor, like on the L series, is limited to 850 Watts, providing 48 Nm. This ensures high acceleration, the highest top speed that is also easy to maintain, and sufficient power to tackle most inclines at speed.

This rear-wheel motor is also used by Stromer and Klever, although they use different software to manage it. As a result, the T series, despite having the same motor, is slightly less powerful than the S series, which reaches up to 930 Watts.

Battery for Commuting Distances

Opium aims to be an alternative to the car, primarily for commuting. To match the car, they offer high comfort as well as high performance. Being able to ride long distances is therefore a must.

The 1400-watt battery is very heavy and cannot be removed from the bike. It can be serviced at the bike shop if repairs are needed, but as a user, you must use a charging port that connects directly to the speed pedelec. Think carefully about this and ensure that your bike can be stored securely while charging. It’s too expensive a bike to risk being stolen.

With this 1400-watt battery, you can cover quite a few kilometers. On the highest setting, when riding is most enjoyable, this speed pedelec is good for 70 to 80 kilometers. This is based on a rider weighing 70 kilograms under normal weather conditions.

Opium itself claims that with their range extender, they can achieve 360 kilometers based on calculations from the bike system. Although the actual distance may be lower, it remains a bike suitable for long distances.

You also have various charging options that you can set via the screen: fast charging, normal charging which takes 7 hours, storage mode for when you won’t be using the bike for a while, such as in winter, or the long life option to extend the battery’s lifespan. The long life option seems to be the most commonly used when you connect the bike to the charger in the garage at night, allowing ample time for a slow charge.

The daytime running light will stay on when the bike is on the charger. It will turn off once the battery is fully charged.

Pinion Gearbox

For gearing, Opium has not deviated from their preferred brand, PINION. This is also the right choice compared to the competition within speed pedelec gearing. PINION currently delivers the best performance.

In this entry-level model of Opium, the T series, you get the 1.9 with 9 speeds. The connection is made with a Gates CDX belt. We are already familiar with this combination of components, and it works excellently. It provides great performance and maintains an excellent riding feel.

The only downside for us is the design of the gear shift. It uses a twist grip. At high speeds, we prefer to use traditional shifters. This is something that will soon be available with the PINION Smart Shift, which shifts electronically. Given the high purchase price, this will likely only be offered in the premium range within the highest price segment.

For this entry-level model, the 1.9 PINION gearbox is more than sufficient. It ensures that the Opium T series scores points here as well.

3. Unique Features and Technology (/10)

FIT x Pinion

Opium Speedpedelecs use FIT software, developed by the Flyer group. It looks quite sleek and offers excellent UX or user-friendliness. There are many options and possibilities for viewing data. You can also connect it to your smartphone for navigation and even install a GPS tracker if desired. Additionally, it includes crash recording and a keyless immobilizer for added security.

Additional Accessories and Sensors

You can also connect external sensors to this FIT cockpit software, such as a heart rate monitor or a tire pressure sensor. By default, you have a small 1.3-inch color display. All information is clearly visible on it, though it is somewhat small, especially for navigation.

You cannot see all the information at a glance because the screen is a bit too small. However, it is excellently positioned, allowing you to operate the buttons without losing control of the handlebars. You can adjust the speed, turn walk-assist on or off, and control the lighting. There is also a small joystick to switch between screens.

Comfort Screen Option

Upgrading to the Fit Remote Comfort Screen, as we saw and tested on the L series, does not seem to be an option for the T series. This is also a distinguishing feature between the L series and the T series from Opium. The updated handlebar is only available for the L series.

The handlebar is straight and gives a bit of a mountain bike vibe, similar to the S series. It is wider than those of competitors, which helps maintain a sense of control and maneuverability. We prefer a wider handlebar over a narrow one, even at high speeds. However, this is a personal preference.

An innovation on the T series is that you can use your smartphone as a larger display. The headtube also features a wireless charger and a quad-lock mount to support this.

Every FIT bike also comes with a FIT digital key card. This allows you to pair the app with the speed pedelec, providing access to additional features for convenience and security.

4. Riding Comfort (/10)

Comfort on Smooth Pavement (9/10):

Comfort on Rough Terrain (8.5/10):

Comfort on Long Distances (8/10):

Riding on Wet Roads -> Safety (8.5/10):

At high speeds up to 45 km/h, riding comfort plays a much greater role than on a standard electric bike. At these speeds, shocks are felt more intensely. Thus, it is important to consider your route, the surface, and the comfort that your speed pedelec provides.

No Standard Suspension

As entry-level models, the T series and the L series do not come with standard suspension. The S series, which does feature high-quality standard suspension, offers excellent riding comfort. The question then is whether this better-priced entry model without suspension still provides sufficient riding comfort to compete in the top segment.

You can also relatively easily compare this with an Ellio Max, which also lacks suspension but is in the same segment. Here, you will notice that Opium’s riding comfort is slightly higher, though Ellio offers technological innovations.

In a world with good cycling infrastructure, including Belgium, which does not yet have this extensively but could in the very near future, suspension is not always necessary.

We do consider seat post suspension a must, especially in Belgium. Our Belgian speed pedelec brands also address this, as they are familiar with the infrastructure.

It is a basic comfort that we recommend to everyone. The additional suspension we mention refers to the optional Upside-Down front fork. If you want to use this Premium Speedpedelec for various types of terrain, this suspension is highly recommended. Especially if your route includes rough pavement or cobblestone roads, this option is essential to enjoy your expensive Speed pedelec fully.

This Upside-Down suspension is relatively expensive, at 600 euros, and you can choose between Soft Spring and Hard Spring depending on whether you weigh under or over 85 kilos.

The offered seat post suspension is from the brand Kinect, but you can also choose another brand that you can purchase separately. This does not need to be done at the time of purchasing the Opium T series.

Sporty Riding Position

The Opium T series features a sporty riding position. The handlebar is pleasantly wide (comparable to Stromer, wider than Specter and Ellio), which helps maintain a good sense of control and maneuverability. It can be somewhat compared to the S series or the Stromer Speed Pedelecs.

This has advantages, such as easier acceleration and maintaining high speeds. However, the downside is that it can become somewhat uncomfortable on long distances. Therefore, you should also consider your choice of suspension. This suspension also helps with the durability and lifespan of other bike components.

To ensure the right riding position, you have the choice of different frame sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large. The handlebar cannot be adjusted; only the seat can be positioned higher or lower.

The L series offers more options in this regard. Emphasis was placed on a comfortable or upright riding position. The redesigned handlebar we saw on the L series is also not used on this Opium T series.

The handlebar is relatively straight and wide, as mentioned earlier. Standard, you have the 1.3-inch FIT control module on the left side. The seat also affects riding comfort, and various options and sizes are available.

Safety and Brakes

In addition to typical riding comfort, you also need to consider safety. This is particularly important for Speedpedelecs.

Looking at the brakes, you’ll notice that they are not the same as those on the L series, but they are of comparable quality. The Magura 4-piston brakes use 4 cylinders and offer very good braking power for the weight at higher speeds. These are also used on cargo bikes like longtails and bakfietsen.

Sufficient braking power is one thing, but it also matters whether you can brake easily and promptly. The design of the brake levers also plays a role. Here, Opium uses our favorite 1 to 3-finger grip brakes. This means you can apply enough force with just one finger to stop safely.

These brakes are specially designed for this purpose and are especially common in bike sports where quick reactions are needed. There is no ABS option on these entry-level models; this is currently only available on the S series.

High-Quality Tire Choices

When it comes to tires: the only contact point between your route and your speed pedelec is the tires. In Belgium, we also experience a lot of rain and less-than-ideal road surfaces, especially for cyclists, so tire quality is crucial. They need to provide good grip but also be durable, not prone to going flat or puncturing easily.

The biggest frustration with a speed pedelec used for commuting is a flat tire. Opium opts for high-quality Vredestein tires, or optional Schwalbe tires if you encounter rougher or uneven terrain. If you choose this option, you’ll likely also need the optional front suspension fork.

Quiet Fenders and Racks

It may seem less important, but the fenders covering your wheels in rainy conditions also need to be of high quality. On one hand, they should effectively prevent splashes—this requires good design and proper placement. On the other hand, at these speeds, you also want quality to avoid any rattling noises during your ride. Opium excels in this aspect. The fenders are always double-secured to ensure there are no unnecessary noises.

Opium does not equip its Speed Pedelecs with a traditional luggage rack but instead offers custom-designed integrated racks. Each side can support up to 10 kilograms of weight. The design is very well thought out, although it was originally intended for use with specific ORTLIEB bags. Of course, you can use other bags as well, but make sure to check if they fit properly.

The last point is the lighting.

Opium features the most powerful headlamp of all speed pedelecs in their brochures, and this is definitely the case. With this headlamp, you can dazzle people, so you primarily use it when there is no one on the road and you need a lot of light.

With the standard headlamp, you have more than enough light to illuminate your route and notice any holes or obstacles. At the rear, there’s a Supernova with a braking function that is sufficiently strong. Unfortunately, there is no side lighting, as few brands see the benefit of this.

Final Conclusion of this Opium T-Series Review

It is always enjoyable to ride Premium Speed Pedelecs, and this was also the case with the Opium T-series.

We have:

• Extensively tested with a short test ride (1-5 km)
• Subjected to road testing
  • 5-50 kilometer test ride
  • 50-100 kilometer daily test
  • +100 kilometer weekly test

On flat surfaces, there is really little to complain about. High quality, powerful performance, and if there are no uneven surfaces, the ride comfort is more than sufficient. This standard Opium T-series will meet your expectations more than adequately.

Fortunately, there are also options to enhance ride comfort if your route requires it. The optional seat post suspension and upside-down front fork suspension provide the extra features needed on most Belgian roads and also allow you to handle field paths and forest trails.

Everything seems more than satisfactory, but adding these options brings the bike to around €9,000 rather than €8,000. That additional €1,000, about 12.5% above the total purchase price, makes competing speed pedelecs more attractive again.

Opium’s strategy is not so much to innovate the market but to simply do things better. Brands like Ellio and Specter, which come with innovations, are sometimes slightly more expensive due to these advancements. Because Opium opts for high-quality standard components, they can offer a price-quality option within the premium segment — or as they call it, an entry-level model.

This model is meant to convince people of Opium’s quality. Once you are accustomed to the T- and L-series, you can only upgrade to an S-series.

If you are unsure about this purchase, we definitely recommend a test ride. If you are uncertain about options, we primarily recommend the extra suspension – so your Speed Pedelec can be used on any terrain. This option, in particular, makes it more attractive compared to direct competitors without suspension options.

5. Price Comparison

Now that we have completed the review of the Opium T-series, we need to compare it based on price with its competitors. At 8000 euros without any options, this bike, this Speed Pedelec, seems excellently priced. However, we find it necessary to consider the seat post suspension option, which brings the price up to 8300 to 8900 euros.

In this price segment, the Opium T-series will primarily compete with the Stromer ST3 to ST5 s-pedelecs, as well as with Klever and the Ellio Max. There are other competitors in this price range as well. These sporty, high-performance Speed pedelecs are in demand. Additionally, the T-series makes a clear distinction from the L-series with its lower step-through design.

The main competitors are obviously the Stromer ST3 Pinion, a basic Aska, or the Specter 1 without Long Range options. Also, the Ellio Max with its unique technology but without suspension. The high-end Klever Y Pinion, as well as the Riese & Muller Homage HS with a mid-drive motor, are also competitors.

Top Segment: Opium, Specter, Stromer, Riese & Muller, Ellio, Aska

Mid-Range: Klever, Gazelle, Giant, Koga, Qwic

Budget Speed Pedelecs: Eco Bike