The BESV Lion is completely purpose built ebike that’s perfect for urban or street riding. The motor and battery pack blend right in and the control interface is actually molded around the stem and handle bars which includes an integrated headlight. While it doesn’t have drop bars and might not fit in with a pack of roadies, it does offer a very stiff frame and can reach top speeds of ~20 miles per hour with the 500 watt motor. The unique frame positions the rear wheel and motor on a sturdy arm that extends beyond the main body of the bike. It doesn’t use a traditional chain stay/seat stay/seat tube triangle and this means they had to reinforce the tubing which resulted in a heavier build. At nearly 63 pounds, this is one of the heavier city style ebikes I’ve tested.
The motor driving the Lion LX1 is a gearless hub design that’s spoked directly into the rear wheel. Notice the fancy matching spokes and silver eyelets… quality. You get a 500 watt motor that accelerates a bit faster and has decent torque for a direct drive. the motor is extremely quiet as shown in the video above but also weighs more being gearless and create some cogging drag due to the large magnets inside. While it’s possible to add regenerative braking or advanced regen modes (for decelerating on hills or creating a workout) with motors like this, that is not offered here.
The battery powering this bike offers 36 volts of power and 11.2 amp hours of capacity which is slightly above average. They estimate you can get up to 50 miles per charge and that’s due in part to the pedal-assist only drive mode. The chemistry of the battery is Lithium-ion which is known for being light weight and long lasting. It’s positioned very well at the center of the bike which improves balance and the unique plastic hood features a lock that also acts as an ignition to activate the bike. While the key stays mostly out of the way, if you had multiple keys on a chain they might rattle around and eventually scratch the plastic hood. I love that the battery pack is removable and can be charged on or off the frame, this might be very important if you live up stairs and don’t want to struggle hauling all of that weight around.
Nearly everything on this bike is custom and they’ve created a beautiful dash board with integrated backlit LCD panel front and center. You can’t take it off for protection against the elements but they have made the most of the attachment by integrating an LED headlight that’s powered by the main battery. Once the bike has been switched on with the key, the display is easy to interact with thanks to a stand alone button pad mounted just next to the left grip. You can navigate through four levels of assist without taking your hands off and that improves safety and creates a feeling of control that compliments the higher top speed of this bike nicely.
The BESV Lion LX1 received a Taipei Cycle Award in 2013 and a China Cycle Creative Gold award in 2014 but it’s far from perfect. To be fair, no ebike can offer the best of everything but the added weight and higher price tag caused me some hesitation when reviewing. This bike is made in Taiwan and benefits form a large parent company that produces batteries and other electronics, it’s their first swing at an ebike for US audiences and I think it’s quite good. The ergonomic grips, hydraulic disc brakes, premium Shimano XT drivetrain, upgraded wheelset and custom frame perform well and I love the addition of a light suspension fork with lockout. It’s a product that will blend in with normal bicycles (both in style and sound) and really benefits from a 5 year frame and 2 year motor and battery warranty. Depending on your needs, appreciation for style and budget this bike certainly performs.
A full suspension all-mountain electric bike with 140 mm air suspension by RockShox and a high-speed 28 mph Brose Drive TF mid-motor, available in two frame sizes and two colors. Unique plastic bash guard on the downtube and rounded fuel tank design on the top…...
An ultra-lightweight hardtail electric mountain bike with premium Fox Peformance Elite air suspension fork, Shimano E8000 mid-motor, Deore XT drivetrain with one-way clutch, and Deore XT hydraulic disc brakes. Available in three frame sizes but only one colorway, specced with Shimano Pro carbon handlebar…...
A comfortable, stable-riding, compact electric bicycle available in three fun colors (white, yellow, or red) with quality parts and a 2+ year warranty. Adjustable full suspension hardware eliminates the jitter and noise that many other compact and folding…...
An approachable urban or neighborhood style electric bike with beautifully integrated non-removable battery pack, hidden motor, and built-in headlight. Available in two frame sizes, each with a different size wheel diameter, the smaller wheels…...
A comfortable and practical city-oriented electric bike with full length aluminum fenders, integrated lights, minimalist suspension fork with remote lockout and ergonomic grips. Near-silent but powerful 500 watt gearless hub motor, beautifully designed custom downtube battery pack, integrated…...
Compact form factor is easy to mount and stand over, extremely light weight frame (carbon fiber and aluminum build). Responsive torque sensing pedal assist offers three levels of smooth power, 250 watt motor is…...
Matthew Jones
10 years agoI’m interested
Reply