BESV Lion LX1 Review

Besv Lion Lx1 Electric Bike Review
Besv Lion Lx1
Besv Lion Lx1 Rear Hub Motor
Besv Lion Lx1 Suspension With Lockout
Besv Lion Lx1 Integrated Lcd Display
Besv Lion Lx1 Shimano Xt 10 Speed
Besv Lion Lx1 Rear Fender Seat Adjust
Besv Lion Lx1 Disc Brake Quick Release
Besv Lion Lx1 Electric Bike Review
Besv Lion Lx1
Besv Lion Lx1 Rear Hub Motor
Besv Lion Lx1 Suspension With Lockout
Besv Lion Lx1 Integrated Lcd Display
Besv Lion Lx1 Shimano Xt 10 Speed
Besv Lion Lx1 Rear Fender Seat Adjust
Besv Lion Lx1 Disc Brake Quick Release

Summary

  • A stiff, unique looking luxury electric bike that's perfect for urban use, motor and battery blend in
  • Offers a powerful 500 watt motor with 20 mph top speed, gearless design is heavier but very durable and quiet
  • Removable battery for easy charging, sleek aluminum fenders, upgraded suspension fork with lockout

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

BESV

Model:

Lion LX1

Price:

$5,500 USD (Optional ~$5,000 Model, Smaller Motor and Limited 20 mph Top Speed)

Body Position:

Forward

Suggested Use:

Commuting, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

5 Year Frame, 2 Year Motor and Battery

Availability:

United States, Europe

Model Year:

20152016

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

62.8 lbs (28.48 kg)

Battery Weight:

10.3 lbs (4.67 kg)

Motor Weight:

5.4 lbs (2.44 kg)

Frame Material:

Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

19.5 in (49.53 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

(Seat Tube 457 mm, Top Tube 574 mm, Wheelbase 1065 mm, Stand Over Height 735 mm)

Frame Types:

Mid-Step

Frame Colors:

Blazing Red, Bone White, Gunmetal Gray

Frame Fork Details:

RST Pulse Air Suspension with Lockout

Attachment Points:

Fender Bosses

Gearing Details:

10 Speed 1x10 Shimano Deore XT

Shifter Details:

Shimano Triggers on Right Bar

Cranks:

LASCO RCF1252AGA5

Pedals:

MDH PXC03, Metal Platform, Adjustable Set Screw Pins

Headset:

BESV

Handlebar:

MJCYCLE NPD102281 Low Rise

Brake Details:

Tektro Auriga E-Sub Hydraulic Disc with 180 mm Rotors and Integrated Motor Cutoff

Grips:

Propalm PRO-1950EP1 Ergonomic with Lockers

Saddle:

VELO VL-1200U D2

Seat Post:

PROMAX SP-226

Seat Post Length:

300 mm

Rims:

A-RIM C1264 with Eyelets, Black

Spokes:

282 mm Black SUS304

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Energizer Plus, 700 x 42c

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

Performance Line, RaceGuard, LiteSkin, Reflective Tape

Tube Details:

Presta Valve (MAXXIS 29" x 1.9" / 2.35", F/V 48 mm)

Accessories:

Integrated Front and Rear LED Lights, Double Leg Scissoring Kickstand, Metal Bash Guard, Aluminum Alloy Fenders

Other:

Removable Battery Pack with Key to Activate Drive Systems, Integrated Wiring, Quick Release Front Wheel

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

TDCM

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Gearless Direct Drive Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

500 watts (Optional 350 Watt Motor, 20 mph Max Speed)

Motor Torque:

38 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Sony

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

11.2 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

403.2 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

6 hours

Estimated Min Range:

40 miles (64 km)

Estimated Max Range:

50 miles (80 km)

Display Type:

Integrated Backlit Grayscale LCD

Readouts:

Speed, Odometer, Trip Distance, Trip Time, Battery Life, Assist Mode (0, 1, 2, 3, S)

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad

Drive Mode:

Torque Sensing Pedal Assist

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)


Written Review

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.

Pros:

  • Artistic frame design with unique mid-step for easier mounting and holding at stop signs and red lights, fancy spoke pattern with quality mid-dish eyeletted rims
  • Excellent platform pedals with good traction, sleek bash guard and tight aluminum alloy fenders
  • Clean, integrated LED lights improve safety and the front runs directly off the main battery pack for convenient use
  • Larger diameter 700c wheelset and slim tire combination is efficient and fast
  • While this is definitely a stiffer, faster bike, the front suspension improves ride quality – for those who want a pure road feeling the suspension fork has a lockout

Cons:

  • Only available in one frame size at 19.5 inches but the seat post, seat and bars are adjustable to fit a range of riders
  • No water bottle cage or rear rack mounting points, if you use this for commuting you might have to wear a backpack (there are some beam-racks you could add on the seat post like this)
  • The LCD display panel is not removable so it might take more damage at bike racks or in the weather
  • Key must be left in the ignition slot while riding, it stays mostly out of the way near the stem on the top tube

Resources:

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Comment (1) YouTube Comments

Matthew Jones
10 years ago

I’m interested

  Reply

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