In progressive countries around the world, it’s normal for citizens to bike to work. Netherlands, Sweden and Germany are just a few of the countries where cycle usage is high. In Asia, Japan and Taiwan are also ideal for urban cycling, with extensive bike networks and trails along coastal roads, cities and proper bike paths.
The Philippines still has a long way to go, but the pandemic has brought about some good changes in terms of bike mobility, as more people are turning to two-wheeled transport to deal with the high cost of fuel and terrible public transportation.
In case you want to make your urban commute a little bit easier, e-bikes are becoming a popular option as these provide extra power and require less effort to use than regular bicycles.
I recently had the chance to test out the BESV JF1 E-Hybrid bike, one of the newer models of the premium brand from Taiwan being distributed locally in the Philippines through Exion Cycles.
Unlike the previous JG1 Gravel E-bike I got to try out and the JR1 Road E-bike, this model comes with an extra small frame, which felt like a great fit for me. It was small enough that my sister and 12-year old nephew also got to try riding it and share their thoughts on it.
Here’s what I can share from the weekend I got to use it.
Design
At first glance, you can’t tell that this is an e-bike. BESV’s JF1 has the same sleek look of a high-end road bike. The natural curvature of the bike frame seamlessly conceals the integrated power system and rear hub motor.
If you live in small contained business districts like Makati or BGC, this is the type of bike you wouldn’t mind using going to work or to get around to restaurants instead of a car, as it looks very respectable. Since you won’t sweat a lot while using it, you can dress up in regular jeans or office attire and get to work on it easily, without having to deal with the problems of traffic and parking.
But the e-bike won’t look out of place when used for weekend rides with buddies near the metro either.
The JF1 model originally comes in three colors: matte black, gloss white and a very classy shade of cyan blue. However, only the black and white models are currently available in the Philippines.
The demo unit I got to use was the black one, but I think the cyan or white will appeal more to female riders and younger cyclists, both growing markets in the country.
Features
The BESV JF1 comes with intuitive motor assistance control, giving riders a way to quickly and comfortably adjust the max speed with the press of a button for a streamlined and safer riding experience.
There are three settings: Eco (Blue), Smart (Purple) and Power (Red), which corresponds to gears which you can change to adapt to different road conditions. Even if you can’t see the setting on the digital screen, the color on the power button serves as an indicator.
The built-in digital interface helps users easily keep track of their progress by providing useful information such as power assistance level, cadence, and burned calories.
The powerful rear hub motor gives a clean look to the bike frame and provides a comfortable and powerful start to help riders quickly reach their best stride. For safety, to engage the motor you need to pedal and reach a certain speed before it kicks in.
BESV JF1’s 252Wh (36V, 7Ah) battery provides abundant motor assistance while keeping the weight of the bike relatively light. Those who take on long-distance mountain routes can also go farther and enjoy scenery previously unavailable with its longer battery life.
BESV also has a dedicated Smart App that provides navigation, anti-theft, and other features.
Field Test Notes
I only got to use this model for a few days, so my experience for long rides is a bit limited, but during that time, I managed to max out the full charge of the battery.
My sister, nephew and I took turns riding it around UP Diliman one Saturday, while the other used my regular mountain bike. It was hard to keep up with whoever was on the e-bike, so we all managed to get a workout. On Eco mode, the speed maxes at around 20-24 kph, while it can go as fast as 40 kph on the highest setting.
Switching settings felt very smooth and not jerky at all. Even as first time e-bike users, my relatives had no problem biking with it.
My nephew really had fun using it and said it was not tiring to bike at all. However, they did mention that the seat was not that comfortable. They also found out firsthand that it was very heavy and hard to pedal uphill if you don’t have the proper speed / momentum.
To test its performance on longer uphills, I used it on Sunday for a brunch ride to Antipolo with my husband, who was on a normal road bike, and ended up having to wait for him for 15 minutes or more at Ahon Cafe.
Going uphill was a breeze and I enjoyed overtaking the obviously more athletic road bikers. I could tell a few got annoyed and felt challenged, because some made an effort to overtake me again as soon as they could. The e-bike could easily cruise going 20 kph uphill with minimal effort.
We had brunch at Tipulo, a bike-friendly garden restaurant in Antipolo about 17 km away from our residence. I barely felt the effort going there compared to previous rides on my normal bike, when I usually arrive feeling starved and cranky. Haha. If you’re a foodie who’s just after the social aspect of riding and don’t want to sweat it out so much, then e-bikes are for you.
Unfortunately, on the way down from Antipolo, I got a flat tire from what looked like a tiny staple wire. Luckily we made it to Decathlon Masinag, where a couple of hardcore bike commuters had all the tools to help us patch up the tire, as you would any normal bike. NOTE: Always bring patch kits and tools even for short rides.
I was told that the battery could last for about 60 kms on a full charge depending on the settings you use. Some have been able to use it for up to 100 kms with a combination of pedaling most of the way. However, the range refers to flat routes, and is reduced when you take it to uphill areas and if you keep using higher power settings. We had previously used it for about 15-20 km the previous day and the battery drained from 4 bars to 2 because of the higher elevation of Antipolo (total ride back and forth was roughly 40 km).
I used the e-bike again on a weekday morning ride for errands. I thought it still had some juice since there were 2 bars left, bit it started blinking at 1 bar and ended up getting totally drained, so I had to pedal normally. On the manual setting (with power off), it was easy enough to use on flats, but it felt generally heavy and sluggish trying to tackle the uphill areas like heartbreak hill. If you try to turn it to a higher setting, the digital indicator just blinks and reverts back to normal mode.
You wouldn’t want to be stuck on a long ride without juice, so I highly recommend you charge it beforehand if you’re in a hurry while doing errands or on your way to work.
Specifications
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | M Size (1755 x 950 x 590mm) XS Size (1745 x 920 x 590mm) |
| Weight | M Size (16.3kg) XS Size (16.1kg) |
| Colors | Gloss White / Matte Black |
| Derailleur | Shimano Deore, 10S |
| Brakes | Mechanical Disc |
| Tires | 700x35C |
| Motor | 250W Rear Motor |
| Sensor | Torque Sensor |
| Assistance Modes | 3 Assist Modes (Eco, Smart and Power) |
| Battery | 3 Assist Modes (Eco, Smart and Power) |
Price
The SRP for the BESV JF1 Hyrbid E-bike is P135,000 in the Philippines. Only the Black and White versions are available locally. Sizes are XS and M.
Verdict
The BESV JF1 Hybrid E-Bike is ideal for both beginners and experienced riders who want a powerful yet comfortable daily commute and enjoy weekend adventures. The sleek, high-end look makes it a good option for business professionals looking for alternative transport for short to mid-range distances (20-30 km a day). Aside from its practical use for commuting, it’s also ideal for weekend rides, sports and exercise.
It may not be entry level price wise, as you could buy a cheaper scooter or motorcycle for the same price or less. However, those who don’t have driver’s license or want to deal with annual registration and the rising fuel costs in the future may want to consider this. E-bikes are also allowed to use bike lanes, which cuts down on travel time in traffic.
Take note that extra care is needed for e-bikes during the rainy season and when passing through flooded areas because of the electrical parts. While e-bikes are water-resistant in light rain and drizzles, they are not fully weather proof, so you need to factor this in your decision to invest in an e-bike for your regular daily commute.
Because of the high price tag, you’ll want to be extra careful when parking this in public spaces and keep it within your sight at all times.
Thanks to Exion Cycles for lending us the demo unit for this review. For inquiries, please contact them directly on Facebook: Exion Cycles. Learn more about the BESV Jf1 e-bike here.