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Review: BESV JG1 Gravel E-bike

Kara Santos

Biking, camping, and coffee rides have really boomed in the Philippines during the pandemic. Everyone wants to spend time outdoors, and going on bike rides to natural spots like mountains and forests near the city or visiting bike-friendly cafes with friends on weekends satisfies that wanderlust of traveling somewhere far by car or by air.

Different types of bicycles are designed for different purposes. Road bikes are efficient for long distances and for use on pavement, while mountain bikes are best for rugged areas or if you have to tackle downhill trails and river crossings. Gravel Bikes offer the efficiency of road bikes on pavement, with their drop handlebars and aerodynamic design. However, the wider tires, low gearing and stable handling means that you can also head off the beaten track once you get to your destination. 

The versatility of gravel bikes makes it ideal for longer endurance rides, variable terrain, and even bikepacking adventures. For those who are just getting into biking and want a little extra boost to get away from the city and access the more scenic forest and mountain trails more easily, Gravel E-bikes are another option. These look and perform like traditional bicycles, but are also powered by a motor for efficiency and speed when you need it.

I recently had the chance to test out the BESV JG1 Gravel E-bike, a premium brand from Taiwan that’s being distributed locally in the Philippines through Exion Cycles, and here’s what I can share from the brief period I got to use it.

Design 

The BESV JG1 looks and feels like a traditional gravel bike, with a rugged but sleek look, nature-inspired olive green color, drop bars, and slim tires. The BESV JG1 is specifically designed for cycling adventure, and while it looks rugged, it also provides riders with speed, agility and comfort. The integrated power system gives the E-Bike a clean and sleek exterior, but still comes with exclusive gravel bike components and accessories. No question, it’s a very good looking bike.

The curvy drop bars, which some bikers (particularly road bikers) think look more classic and sexy than flat bars, are said to offer an aerodynamic advantage and can make climbing hills more efficient. Drop bars offer 3 distinct hand positions: on the hoods, on the bars, and in the drops, giving riders more variety and grips especially on longer rides.

The 12-degree side flare handlebar and granular gravel tires can increase agility and stability, allowing riders to quickly respond in real time when facing changes in the road surface and slope. 

Features 

The BESV JG1 gives riders the ability to cross different terrains and surfaces easily and with confidence. It’s versatile, whether you’re riding paved, dirt, or gravel roads. We all know the quality of the roads in the Philippines, and asphalt and gravel are commonplace even in city streets due to constant road works, while the best spots are really in mountain trails are often only accessible through single tracks or rough roads.

The E-bike offers a 15.9 kg lightweight design, a 252Wh (36V,7Ah) in-tube battery and an efficient rear hub motor that provides a powerful takeoff to help achieve ideal cycling momentum even in uphill areas. The carbon fiber components include front fork and seat tube that not only reduce weight, but also absorb high-frequency vibrations and make rides more comfortable.

The dimensions of this particular model comes in Small (1680 x 1025 x 445 mm) and Medium (1730 x 1040 x 512 mm) sizes. The review unit I used was Small, but with a specially cut seat post to accommodate my height, as the one that comes with the base bike still felt a bit too high for me.

The exclusive color LCD display offers useful performance information such as power assistance level, cadence, pedaling power, and calorie burns. The E-Bike also comes with a Dynamic Switch for users to comfortably adjust motor assistance modes.

The BESV Smart App is tailored to work seamlessly with the JG1. The app displays practical information for your rides with the Dashboard, My Journey, History and much more.

Users can also install other accessories like a JG1 exclusive rear carrier and fenders, so you can easily carry luggage, camping gear, and other tools for long-distance travel.

Field Test Notes

Ever since I started biking regularly in 2010, I have only ever used a traditional mountain bike with flat bars. While I’ve had the chance to use or test out or rent different folding bikes and city bikes during previous travels, I have zero experience with road bikes and gravel bikes.

The BESV JG1 is very easy to pedal, even without the motor on. It felt like a fully efficient lightweight bike and did not feel heavy or sluggish at all even if the power was off. I found uphills very easy to tackle, and could barely feel the effort pedaling going uphill. When I turned on the power, it could easily go 20 kph uphill with minimal effort pedaling on the second gear.  

The tires are thinner than the MTB I regularly use, so there’s not much friction on the road. Using this made me realize that I’ve been putting a lot more effort pedaling than I normally could on the road if only I had thinner tires. But the tires are still a big more rugged than road bikes, so the traction is better when biking over trails or dirt roads. It’s not that slippery on wet pavement either.

The E-bike is pedal assisted. There’s no throttle, so you still have to pedal like you would a normal bike, but the effort still feels very minimal.

I think a bike like this will appeal to people who value efficiency, speed, and regularly need to pass steep uphill areas going home or for work commutes. You can easily overtake other bikers with minimal effort and without breaking a sweat.

I am personally more comfortable with wide flat bars and foam grips and the upright riding position of mountain bikes compared to drop bars and the crouched stance when using Road and Gravel Bikes. When you use one type of bike for a long time, you develop a certain comfort zone or bias towards it. The frame of my personal MTB is a perfect fit for my height and has gone through various upgrades for me to be comfortable with it.

However, this is just my own personal bias and preference. People who are used to Road Bikes from the start may not find this to be an issue. It’s really best to test ride different bikes and try it out for yourself to see if you’ll be comfortable with it in the long run. Bikers who use drop bars claim they are more efficient because there’s less wind resistance, however they do take some time getting used to.

Unfortunately, it rained the whole morning during the weekend during the test period when we planned to do a longer ride, but I feel like I got the overall sense of this E-bike from the brief time we had it. While you can technically use this in light rains, since it’s an e-bike with electric parts, in the event of heavy rain, it’s recommended that you turn the motor off and drive to safety. I wouldn’t immerse this in floodwaters or use it for river crossings either.

But in fair weather, I can imagine this E-bike would make bikepacking adventures a lot easier.

Specifications

Price

The BESV JG1 Gravel E-bike has an SRP of Php 175,000 in the Philippines.

Verdict

The BESV JG1 is a gravel e-bike that’s ideal for those who want a combination of the efficiency and easy exploration you get from motorcycling and the exercise and slower travel you get from traditional biking. The premium look and expensive price tag of the E-bike will probably appeal to current car owners and big bike enthusiasts looking for a new pastime during weekends and don’t mind spending more.

It’s a versatile option for business and urban professionals who want to shift from driving a car and being stuck in traffic to the more efficient, eco-friendly and healthy option of biking to work, while still not having to sweat it out every single day.

Lastly, it could be a good option for older cyclists who don’t really care about Strava stats and just want to enjoy the scenery during long distance cycling or keep up with more active biker buddies. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that life is short, so you might as well just enjoy the ride while you can.

While the price tag is pretty steep, I have to say the BESV JG1 Gravel E-bike offers a lot of eye-candy and is something owners will want to show off during coffee rides. It could be the motivation you need to rediscover the city on two wheels and a means to go on longer cycling adventures in the future.

Thanks to Exion Cycles for lending us demo units for this review! For inquiries, please contact them directly on Facebook: Exion Cycles.

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