BESV CF1 E-Bike Review

The BESV CF 1 has a step-through frame that makes getting on and off easy. Its geometry puts you in an upright riding position, which is comfortable and ideal for city riding, as you can see traffic better than you would hunched over drop bars.

One of the things I like is that the hub motor is quiet, which is nice when you’re riding it every day. It has a Shimano Deore 10S drivetrain that is suitable for most city hills, but steep climbs still take more effort than on a mid-drive bike.

The Schwalbe Big Apple tires are wide and cushioned, so they add a bit more comfort and grip than you get with narrower tires. There's no suspension fork, so the tires are doing most of that work on their own.

Low-speed handling feels stable and predictable, which is important for city e-Bikes as you're often stopping and starting at lights and junctions. It also has a rear rack, so you can use it for running errands and shopping

BESV calls its power system "Algorhythm," which is its own software for tuning how the hub motor delivers assistance. The motor is internally geared, which gives you steady power at cruising speed so you don't get a sudden burst when you start pedaling. It's a 250W motor, and on the base CF1 it reads pedaling through an RPM sensor instead of a torque sensor, so assistance kicks in once you start turning the cranks instead of scaling with how hard you're pushing. The CF1 Lino steps up to a torque sensor, which gives noticeably smoother, more natural-feeling assistance if that's something you'd notice or care about.

BESV rates the base CF1 for up to around 40 miles of range, though that figure comes from fairly generous test conditions, a rider around 165 lbs, the lowest assist level, and a steady pace on flat pavement. Ride it harder, add more weight, or lean on higher assist levels, and real-world range will come in lower. The CF1 Lino's battery is confirmed at 323.9Wh, and the base CF1's is close to that, though BESV doesn't publish an exact figure for it.

The battery is hidden inside the downtube instead of being externally mounted, keeping the bike looking clean and more like a regular bike. This feels like the right amount of motor and battery for what the CF1 is trying to be. It's not going for big range numbers and power figures, it's for getting you around a city comfortably without needing to think about charging every other day, and the modest 250W output matches a bike that's more about blending in than showing off.

• Riders who want a clean-looking city bike that doesn’t scream “e-Bike” should find the CF1’s hidden battery and simple frame appealing.
• Anyone who wants a quiet, efficient hub motor for flat city riding, instead of the aggressive power of a mid-drive, should get along well with this bike.

The BESV PSF1 is a good choice if you’re looking for folding models.

You may also want to check out Aventon's Pace series of electric bikes, which sits in a similar price range to the CF1 and uses an integrated downtube battery.

Used electric bicycles are only as good as their motor, battery, and electrical systems, and none of that shows in an advert from a private seller. Every e-Bike on Upway goes through a 50-point inspection before it's listed, so that's checked before you buy.

Browse the current electric bike selection, the Class 1 range, or the sale collection to compare options.