BESV TRS 1.3 E-Bike Review: Long-Travel E-MTB

Written by: Chris Van Leuven | August 18, 2026 | Time to read: 6 min

The suspension numbers tell you quite a bit about this bike. Up front, there’s a 160mm RockShox Domain R fork, paired with 150mm of rear-wheel travel. BESV also gave it 29 x 2.6-inch Maxxis Minion tires. The Shimano EP8 mid-drive motor, 630Wh battery, and 12-speed XT drivetrain handle the rest.

That’s enough suspension to move the TRS 1.3 well beyond the terrain where a hardtail or shorter-travel electric mountain bike is at its best. On jagged rocks, roots, ruts, and rough descents, that travel gives both wheels more room to follow the terrain rather than get knocked out of line.

The tires also help. BESV pairs a Maxxis Minion DHF up front with a Minion DHR II at the rear, both in 29 x 2.6-inch sizes. These are mountain-bike tires that prioritize traction rather than low rolling resistance. That’s more tire than you’d want for casual pavement riding, but it makes sense when you’re braking on loose dirt or riding through uneven terrain.

Put it together, and the setup is solid. The TRS 1.3 is a full-suspension eMTB built for riders who expect to use its travel, traction, and braking power in demanding riding conditions.

Shimano’s EP800, better known as EP8, produces 85Nm of torque, and the TRS 1.3 is a Class 1e-Bike, with pedal assistance up to 20 mph. Twenty mph isn't the interesting number here. On a bike like this, I'm much more interested in what the motor does when it starts climbing.

The EP8 works through the drivetrain, so gear choice and cadence still matter. That’s particularly important on loose climbs, where maintaining traction is more useful than simply adding more power. And BESV pairs the motor with a 630Wh integrated battery. That’s useful capacity for rides with substantial elevation gain, although range can change considerably with rider weight, climbing, assist mode, trail surface, temperature, and tire pressure.

The 12-speed Shimano XT drivetrain gives you the gearing to work with that motor rather than asking the EP8 to do everything.

But note that BESV has sold other TRS 1.3 configurations internationally, so specifications can vary by market and model year. When shopping used, check the components on the individual bike rather than relying on the model name alone.

The answer mostly comes down to your trails. On smooth forest roads and rolling dirt, a hardtail or shorter-travel e-MTB will handle the job with less suspension and complexity. The TRS 1.3 earns all that extra suspension when rocks, roots, steeper descents, and sustained climbs are normal parts of your ride.

The suspension helps both wheels stay in better contact with rough ground, the Minions bring plenty of grip, and those 203mm rotors make sense when you're trying to slow a heavy e-MTB on a long descent.

EP8 assistance also opens up longer routes with repeated climbing. Instead of spending as much energy getting back uphill, you have the option to cover more elevation and save some legs for the trail ahead. Of course, none of this makes for a particularly light e-Bike. That's the tradeoff. You're carrying more suspension, bigger tires, a substantial battery, and a full-power Shimano motor because those things become useful when the trail gets difficult.

You don't have to ride the hardest trails around to appreciate the TRS 1.3. But the rougher your regular rides get, the more sense this bike makes.

There's more to inspect on a used full-suspension e-MTB than there is on a simpler commuter. You have the motor and battery, as well as a fork, rear shock, drivetrain, brakes, wheels, and other parts that may have seen hard trail use. That’s why every e-Bike Upway sells goes through a professional 50-point inspection covering its mechanical and electrical systems. Components that don’t meet Upway’s standards are repaired or replaced; the battery, motor, and display are diagnosed; software is updated when applicable; and the bike receives a test ride and a final quality-control check.

The listing also provides details about the individual bike rather than relying entirely on factory specifications. That’s particularly useful with the TRS 1.3 because equipment can vary by model year and market. Certified pre-owned e-Bikes through Upway also include a 1-year warranty and a 14-day test-ride policy, giving you time to make sure the fit and overall bike are right for the trails you ride.