HONBIKE Review

Among the positive outcomes of the past decade's eBike revolution is how some companies have reconsidered the essential functions of the bicycle. Many companies have been content to stick a battery on the downtube and fit an electric motor in the rear hub to take advantage of the growing interest in bikes that add power to your pedaling.

Other companies, like Honbike, have fundamentally rethought this mechanical device called a bicycle to create a quality eBike.

With in-house Research & Development and manufacturing centers in five locations across China and Japan, Honbike has delved deep into what works and what could improve on a bicycle as they've created their eBikes. One notable change is the absence of a bicycle chain.

For the HF01 folding commuter, eBike Honbike has adapted technology from the world of motorcycles, using a shaft drive to turn the rear wheel. Boasting a tremendously longer lifespan (the company estimates you'll go 50,000 miles or more on the shaft drive), the fully enclosed metal rod lets you skip the hassles of a chain coming loose, grabbing your pants, or needing regular cleaning and regreasing. The smallest hub motor in the industry adds 250 Watts of power as needed, and the torque sensor gauges your pedaling power for smooth starts on hills.

While Honbike's other model, the U4, features a more traditional carbon belt drive system that has been seen on other e-Bikes, the company did some rethinking regarding the frame's geometry and design. Featuring a minimalist look with one thick tube that runs from the head tube all the way back to the rear hub, the look of the U4 is familiar but revolutionary.

The rise of e-Bikes over the past decade has boosted bicycling tremendously, giving many more people the confidence to get on two wheels and ride. However, for those companies that take the opportunity to retool the basic mechanics of what makes a bicycle do its thing, such as Honbike, the improvements go beyond just adding some power to your ride and reach through to improving the ride itself.