Honbike HF01 Electric Bike Review

Today we’re diving deep into the latest offering from Honbike, one of the best ebike brands, – the HF01.

This is a lightweight, foldable electric bike that’s mostly designed for in-town riding, so this is not exactly designed to take on long trips. But around the town, we have 20-inch wheels on the front, and on the back, we also have a very unique design, something that you don’t typically see with many bicycles these days.

And this one doesn’t use a chain or a belt, so this one is actually using a drive shaft. According to the manufacturer, this is maintenance-free up to 50,000 kilometers. With your typical bike, of course, you kind of have to oil that chain, clean that chain every so often. Well, this one is basically maintenance-free.

Let’s unpack its features.

Unique Design

What instantly catches the eye about the HF01 is its distinct design. Unlike many other bicycles, it features 20-inch wheels both at the front and rear. The bike also eschews chains and belts, instead opting for a drive shaft, which, according to Honbike, is maintenance-free up to 50,000 kilometers. So, if you’re tired of constantly oiling and cleaning chains, the HF01 might be the relief you’ve been looking for.

Unboxing & Setup

Packaged in a box that’s notably compact compared to other e-bikes, the HF01 does require some assembly. Expect to spend about 25-30 minutes getting it road-ready. This includes attaching the seat, rear wheel, and fender.

Key Features

Shop here: Honbike HF01

• Weight and Portability: The HF01 is relatively light, weighing just over 20 kilos. Its foldable design makes it easy to transport and store.
  
• Performance: With pedal assistance, the bike can reach speeds of up to 25 kilometers per hour. If you’re willing to put in some extra legwork, you can definitely go faster. The motor, interestingly located on the front wheel, is rated at 250 watts. It promises a range of up to 40 kilometers on a single charge, depending on riding conditions.
  
• Safety & Comfort: The HF01 comes with torque sensors and gyroscopes, ensuring power is delivered smoothly as soon as you start pedaling. It also boasts mechanical disc brakes on both wheels, splash guards, and lights. However, a notable miss is the absence of a brake light functionality.
  
• Unique Features: The one-sided fork at the front and the rear wheel held in place by the drive shaft give the HF01 a standout look. Even the seat has a fresh design, though its comfort could be a point of contention for some riders.
  
• Control Panel: Central to the bike’s handlebar is a display showing speed, battery life, and mode. Users can easily switch between five pedal assistance modes. The bike also features a fairly bright headlight, which is essential for nighttime commuting.
  
• Battery: Conveniently placed, the battery is removable, allowing you to charge it on or off the bike. It also comes with a special guard to ensure it doesn’t fall out accidentally.

Riding Experience

Shop here: Honbike HF01

Now the riding experience, so as I said earlier, the power delivery is extremely smooth. So as soon as you start pedaling, the bike will assist you to the level that you actually need, so it doesn’t give you like a big kick or anything like that. It’s a very smooth power delivery. As I said, if you’re riding on a flat surface, you can easily pedal, and you don’t have to pedal that much. I mean, you have to get the bike to that 25-kilometer-an-hour speed, and then you barely pedal, and the bike will kind of assist you, so you don’t have to put in that much effort.

But you still have to pedal; keep in mind that we don’t have any gears. So if you are riding uphill, it’s not like you can downshift or upshift so you can make that pedaling easier. So you do have a 250-watt motor, which is not that much whenever you’re riding uphill; well, the bike doesn’t have that much power. So since we don’t have gears either, well, you’re going to end up to a point where you kind of have to stop and push the bicycle. That is a downside to having only a 250-watt motor, I’m gonna say. So great if you are riding on flat surfaces, if you are in town and you don’t have that many hills, some perfect riding experience. But if you do have a lot of hills wherever you’re located, this bike does not do great on hills, and you’re gonna have to pedal a lot harder. So you do actually have to put in some effort whenever you’re riding this bike, unlike other e-bikes that I got to try in the past that even have a throttle so you don’t have to pedal as much. So this one, you do have to put in a bit of effort.

On flat terrains, the HF01 offers a seamless riding experience. It maintains a steady speed of 25 kilometers per hour without requiring much effort. However, when faced with uphill challenges, the bike’s 250-watt motor shows its limitations. Without any gears to shift through, steep inclines might require the rider to dismount and push.

Conclusion

The Honbike HF01 shines as a city commuter. It’s uniquely designed, easy to maintain, and performs well on flat surfaces. However, if you’re living in hilly areas, the bike might pose some challenges. Regardless, for urban dwellers looking for an efficient and stylish way to get around, the HF01 could be an excellent choice. Shop here: Honbike HF01