Life in the city is probably already stressful enough without you having to worry about the daily commute as well or, at the very least, about having to choose a suitable e-bike for it. Given the sheer number of options available, though, picking the right one might prove a challenge.
In March this year, as it was preparing to launch a new crowdfunding campaign, bike maker PVY announced Libon, a city bike that, they said, would obliterate range anxiety. Not just that, but Libon would be ideal for city use, using a foldable frame for easy storage, smaller wheels, a suspension fork, app connectivity for stats, and a lightweight construction that would make it easy to carry up the stairs to your apartment or on public transport.
And these were just some of the features that Libon boasted ahead of its big splashy debut. Add a torque sensor and carbon belt drive, and an affordable price point, and you could almost be tempted to believe this was a "too good to be true" kind of situation.
In a context in which we're flooded with cheap and unreliable, if not downright dangerous, options in terms of e-bikes, can we really afford to take a chance with a product that promises so much, to the point where it might seem too good to be true?
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
Don't answer that; it's rhetorical. But autoevolution got the chance to test the Libon extensively, and we can confirm that it lives up to these promises. There are some caveats to this, but they're not deal-breakers.
Design Evaluation
The Libon is designed as a one-in-all kind of bike, so functionality is whatever you need it to be. It's a city bike for leisure riding from afar, but it can also work well on rougher terrain (not the trail, mind you!) and for mild cargo hauling if you opt for add-ons like a rear rack. More importantly, it can perfectly substitute your daily commuter, if your idea of the daily commute entails mild physical exertion and plenty of fresh air and changing views.
But the biggest selling point of the Libon is its dual-battery configuration, which promises unprecedented range for a total estimated of 260 km (162 miles), and a surprisingly lightweight form factor, with the bike tipping the scales at 18.5 kg (41 lbs) for the dual battery version.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
My review sample was the single-battery one, so I only got the battery in the seatpost, the 130-km (81-mile) range estimate, and the weight of 16.5 kg (36.3 lbs).
PVY offers the Libon in a CE Version, which is the European model limited electronically at 250W for the motor, 37 Nm of torque, and a maximum speed of 25 kph (15.5 mph). Meanwhile, the International Version is for territories like Canada or the U.S., where legislation allows for 500-W motors and assisted speeds of 20 mph (32 kph).
My review sample was the 250W CE Version in Dazzling Silver, a very elegant, pearly silver that doesn't really translate well in photos. It's surprisingly beautiful and totally deserving of the fancy name.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
The Libon rides on 20-inch wheels clad in puncture-proof, slightly wider tires, so the ride is smooth and comfortable even on rougher patches. The foldable mechanism gets the bike down to a more compact and manageable size: you fold down the handlebar and then fold the frame in two, using the integrated wheel magnets to keep everything in place.
A castor wheel on the bottom allows you to roll the folded bike wherever you need to take it, and there's a motor-assisted Walk Mode that will spare you the trouble of actually pushing or pulling it.
The 250W motor can be unlocked to its peak power of 500W using a combination of buttons that PVY provides inside the box. Even without unlocking, you can use the twist throttle to ride in moped-only mode, which means you will move without pedaling for as long as you hold the throttle in position. This will obviously drain the battery very quickly, so good luck getting even close to that initial range estimate.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
The cockpit is minimalist, with a waterproof colored LED display that might seem familiar if you're also familiar with bikes from OEMs like ADO, buttons for the lights and the horn, and quality faux-leather grips that are very comfortable.
Libon has an aluminum crankset and very slim aluminum pedals, and they definitely add a touch of elegance to the overall style of the bike. A carbon belt drive and torque sensor offer immediate motor assistance, and you can further tweak its delivery by choosing between 3 or 5 PAS (Pedal Assist) levels.
Braking is hydraulic, and there's an adjustable front fork that works with the Velo saddle in taking the force of impact when you go over bumps or any other obstacles. Front and rear lights are offered as standard, as are high-quality plastic fenders and a solid kickstand.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
Also standard is an Airtag-like tag that you can use to track your bike (it will require a second app installation, though) and the keys to lock the battery and the seatpost in place. The bike connects to the PVY app for a more detailed look at stats and access to more features than what you get on the cockpit display.
Real World Application
If the PVY name rings a bell, it must be because they've been making waves on the European market of e-bikes with an approach that combines high-quality or surprise features with a still-affordable price point. PVY bikes are mid-range in terms of specs, but they handle like much more expensive counterparts because of these features, and they're also bound to not break the bank.
The Libon is also that. It's priced affordably for this segment, but it offers features you'd get on pricier alternatives (the carbon belt drive, the torque sensor, and the low-weight frame), so it handles well in everyday scenarios.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
Assistance is immediate and very smooth, without the kick you get on similarly priced e-bikes when the motor comes in. The fact that it's so light (again, my review sample was 16.5 kg/36.3 lbs) and has a powerful motor means you can easily ride it in PAS 1 almost all the time except when you're going uphill and even without any kind of motor when you're on flat, even roads.
Speaking of climbing hills, the Libon has the same disadvantage as all the other carbon belt drive counterparts. As a single-speed bike, it will entail some effort on your part on ascents and maybe even breaking a sweat on steeper climbs, even in PAS 3. Alternatively, once you hit 25-28 kph (15.5-17 mph) on smooth pavement, you will feel like you're pedaling too fast and pointlessly.
These exceptions aside, the Libon is stable, nimble, reliable, and well-behaved, which makes it perfect for city use, especially if the infrastructure is lacking and you have to ride on the sidewalk or in pedestrian-heavy areas.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
Libon is also very comfortable, even if you jump a curb or have to cross rougher patches. You won't get a sore butt even after a full day of riding, but you will get an earful: the suspension tends to clank surprisingly every time it's getting used.
The folding mechanism is fairly standard but takes some getting used to, as well as more force that you'd imagine. The magnets work to keep wheels together when the bike is folded, but they will come apart once you start moving, so you're still left struggling to keep the wheels aligned.
The app and the tag are nice additions for the modern-day rider, but they're not essential to the functionality of the bike. They're what you'd call bonus features that will appeal to riders who want to belong to an online community or need to track they're every move. At the same time, though, they're bound to add to the appeal of the bike.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
What is essential, though – and I left the most important part last on purpose – is whether PVY delivers on that promise of ultra-long range. Will you get at least 130 km (81 miles) on a single charge? The answer is "it depends."
Estimated range is always dependent on a variety of factors ranging from riding conditions, terrain, and the payload on the bike, so naturally, if you ride in PAS 3 or moped-only mode and are a bit on the heavier side, you will drain the battery faster. For accuracy (and fun), I rode my Libon in moped mode a lot, and I can confirm that even if you don't get 130 km (81 miles) in between charges, you'll still enjoy plenty of rides without worrying about having to plug in again.
Conclusion
PVY promised the "longest-range e-bike" with the Libon ahead of launch. Chalk that up to marketing and/or poetic license, if only on account of the fact that the record-setting claim is unverified and unverifiable.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
But that doesn't take anything from the merits of Libon. It's a very light foldable city bike that rides exceptionally and is reliable in all scenarios, able to offer above-standard features for improved performance yet still retains an affordable price point. To boot, the Libon is elegant and very comfy and comes with a handful of add-ons, of which the tag is a freebie.
Instant and smooth motor assistance, good brakes, a functional, if loud, front suspension, and a nice clear display make the Libon a good companion on the daily commute or leisure rides. Improvements would be welcome in terms of the ease of the folding mechanism or the strength of the magnets, but they're not essential to the overall experience of riding Libon, which presents itself as the perfect budget-friendly city bike.
PVY is now offering Libon at the discounted Black Friday price of €1,149, down from €1,999 for the single-battery version and €1,349 down from €2,399 for the dual-battery model.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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