At the time of writing, I am N=0. Bike-less pedaled, if you will. My minivelo project is still missing some parts, and my touring bike frameset is still with Mang Ave Maldea for some repairs and upgrades. For a while, I was afraid that I’d have to use a car regularly to get to places.
But as luck would have it, the Nakto Breeze was available for a test ride and a review.
So far, except for the weight, it’s been…a breeze.
Disclaimer: Thank you, Joshua Gan of Exion Cycles, for lending me their Nakto Breeze demo unit for a couple of weeks! This is an honest review based on personal experience, and I was not paid for or asked to say anything specific in return.
Technical Specifications
The Nakto Breeze is a step-through utility e-bike that’s designed for the busy trip chainist. From everyday commuting to and from work, to carrying your groceries, to bringing your kids to school and back home, this “modern-day mamachari” can do that and more.
All of its 24 kilograms can be forgiven with how powerful the e-bike can be. It comes with a 500W rear hub motor paired to a 48V 12Ah battery, which is more than enough for hauling your stuff plus your tired self home after a long day.
Charging may take up to 6 hours with the supplied charger. You may need to remove the battery from the frame if you cannot bring the e-bike inside your home. Fully charged, the Breeze has a range of 60-80 kilometers, depending on elevation, terrain, heat, and rider weight.
To absorb any shock from Manila’s infamous pothole-filled roads and inner streets, the e-bike is equipped with a suspension fork and 26×2.1″ tires. And while I don’t recommend carrying it around, the Breeze does have a carrying handle above the bottom bracket for such cases.
The Nakto Breeze uses a cadence sensor and a 5-level pedal-assist system with a thumb throttle. Depending on your configurations, it can go as fast as 35kph… again, depending on certain external factors. You can change the pedal assist level on the LCD screen on the left, and on the right, you can gear up or down with the shifter. Braking is notably easy with hydraulic disc brakes.
Adding to the benefits of utility cycling, the Breeze is geared up with fenders, a spring saddle, a front basket (not included in the demo unit), a kickstand, and a rear rack. Riding at night feels more secure with the heavy-duty front light (long-press the “+” button underneath your LCD screen to turn it on).
Riding Experience
So far, the Nakto Breeze has been a delight to ride around Metro Manila. The pedal-assist gives me confidence when climbing up the Buendia Flyover (yes, that flyover) on my way to Makati. At the same time, the thumb throttle helps me conquer St. Martin in Kapitolyo after attending church service.
I’m actually surprised at how much road presence the Breeze commands! The bike is large enough to be noticed by motorists, which sounds like a small thing until you realize that drivers don’t immediately see cyclists (or refuse to). Motorcycle riders, in particular, tend to give me a bit more space and won’t go into the bike lane when I pass by.
Additionally, the upright riding position also makes me feel more aware of my surroundings in traffic, and the step-through design is great if you want to wear a dress while riding.
Battery life has also been better than expected. Even with regular commutes that are around 12 to 15 kilometers round-trip, three times a week, I find myself charging the battery just once a week. My only gripe is having to put it back in every time I take the brick out, but that’s more of a me issue than anything else.
The front light deserves special mention, too. It’s properly bright. Not halogen blinding bright, but bright enough to illuminate poorly lit sections of the road.
I also appreciate how straightforward the LCD is. It gives me the information I need and gets out of the way. I focus on my riding, not screen-tinkering.
Finally, the Shimano 6-speed setup feels sufficient, especially at higher pedal-assist levels where the motor does the heavy lifting. I don’t really find myself looking for extra gears during urban commutes when using e-bikes, though I can understand if other commuters would want a wider gearing range.
But like all e-bikes, the Breeze does have its downsides. This may be particular to me, but because I live in an apartment complex with several steps, carrying the Nakto Breeze every day can become a chore. It is not the fault of the e-bike per se, but for anyone who cannot carry heavy loads, day in and day out, you might want to reconsider getting the Breeze.
Verdict: The Nakto Breeze Moves You Confidently Despite Its Heft
You get what you see with the Nakto Breeze. Despite its name, it’s a heavy boy, and 24 kilograms is still 24 kilograms. If you live somewhere with stairs, tight hallways, or no elevator, you will feel the weight of your decisions and more. Bringing it in and out of my apartment complex became the biggest hurdle of the experience.
But once the Breeze hits the road, it’s a joy to use.
The motor is strong enough for flyovers and uneven roads. The battery lasts long enough that 4-6 hours of charging the brick doesn’t feel too long. The upright geometry is comfortable, the lights are genuinely useful, and the overall package is almost perfect for the busy bike commuter.
That’s probably why I ended up liking it so much.
And maybe you’ll like it too.
The Nakto Breeze is available at Exion Cycles starting at P44,800 and comes in All Black and Pristine White. Additional accessories for the e-bike are also available from the shop. Newer models have 11-speed shifters as well. Contact them on Facebook and Instagram for more information.
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