The Engwe LE20 is an attention-grabbing tackle the cargo e-bike format. It’s marketed as a budget-friendly utility e-bike that may deal with hauling groceries, gear, or perhaps a passenger. On the similar time, it appears like a cross between a compact cargo bike and a semi-fat tire hybrid-style bike, with a chunky body, small wheels, and an extended rear rack. However how does it truly carry out in the actual world? After spending a while driving and testing it, right here’s what I discovered.
For such an attention-grabbing low-cost, long-range cargo e-bike, you’ll undoubtedly wish to see what it’s wish to trip this one.
Try my video overview under for the total expertise!
Engwe LE20 Video Evaluation
Engwe LE20 2.0 tech specs
- Motor:Â 750W geared hub motor within the rear wheel
- High pace:Â 45 km/h (28 mph) on pedal help, 32 km/h (20 mph) on throttle
- Vary:Â Claimed as much as 160 km (100 mi) on single battery (or twice that with twin batteries)
- Battery:Â One or two 48V 19.2Ah (920 Wh) batteries
- Weight: 41.5 kg (91.5 lb)
- Max load:Â 200 kg (440 lb)
- Brakes:Â Hydraulic disc brakes on 180 mm rotors
- Extras:Â Lengthy rear rack, stunning shade LED show, built-in head/tail/brake LED lights with flip alerts, fender set, kickstand
Energy and efficiency
The Engwe LE20 is powered by a 750W rear hub motor (peaking at 1,300W), and I’ve to say, it packs extra punch than I anticipated. With 75Nm of torque, acceleration is clean however robust, particularly when utilizing the throttle. On flat terrain, it simply cruises at 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle alone, and with pedal help, it could attain 28 mph (45 km/h).
One of many issues I actually preferred concerning the trip was the torque sensor. Many finances e-bikes depend on low cost cadence sensors, and to be honest, Engwe has floated by on cadence sensors up to now. Cadence sensors aren’t dangerous per se, however the cheaper ones can really feel additional laggy and they’re usually mixed with poor controller programming that leads to lurching and jumpy acceleration. As a pleasant change, the LE20’s torque sensor responds shortly to enter, giving it a way more pure and intuitive trip really feel. It simply feels extra such as you’re driving a motorcycle with robust legs, than that you simply’re on a jumpy bike.
Testing the bike in Florida, I didn’t have a lot of an opportunity to do any actual hill climbing efficiency checks, buts with 75 Nm of torque and good energy, I’ve to think about that it’s going to deal with reasonable inclines properly. For steeper hills although, you’ll normally wish to pedal together with hub motor-based electrical bikes like these for the reason that motor can’t drop into decrease gears like a mid-drive.
Battery for days… and days
The LE20 comes with a 48V 19.2Ah battery, which is sort of respectable for a cargo e-bike at this value level. Most cargo e-bikes price extra and have much less battery, so Engwe begins robust there. The corporate claims a 109-mile vary, however as with all e-bike vary estimates, that’s within the lowest help setting with ultimate situations. In real-world driving, utilizing a mixture of throttle and pedal help, I’d count on the vary to be nearer to 30-50 miles, which remains to be stable.
For many who want extra vary, Engwe affords an non-obligatory second battery, which may theoretically double the vary. For those who’re utilizing this bike for supply work or long-haul commutes, that second battery is perhaps price contemplating.
I examined the twin battery model, and I ought to level out that in contrast to most twin battery e-bikes, the Engwe exhibits the cost degree of each batteries on the show. That’s a cool characteristic and might be necessary for circumstances the place you may need forgotten to cost one of many batteries. You’ll immediately understand it if you see one is almost full whereas the opposite is approaching empty.
The show can also be very nice. I’d say it has no companies being this good wanting on a finances bike, however the colours and format make it very slick look and simply readable.
Cargo and Utility
The LE20 is definitely designed at first as a cargo e-bike, and whereas it does have a big rear rack, it’s not fairly as sturdy as conventional long-tail cargo bikes. That mentioned, the 440 lbs (200 kg) payload capability means it could carry a good quantity, assuming that’s correct. I all the time need to marvel a bit, particularly when finances firms listing the identical or increased weight rankings than trade leaders comparable to Tern, who places a whole lot of emphasis on correct weight rankings. I’m unsure I’d run it with 440 lb of weight on it day by day, however maybe that’s simply me being conservative with an admittedly budget-brand electrical bike.
The lengthy rear rack does supply some good house for mounting equipment comparable to a toddler security seat, although I just like the passenger deck pads that work simply as properly for teenagers and adults. Engwe additionally sells varioius storage circumstances and different cargo equipment. Mine didn’t include footrests, however I feel the usual bundle consists of them now.
One main inconvenience that I did NOT like concerning the cargo design is that the aspect panels are so large that they cowl each little bit of uncovered body rail within the again. Meaning I’ve obtained nothing to lash to once I wish to carry cargo. I did a mail run and had a pair packages that I wanted to hold again with me, and ended up having to safe them to the rack by tying off to the derailleur guard, of all locations. Clearly that’s not ultimate, and I want Engwe had left us a bit extra body rail to work with.
You may see my jury-rigged rigging within the video overview above. It really works, however it’s not ultimate from a cargo standpoint.
Trip consolation and dealing with
For a cargo bike, the LE20 rides fairly properly, because of its entrance suspension fork and 20×3.0-inch tires. The smaller wheels make it extra maneuverable in tight areas, however in addition they make bumps barely extra noticeable in comparison with a larger-wheel cargo bike. I all the time choose smaller wheels on cargo bikes although, since I’ll take the decrease middle of gravity over the higher rolling consolation. And the semi-fat design of the 3-inch tires provides again some consolation to the combination. The forged wheels are additionally a pleasant addition, even when they’re in all probability a bit extra inflexible than spoke wheels, however no less than they’re upkeep free and look cool, too!
The step-through body makes getting on and off the bike straightforward, particularly in the event you’re carrying cargo. The seat is decently snug, and the upright driving place feels pure.
Nonetheless, at 91.5 lbs (41.5 kg), it’s not a light-weight bike by any stretch of the creativeness! You undoubtedly really feel that weight when maneuvering it round in a storage or parking, and even when driving round at low speeds.
At increased speeds, you usually don’t discover the additional weight, and naturally, one of many advantages of an electrical motor is that you simply don’t have the identical weight penalty as a conventional bike. However lordy lord allow you to in the event you ever wish to elevate it onto a motorcycle rack or carry it up a flight of stairs.
Brakes and security options
Braking is dealt with by 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes, which supply robust stopping energy. Given the burden and pace of this bike, hydraulic brakes are a necessity, and I used to be joyful to see that Engwe didn’t minimize corners right here.
One other main security characteristic is lighting, and the LE20 comes with built-in lights that run off the principle battery. This isn’t precisely a technological feat, however some e-bikes nonetheless use lights with their very own separate batteries, so I’m glad to see we no less than make use of that large e-bike battery for the lighting.
The twin-barrel headlights appear lots vivid as a be-seen mild, however don’t count on them to solely mild up the trail on a moonless evening with no avenue lights. For visibility although, I don’t assume automobiles will miss you.
Remaining ideas
For simply $1,295 for the bottom mannequin or $1,595 for the twin battery model, this can be a nice value for a brilliant lengthy vary cargo e-bike.
Sure, it’s obtained some small points. I’d in all probability simply take away the rear guards to offer me entry to border rails within the rear, although I settle for that they’re a security characteristic and so I’d quite simply appear them a bit smaller. And it’s heavy as all get out. However at this value, you’re getting some severe efficiency and plenty of cargo house.
The good options like a torque sensor and delightful show add vital worth on what ought to be an in any other case unremarkable bargain-priced electrical bike, so this one truly shocked me in a great way.
I’m not saying there aren’t higher choices on the market, and the Lectric XPedition 2.0 for simply an additional $100 has loads going for it (even when the battery isn’t as large). However for $1,295, the Engwe LE20 is unquestionably compelling as a long-range cargo e-bike.
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