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 seems like a cross between a compact cargo bike and a semi-fat tire hybrid-style bike, with a chunky body, small wheels, and a protracted 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 need to see what it’s wish to experience this one.
Take a look at my video evaluate beneath for the total expertise!
Engwe LE20 Video Evaluation
Engwe LE20 2.0 tech specs
- Motor: 750W geared hub motor within the rear wheel
- High velocity: 45 km/h (28 mph) on pedal help, 32 km/h (20 mph) on throttle
- Vary: Claimed as much as 160 km (100 mi) on single battery (or twice that with twin batteries)
- Battery: One or two 48V 19.2Ah (920 Wh) batteries
- Weight: 41.5 kg (91.5 lb)
- Max load: 200 kg (440 lb)
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes on 180 mm rotors
- Extras: 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 easy however sturdy, 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 may well attain 28 mph (45 km/h).
One of many issues I actually favored in regards to the experience was the torque sensor. Many price range e-bikes depend on low cost cadence sensors, and to be truthful, Engwe has floated by on cadence sensors previously. Cadence sensors aren’t unhealthy per se, however the cheaper ones can really feel further laggy and they’re usually mixed with poor controller programming that ends in 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 experience really feel. It simply feels extra such as you’re driving a motorcycle with sturdy 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 assessments, buts with 75 Nm of torque and good energy, I’ve to think about that it’ll deal with reasonable inclines properly. For steeper hills although, you’ll often need to pedal together with hub motor-based electrical bikes like these because the 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 worth level. Most cargo e-bikes price extra and have much less battery, so Engwe begins sturdy there. The corporate claims a 109-mile vary, however as with all e-bike vary estimates, that’s within the lowest help setting with splendid circumstances. In real-world driving, utilizing a mixture of throttle and pedal help, I’d anticipate the vary to be nearer to 30-50 miles, which remains to be stable.
For many who want extra vary, Engwe provides an optionally available second battery, which may theoretically double the vary. When you’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 not like most twin battery e-bikes, the Engwe reveals the cost stage of each batteries on the show. That’s a cool characteristic and shall be vital for circumstances the place you may need forgotten to cost one of many batteries. You’ll immediately realize it while 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 trying on a price range bike, however the colours and structure make it very slick look and simply readable.
Cargo and Utility
The LE20 is definitely designed initially 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 stated, the 440 lbs (200 kg) payload capability means it may well carry a good quantity, assuming that’s correct. I at all times should surprise a bit, particularly when price range corporations checklist the identical or increased weight scores than business leaders reminiscent of Tern, who places loads of emphasis on correct weight scores. I’m undecided I’d run it with 440 lb of weight on it daily, however maybe that’s simply me being conservative with an admittedly budget-brand electrical bike.
The lengthy rear rack does provide some good house for mounting equipment reminiscent of a toddler security seat, although I just like the passenger deck pads that work simply as properly for youths 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 in regards to the cargo design is that the aspect panels are so huge that they cowl each little bit of uncovered body rail within the again. Which means I’ve received nothing to lash to once I need 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 splendid, 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 evaluate above. It really works, but it surely’s not splendid from a cargo standpoint.
Experience consolation and dealing with
For a cargo bike, the LE20 rides fairly properly, due to its entrance suspension fork and 20×3.0-inch tires. The smaller wheels make it extra maneuverable in tight areas, however additionally they make bumps barely extra noticeable in comparison with a larger-wheel cargo bike. I at all times want smaller wheels on cargo bikes although, since I’ll take the decrease heart 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 at the least they’re upkeep free and look cool, too!
The step-through body makes getting on and off the bike simple, particularly in the event you’re carrying cargo. The seat is decently snug, and the upright driving place feels pure.
Nevertheless, 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 assist you in the event you ever need to carry 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 sturdy stopping energy. Given the burden and velocity of this bike, hydraulic brakes are a necessity, and I used to be completely happy 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 primary 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 at the least make use of that huge e-bike battery for the lighting.
The twin-barrel headlights appear loads brilliant as a be-seen gentle, however don’t anticipate them to solely gentle up the trail on a moonless evening with no avenue lights. For visibility although, I don’t suppose automobiles will miss you.
Last ideas
For simply $1,295 for the bottom mannequin or $1,595 for the twin battery model, this can be a nice worth for a brilliant lengthy vary cargo e-bike.
Sure, it’s received some small points. I’d in all probability simply take away the rear guards to provide me entry to border rails within the rear, although I settle for that they’re a security characteristic and so I’d slightly simply appear them a bit smaller. And it’s heavy as all get out. However at this worth, you’re getting some critical 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 quite a bit going for it (even when the battery isn’t as huge). However for $1,295, the Engwe LE20 is unquestionably compelling as a long-range cargo e-bike.
