The Engwe LE20 is an fascinating 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 identical 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 true world? After spending a while using and testing it, right here’s what I discovered.
For such an fascinating low-cost, long-range cargo e-bike, you’ll positively need to see what it’s prefer to trip this one.
Take a look at my video evaluate beneath for the total expertise!
Engwe LE20 Video Assessment
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 coloration LED show, built-in head/tail/brake LED lights with flip indicators, 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 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 could possibly attain 28 mph (45 km/h).
One of many issues I actually preferred in regards to the trip was the torque sensor. Many finances e-bikes depend on low cost cadence sensors, and to be truthful, Engwe has floated by on cadence sensors up to now. Cadence sensors aren’t unhealthy per se, however the cheaper ones can really feel further laggy and they’re typically mixed with poor controller programming that ends in lurching and jumpy acceleration. As a pleasant change, the LE20’s torque sensor responds rapidly to enter, giving it a way more pure and intuitive trip really feel. It simply feels extra such as you’re using a motorbike 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 checks, buts with 75 Nm of torque and good energy, I’ve to think about that it’ll deal with average inclines effectively. For steeper hills although, you’ll normally need 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 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 perfect situations. In real-world using, 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 presents an elective second battery, which might theoretically double the vary. When you’re utilizing this bike for supply work or long-haul commutes, that second battery is perhaps value contemplating.
I examined the twin battery model, and I ought to level out that not like most twin battery e-bikes, the Engwe exhibits the cost stage of each batteries on the show. That’s a cool function and will probably be necessary for instances the place you may need forgotten to cost one of many batteries. You’ll immediately realize it whenever you see one is sort of full whereas the opposite is approaching empty.
The show can be very nice. I’d say it has no companies being this good trying on a finances bike, however the colours and structure make it very slick look and simply readable.
Cargo and Utility
The LE20 is actually 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 mentioned, the 440 lbs (200 kg) payload capability means it could possibly carry a good quantity, assuming that’s correct. I all the time should surprise a bit, particularly when finances corporations checklist the identical or greater weight rankings than trade leaders akin to Tern, who places numerous emphasis on correct weight rankings. I’m undecided I’d run it with 440 lb of weight on it each 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 akin to a toddler security seat, although I just like the passenger deck pads that work simply as effectively for youths and adults. Engwe additionally sells varioius storage instances and different cargo equipment. Mine didn’t include footrests, however I believe the usual bundle consists of them now.
One main inconvenience that I did NOT like in regards to the cargo design is that the facet panels are so huge that they cowl each little bit of uncovered body rail within the again. Which means I’ve acquired nothing to lash to after 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 perfect, and I want Engwe had left us a bit extra body rail to work with.
You’ll be able to see my jury-rigged rigging within the video evaluate above. It really works, but it surely’s not perfect from a cargo standpoint.
Journey consolation and dealing with
For a cargo bike, the LE20 rides fairly effectively, due to 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 combo. The forged wheels are additionally a pleasant addition, even when they’re most likely a bit extra inflexible than spoke wheels, however not less than they’re upkeep free and look cool, too!
The step-through body makes getting on and off the bike straightforward, particularly in case you’re carrying cargo. The seat is decently snug, and the upright using 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 positively really feel that weight when maneuvering it round in a storage or parking, and even when using round at low speeds.
At greater speeds, you typically 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 provide help to in case you ever need to raise it onto a motorbike rack or carry it up a flight of stairs.
Brakes and security options
Braking is dealt with by 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes, which provide sturdy stopping energy. Given the burden and pace of this bike, hydraulic brakes are a necessity, and I used to be comfortable to see that Engwe didn’t lower corners right here.
One other main security function 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 not less than make use of that huge e-bike battery for the lighting.
The twin-barrel headlights appear lots vivid as a be-seen gentle, however don’t count on them to solely gentle up the trail on a moonless night time with no road lights. For visibility although, I don’t assume vehicles will miss you.
Last ideas
For simply $1,295 for the bottom mannequin or $1,595 for the twin battery model, it is a nice value for an excellent lengthy vary cargo e-bike.
Sure, it’s acquired some small points. I’d most likely simply take away the rear guards to present me entry to border rails within the rear, although I settle for that they’re a security function and so I’d slightly 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 many cargo house.
The good options like a torque sensor and exquisite 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.
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