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 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 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 journey this one.
Take a look at my video overview beneath for the complete expertise!
Engwe LE20 Video Overview
Engwe LE20 2.0 tech specs
- Motor:Â 750W geared hub motor within the rear wheel
- Prime 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 colour 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 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 concerning the journey 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 typically mixed with poor controller programming that leads to 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 journey really feel. It simply feels extra such as you’re driving 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 exams, buts with 75 Nm of torque and good energy, I’ve to think about that it’s going to deal with reasonable inclines nicely. For steeper hills although, you’ll often wish 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 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 superb 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 gives an optionally available second battery, which might theoretically double the vary. In case you’re utilizing this bike for supply work or long-haul commutes, that second battery is likely to be 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 likely be essential for circumstances the place you might need forgotten to cost one of many batteries. You’ll immediately understand 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 finances bike, however the colours and structure make it very slick look and simply readable.
Cargo and Utility
The LE20 is actually designed before everything as a cargo e-bike, and whereas it does have a big rear rack, it’s not fairly as strong as conventional long-tail cargo bikes. That mentioned, the 440 lbs (200 kg) payload capability means it may well carry a good quantity, assuming that’s correct. I all the time should surprise a bit, particularly when finances corporations listing the identical or greater weight rankings than trade leaders reminiscent of Tern, who places a variety 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 area for mounting equipment reminiscent of a baby security seat, although I just like the passenger deck pads that work simply as nicely for youths and adults. Engwe additionally sells varioius storage circumstances and different cargo equipment. Mine didn’t include footrests, however I feel the usual package deal contains them now.
One main inconvenience that I did NOT like concerning 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 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 superb, 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, but it surely’s not superb from a cargo standpoint.
Experience consolation and dealing with
For a cargo bike, the LE20 rides fairly nicely, 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 solid wheels are additionally a pleasant addition, even when they’re in all probability 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 simple, particularly when you’re carrying cargo. The seat is decently comfy, 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 greater 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 make it easier to when you ever wish to carry 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 joyful to see that Engwe didn’t reduce corners right here.
One other main security function 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 not less than make use of that huge e-bike battery for the lighting.
The twin-barrel headlights appear a lot vibrant as a be-seen mild, however don’t count on them to solely mild up the trail on a moonless evening with no road 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 an excellent lengthy vary cargo e-bike.
Sure, it’s obtained some small points. I’d in all probability 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 quite simply appear them a bit smaller. And it’s heavy as all get out. However at this value, you’re getting some critical efficiency and plenty of cargo area.
The great options like a torque sensor and delightful show add important 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 certainly compelling as a long-range cargo e-bike.
FTC: We use revenue incomes auto affiliate hyperlinks. Extra.
