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 similar time, it seems to be 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 wish to see what it’s wish to journey this one.
Take a look at my video assessment beneath for the complete expertise!
Engwe LE20 Video Assessment
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, lovely 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 will possibly attain 28 mph (45 km/h).
One of many issues I actually preferred concerning the journey was the torque sensor. Many funds e-bikes depend on low-cost cadence sensors, and to be honest, Engwe has floated by on cadence sensors previously. 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 using a motorbike with robust legs, than that you just’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 average inclines properly. For steeper hills although, you’ll often 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 kind of respectable for a cargo e-bike at this value level. Most cargo e-bikes value 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 ideally suited circumstances. In real-world using, utilizing a mixture of throttle and pedal help, I might count on the vary to be nearer to 30-50 miles, which continues to be stable.
For individuals who want extra vary, Engwe presents an elective second battery, which might theoretically double the vary. In the event you’re utilizing this bike for supply work or long-haul commutes, that second battery is likely to be price 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 characteristic and will probably be necessary for instances the place you might need forgotten to cost one of many batteries. You’ll immediately realize it if you see one is sort of 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 funds bike, however the colours and format make it very slick look and simply readable.
Cargo and Utility
The LE20 is definitely designed at the start 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 stated, the 440 lbs (200 kg) payload capability means it will possibly carry a good quantity, assuming that’s correct. I all the time should marvel a bit, particularly when funds corporations checklist the identical or greater weight rankings than trade leaders corresponding to Tern, who places numerous emphasis on correct weight rankings. I’m unsure I’d run it with 440 lb of weight on it day-after-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 corresponding to a baby security seat, although I just like the passenger deck pads that work simply as properly for teenagers and adults. Engwe additionally sells varioius storage instances and different cargo equipment. Mine didn’t include footrests, however I believe the usual bundle contains 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. Which means I’ve received nothing to lash to after 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 ideally suited, and I want Engwe had left us a bit extra body rail to work with.
You possibly can see my jury-rigged rigging within the video assessment above. It really works, but it surely’s not ideally suited from a cargo standpoint.
Trip 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 all the time favor 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 a minimum of they’re upkeep free and look cool, too!
The step-through body makes getting on and off the bike straightforward, particularly if you happen to’re carrying cargo. The seat is decently comfy, and the upright using 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 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 just don’t have the identical weight penalty as a standard bike. However lordy lord provide help to if you happen to ever wish 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 robust stopping energy. Given the load and pace of this bike, hydraulic brakes are a necessity, and I used to be pleased 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 a minimum of make use of that large e-bike battery for the lighting.
The twin-barrel headlights appear lots shiny as a be-seen mild, however don’t count on them to solely mild up the trail on a moonless night time 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 value for an excellent lengthy vary cargo e-bike.
Sure, it’s received 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 slightly 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 many cargo area.
The good options like a torque sensor and delightful show add important worth on what needs 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 certainly compelling as a long-range cargo e-bike.
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