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 appears to be like 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 really 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 positively wish to see what it’s prefer to experience this one.
Try my video evaluation beneath for the total expertise!
Engwe LE20 Video Overview
Engwe LE20 2.0 tech specs
- Motor: 750W geared hub motor within the rear wheel
- Prime pace: 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 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 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 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 finances e-bikes depend on low cost cadence sensors, and to be honest, Engwe has floated by on cadence sensors prior to now. Cadence sensors aren’t dangerous 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 experience really feel. It simply feels extra such as you’re driving a motorbike 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’ll deal with reasonable inclines effectively. 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 worth 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 splendid situations. In real-world driving, utilizing a mixture of throttle and pedal help, I might anticipate the vary to be nearer to 30-50 miles, which continues to be stable.
For individuals who want extra vary, Engwe affords an non-obligatory second battery, which might theoretically double the vary. Should 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 in contrast to most twin battery e-bikes, the Engwe exhibits the cost degree of each batteries on the show. That’s a cool function and can be essential for circumstances the place you may need forgotten to cost one of many batteries. You’ll immediately comprehend it whenever 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 finances bike, however the colours and structure 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 stated, the 440 lbs (200 kg) payload capability means it may well carry a good quantity, assuming that’s correct. I all the time should marvel a bit, particularly when finances corporations checklist the identical or larger weight rankings than business leaders corresponding to Tern, who places a number of emphasis on correct weight rankings. I’m unsure I’d run it with 440 lb of weight on it every single 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 corresponding to a baby security seat, although I just like the passenger deck pads that work simply as effectively for teenagers and adults. Engwe additionally sells varioius storage circumstances and different cargo equipment. Mine didn’t include footrests, however I feel the usual package deal 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 large that they cowl each little bit of uncovered body rail within the again. Meaning I’ve acquired 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 splendid, 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 evaluation 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 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 desire 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 most likely 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 straightforward, particularly in the event 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 positively really feel that weight when maneuvering it round in a storage or parking, and even when driving round at low speeds.
At larger 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 standard bike. However lordy lord assist you in the event you 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 supply robust stopping energy. Given the load and pace of this bike, hydraulic brakes are a necessity, and I used to be blissful to see that Engwe didn’t minimize 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 at the least make use of that large 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 road lights. For visibility although, I don’t suppose vehicles will miss you.
Ultimate ideas
For simply $1,295 for the bottom mannequin or $1,595 for the twin battery model, it is a nice worth 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 moderately simply appear them a bit smaller. And it’s heavy as all get out. However at this worth, you’re getting some severe efficiency and many cargo house.
The great 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 really stunned 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 lots 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.
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