Can a price range cargo e-bike compete on value?

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 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 an extended 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 fascinating 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 evaluation under for the complete expertise!

Engwe LE20 Video Assessment

Engwe LE20 2.0 tech specs

• Motor: 750W geared hub motor within the rear wheel
• High 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, lovely coloration 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 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 could attain 28 mph (45 km/h).

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One of many issues I actually favored in regards to the journey 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 prior to now. Cadence sensors aren’t dangerous per se, however the cheaper ones can really feel further laggy and they’re usually 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 robust legs, than that you simply’re on a jumpy motorcycle.

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 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 kind 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 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 best situations. 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 strong.

For individuals who want extra vary, Engwe presents an non-obligatory second battery, which may theoretically double the vary. Should you’re utilizing this bike for supply work or long-haul commutes, that second battery could 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 degree of each batteries on the show. That’s a cool characteristic and shall be necessary for instances the place you may need forgotten to cost one of many batteries. You’ll immediately comprehend it while 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 price range bike, however the colours and format 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 mentioned, the 440 lbs (200 kg) payload capability means it could carry a good quantity, assuming that’s correct. I all the time must surprise a bit, particularly when price range corporations checklist the identical or increased weight scores than business leaders corresponding to Tern, who places numerous emphasis on correct weight scores. I’m unsure 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 area for mounting equipment corresponding to a baby security seat, although I just like the passenger deck pads that work simply as nicely 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 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 large that they cowl each little bit of uncovered body rail within the again. Which means I’ve bought 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 best, 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 evaluation above. It really works, but it surely’s not best from a cargo standpoint.

Journey 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 desire 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 combo. The solid wheels are additionally a pleasant addition, even when they’re in all probability a bit extra inflexible than spoke wheels, however at the very least 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 snug, and the upright driving 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 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 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 assist you if you happen to ever wish to elevate 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 burden 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 characteristic 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 at the very least make use of that large e-bike battery for the lighting.

The twin-barrel headlights appear a lot 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 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 value for an excellent lengthy vary cargo e-bike.

Sure, it’s bought 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 value, you’re getting some critical efficiency and many cargo area.

The great options like a torque sensor and exquisite show add important worth on what ought to be an in any other case unremarkable bargain-priced electrical bike, so this one truly 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 loads 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.