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 similar 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 a protracted 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 fascinating low-cost, long-range cargo e-bike, you’ll undoubtedly wish to see what it’s wish to journey this one.

Try my video evaluate under for the total expertise!

Engwe LE20 Video Assessment

Engwe LE20 2.0 tech specs

• Motor: 750W geared hub motor within the rear wheel
• High velocity: 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 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 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).

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One of many issues I actually preferred in regards to the journey was the torque sensor. Many price range 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 unhealthy 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 motorcycle 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 assessments, buts with 75 Nm of torque and good energy, I’ve to think about that it’s going to deal with average inclines nicely. 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 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 perfect situations. In real-world driving, utilizing a mixture of throttle and pedal help, I might count on the vary to be nearer to 30-50 miles, which remains to be strong.

For individuals who want extra vary, Engwe presents an non-compulsory 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 may 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 reveals the cost stage of each batteries on the show. That’s a cool characteristic and shall be essential for circumstances the place you might need forgotten to cost one of many batteries. You’ll immediately understand it whenever 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 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 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 at all times should surprise a bit, particularly when price range firms record the identical or greater weight scores than trade leaders corresponding to Tern, who places a variety of emphasis on correct weight scores. I’m undecided I’d run it with 440 lb of weight on it on daily basis, 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 nicely for youths and adults. Engwe additionally sells varioius storage circumstances and different cargo equipment. Mine didn’t include footrests, however I believe 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 facet 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 perfect, 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 evaluate above. It really works, nevertheless it’s not perfect from a cargo standpoint.

Experience consolation and dealing with

For a cargo bike, the LE20 rides fairly nicely, because of 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 at all times choose 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 combination. The forged 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 if you happen to’re carrying cargo. The seat is decently snug, 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 assist you to if you happen to ever wish to carry it onto a motorcycle 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 velocity of this bike, hydraulic brakes are a necessity, and I used to be comfortable to see that Engwe didn’t reduce 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 least make use of that large e-bike battery for the lighting.

The twin-barrel headlights appear lots shiny 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 suppose 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 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 characteristic and so I’d reasonably 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 delightful show add important worth on what must 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 quite a bit going for it (even when the battery isn’t as massive). However for $1,295, the Engwe LE20 is unquestionably compelling as a long-range cargo e-bike.