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

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 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 an extended rear rack. However how does it truly carry out in the actual world? After spending a while using and testing it, right here’s what I discovered.

For such an attention-grabbing low-cost, long-range cargo e-bike, you’ll positively need to see what it’s prefer to trip this one.

Try my video evaluation under for the complete expertise!

Engwe LE20 Video Evaluation

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, 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 could attain 28 mph (45 km/h).

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One of many issues I actually favored concerning the trip 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 previously. Cadence sensors aren’t unhealthy 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 trip really feel. It simply feels extra such as you’re using a motorcycle with robust legs, than that you just’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’s going to deal with reasonable inclines effectively. For steeper hills although, you’ll often need 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 ideally suited circumstances. In real-world using, utilizing a mixture of throttle and pedal help, I might anticipate the vary to be nearer to 30-50 miles, which remains to be stable.

For individuals who want extra vary, Engwe affords an non-compulsory second battery, which may theoretically double the vary. For those who’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 reveals the cost stage of each batteries on the show. That’s a cool function and can be vital for instances the place you might need forgotten to cost one of many batteries. You’ll immediately realize it once 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 wanting on a price range bike, however the colours and format make it very slick look and simply readable.

Cargo and Utility

The LE20 is actually 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 could carry a good quantity, assuming that’s correct. I all the time need to surprise a bit, particularly when price range firms listing the identical or increased weight rankings than business leaders similar to Tern, who places loads of emphasis on correct weight rankings. 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 area for mounting equipment similar to a baby security seat, although I just like the passenger deck pads that work simply as effectively for youths and adults. Engwe additionally sells varioius storage instances and different cargo equipment. Mine didn’t include footrests, however I believe the usual package deal contains them now.

One main inconvenience that I did NOT like concerning 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 acquired nothing to lash to after I need 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 may see my jury-rigged rigging within the video evaluation above. It really works, nevertheless it’s not ideally suited from a cargo standpoint.

Experience consolation and dealing with

For a cargo bike, the LE20 rides fairly effectively, because of 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 want 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 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 in case you’re carrying cargo. The seat is decently snug, and the upright using 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 using 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 just don’t have the identical weight penalty as a standard bike. However lordy lord aid you in case you ever need to raise 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 pace of this bike, hydraulic brakes are a necessity, and I used to be joyful 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 very least make use of that large e-bike battery for the lighting.

The twin-barrel headlights appear lots vivid as a be-seen mild, however don’t anticipate them to solely mild up the trail on a moonless night time with no road lights. For visibility although, I don’t assume vehicles will miss you.

Ultimate ideas

For simply $1,295 for the bottom mannequin or $1,595 for the twin battery model, this can be a nice value for a brilliant lengthy vary cargo e-bike.

Sure, it’s acquired 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 function and so I’d somewhat 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 area.

The good options like a torque sensor and delightful show add vital 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 quite a bit 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.