As a lot as I like the nicer and extra refined electrical bikes that use larger high quality elements and higher development for years of worry-free using, I perceive how vital the entry-level market is for making electrical bicycles as accessible as potential. And e-bikes just like the $799 Engwe L20 2.0 are placing extra butts on seats than ever earlier than, combining low costs with efficiency that may probably shock you!
After all the L20 2.0 isn’t going to rival e-bikes with double or triple the worth, but it surely does oddly properly for such an reasonably priced e-bike. Between the comfy experience and the go-anywhere perspective of the bike, I can see it working nice for informal riders and native commuters alike.
To see my firsthand testing of this salmon-spawning pink e-bike, take a look at my experience video under. Or preserve studying for the complete particulars.
Engwe L20 2.0 video overview
Engwe L20 2.0 tech specs
- Motor: 750W geared hub motor within the rear wheel (1,125 watts peak)
- Prime pace: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Vary: As much as 45 km (28 mi) on throttle or 135 km (84 mi) on pedal help
- Battery: 52V 13Ah (676 Wh)
- Weight: 31 kg (68 lb)
- Max load: 120 kg (264 lb)
- Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes on 180 mm rotors
- Extras: Rear rack, shade LED show, built-in head/tail/brake LED lights, fender set, folding design
The Engwe L20 2.0 undoubtedly takes on the acquainted kind we’ve seen from loads of 20″ folding fats tire e-bikes earlier than. Although I recognize that they didn’t go full-fatty right here, as a substitute choosing the prudent compromise of three.0″ tires.
However one moderately unfamiliar design alternative is the usage of a 52V battery as a substitute of a 48V battery. Placing my engineer hat on right here for a second, I can inform you that it mainly means a roughly 7-8% enhance in energy, assuming the identical controller present. The reason being that as a substitute of 13 lithium-ion battery cells, you’ve bought 14. That enables the bike to run larger energy while not having to tug extra amperage and thus create extra warmth or additional stress the controller.
The true-world distinction isn’t large, however it’s a good factor to see when everybody appears to need a bit extra energy than they have already got. It might make aftermarket battery and/or charger substitute a bit harder, although it’s best to actually be utilizing OEM elements anyway, except you actually know what you’re doing. Mixing battery chargers of various voltages is a no-no, so be sure to what the true cost voltage of your battery is when searching for a brand new charger.
Regardless of the upper voltage, that battery remains to be average-sized, with its 13Ah capability translating into 676 Wh of saved vitality. The corporate says the throttle-only vary is round 28 miles or 45 km. I consider that, particularly since on throttle using you may’t go quicker than 20 mph (32 km/h).
They declare a a lot larger vary on pedal help, as much as 84 miles (135 km). That’s probably solely potential within the absolute lowest pedal help degree, so don’t anticipate to essentially go that far, particularly not should you’re blasting round on the Class 3 prime pace of 28 mph (45 km/h) that’s enabled when utilizing pedal help.
However hey, it’s nonetheless a decent-sized battery and I like the facility it provides you, with the motor claiming 750W nominal and 1,125W peak.
The motor can be rated at 75 Nm, which is kind of torquey for an electrical bike. It’s a bit above common for this class of 20″ folders, that means you’ll have some good hill-climbing means from the Engwe L20 2.0.
The bike itself is kind of comfy, that includes each entrance suspension and a suspension seat put up. Neither are terribly high-end, however they each work effective for varied leisure or leisurely commuter using.
Don’t take it off any candy jumps, however you may really feel assured on pockmarked roads.
The inclusion of an easy-to-read shade show is nice, too. These shows can typically look effective within the shade of your storage however immediately wash out once you roll a motorbike exterior, however Engwe’s show does a superb job of nonetheless being legible even when the solar comes out.
Different included elements just like the fender set, the rear rack, the LED lighting within the entrance and rear, and the Shimano 7-speed shifter are all nice to see on a $799 e-bike. Many of those elements are sometimes held again behind paywalls from different firms, so I at all times take pleasure in getting every thing included, particularly on such a budget-priced bike.
I’m glad to see the bike is available in a number of colorways as properly, together with inexperienced, black, and the pink mannequin I examined.
Although as comfy and highly effective as I discover the e-bike, not every thing is ideal.
For one, I discover it has a surprisingly low max weight score of simply 264 lb (120 kg). Whereas that’s effective for me, there’s a large chunk of the US public that will be excluded. However extra importantly, I’ve to surprise what that claims concerning the bike if it’s solely licensed as much as 264 lb. Most e-bikes check larger, so is there a purpose Engwe didn’t push it?
The bike is a hefty 68 lb (31 kg) by itself, so it’s not like this can be a actually light-weight e-bike that couldn’t assist heavier masses. What provides?
Subsequent, the disc brakes are mechanical as a substitute of hydraulic. That has a small benefit in that they’re simpler to work on your self, however the larger drawback is that you just’ll should work on them way more typically. These cables stretch over time, that means you’ve bought to regulate them to retain your braking means.
For $799, that’s largely to be anticipated. There are similarly-priced electrical bikes with hydraulic brakes, however they’re nonetheless fairly darn uncommon nowadays. That will change in a number of years, however for now, sub-$1k e-bikes hardly ever have nicer juice brakes.
What’s the decision right here?
In conclusion, the Engwe L20 2.0 stands out as a surprisingly good possibility within the entry-level e-bike market. Its affordability and first rate efficiency make it a compelling alternative for these new to electrical bicycles or these searching for a dependable and cost-effective commuting possibility. Whereas it could not boast the high-end options of dearer fashions, it delivers the place it counts: consolation, usability, and an gratifying using expertise.
For informal riders and native commuters, the Engwe L20 2.0 gives a sensible and accessible entry level into the world of electrical biking. It will undoubtedly make a flexible companion for day by day rides and weekend adventures, although its substandard parts absolutely gained’t give the identical expertise or longevity of extra refined and pricier e-bikes.
Should you’re looking for a budget-friendly e-bike that doesn’t compromise on important options (even when it does compromise on the fancier options or lack thereof), the Engwe L20 2.0 is properly price contemplating. This bike proves that you just don’t want to interrupt the financial institution to take pleasure in the advantages of electrical biking.
