Engwe L20 2.0 e-bike: Powerful, accessible, and foldable fun
Engwe continues to impress with its high quality electric bikes and the latest foldable model was a sheer joy to ride.
Hyperdrive Hits
5/5 Medals of Yavin: Highly recommended for commuters, apartment owners, and seekers of fun
High quality build with lovely fit and finish
Powerful motor and long battery life
Low step-thru design for easy riding by all
Affordable price
Foldable electric bikes are popular because they provide a platform for people with storage challenges, allow you to load up a bike in the trunk for riding at other locations, and support loading on mass transit. They are also typically a bit lighter than other bikes so can be used by more people.
Last year I tested the Engwe Engine Pro and while it was a foldable bike, it was a large and heavy model made for larger riders who wanted some serious power. For the past two weeks I have been riding the new Engwe L20 2.0 and this is my new favorite folding ebike, beating out the Lectric XP Lite and XP 3.0.
Compared to the Lectric XP 3.0 at the same MSRP (the Engwe L20 2.0 launches at just $799), the L20 2.0 has a more powerful 750W motor with 75 N-m of torque, dual suspension, and weight three pounds lighter. However, it just isn’t the specs comparison for me. The Engwe L20 2.0 has a more refined fit and finish, has a lower cross piece for easier step-through movement, the battery is easier to access and remove, and the color LCD looks better too.
Rating:
As explained in my palmsolo’s Refresh Rating Scale post, I’m awarding the Engwe L20 2.0 five (5) Medals of Yavin. It is a near perfect folding bike that has a compelling launch price, excellent build quality, powerful motor, and platform that is a sheer joy to ride for riders of all shapes and sizes.
If you are interested in an Engwe electric bike, please save some money and use these codes:
$100 off Code: ENGWEV100OFF (for: Engine Pro, C20 Pro, Engine X, L20, M20, x24/x26/x20, E26, and all model combos)
$50 off Code: ENGWEV50OFF (for: EP-2 Pro, T14, S6, O14, Y10)
Please consider using my Engwe affiliate link if you are interested in purchasing one of the Engwe bikes.
The Good and the Bad
It’s pretty rare for me to not find something that can be improved with a product and for things like electric bikes the pros and cons can depend on your riding needs.
Pros
Affordable price
Beautiful colors and elegant design elements
Low step-through design
Powerful 750W motor
Throttle, pedal assist, and 7-speed Shimano transmission
Head light and integrated brake light
Fenders and racks on the front and back
Comfortable seat
Adjustable handlebars
Cons
Some assembly required
Mechanical disc brakes
Experiences
The Engwe L20 2.0 arrived mostly assembled, but the front fender, front wheel/tire, headlight, pedals, and seat are required to be secured by the buyer. The front fender and headlight required a bit of finger gymnastics for me, but overall it was fairly straightforward to get the bike ready to ride. The tools to assemble the bike are included in the retail package.
The battery slides in smoothly behind the seat post with a key to keep it locked into place and a folding handle to grab and remove the battery. Engwe provides a single lever that you press to raise the back of the seat for access to the battery. Small touches like this show that Engwe provides thoughtful design elements in the bike.
The handlebar sits at a decent level, but taller riders can even raise it higher with a simple locking lever. The handlebar stem folds down to the side of the bike, the frame folds in half, and the pedals also fold to make the entire package more compact for storage and transport. Engwe has a small kickstand at the bottom of the frame to rest the bike on when in the folded state.
The bike weighs in at 68 pounds and while that is heavy, it is lighter than other folding bikes in this class and it doesn’t feel that heavy except in the folded position. The bike is constructed of 6061 aluminum with a maximum payload of 264 pounds.
Rear suspension is provided by the comfortable seat post with shock. The seat itself is very plush and wide so the shock in the seat adds another level of comfort. The front forks have a suspension system too for a comfortable riding experience. The fat tires also make the ride enjoyable.
In order to test the accessibility of the Engwe L20 2.0, I had my wife try riding the bike. She fell in love with it and has now joined me on several bike rides as I tested the bike on various roads in the city. She has a bad hip and found stepping over the bike frame to be easy and flawless, even when compared to bikes like the Lectric XP 3.0 and XP Lite. She has clearly found a new favorite and I may have to purchase this bike just for her.
I ride up very steep hills when I return from the store or my day at work and the Engwe L20 2.0 is one of the rare models that can help propel me up even the steepest hill. The 750 W rear hub motor provides lots of power, helping make the bike a ton of fun to ride.
Specifications
Specifications alone don’t mean much, but they are useful for comparing similar devices and checking that you are getting value for your money.
Frame: 6061 aluminum alloy available in three colors
Motor: 750W rear hub (1125W peak), 75Nm torque
Bike weight: 68.1 pounds
Bike capacity: 264.5 pounds
Pedal assist: Five levels with 7-speed Shimano gear system
Max speed and range: 20 mph, can be unlocked to assist up to 28 mph. 28 miles in throttle mode or up to 84 miles with pedal assist
Brakes: Mechanical 180mm disc brakes
Display: Color LCD
Tires: 20-inch by 3-inch fat tires
Bottom Line
Foldable bikes are perfect for people who want to minimize the storage requirements of an electric bike and Engwe did a great job with the folding design that includes foldable pedals and an easy to remove battery. The Engwe L20 2.0 jumped up to the top of my list of foldable favorites and now I am considering one in that lovely Sea Green color.
The $799.99 launch price is great for a bike with these features and elegant design elements. An electric bike can be an essential means of transportation, but to keep you riding daily it should also be reliable and fun. The Engwe L20 2.0 is a blast to cruise on and the 750W motor keeps even heavier riders moving quickly along the roads.
On many of my bikes, I typically spend less than half the time using the throttle. With the cruiser design, comfortable seat, twist throttle, and powerful motor I found myself using throttle only mode about 60% to 70% of the time. It is fun to use the bike as if it is a cruising scooter so don’t be afraid to just ride it with your hair streaming back.