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The all-new Engwe L20 is an affordable utility e-bike aimed at the everyday rider who wants more space to carry shopping or work-related things. It bridges the gap between a regular and full-on cargo e-bike. In this review, I take the L20 on a hilly local ride to see how the motor performs and to assess the battery range.

Key Features

• 48v 250w Motor (750w US version)
• 48v 13Ah Battery
• Front and rear cargo racks
• Step-through frame design
• Front suspension fork

In the interest of full disclosure, the Engwe L20 reviewed in this article was generously provided to me by Engwe. This gesture, however, does not influence my opinions, and the ensuing evaluation remains impartial, reflecting my genuine experience and assessment of the product.

Unboxing and Assembly

This is the fourth e-bike I’ve had from Enwge and they’ve all been very well packaged. The Engwe L20 was thoroughly protected with foam padding. Inside the box was a toolkit, battery charger, and user manual.

The assembly process involves fitting the front wheel, handlebar, front rack and light, seatpost and pedals. You should allow at least an hour for assembly and if you’re not confident doing the job yourself, enlist the help of a bicycle mechanic.

Test Route

I decided upon a short but very hilly route to test the motor to the fullest. The route involved poorly surfaced country lanes going into steep wooded valleys. 

Electrics

The Engwe L20 is fitted with a 48v 250w rear hub motor. I suspect it’s the same motor fitted to the 750w version feels more powerful than 250w, particularly on hills. This version is set up to comply with UK and EU e-bike laws and cuts off at 15.5 mph (25 km/h), although it can be unlocked via the display’s advanced settings function.

Motor performance is strong. Once you start pedalling the assist kicks in quickly and delivers brisk acceleration. I did find the assist levels a little strange though – there are 5 levels of assist, which are limited by speed and power. Level 1 barely assists up to 5 mph, level 2 about 8 mph and it’s not until you use level 4 that things start happening. This seems counter-intuitive to me as I’m used to the levels going to the max speed cut-off but at reduced power outputs as opposed to speed.

The display is neat and shows speed, distance, battery and assist level. It can be easily changed from km/h to mph and you can also raise the speed limit. Although I wouldn’t advise this in the UK and EU. Direct sunlight can make the display difficult to read.

The battery is a 48v 13Ah and Engwe claims a maximum range of 140 km on a charge. Based on the initial test ride this does seem very optimistic. After just under 20 miles, I had 2 bars remaining on the battery indicator, although it was a very hilly route with a 105 kg rider. I reckon the average rider on a less hilly route, should be able to get 35-45 realistically using pedal assist.

Bike Components

The Engwe L20 features a standard Shimano Tourney 7-speed drivetrain with a TX50 thumb shifter. The gear changes were reliable, and the indexing did not need adjusting out of the box, although this may vary from bike to bike.

The mechanical disc brakes provided predictable braking. I performed an emergency stop from 20 mph, and the bike came to a standstill quickly enough. My only complaint is the excess noise and squealing coming from the brakes – nothing unusual for mechanical discs, and this should subside over time.

One of the big plus points of the Engwe L20 is the addition of a front and rear cargo rack. Both are a good size with the rear having a 25 kg load capacity and the front 13 kg. This is going to be great for carrying shopping or using the e-bike for a delivery job like Deliveroo. In addition to the cargo racks, there are front and rear lights (with brake light), mudguards and a kickstand.

Comfort and Sizing

A stand-out plus of the Engwe L20 is its comfort. With a low-step frame, high-rise handlebars, ergonomic grips and a big, comfy saddle, it has a very comfortable and relaxed riding position. Regarding sizing, there is plenty of adjustment to accommodate riders from 5’2″ to 6’5″. I’m just over 6 feet and found the L20 to be very comfortable.

In addition to the riding position, there are the big 20″ x 4″ fat tyres and front suspension fork. This combination helped to smooth out the rough road surfaces ridden on the test route.

Who is the Engwe L20 suitable for?

The Engwe L20 is suitable for commuting, leisure riding, running day-to-day errands and even work-related riding like food delivery. It’s a versatile all-rounder that can be ridden on or off the road.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The motor feels very powerful
• Comfortable
• Good cargo-carrying potential

Cons

• Very Heavy
• The speed cuts out too soon in the lower assist levels

What is the range of the Engwe L20?

The Engwe L20 has a claimed maximum range of 140 km (86 miles), although this will be unrealistic for everyday riding. Based on my initial test ride, I would suggest a real-world range of 35-40 miles.

Is the Engwe L20 waterproof?

The L20 can be riddenint rain although it is not advisable to ride in very heavy rain and shouldn’t be ridden through deep puddles.

What is the maximum weight limit?

The total weight capacity is 120 kg / 264 lbs – this weight includes rider and cargo.

What is the top speed?

The Engwe L20 is limited to 15.5 mph / 25 km/hin line with UK and EU laws. In the US the L20 will do 25 mph making it a Class 3 e-bike.

Conclusion

Based on first impressions, I like the Enwge L20. I’m not a massive fan of electric fat bikes but there’s something about the L20 which makes it a pleasure to ride. It has a very comfortable riding position and the motor has enough torque to deal with the steepest of hills.

Riding the Engwe L20 is a leisurely affair and it’s great if you want to get to your destination without breaking into a sweat. The big bonus here is versatility – with a front and rear cargo rack, big tyres and front suspension, the L20 is ready for running errands whether it’s shopping or delivering food.

With the exception of the speed limits in the pedal assist levels and heavy weight, there’s not a lot to dislike about the Engwe L20. If you’re looking for a comfy e-bike with bags of power and a decent carry capacity, it’s well worth considering.