Engwe’s newly redesigned L20 2.0 Electric Bike. Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia
The electric bike industry is picking up steam at a rapid pace. It’s no surprise, really, considering ebikes are becoming more affordable and reliable each year. As new companies spring from the woodwork every day, other established companies are refining their offerings.
Take Engwe – A manufacturer from China who has been building electric bikes for a decade now. Within recent years they have begun to offer their bikes in the United States, with thousands of units sold to happy customers with positive ratings. I have tested several models over the past two years and have found that these bikes are reliable, affordable, have a fun, fast motor, and a decent batter range.
A few months ago, Engwe sent their redesigned L20 2.0 electric bike for me to review. Compared to the previous version, it is a major upgrade. Not only did Engwe drop the price, they slimmed the bike frame down by a large margin and made the bike foldable. Now, it’s one of the best-value fat-tire electric bikes on the market, priced at $799. And the best part? It’s super fun to ride. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our guides to The Best Folding Electric Bikes and The Best Fat-Tire Electric Bikes.
Engwe L20 2.0: First Impressions
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable | Packs up awkwardly |
| Fast acceleration | Minimal suspension |
| Easy to read display | Support is limited |
Payload: 265 lbs
Stated Range: 50 miles
Class: 1, 2, 3
Price: $799 (list price of $999 on the Engwe website)
Engwe does not have a retail presence, and opts to ship direct-to-consumer. This presumably is how they can offer such a low price point for a quality electric bike. Assembling the Engwe L20 2.0 was pretty easy, as the bike comes mostly assembled. You just need to add the pedals, the front wheel, fender, and headlight. The rest of it is ready to go. After that, it was as simple as turning the ignition key on the battery and firing up the display.
As soon as I started riding it, I felt a good boost of energy from the motor. Engwe claims that the 750W motor can hit 1125W peak to give you a good boost up the hills. I live in a mountainous, hilly area, and had no trouble riding the bike, throttle-only, up a steep grade in the hills around my home. Other bikes can peter out on a sustained hill, but this bike handled the challenge without much trouble. And if you choose to engage the pedals, that’s where this bike (and most pedal-assist electric bikes) shines. Even on longer, sustained uphills, I could ride comfortably in the PAS 3 (out of 5) mode, which can’t be said for all electric bikes.
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The L20 2.0 folded up in the back of a Toyota 4Runner. While there is plenty of space around the bike, it’ll be a bit more difficult to stack things on top. Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia
Notable Features of the Engwe L20 2.0
The L20 2.0 folds up into a fairly compact package, which allowed me to fit it into the back of a Toyota 4Runner with plenty of room to spare. It could fit in most hatchbacks and larger car trunks with ease. Keep in mind it’s still fairly heavy – 67 lbs – but most able-bodied people should be able to work with it, and the removable battery can save you some weight while lifting the bike as well.
The bike also has a color LCD display, showing in clear detail the amount of battery left, as well as your speed and odometer readings. The pedal-assist settings are easily manageable while riding and are in full display while you ride. Most electric bikes have this, but Engwe has taken it a bit further than their last version to make all the stats easy to read.
Another standout feature is the motor. At 750W it’s right up there with many midrange electric bikes, but coming in at a cool $799 price tag, you get a ton of power for your buck.
Drawbacks
The Engwe L20 2.o is more of a cruiser than anything else, and should be treated as such. So anyone looking to do any serious trail riding or big cargo missions might be disappointed. It’s not a high-performance bike by any means, yet is still a lot of fun for cruising around and seeing the sights. So if you keep your expectations in check and are simply looking for an affordable fat-tire electric bike, with tons of versatility, this is a solid pick.
Fast, convenient, and reliable. The L20 2.0 is a major upgrade from the last version. Photo: Lindsay Gough//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
The Engwe L20 2.0 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor. The frame has been slimmed down, the display is larger and in full color, and it folds up to a compact size. It’s a great bike for people who don’t take biking too seriously and simply want to get from point A to point B quicker and more efficiently than a standard pedal bike. While it has fat tires that can handle off-road conditions, I wouldn’t be taking it on any single track or technical downhills. But for dirt roads and wider, graded trails, this is a solid option.
All in all, for the price, it’s a pretty impressive package. The motor is fun and zippy, and the battery lasts long enough, even on hilly roads. It’s not a go-anywhere, do-anything bike, but it is a reliable, well-built unit and the price is certainly right.
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Editor’s Note: To see how this bike stacks up to the competition, check out our guides on The Best Folding Electric Bikes and The Best Fat-Tire Electric Bikes. Heading to the surf? Here’s our guide to The Best Surfboard Bike Racks. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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