ENGWE M20 electric bike was launched in early 2023. Exclusive design, wide 20x4" tires, strong and solid frame, up to 1000W instantaneous power and the option to purchase a model with 2x 48V 13Ah battery. Is this model worth attention? NiuxTech shares its insights and thoughts!
ENGWE M20
Assessment:
What did we like?
What didn't we like?
Unboxing
ENGWE M20 electric bike arrived from Banggood e-shop. Shipping from the EU warehouse to Lithuania took about 1.5 weeks. The box is in order, without any major damage, everything is safely packed inside, padding, protective films, etc. The assembly process did not take long, basically it was necessary to install the front wheel, the steering frame, screw the pedals and the headlights.
Quality
At first glance, the bike looks quite well assembled. Remo's construction is solid, the joints are well welded, and the components are also neatly put together. It is true that what concerns the components: drive system, brakes, shock absorbers - there is no need to expect miracles here, some of the cheapest entry-level options are included. What I liked were the high-quality and strong metal mudguards, they protect well against water and dirt. The headlights are solid as well, they illuminate well in the darker hours of the day.
Engine and power
The manufacturer provided ENGWE M20 electronic bike with a mid-range 750W motor that produces up to 1000W instantaneous power. Driving in the city, on straighter roads with smaller hills - that power was personally enough. Unfortunately, when driving up hills of medium and greater steepness, it felt that the engine was already "buzzing", "angry" due to the perceived higher load. The maximum developed speed with my weight (85 kg) is about 42 km/h.
Driving distance
In terms of driving distance, you can choose a cheaper model with a single 48V 13Ah battery or a few hundred euros more expensive model with an additional battery that is mounted on top of the frame. In our case, we tested the first variant, with which we managed to drive about 25-30 km in mixed conditions in the city with a load of 85 kg, when the average speed varies between 20-30 km/h.
It is important to mention that the seat is at a relatively low level, it is not adjustable, so pedaling (especially for taller people) will not be very comfortable. I think the manufacturer designed this model in such a way that electric assistance is mainly used, and the pedals are more like auxiliary elements for entering steeper slopes. For this reason, if you plan to ride longer distances than 30km, I would suggest you immediately take the model with 2x 13Ah batteries.
Ride quality
With the ENGWE M20 electric bike, it is most comfortable and pleasant to ride on flat bike paths. And although this model has both front and rear shock absorbers, they are not very effective and stiff. When driving over larger bumps and potholes, vibrations are easily transmitted to the driver, and the situation is not helped even by the soft-looking seat at first glance. She might as well be a softie…
In order to get more comfort, you can adjust wide 20x4" inch tires. However, if you choose a lower pressure in the tires - at the same time, the driving distance and the maximum speed will decrease. Or, then, look for a higher quality rear shock absorber, but this also requires additional costs.
What did we like?
Design is a very subjective thing, but for me personally, the design of this ENGWE M20 bike really catches the eye and when riding in the city, passers-by really pay attention. The white frame, brown elongated seat, wide steering wheel, thick tires, hipster headlights look classic and resemble some kind of mini chopper. And if you don't like the white color, you can choose more practical ones - green or black.
Although in certain cases you would like the motor to be a bit more powerful, basically for driving in the city, on smoother roads, the 750W and 48V 13Ah battery is fully sufficient. I also think the speed is enough. The frame itself is strong, you feel confident and safe while driving. Comfortable sitting position, because the back is straight, quality metal fenders do their job just as well.
What could be better?
I immediately noticed that the gas handle has a starting "dead zone", which means that when the handle is turned easily, no signal is transmitted to the engine. On the other hand, many other electric bicycles and scooters have this problem. When the "pedal assist" mode is activated, I don't know why, but the engine starts working only after 4-5 seconds, which is really too long.
I am 185cm tall and riding this ENGWE M20 is not very comfortable because of the low seat. The knees are very bent, so if I had to think constantly - I would definitely choose another model. This bike is not designed for comfortable driving, it's more fun to just "cruise" with it on full electricity. Well, on steeper hills, you will definitely need to help the engine by pressing the pedals.
It is possible to drive on uneven roads, forest roads, potholed roads, but it is not comfortable due to both the hard seat and stiff shock absorbers. In this place, even wide tires do not help too much, because when the pressure is reduced, the reduced distance is very noticeable.
Mechanical disc brakes, Shimano 7-level gear system do the job, but these are cheap budget components. They chose to save money and to make the price of the bike more affordable for a wider range of customers. And finally, a few more details. The storage box included in the set has very strange fixing stickers, I had to turn my head to think of a more aesthetic and convenient way to put it on.
There is no way to completely disable the LED headlights. Those lights have several lighting options, but with the lowest mode, the long LED lights still stay on. The screen/display is not very bright, when driving on a sunny day it is harder to see the speed and the remaining battery. And finally, there is no additional lock and protection for turning on the bike.
Verdict
ENGWE M20 is an electric bicycle with a unique design that will surely attract the attention of those around you. Driving with it is the most fun on smoother roads, bike paths, you feel like you are on a stable and sturdy mini-chopper. The parameters are somewhat not exceptional, but they are fully sufficient for driving in the city. Of course, if you plan to drive longer distances, I would suggest looking at the model with 2x 48V 13Ah batteries.
On the other hand, the ENGWE M20 electric bike is definitely not the best and most practical model. Similar parameters can be offered by the same ENGWE EP2 Pro model, which is cheaper and at the same time has an adjustable height seat and a foldable frame design, so it takes up less space and is easier to transport and store.
Do you want to know more about the best electric bikes of 2023 under €1000? NiuxTech has compiled a personal list of TOP scooters and a comparison with other models!
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2024-02-27
