So... Does It Fold Well?
Engwe L20 2.0 Folding Ability
Technology is amazing. I can take this bike that feels completely solid going down the road, and in seconds, have it crumbled into a backseat passenger of a Toyota Prius!
Flip the seat and pedals up, unlatch the handlebar and frame latches, fold the handlebar down, and then fold the bike in half. No need for instructions, I never looked. It is straightforward to accomplish. Putting it back together is as simple as reversing the steps I just outlined. If I wanted to do this as fast as possible, I am sure I could have this bike folded in under 10 seconds. So, yes, this bike folds up very well.
Engwe L20 2.0 Quick Stats
What Would the Marketing Team Make Sure You Know?
- 750 Watt Motor (1125 Peak)
- 75 N.m Torque
- Max Throttle Speed - 21 MPH
- Max Pedaling Speed - 28 MPH
- Foldable
- Dual Suspension
- Step-through Design
Engwe l20 2.0 Control & Comfort
Folding e-bikes tend to make you ride a little more upright and less leaned over regular bike style. That is true here as well, but it is not terrible. The seat never bothered me and felt great as I took longer rides including off-roading. The handlebar seems well positioned and the grips are comfortable. Honestly, not bad at all. Outside of the posture feeling a little less natural and more upright, I did not mind it at all. I could easily cruise around on this bike for hours and not think twice about it.
Engwe l20 2.0 Suspension
The comfortable and enjoyable ride probably has a lot to do with the suspension. It has suspension built into the front fork as well as the seat post. This is more than I can say for most e-bikes where it is only in the front. This takes some of the roughness of the road out, helps you feel more connected, and smooths everything out. I would not say this is the highest end suspension ever on a bike, but it is enough to make it much more enjoyable. This is important with an e-bike because the whole point is to be on it longer and more often. If you feel every bump rattle up through the bike and into your body, the enjoyment factor declines very quickly.
Engwe l20 2.0 Power
Some people want an insanely fast e-bike. Some want a very weak one because they are scared of too much power. The majority want something right in the middle. If you are in the middle, this bike is perfection. E-bike power comes in different areas and some bikes have certain areas covered, but not all. For example:
- From a Stop - This bike has the torque to get up and move. Many e-bikes have a real slow ramp up from a stop and this can be frustrating. It is not overpowered or intimated, but it will get you going. Perfect.
- Acceleration - Bikes can struggle in various areas here. Regular acceleration, getting close to top speed, going into hills, and more. This bike didn't care. It had that balanced power available no matter where needed, it even handled off-roading really well!
- Top Speed - Some bikes really struggle to reach and maintain top speed. It did not matter if it was throttle or pedaling top speed, it maintained it easily.
Engwe l20 2.0 Cornering
I enjoy really leaning into a corner and going full send mode. This also leads to a good test of what the bike is capable of. This is also why I also do a swerve test to check handling and responsiveness. The upright ride takes a bit of this away compared to other bikes. You can still lean into corners and swerve around, just not as dramatically as other bikes. For most people, I would say it is more than enough. For people that really want to ride and have a little fun... you may enjoy other bikes more.
I will say it was still very responsive. You might not do certain leans or turns as intense, but the bike always comes back to and feels very controllable.
Engwe l20 2.0 Enjoyment
If I were going to pick an e-bike to ride from my house on a regular basis, it would not be a foldable e-bike. I don't need that, and I like the feel of other e-bikes slightly more.
But. It is amazing to fold this bike into so little, easily throw it in your car or truck, and then head to a brand new riding location. It is not complicated or stressful. Ten seconds after you pull the bike out of your car, you are hitting the roads or trails with complete confidence. There is something special about being able to do that, and I didn't want it to be understated.
Engwe l20 2.0 Additional Features
What else does this bike have that I am glossing over?
- Quarter twist throttle
- Cargo rack
- LCD Screen
- Puncture-resistant 20 x 3 inch tires
- 13 Ah Battery
- Headlight and brake lights
Engwe l20 2.0 Step-Through Frame
I am 6'3" and this makes it easy for me to step over the bike frame. This also made me overlook the value of a step-through design. Then I saw my wife, kids, and friends use her step-through bike and how easy it was to get on and off. Also, when coming to a stop and you need to stand, there is no bar messing with you. This makes everything easier and safer. Less likely to tip over, can make quick safe decisions, and feel more confident overall. Obviously, if you are tall enough to stand over the bar easily than this is less of a thing for you. Otherwise, it is extremely valuable.
I always thought a step-through would be a weaker bike design. It is missing a major piece of the structure that ties everything together. My wife has been riding her steep-through bike for years and it is still as solid as the day we got it. This bike felt the same way. Extremely strong under my rather heavy body. It was great!
Engwe L20 2.0 Off-Road Test Results
Did It Handle It?
Yes. I mentioned I am a bigger guy. Another factor in my testing off-road conditions is that I was not going to perfectly maintained smooth trails. I was going through fields, extremely choppy trails, and all sorts of other rather extremely conditions. You throw those riding conditions against a bike with a really heavy guy and you are really pushing this bike. And yet, months later, it is still getting used all the time and working great. This bike passed this tough off-road test!
Did I Enjoy It?
Well... Power, more than enough. Durability, good to go. Other than that... there are bikes much more equipped for extreme conditions like this. The bike does not have those huge diameter fat tires that put you about everything. The nasty bumps I was hitting were very much coming through the bike. This made me feel less connected to the group and a little out of control. So, while I would not take this to extreme conditions, it can more than handle normal conditions. If you are riding a trail that goes to dirt, or are a well-maintained trail... this bike will handle it great. Know the limitations. Look elsewhere for extreme. Otherwise, this bike is going to hang with you most places you would consider taking it.
