Expanding competitors within the e-bike market has pushed costs down considerably, but it surely’s nonetheless tough to seek out high quality choices for lower than $2,000. At $1,449, the Engwe Engine Pro shines within the price range class.
I rode this bike as my on a regular basis about-town commuter for six wintry weeks, and regardless of a couple of workable flaws, it impressed at each battery-boosted flip.
In quick: Engwe’s Engine Pro is pretty much as good because it will get for an e-bike underneath $1,500. The brushless rear hub motor is responsive and zippy. Though not the very best high quality, the entrance and rear suspensions have been soft sufficient to soak up influence and vibration on gravel paths and pothole-laden metropolis streets.
At 83 kilos, it’s an absolute heifer — however the collapsible body and handlebar riser offered some portability. All folded up, the Engine Pro match into the again of a small hatchback with out trouble.
Engwe Engine Pro E-Bike Review
Assembly and “All-Terrain” Claims
Engwe manufactures e-bikes out of Shenzen, China. Though it shipped partially assembled, it took about an hour to liberate it from its field and make it ridable. The setup was easy, although most people will encounter minor trial-and-error frustration.
The Engine Pro is billed as an “all-terrain” e-bike. It dealt with modest roughage however don’t purchase it in the event you’re looking for an e-MTB.
The unbranded entrance shocks provide about 2.5 inches of journey. They have been higher than nothing, however I ceaselessly bottomed out on excessive curbs and pace bumps. In the rear, an HLT-100 shock with a single inch of journey is mounted vertically straight beneath the seat. Combined with the bike’s 4-inch huge tires, the suspension system offered a clean trip on graded surfaces.
I examined the Engine Pro in Wyoming, the place November storms remodeled the roads right into a sea of icy bumps. I deflated the tires to 18 psi from the really useful 20, and the bike was comfy to trip throughout the total spectrum of city terrain.
For thorough testing, I rode the Engine Pro down a couple of stretches of steep, rocky single observe. I maintained management at low speeds because of the squeaky-yet-responsive hydraulic disc brakes. At increased speeds, it was tough to maneuver the 83-pound Engine Pro on technical trails. The slim handlebars, solely 22 inches end-to-end, restricted maneuverability when the going bought powerful. Additionally, the rugged terrain introduced out a symphony of squeaks and groans from the bike’s seat, fenders, and drivetrain.
Stick to the pavement, gravel, and delicate dust on the Engine Pro. It’s finally a commuter bike with suspension.
Accessories Included
Most important equipment are included with the Engine Pro. Front and tail lamps got here semi-installed, they usually have been simply vibrant sufficient for infrequent metropolis commutes. Frequent midnight riders will want further lights, particularly within the rear, the place the inventory taillight was respectable at finest. It brightened whereas braking, which was a pleasant security characteristic, however finally it was underneath par. The single-bulb headlight got here on routinely in low mild, and it was simple to activate and off by way of the cockpit controls.
Other equipment embrace a sturdy kickstand (which required minor adjustment), entrance and rear fenders, and a heavy-duty rear storage rack. I mounted an ordinary milk crate onto this rack as an affordable cargo provider, and it labored like a attraction for grocery runs and journeys to the put up workplace. The Engine Pro’s complete weight capability is 300 kilos, so a baby seat (and passenger) can also be doable.
Engwe’s e-bike fleet consists of six distinctive fashions. The Engine Pro is among the top-tier choices, although the whole vary shares comparable aesthetics and lots of core parts. For $100 much less, Engwe’s Engine X is much like the Engine Pro, with a barely much less highly effective motor, non-LCD show, and a unique throttle mechanism.
Electronics, Motor, and Specs
For the spec nerds, the Engine Pro’s battery possesses 16 Ah {of electrical} cost, which allows the rear hub motor to ship as much as 1,000W of energy at any given time. Engwe used to promote the Engine Pro at 750W, however now it claims 1,000W at its peak — although the precise parts haven’t modified. According to the show, I sometimes pulled greater than 750W whereas using, however I maxed out at round 900W. Compared to different similarly-priced e-bikes available on the market, the Engine Pro’s on-paper stats are aggressive. The ensuing efficiency was at the least pretty much as good because the specs recommend.
Upon assembling the Engine Pro, I eliminated the battery from the foldable body and charged it from 55% to 100% in about 4 hours. Charging the battery didn’t require removing from the body, but it surely was good to have the choice. The included charging cable has a built-in fan to forestall overheating, and it makes a mildly annoying buzzing noise.
Engwe claims that the Engine Pro will get 75 miles per cost in pedal help mode. Ultimately, each e-bike’s vary fluctuates relying on the way it’s used.
The Engine Pro affords three modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. Again, these are pretty normal choices for e-bikes. Each mode consists of ranges 0-5. While using on 0 in any mode, the Engine Pro labored like a pedal bike. Arrow-shaped toggles shifted between ranges. Starting in stage 1, a delicate pedal help is turned on routinely.
I rode the Engine Pro on largely flat metropolis streets, primarily at an informal pedal-assisted tempo. I tended to hang around in sport mode on ranges 2 and three, which was a protected but environment friendly combo.
My first full cost lasted 40 miles unfold out over three weeks. On my second full cost, I tried to pedal continually and make the most of much less help from the battery. I rode 55 miles earlier than the battery totally depleted. Once the displayed battery share dropped beneath 10%, there was a noticeable drop in efficiency. Pedal-assist mode nonetheless labored when the cost was low, however energy ranges 4 and 5 started to really feel like ranges 1 and a couple of.
I examined the Engine Pro throughout winter in Wyoming, and the constantly freezing air hindered the bike’s efficiency. Lithium batteries are notoriously susceptible to the chilly. On one bitter 12-degree Fahrenheit trip, the battery share stage dropped from 100% to 0% in only one mile. The Engine Pro’s performance plummets in sub-30 F temps based mostly on my testing. If you propose on commuting or need to trip in winter, be sure you issue this in.
All advised, this bike had a decent vary. The Engine Pro had a reliable set {of electrical} parts for short-trip commuters prepared to pedal actively.
I used to be impressed by the spokeless 20-inch wheels, which simply rolled over tree roots and offset sidewalk panels. They have been additionally sufficiently small for wise portability— bigger wheels would have been a trouble to suit right into a automobile. The hydraulic Larsen disc brakes have been responsive. I appreciated that Engwe outfitted such a heavy bike with an appropriate braking system. The eight-speed Shimano transmission shifted easily, even when caked in mud and ice. A USB port is integrated into the cockpit for cellphone charging on the go.
The Engine Pro has exterior braking and electrical cables. It’s unreasonable to count on internally routed cables on a $1,500 e-bike, however the girthy bundle that runs alongside the body and handlebar riser was a hazard and eyesore. I used to be involved that the floppy uncovered cables would possibly catch on one thing whereas using, so I used zip ties to streamline them.
Display Details, Throttle, and Pedal-Assist Modes
The cockpit display shows battery life as a share. This was a useful characteristic, but it surely was additionally erratic and unreliable. Once, the show immediately dipped from 90% to 18% whereas climbing a steep hill. After I crested the hill and returned to stage floor, it shot again as much as 75%. When the battery is totally charged, the show will learn 100% for 4-5 miles, although 5 miles is about 10% of the bike’s precise vary. The displayed share was an okay reference level, but it surely was removed from an correct studying.
The display was simple to see in all mild situations and user-friendly. There’s a button to vary modes and up and down arrows to regulate ranges. The digital horn made an terrible noise and wasn’t very loud, but it surely was simple to entry and labored every time I wanted it.
In all modes and settings, the pedal help took about one second to kick in, and it continued for about 2 seconds after I ended pedaling. At first, the ability supply felt abrupt and jarring, particularly in increased settings. After a couple of rides, although, it started to really feel pure. It’s doable to regulate the pedal help supply price, however I didn’t really feel it was vital.
While climbing hills with a grade of 10% or extra, I needed to ramp as much as Sport mode stage 4 to keep away from breaking a sweat. Level 5 provided extra energy and acceleration than I wanted whereas touring in busy city areas, but it surely was useful on comparatively straight bike paths and wide-open bike lanes.
Eco mode was mild at each stage and was solely my go-to possibility whereas making an attempt to avoid wasting battery energy. The distinction between Eco, Normal, and Sport was solely noticeable within the increased ranges of three, 4, and 5. Sport mode’s stage 5 felt like a moped — primarily once I used the throttle with out pedaling. On an extended flat stretch, I accelerated from zero to 25 mph in simply over 6 seconds and managed to hit 30 for a fleeting instantaneous. The Engine Pro was fairly peppy for an unassuming folding bike.
We’re used to right-handed throttles within the U.S., so the Engine Pro’s lefty thumb throttle required a psychological adjustment. The high-speed throttle-only possibility of the Engine Pro makes it a category 3 e-bike, which limits its legality in sure areas. While its marketed prime pace of 24 mph isn’t the quickest available on the market, it was ample for sensible purposes.
Ramping as much as Sport stage 5 and laying onto the throttle was a thrill, but it surely additionally depleted the battery at lightning pace. According to the show, one full minute of throttled cruising in Sport stage 5 diminished the battery from 70% to 29%. Excessive throttling on the Engine Pro may lead to a irritating, human-powered trip dwelling. The Engine Pro isn’t a moped, even when it felt like one briefly moments of glory.
Possible Upgrades and Regenerative Charging
I examined the Engine Pro in November and December and pushed its on-snow functionality to the restrict. Thanks to the 4-inch-wide tires, I felt safe totally on shallow slush and snow-dusted asphalt whereas using rigorously. Despite the tire’s beneficiant floor space, the tread is scattered and comparatively shallow. I slid all over in deep snow and dust with little management. The steel folding pedals don’t have any texture and develop into slick when moist. It would wish numerous upgrades to remodel the Engine Pro into a correct snow-ready all-terrain fats bike.
Like many different EVs, the Engine Pro has regenerative charging expertise. Under particular situations, it’s doable to ship energy again into the battery and improve its complete vary. In my expertise, this characteristic was extra of a advertising ploy than a sensible actuality, although it did technically work.
To activate the regenerative system, I needed to pedal vigorously in pedal help modes 0 or 1. When the regeneration kicked in, the show confirmed how a lot wattage I used to be delivering again to the battery. When pedaling as arduous as doable whereas using downhill in Eco mode 0, I managed to enter as much as 400W to the battery briefly intervals.
It was tough to understand how a lot I truly recharged the battery, primarily as a result of the displayed battery share fluctuated up and down. While commuting on primarily flat terrain, I hardly ever activated regeneration. Folks who stay in hilly areas would probably get extra out of this probably worthwhile characteristic.
Engwe Engine Pro: Conclusions
For people in search of an on a regular basis e-bike for brief commutes, the Engwe Engine Pro is a good worth. It’s a category 3 mannequin — you don’t should pedal to trip this bike. Still, it carried out finest when the motor was mixed with good outdated human pedal energy. It by no means hit the marketed 75-mile vary, however I managed a decent 55 miles on a single cost whereas using in numerous pedal-assisted modes.
The Engwe Engine Pro is just not a high-end e-bike however is an efficient possibility for underneath $1,500. It fell in need of Engwe’s all-terrain claims, however with a couple of improved parts, its utility may very well be vastly improved for underneath $2,000 spent.
A wider set of handlebars, superior lights, studded pedals, deeper tread tires, and a winterized battery would take the Engine Pro to the following stage.
Best Gifts for Cyclists: 10 Great Presents for Your Favorite Biker
Win the Bike That Climbed Up All 8,600 Feet of ‘The Whole Enchilada’ Trail