My Love-Hate Journey with Engwe x26
My Love-Hate Journey with Engwe x26
I love how this bike looks, but it doesn’t perform the way I thought it should. The Engwe X26 has me all confused with my feelings.
Video Summary
- The Engwe x26 is described as a tank of an e-bike with dual batteries and triple suspension.
- It features 26 by 4 inch tires and is known for being heavy, weighing 90 pounds with a maximum payload capacity of 330 pounds.
- The bike is classified as a class 3 e-bike and comes in one size and color (Battleship Gray).
“Look at this tank of an e-bike, it’s the Engwe x26. It has dual batteries, triple suspension, 26 by 4 inch tires. This thing is a monster, it’s a beast.”
Specifications and Pricing
- The Engwe x26 has a range of 62 miles on a single charge and can reach speeds of up to 31 miles per hour.
- The bike is priced at $1899 and is equipped with two batteries, one main battery and one secondary battery.
- The main battery is 48 volts and 19 amp hours, while the secondary battery is 48 volts and 10 amp hours. Together, they provide a total of 1400 watt hours of battery power.
“The x26 is a class 3 e-bike and it comes in one size in one color which is this Battleship Gray. It can do 62 miles on a single charge, it can go up to 31 miles an hour, and you can get it for $1899. This bike weighs 90 pounds and it has a maximum payload capacity of 330 pounds.”
Battery Design and Charging
- The main battery is secured in a tube that doubles as the seat post, while the secondary battery is located near the front of the frame.
- Charging ports for both batteries are easily accessible.
- The main battery can be charged while on or off the bike, while the secondary battery must be removed from the frame in order to charge.
“The main battery on this bike is huge, it’s a 48 volt 19 amp hour but it has 920 Watt hours. The second battery is a 48 volt 10 amp hour with 480 Watt hours, giving you a total of 1400 watt hours of battery power in this bike.”
Difficulties with Removing the Secondary Battery
- Removing the secondary battery can be challenging and requires the use of a key and bolt mechanism.
- There is no external charging port for the secondary battery, so it must be completely removed from the frame in order to charge.
“Taking the second battery out is not the easiest. I unlocked the battery and it still doesn’t want to come out. Terrible design idea.”
Power and Motor
- The Engwe x26 is powered by a 1000 watt rear hub motor, with 1200 watts of peak power and 60 newton meters of torque.
- It is equipped with a Shimano eight-speed transmission and Altus derailleur for smooth shifting.
“The x26 is powered by a 1000 watt rear hub motor. It has 1200 watts of peak power and 60 newton meters of torque. It has a Shimano eight-speed transmission with an Altus derailleur.”
Suspension and Brakes
- The Engwe x26 features three sets of shocks, with adjustable rear shocks providing 25 millimeters of play, a smaller middle shock with 19 millimeters of play, and a front fork with 171 millimeters of play.
- It utilizes a Logan branded two-piston hydraulic brake system with 160 millimeter rotors on the front and rear wheels.
“This bike has three sets of shocks. The rear shocks are spring-loaded and adjustable, providing 25 millimeters of play. The front fork is serious, with 171 millimeters of play.”
Control and Display
- The Engwe x26 offers three power assist modes: sport mode for throttle-only, assist mode for pedal assist, and normal mode for manual pedaling.
- It is equipped with a colorful display that shows various information such as speed, distance, wattage, and power assist level.
“The bike has three different power assist modes: sport which is only throttle, assist which is only pedal assist, and normal which is just pedaling the bike. It has a good set of leather grips and a colorful display that shows various information.”
Ease of Operation
- The bike features a power button to start it up and has additional buttons for headlight control, adjusting power assist levels, and activating cruise control.
- It is equipped with a horn, brake levers, gear indicators, and a throttle.
“The bike has a power button to start it up, a headlight button to control the headlight, and buttons to adjust power assist levels and activate cruise control. It also has a horn, brake levers, gear indicators, and a throttle.”
Conclusion
- The Engwe x26 is described as having a rattling sound coming from the middle battery.
- After going through the specs and exploring the bike’s features, the reviewer is ready to take it out on the road and test its performance.
“You guys hear that rattling? That is coming from that middle battery. We are starting off with the bike in the sport mode and that’s where it’s pedal assist only. Let’s see how it does.”
Riding Experience and Speed
- The video mentions that the bike can go about five miles per hour.
- The video suggests putting the bike in the second gear to increase the pace.
- The video notes that pedal assist level two allows for a slightly faster pace.
- The video states that the bike reaches a speed of nine miles per hour.
- The video points out that at pedal assist level three, the bike reaches 15 miles per hour.
- The video mentions that pedal assist level four allows for a speed of 23 miles per hour.
“We were doing nine miles an hour.”
Pedal Assist Levels
- The video states that pedal assist level five can take the bike up to 31 miles per hour.
“Pedal assist five is going to take you all the way up to 31 miles an hour.”
Comfort and Quality
- The video mentions that the seat of the bike is comfortable and cushiony.
- The video notes that the grips on the bike are comfortable as well.
“This seat is pretty comfortable. It’s cushiony.”
Shocks and Suspension
- The video states that the rear shocks on the bike do not seem to be doing much.
- The video mentions switching to sport mode to test the pedal assist.
- The video demonstrates that pedal assist level one results in a slow and lumbering ride.
- The video describes pedal assist level two as a more comfortable and cruise-like pace.
- The video mentions selecting pedal assist level three to pick up some speed and reach 15 miles per hour.
- The video states that pedal assist level four allows for a speed of 22 miles per hour.
“I don’t feel like these shocks are doing much.” “That’s pedal assist one. You’re gonna get about seven miles out of it.” “That one you’ll just cruise around at 10 miles an hour, nice and comfy.”
Top Speed Test
- The video mentions being in pedal assist level five to attempt reaching top speed.
- The video notes that the bike was able to reach 28 miles per hour, however, the rider did not want to go higher due to the location.
- The video mentions that the bike has a maximum speed of 31 miles per hour.
“We are in pedal assist five. Let’s see if we can hit top speed.” “28. So, you know, it’ll hit the 31 max speed.”
Bike Accessories and Adjustments
- The video mentions needing to go back and get a side mirror and strobe light.
- The video demonstrates adjusting the battery and using tape to stop it from rattling.
- The video shows the installation of the mirror and strobe light.
“I don’t have my side mirror or my strobe light.” “This battery makes noise, and it’s driving me nuts.” “I’m gonna put some tape on the back of this felt tape and see if that’ll keep it from rattling around.” “Let’s see how the seat goes; this is the maximum that it can go.” “I’m gonna show you how the suspension on this bike works.”
Brake Performance
- The video shows a brake test.
- The video mentions having the bike set to power mode.
- The video describes the bike’s ability to stop with the 160 millimeter rotors.
“We were at about 25 miles an hour.” “You know, I was a little concerned that these 160 millimeter rotors weren’t going to be enough to stop this heavy bike, but it did.”
Quick Acceleration Test
- The video demonstrates the bike’s quick acceleration.
- The video mentions the thousand watt motor.
- The video shows the bike reaching 20 miles per hour in just two seconds.
“Two seconds, not bad actually.” “For a bike this heavy and me not helping at all.”
Climbing a Hill and Seat Height
- The video tests the bike’s performance in climbing a hill.
- The video shows the maximum height the seat can be adjusted to.
- The video mentions the bike’s weight and length.
“Let’s go and see how it does climbing up a hill.” “I’m taking it up to the maximum that it can go.” “This is a tall bike, it’s a heavy bike, and it’s a long bike.”
Riding up a steep hill
- The rider attempts to ride up a steep hill.
- They start from a dead stop, using pedal assist level 5.
- They first try using the throttle only, but it doesn’t provide enough power.
- They attempt a running start, but still struggle to make it up the hill.
- Finally, they make it to the top of the hill with minimal pedaling effort.
- The bike did not achieve the 1200 Peak Watts needed to easily climb the hill.
“We’re making it… It’s only given me not even a thousand Watts… We made it to the top of the hill with very little pedaling effort.”
Trying a different battery position
- The rider switches the batteries from the back to the front.
- They hope that this change will make climbing the hill easier.
- They start from a dead stop, using throttle only and pedal assist level 5.
- This time, they effortlessly climb the hill with no issues.
“Not a problem…I got a couple of bikes that can do it… We’re doing it from a dead stop… and we’re working off the front battery.”
Adjustments and experiences during the ride
- The rider mentions a few adjustments made during the ride.
- The position of the battery caused it to rattle, but adding foam tape helped solve the issue.
- They suggest adding a charging port to the outside to make charging easier.
- The shocks on the bike could be better, with one of them not moving at all.
- The brakes worked well, but bigger rotors may be needed for better stopping power.
- The display was clear and visible, even on a partially cloudy day.
- Overall, after overcoming initial challenges, the rider found the bike enjoyable to ride.
“The seat comfy… The grips are nice… Everything else is totally manageable… The looks and the attention this bike gets from everybody else kind of makes up for it.”
Saving money with Engwe x26
- Scott mentions that using the Engwe x26 can save you 70% off the retail price.
- This suggests that the Engwe x26 is a cost-effective option for consumers.
“That’ll save you $70 off the retail price.”