The fat tire, foldable electric bike
ENGWE is a Chinese company that has been developing good quality electric bikes since 2016. And more recently has international warehouses in the USA and Europe.
The ENGWE EP-2 is one of its latest electric bikes to hit the market - and maybe one of its greatest. If you’re looking for some off-road action, it’s an e-bike worth considering. It’s got fat tyres and decent throttle power as well as pedal assist.
With the EP-2 you’re getting a lot for your money, but it’s by no means a cheap electric bike. It will cost you around $1,000 USD (£720 / 835€). For that you get a high-quality, off-road electric bike with some bonus bells and whistles.
ENGWE also offers free worldwide shipping and a 1-year warranty on all products.
Introducing the ENGWE EP-2
- Motor
500W high-speed brushless gear motor - Battery
48V 12.5Ah Lithium-ion - Distance
30-35 km (18-21 miles) on throttle mode - Recharge Time
6 hours - Speed
35 kph (22 mph) - Load Capacity
150 kg (330 lb) - Weight
32 kg (70 lb) - Tyres
10 cm (4”) wide x 51 cm (20”) diameter - Pedal assist settings
5 -
Extras
- Removable battery
- 7-speed gears
- Headlamp and rear light
- Pros
- 3 riding modes - throttle power, pedal-assist, manual
- 4” LCD screen
- Max speed of 35 kph (22 mph)
- Free worldwide shipping and 1-year warranty
- Cons
- Heavy - 32 kg (70 lb)
Design and portability
First off, in our opinion, it's a pretty bike to look at; from its big tyres to its aluminium alloy frame. On top of that, it comes in various colours, so there’s an option for everyone. While this personalisation isn’t necessary, it is something that sets the ENGWE EP-2 apart from other electric bikes we’ve reviewed.
And it’s built solid. Obviously, the aluminium chassis is rust-resistant, and the paint will not fade in the sun. Also, the front fork is made of carbon steel so it’s durable.
As a foldable electric bike, of course it's portable. So it will fit in your car boot/trunk. But bare in mind that it isn’t light. It weighs 32 kg (70 lb) and it’s cumbersome to carry further than 20 m (~20 yards).
The EP-2 can carry a max-load of 150 kg (330 lb) and comes with a cargo rack over the back tyre, so you can strap some stuff down to bring with you.
Speed, Distance, and Battery
The ENGWE EP-2 isn’t a slow e-bike by any means. In fact, it’s one of the fastest electric bikes we’ve looked at. With the 500 W brushless gear motor it can go up to 35 kph (22 mph).
Add this to the 48V 12.5Ah Lithium-ion battery and the EP-2 has a range of 30-35 km (18-21 miles) on throttle mode alone. Of course, if you're generating the power by pedaling there’s no limit to the bike’s range.
Although the EP-2’s primary purpose is as an electric bike, it’s perfectly capable of being ridden on leg power alone. It has a 7-speed gear system to tackle low to medium inclines.
While riding downhill, the EP-2 can actually charge its own battery. ENGWE calls it E-PAS. If the bike is moving and the motor isn’t in use, the motor can capture the kinetic energy produced and store it in the battery. It’s like something from the future!
The battery takes about 6 hours to fully charge. As the battery is removable, this can be done anywhere there’s an outlet. Use the key provided to remove the battery front from the bike.
The Brake System
The EP-2 is equipped with front and rear disc-brakes - what you’d want in any bike. There’s a traditional brake lever on each side of the handlebars for easy use.
Braking is smooth and controlled. The EP-2 doesn’t have any problem with emergency stops or lighter braking for sharp turning.
Certification and Safety
First let’s look at the stand-out feature on the ENGWE EP-2 - the tyres. The tyres really are big and fat. It’s the first thing you’ll notice about this e-bike. They measure 10 cm (4”) wide with a 51 cm (20”) diameter.
All that ground-to-tyre surface space means a lot of grip. You won’t be sliding all over the place. In fact, ENGWE advertises the EP-2 as an electric mountain bike. It’s not a traditional mountain bike, but it comfortably and safely handles most off-road terrain.
The EP-2 also comes with mounted reflectors and a front and tail light. So the bike remains visible in low-light areas.
Riding Experience
The ENGWE EP-2 e-bike offers a very smooth ride. This is primarily due to the beautiful big fat tyres we’ve already talked about. But there is also added suspension on the front fork. So smooth riding is a given even on rough ground.
In the electric bike market having a display is becoming pretty standard. The EP-2 is no exception.
On the handlebar sits a 10 cm (4”) LCD screen. Here you can see e-bike data such as power levels/settings, current speed, distance traveled, and battery status.
5 pedal assist levels
Add some power to your pedaling. With power assist levels the EP-2 can help you a little or a lot. The first level gives you 25% power assistance. The others are 50%, 100%, 150%, 200%.
Of course, 100% and above means that the e-bike is purely running on the motor and battery power.
Final Thoughts
We were impressed by the ENGWE EP-2 electric bike. Its max-speed is above the average e-bike and those tyres do set it apart from others we’ve seen.
If you want an off-road electric bike then it’s a good option. It’s not ideal for commuting in the big city as it’s heavy. But, folded down, it’s compact enough to fit in the car to take it to trails and tracks.
The ENGWE EP-2 e-bike gets a from us. We couldn’t find many things missing from this off-road electric bike.
If you’re looking for more power, ENGWE also has a 750 W version of the EP-2.
For an alternative to the ENGWE that's a little cheaper, check out the Speedrid e-bike with fat tires on Amazon. At around $870 USD (£635 / 740€) it's a more affordable electric bike.
