As far as e-bikes go, ENGWE has got a pretty wide range of models to choose from, all with different specifications and features for different needs and budgets. That being said, the L20 3.0 Boost has been one of the brand’s more versatile models, and while it is a bit older now (having been launched a year ago) it does come packed with a ton of essentials which give it an edge over competitors.
We’ve been using the L20 3.0 Boost for a bit of time now, but at a price of around £1,049, is it worth your cash especially if you’re after a capable e-bike? Let’s take a look.
Design and Construction
The ENGWE L20 3.0 Boost comes partially assembled, and while I didn’t really have any experience assembling or customizing bicycles it was rather easy to put together, and I just had to attach the front wheel, the handlebar, and the seat; ENGWE does provide some tools bundled with the bike, which is a much-welcome addition.
The bike does look a bit small in photos, but once completed it has a presence to it, and definitely looks a lot larger up close. The L20 3.0 Boost is constructed with with an aluminum alloy frame and weighs around 33 kg, so it’s not too heavy but it is a considerable weight overall. The bike can also support a maximum weight of 150 kg, which we assume consists of the rider and any cargo they might have along with them.
It’s worth noting that the L20 3.0 Boost uses anti-puncture tires which have a 20-inch diameter, and are equipped with hydraulic disc brakes along with front and rear suspension here. On the back you have a carry frame, which is pretty useful if you’re bringing some stuff along and don’t really want to use a backpack. You’re also getting fenders on here in addition to a headlight and a brake light, both of which can be turned on continuously, although this does drain the battery a bit more.
The step-through design looks good, and as this is a folding bike, it folds in half in the middle (the handlebar folds down as well). As for the seat, it is very comfortable and, of course, adjustable. I’m around 6’1″, and I don’t really set my seat too high, but overall, I would say that it feels very comfortable, especially when actually riding the bike. Overall, it’s a design that doesn’t change the formula too much, but avoids the diminutive look that a lot of folding e-Bikes have.
Controls and Electric Features
The handlebar is pretty wide at 680 mm, and it houses all of your controls—you get a built-in LCD display which shows your battery level, speedometer, odometer, maximum speed, and average speed. It also lets you know if your boost feature is turned on, and your current pedal assist speed level. The left side of the handlebar houses your power button, the plus and minus buttons to go through the five power assist levels, a horn, and support for a walk mode.
If you hold down on the minus button, your bike will accelerate very slowly just to help you push it. You also get your boost button here, which is one big feature of the bike (more on that later). On the right side, you are getting your seven-speed transmission with a Shimano shifter, and overall it is pretty straightforward and easy to handle, which is, of course, what you want to see in any bicycle.
With this being an electric bike, there’s a built-in 648 Wh battery, which is locked away in a battery compartment on the front half of the 3.0 Boost. The battery has a maximum range of 135 km and takes around 2 hours to fully charge, so we’d suggest doing the charging overnight. I have noticed that if you haven’t used the bike in a long time, you will need to plug in the battery for maybe a couple of minutes just to wake it up, even if the battery has a lot of charge left, which is something to take note of.
How Does it Handle?
As for the actual riding experience, there 3.0 Boost comes with five pedal assist levels, and even at the first level, you can really feel the 48V hub motor kick in once you start pedalling. To comply with UK e-Bike regulations, the bike does top out at a speed of 25kph, which I found to be mostly accurate when using the fifth assist level.
As for the boost function, it only works if you’re pressing down on the boost button, and it’s important to know that the bike is not unlockable, so you can’t modify it to run on the motor alone or exceed the 25kph speed limit. Nevertheless, the boost feature and pedal assist function work like a charm, so rough terrain such as open fields and uphill scenarios are a breeze. The hydraulic brake system also works pretty well, and I’ve not had any issues when stopping the bike both gradually and spontaneously.
Probably my only issue with the bike is that you need a bit of traction to fold the frame if you want to store it away or if you’re planning on transporting the bike, as it does have a bit of weight to it.
Is it Worth Buying?
With all that being said, one big reason why you might want to go for the L20 3.0 Boost is because it’s considerably more affordable this time around. It launched at around £1,300 here in the UK, but now you can get it from Engwe’s website for around £1,049, making it cheaper than the recently-launched 020.
Even a year after its release, I would still wholeheartedly recommend the ENGWE L20 3.0 Boost. It’s easy to put together, it’s an absolute joy to ride, and more importantly, you’re not going to get in trouble with e-Bike regulations here in the UK. As far as pedal-assist e-bikes go, this is one impressive and solid option overall.