ENGWE EP-2 Pro test – the e-fat bike bestseller is that good!

Review: ENGWE EP-2 Pro

Just in time for the start of my vacation, the ENGWE EP-2 Pro rolled up for me at the end of July. In contrast to the previously tested FIIDO L3 and ADO A16 the E-Folding Bike from ENGWE takes a slightly different direction.

The company from China specializes in particular in e-bikes with extra wide tires. As a so-called E-Fatbike or E-Fatty, the ENGWE EP-2 Pro is not only an eye-catcher, the extra-wide tires also promise a lot of grip in almost any weather and on any terrain.

ENGWE EP-2 Pro: first impression

The e-bike was delivered safely packed in a typical cardboard box. It was sent directly from the EU warehouse (Poland) via the official ENGWE shop, so that no additional costs such as customs or import duties were incurred. Shipping only took a few days.

Offer (November 24, 2023)

ENGWE is also celebrating Black Friday and has reduced almost its entire range. The bestseller ENGWE EP-2 Pro is available at a bargain price of just 929 euros.

You can save another 30 euros if you use our exclusive discount code. This reduces the price to an unbeatable 899 euros.

Black Friday - ENGWE EP-2 PRO for €899

With this offer you can buy the ENGWE-EP2 PRO in the official ENGWE online shop for only 899 euros.

influencer30off Show Code

Discount: 30€

Valid until: until end of promotion

The code works for both the international model with a 750 watt motor and the EU version with a 250 watt motor. You can pay at ENGWE with, among other things, credit card, PayPal or Klarna conveniently by invoice. Shipping is free of charge directly from the European warehouse. The guarantee is 1 year.

Before unpacking, the innumerable cable ties that secured the folded e-bike in the box had to be loosened and the protective foam pads removed. You can now lift the e-bike out of the box, provided you have the strength to do it. With a weight of approx. 32 kg, the electric bike folded to 81 x 38 x 76 cm is actually quite heavy.

What's in the box

Finally, the other scope of delivery also comes to light, which in addition to the e-bike also contains the following parts:

• a pair of pedals
• a charger (54,6V 2A)
• a tool kit
• a key pair
• an instruction manual

 Saddle, reflectors and co. are already pre-assembled. Extras such as an air pump or a smartphone holder, which are included with some other e-bikes, are not included. Otherwise the ENGWE e-bike is ready to ride out-of-the-box.

Construction and processing

At least almost, because the pedals first have to be turned in to drive off. This step is only taken once, however, because the pedals can then simply be folded up for transport. The tires are already filled with air, but you should check the tire pressure again before driving. A quick brake check is also important. In my test device, these were set a little too weakly. Quickly adjusted and the brakes grip cleanly.

The further assembly or unfolding of the folding bike is done within a few seconds and in a few simple steps. Here just straighten the folded handlebars and secure using the safety lock, unfold the e-bike using the folding mechanism on the center bar and also fix it using the safety device and then align the saddle. When unfolded, the ENGWE EP-2 Pro grows to a size of 167 x 53 x 118 cm. It is hardly smaller than a full-fledged bicycle.

Just as quickly as the e-bike is unfolded, it can also be folded up again in the reverse order. There is no device that holds the e-folding bike together when it is folded. Thanks to a support, the folded e-bike is stable on the ground without the chainrings touching it. A handle on the frame makes lifting easier. The e-folding bike just barely fits in the trunk of a small car.

The choice of materials and the quality of workmanship of the ENGWE EP-2 Pro are praiseworthy considering the price range. The weld seams are a bit rough, but clean. Noticeable rattling, dragging or squeaking was not noticeable after several test drives. The same applies to the folding mechanism, which holds securely even after being folded out and in several times. You should note the maximum load capacity of 150 kg.

The look, especially when it comes to the distinctive ENGWE sticker on the frame, is, as always, a matter of taste. In 5 available colors, there should be the right color for everyone. The only thing that disturbs the overall picture is the cable management on the handlebar. The cables protrude visibly from the handlebars and finally disappear just above the fork. That could have been solved more visually.

ENGWE EP-2 Pro: Equipment

When it comes to equipment, the ENGWE EP-2 Pro doesn't have to hide. The e-bike has a powerful electric motor, a large and at the same time removable battery and is also well positioned in other respects.

An important point worth mentioning is the lack of road approval in Germany. The reasons for this are the over-powerful 750W motor, an unthrottled speed of more than 25 km / h and the throttle grip that turns the electric bike into a compact e-moped. In other countries (including within the EU) it can look quite different. Before driving, you should definitely find out about the local regulations.

Large and removable battery

First, let's take a look at the ENGWE EP-614,4 Pro's 48 watt-hour battery (12,8V 2Ah) (note: the new upgraded version uses a slightly more powerful 48V 13Ah battery). Ideally, this is housed directly in the frame, where it is best protected from external influences. Further advantages are optimal weight distribution, because the battery is one of the heaviest parts of the e-bike, higher frame stability and a better look, because hidden, the large battery does not spoil the overall picture.

The battery is secured with a lock, which is located below the frame next to the folding mechanism. Only when the lock is unlocked with one of the enclosed keys does the battery pack supply power or can be removed from the frame. The lock acts as an anti-theft device for the battery and as an ignition at the same time. The only disadvantage is that the key has to be permanently inserted while driving and the lock is difficult to hit. The key would probably have been better placed on the handlebars. You can find more details on the range and charging time in the test below.

750 Watt motor

The 750 watt rear-wheel drive makes the ENGWE EP-2 Pro a real performance beast. Thanks to the high 80 nm torque, the e-bike pulls off easily.

Basically, the e-bike can be driven in the following 3 modes:

•  Mode 1: pedal operation. To get the folding e-bike moving, we have to pedal.
•  Mode 2: Pedal Assist Mode. As the English term already suggests, this is the pedal assistance. The motor only provides power when you lightly step on the pedals. The support level can be selected in 5 levels.
•  Mode 3: throttle. In this mode you don't have to pedal, you can regulate the speed using the throttle grip on the handlebars.

As with the ADO A16, there is also a hidden menu on the ENGWE EP-2 Pro that can be called up by holding down the plus and minus buttons. The hidden menu gives you, among other things, the option of reducing the speed to 25 km / h or adjusting the tire diameter, which ultimately affects the speed display.

We also have dozens of other settings here, but you should stay away from them if you don't know what the settings are doing. Which setting does what is described in the operating instructions.

Tires, lights and computers

A highlight are the fat 20 x 4 inch tires that turn the ENGWE EP-2 Pro into an E-Fatbike or E-Fatty. A major advantage over conventional e-bikes is the high off-road capability of e-fatbikes. The wide tires not only offer better grip, but are usually only filled with 0,2 to 0,8 bar. This in turn ensures a particularly shock-absorbing effect.

This is exactly why many fat bikes do without additional suspensions. The ENGWE EP-2 Pro has a suspension fork, but dispenses with rear suspension. Nevertheless, the driving behavior is buttery smooth. More on that later.

 Metal fenders are available on the front and rear wheels. The luggage rack doubles as a pillion seat, although you shouldn't lose sight of the maximum load capacity of 150 kg. Other features include mechanical disc brakes, a brake light that comes on when you brake, and a bright LED headlight.

The bike computer (Yolin YL80C) is located in the middle of the handlebar and its illuminated display remains legible even in the dark. The speed, the battery level, the PAS level, the total range and the trip with the current range and average speed are displayed. To the left of the display there is the bicycle bell and the switch-on or plus-minus button for operating the bicycle computer.

There is no electric horn, as it is installed in so many other China e-bikes. Finally, on the right side of the handlebars, we have the throttle and the paddle of the Shimano 7-speed SIS gearshift.

ENGWE EP-2 Pro: Driving test

 Now the question of all questions. How does the ENGWE EP-2 Pro actually drive? 

Pedal assist mode

Strictly speaking, there is only pedal operation when the e-bike is switched off. When switched on, the electric bike is automatically in Pedal Assist Mode level 1, which switches on the motor with a delay of about 3 seconds after you step away. The sensitivity of the torque sensor can be adjusted in the advanced settings.

With pure pedal force, you can reach a speed of approx. 7 km / h in the 15-speed Shimano gearbox before the cadence gets too high. The gear changes from 1 to 7 gears are clean. The Shimano SIS circuit is known for the fact that you have to readjust here and there.

If you switch the PAS up to level 5 parallel to the gears, you will reach a top speed of approx. 35 km / h on a straight stretch. At least I was able to measure this speed with a body weight of 85 kg. Those who are lighter can possibly tease out up to 40 km / h from the ENGWE EP-2 Pro. If you stop pedaling, the PAS stops with a slight delay. Braking ends the PAS immediately.

Moped mode

The moped mode or throttle mode does not have to be activated separately either. As soon as there is no pedaling movement, you can accelerate using the throttle grip. The acceleration is only minimally delayed. If you hold the throttle for 8 seconds, the e-bike switches on the cruise control. The speed is now kept constant.

driving experience

Thanks to the wide 20 x 4 inch tires, the ENGWE EP-2 Pro provides a harmonious and safe driving experience. People up to 1,95 cm tall can ride the folding bike without any problems. Although the e-bike is only sprung at the fork at the front, it rides comfortably smoothly even on uneven surfaces. The ENGWE e-bike has grown for trips on roads, field lanes or across the forest. Depending on the situation, the suspension can be locked using the lockout. The bicycle saddle with a central cut-out is comfortable and is also suitable for longer tours.

Battery and range

As promised, a few last words about the battery and the range. The range is always difficult to quantify, as it depends very much on the driving style, the weight of the driver and geographical factors. The range measured in the test was on average 35 km with the throttle grip. This at least applies to a body weight of approx. 85 kg and a predominantly flat terrain. In PAS mode, a slightly higher range can be tickled out. Up to 60 km is a realistic value here.

Theoretically, the battery does not have to be removed from the e-bike for charging. You can access the charging socket through a small hole on the frame. However, it is more convenient to remove the battery and charge it separately from the bike. The charging time is a good 6 hours.