ENGWE P26 800W Ebike Review
A Pricey but Commuter-Friendly Ride
Price: $1,249.98
Top Speed: 28mph
Weight: 53lbs
The wind blew through my hair, giving me that sense of freedom that only an excursion through desert trails can provide. It was a moderately rocky path, but beyond the gradual discomfort of the standard factor bike seat, the rest of my body was comfortable. And to that, I credit the little effort I put into making my way across the expanse of hardened clay and stone. The 800W electric bike did most of the work, alleviating my limbs from the usual burning that comes with a lengthy ride.Â
Having previously reviewed the ENGWE EP-2 Pro Folding EBike, I kind of knew what I was getting into with ENGWE’s P26 800W model. There are a few differences between the two, but the most noticeable is that the P26 doesn’t fold. And that’s not a bad thing at all. I thought I would love the hinged ebike and take it everywhere, but it wound up just being cumbersome and a feature I used sparingly. The lightweight P26 is far more manageable, and I appreciated the 20lb drop in weight.
A Leisurely (Battery-Powered) Ride
The EP-2 boasted a more powerful engine and longer range, but I had no issues making the most of the P26’s 500W (800W peak) motor. Even with an identical battery capacity of 13.6Ah, the P26 tapped out a little sooner than its foldable counterpart. I didn’t feel cheated out of anything, however, as the 800W variety offered a smoother, more comfortable ride.
My trek through the desert lasted about 10 miles (5 both ways), and there was still plenty of battery life left to keep going had I had the time. Per ENGWE, the ebike should have a 54-mile range with pedal assist mode on. I never turned assist mode off, and it did seem the battery was draining a little faster than expected. Then again, 54 miles was achieved under perfect testing conditions and with a rider weight of about 165 lbs (75kg). For my ride, neither was even remotely true.Â
I did put pedal assist through the wringer, and it held up well from start to finish. It had no issues keeping at a 15mph pace, and when I did punch it to 25mph on a flat straightaway, the bike remained steady. I did try to gun it on the more uneven terrain, but the thinner wheels struggled a little and I very quickly had to drop speed.Â
It’s evident that the P26 is made for paved roads, as that’s where it performs best. Whether you’re pedaling and manually adjusting speed or letting the 500W motor do all the work, it’s a steady and easy ride.
A Sturdy and Comfortable Ebike
There’s a difference in the bike design between the P26 and EP-2, and the P26 seemed to be a better fit for me with a lower profile that felt more natural to ride. Turns were a little smoother on the P26, and the handlebars didn’t slip at all despite shifting position occasionally with the EP-2.Â
As with any bike I’ve ever ridden, the included seat is a horror, so expect to change that out if you plan on riding for more than a few miles at a time. Thankfully, there’s nothing overly complicated about the P26, and swapping out components like the bike seat is a breeze.Â
Overall, the P26 is a wonderful option for commuters. Though I did test it out on uneven terrain, it was at its best when I took it up to the grocer and mailbox, and I suspect its primary purpose is for navigating city streets. The pedal assist is certainly the focal feature, and it works well with very little delay in picking up speed when you need it to. However, there’s nothing that says you can’t take matters into your own hands and pedal away.
Do You Need It?
Ebikes are a very niche product, so ask yourself these questions:
Do I live in a city where car travel is difficult?
Do I like riding a bike, but wouldn’t mind some help?
Do I care enough about the environment to not own a car?
If you said yes to any of those, it’s probable that the ENGWE P26 Ebike would be a good purchase for you.