Engwe's Newest E-Bikes Have Out-of-This-World Range, but America Can't Have Them

Actually, to say that Engwe's P275 Pro and ST (Step-Through) are just for urban adventures might be a bit of an understatement because this fresh lineup from one of America's budget e-bike crews is rather attractive and for all the right reasons. Throw on a helmet and saddle up for this one.

Now, if the name Engwe sounds familiar, it's because we've featured their e-bikes on several occasions, including testing them up and down city streets and off-road roads and trails. That said, we've come to know them for their ability to craft affordable EVs that can spit out some pretty amazing stats, not to mention some pretty showy lookers; check out the M20, my favorite.

Well, this time around, Engwe seems to be making a shift toward a different kind of e-bike, a more classic one, and by the looks of things, they've been doing some solid research. I say this because unlike most other e-bikes this manufacturer has created, the P275 is built around a mid-mounted motor and doesn't include massive fat tires.

But the most attractive point for this lineup is the fact that Engwe is reporting a peak range of a tad under, wait for it, 162 miles (260 km)! Did I mention that the ST version is currently priced at just €1,600 ($1,730 at current exchange rates)? Let's see how Engwe has achieved this one.

As you'd expect, the battery is a major factor in this lineup's ability to hit this number, so let's begin with that. Mounted in one of the weirdest positions I've seen on an e-bike, somehow part of the seat tube, but at the same time, making up part of the seat stay, this manufacturer straps 19.2 Ah of Samsung cells to the aluminum frame. It's not clear if this battery is removable or not.

Part two of the story has to do with the motor strapped to the P275. I already mentioned that the manufacturer has chosen to go with mid-mounted motors for this range, and since these powerhouses are often more efficient than their hub-mounted counterparts, that range could very well be attainable, especially if we consider that each of the two versions uses 250 W motors.

Yes, just 250 W of power is all we get, and while that may not sound like a whole lot, there's enough torque to work with. For example, the Pro is equipped with a kit from Bafang that can spit out 65 Nm (48 lb-ft) of torque, and trust me, that's plenty in an urban setting, even one with some hills. Yet, for the ST version, Engwe felt the ladies might need a bit more help. No, Step-Through bicycles aren't only fit for women, but men too; I rock a step-through as we speak, among others I'm testing. And so, 70 Nm (52 lb-ft) is at the disposal of riders rocking the ST.

Yet, one thing I couldn't figure out was why Engwe would have gone with two different motor manufacturers for the same lineup. Yes, you read that right; these two bikes each rock a different motor manufacturer. The Pro is powered by Bafang, as mentioned, and the ST uses a powerhouse from Ananda.

While I've only heard this name one other time before, Ananda has been in the e-bike systems business for 20 years (according to their website), and that's about as long as Bafang. These days, this China-based brand has extended to a worldwide presence, with service centers tattered all over Europe, too.

Which brings me to a tiny bit of a downside for this lineup. For the time being, only rides over in Europe have access to these two bikes. Why? We simply don't know, but if it's loved enough over there, it just might make its way to the US. Personally, I feel that it should because the P275 lineup comes across as having all the right goods in all the right places.

Coming back to the bike itself, I do need to point out that the Pro version is priced at €1,900 ($2,050), and there are two reasons for that. First, the frame has seen some attention, mainly the top tube with its "diamond" shape. But, most importantly, the Pro's drivetrain is completed using a Gates carbon belt, and all the branded sprockets and chain wheels they're known for. Considering these setups are known to be greaseless and serviceless for thousands of miles, you can understand the price jump.

I mentioned that Engwe has also been listening to its riders, myself included, and as such, the P275 is rocking hydraulic disc brakes. Personally, I'm ecstatic about this change because some of Engwe's monsters are equipped with cable-driven brakes, and that can be a problem when you're flying around at 28 mph (45 kph).

An LED display and an IPX6 rating are also part of the magic, but, like most other Engwe machines, the P275s are also designed to be a ruthless cargo carrier, and the rack on the rear of each one is proof that this brand knows what we need and want while riding around town. Optionally, the front can accommodate a rack as well.

Now, take all that, throw on 2.4-inch cross-section tires, and what do you have? Honestly, it's more than just an urban machine, considering this lineup is showing off range figures that are just on a whole different level; it can be a downright exploration machine, able to even handle some gravel roads and hardpacked dirt paths. No jumping around on this one.

At the end of the day, this fresh lineup from Engwe actually looks more like a bicycle than most others before it, and that's sure to help this crew secure some sales all over the world.