Engwe EP-2 Pro review: Taking mountain biking to the next level

The Engwe EP-2 Pro electric bike offers comfort and power, and excels at being a good mountain bike when the engine is off.

Electric bikes, also known as e-bikes, have become popular lately -- especially in metropolitan areas -- because they allow for the ease of biking with the convince of an electric scooter when you want it.

With a modern and simplistic design, a strong and durable build, mode customization, a foldable design, and ease of use, the EP-Pro 2 is an electric bike you should consider if you are in the market for one.

Engwe EP-2 Pro assembly

When you first receive the Engwe EP-2 Pro, you must fully assemble it yourself. While it may look daunting initially, the setup was easy and should be easy for most people.

While some parts of the assembly can be done alone, we heavily recommend setting up the EP-2 Pro with another person so they can hold the piece while you tighten the screws. Having an additional person on board prevented a lot of frustration during the bike setup.

There is a lot of protective foam surrounding each piece, so removing it will take a minute before putting all the parts together.

All the tools you will need to assemble the bike are included in the box -- along with the instructions and manual. The process will take about 45 minutes to an hour -- depending on your handiness skills and experience.

The assembly process was smooth sailing until we got to the end, where we had to put on the rear rack. We found no instructions on how to attach it, but after a quick Google search, we could connect it and complete the bike.

Engwe EP-2 Pro design

The Engwe EP-2 Pro is configured like a regular mountain bike, but with a removable and replaceable 48V 13AH lithium battery attached to it. It can last 62-to-74 miles while in pedal assist mode and 24-to-31 miles when riding solely on battery power.

The bike weighs 74 pounds in total. It is 67 inches long when unfolded and 30 inches in size when folded. When folded, the bike can easily fit in the back of your car. This is a great design choice because it makes the bike more portable and can fit in more cars than if you have to set it down in its full form -- which would take up an excessive amount of room.

There are levers found by the battery and the stem of the bike that allow you to fold the bike into half its size for portable traveling. This process is also how you will access the removable battery. A kickstand on the left of the EP-2 Pro -- like any other bike -- allows you to station it securely when not using it.

A PVC leather bike seat is positioned in the middle for you to sit on, and its dimensions consist of ten inches in length and eight inches in width. The EP-2 Pro can handle up to 330 pounds in weight when riding, and is designed for people who fall into the height ranges of 5'2" to 6'8".

Two 20x4-inch flat tires support the bike, allowing it to ride on multiple terrains and surfaces. They are accompanied by 160mm mechanical disc brakes and a 960w peak brushless gear motor.

The tires felt sturdy and strong, and they kept their strength and durability when riding on different terrains throughout the ride. As a result, the EP-2 Pro could ride through moderately challenging areas.

A double-guarded chain guard helps operate the pedals and ensures that the chain will not slip. There is also a switch to lock or loosen up the suspension on the bike's front wheel.

A LCD screen sits in the center of the handlebars, and this will tell you when the motor is turned on and the battery percentage it is at. The screen is bright, and the information displayed on it is big, so there is no worry that you won't see it while riding -- which is good when you quickly have to glance down at it.

The EP-2 Pro comes with a 48V 2A charger that plugs into an ordinary wall outlet and then into the side of the battery to charge it when not in use. It can take up to six hours for the bike to charge fully, but leaving it plugged in overnight is okay.

The included charger for the bike has a light indicator that will tell you if it's fully charged. Red means it still needs to charge, and green means it's fully charged.

Engwe EP-2 Pro features

The Engwe EP-2 Pro offers a 50+ mile range -- which may vary on the incline you are going -- and can operate up to 25 MPH without the need to pedal. Speed may vary as well.

The display can show you how fast you are going, the bike's battery percentage, and the speed power level the bike is in. The power level can be increased or decreased with buttons next to the bike's bell with a plus and minus sign. Level 0 has no pedal assist, level 1 is the lowest setting, and level 5 is the highest.

The increase and decrease buttons next to the handlebar -- and easily accessible -- made it easier to control and choose the style you want to ride at. It is all within a thumb's reach.

Underneath the speed level controls is the power button to turn on the bike's motor. You will need to put the key into the ignition -- which is located underneath the bike's battery -- and then hold down the power button until the screen turns on.

The battery holds a 960w -- sustained 750w -- hub motor to power the bike when riding with pedal assist. The motor operates the back wheel.

The EP-2 Pro also works like a regular mountain bike, with gear changes available for different inclines you are biking. In addition, a gear-changing panel on the right side of the bike's handles will allow you to select which gear you want to be in.

Like the center display - the gear-changing panel is big and easy to read at a quick glance, which is good to have when changing gears during different inclines.

Trails, pavements, and rocks are all surfaces the EP-2 Pro can handle. Off-road riding is also accessible by allowing you to ride over sand, gravel, dirt, and snow. This can be done by adjusting the front wheel's suspension. The bike can also be ridden year-round.

An LED headlight is located on the front of the bike, and a brake indicator is on the back.

Engwe EP-2 Pro riding experience

The Engwe EP-2 Pro riding experience starts like any other mountain bike experience by you peddling to operate the bike and changing gears when experiencing different inclines on your path.

You can use the EP-2 Pro like an ordinary mountain bike without the motor, but it is there if you need a little extra push or want to ride without peddling.

The seat was very comfortable to sit on during the ride, and due to its design, it allows air to flow smoothly between you and the seat while riding.

To start using the motorized system on the bike, you can twist the right handle next to the brake. Do caution that this will cause the bike to accelerate quickly, so be prepared for that.

The motor will continue until you brake the bike like you usually would. Then, when you start peddling again, the motor will restart, jerk the bike a little, and start working again like before.

This sudden movement of the motor restarting was startling at first, but once everything came to ease, the bike ride returned to normal.

When in level 1, the bike did not go any faster than 15 MPH. When peddling was involved, the screen indicated that the bike's speed was faster than 15 MPH. This was good to know, especially if there are specific speed limits you need to follow in your area when on an electric bike.

Using the motor takes a little while to get used to, so be prepared to learn as you go the first few times you go for a ride.

The EP-2 Pro worked well when riding over different surfaces. It continued to ride smoothly on pavement, through puddles, over bumpy and rocky terrain, and pushed through grassy fields.

The smooth transition between terrains made the biking experience more pleasurable and did not make the controls feel loose when guiding the bike in different areas.

The motor isn't perfect for every situation. For example, when going up steep inclines, the bike will not be able to support the climb and will need you to peddle to get up the hill. The EP-2 Pro does well with moderate inclines but not steep slopes.

Bike with power

The Engwe EP-2 Pro is a great mountain bike that gives you the benefits of a regular bike plus the power that motorizes it when you want to sit back and enjoys the environment around you.

The EP-2 Pro had a comfortable seat to sit on that did not become uncomfortable during the ride, and the pedals and handlebars were positioned at comfortable angles for pleasant use.

Switching between power levels and gear changes through the two different systems is handy if you ride in an area with varied terrain.

The bike can operate at different speeds depending on the mode you put it in. Therefore, it is essential to check with state laws to ensure you are riding in the correct zone -- some may not allow these types of bikes to travel in the bike lane due to how fast they go.

It may take some time to get used to the bike with the motor engaged, but it is relatively easy to figure out. Taking caution is the top priority when using this bike as the motor may accelerate fast when first turning it on.

It is disappointing that there is a lack of any iPhone app -- or any app in general -- that goes along with the bike. It would've been nice to have an accompanying app that would tell you the percentage of the battery and the pressure in the tires.

Also, the key ignition is placed in a somewhat inconvenient place -- under the battery -- so you have to either bend down or get on the floor to put the keys in. That said, it is nice to know the battery cannot be removed without the keys.

While it takes up to six hours to charge the bike fully, Engwe mentions that it is safe to do overnight.

The company does not mention how often to bring in the bike for servicing but does recommend not modifying the bike if you are not experienced in bike mechanics. However, if you need to change anything, you should contact Engwe's customer service to confirm your modification will work with the bike.

The bike is built well, rides smoothly, and gives a lot of options to personalize your riding style just to you. The folding design also is a great feature to allow you to take it on trips when traveling by car.

If you are looking for a good electric bike that offers a simple and modern design, easy setup, and custom controls, then the Engwe EP-2 Pro may be one of the best options.

Engwe EP-2 Pro pros

• Easy to assemble
• Folding design
• Long battery
• Battery anti-theft
• Displayed information
• Multiple terrain support

Engwe EP-2 Pro cons

• Lack of instructions for putting on back rack
• Cannot go up steep inclines
• 6 hours to fully charge
• Key ignition placement
• No supported app

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Where to buy the Engwe EP-2

You can purchase the Engwe EP-2 Pro from Amazon for $919, plus an $80 shipping fee. The bike comes in black, slate gray, or dark orange.