I’ve been testing the Engwe Mapfour N1 Air electric bike which goes on sale this month.
Mapfour N1 Air is part of a new series of the firm’s commuter-targeting e-bikes that aim to deliver sustainable and economical travel solutions.
Irish Mirror has previously reviewed the foldable P20 from Engwe and the Engwe P275 ST which is specifically designed for city riding.
There are two versions of this Mapfour debutant. The N1 Air has a standard step-over frame and the N1 Air ST has no crossbar and uses a step-through frame. I tested the latter.
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Its main selling point is that it is built from a sleekly designed slimline carbon frame. Such frames generally give you a much lighter machine than others of the same size. N1 Air ST weighs just 15.6kg.
Other key features include a 250W Mivice M070 rear hub motor, a 360Wh high-capacity, centrally located Samsung battery and a full-colour LCD display mounted on the handlebar.
There is reasonably accurate built-in tracking, an alarm and a security feature to block the N1 Air being used outside a customisable boundary of up to 10km. You can enable the security features in the Engwe app, which sends you bike alerts and SOS emergency notifications.
If someone tries to steal your e-bike you can remotely lock it and set off the loud alarm using the smartphone app.
Top speed on the N1 Air ST is 25km as per EU legal requirements, and the 25W motor is powerful enough to deliver extra assistance when you need it and responsive enough to give you that boost instantly. Climbing hills with a modest incline was pleasant.
The tyres are slim (40mm) and streamlined and the cable-operated brake discs are effective but need some wearing in initially. There is a seven-speed Shimano Tourney TZ derailleur gear system and the gear-changing was reliable and responsive.
You get an integrated solar-powered rear light (which turns on and off automatically) and a hard-wired front light you need to install yourself during the straightforward assembly process.
Setting up the machine took me around 45 minutes but I’d imagine you could complete the job in less. I was using the video tutorial as a guide but it glides over certain elements of the process a little quickly. Essentially the bike arrives in an almost complete build and you just need to attach the handlebars and then install the front alloy mudguard, saddle, kickstand, pedals and front light.
The step-through frame has a slick looking symmetrical design and build with a smooth finish. My review unit was charcoal grey but you can opt for an ink green colour if you prefer.
Battery life
Battery range will depend on your usage, but I got close to 60km from a single charge. The 360Wh power pack can be quickly detached, incidentally, so you can recharge it in any location. Recharging takes five to six hours. The battery can also be locked with a key if left on the e-bike.
Other features
There were threaded mounts on the frame of my review unit for mounting a water bottle and attaching a chain guard. Irish Mirror was informed the chain guards will be installed as standard on retail units.
There is no suspension on the N1 Air ST. This is not an issue on most city bike lanes and roads but it means the e-bike is not suitable for more rugged terrain.
The saddle can be detached easily so you need to loop your lock chain under the seat to secure it.
The companion Engwe app has riding stats and other handy features as well as the security features outlined above.
Mapfour N1 Air ST comes with a one-year warranty for the bike frame.
In testing, I was able to lift the e-bike easily enough and carry it for short distances.
Verdict
Overall, Engwe Mapfour N1 Air ST is a smooth, safe and enjoyable high-tech ride. The best news is the competitive pricing which means this premium carbon-framed commuter e-bike is more affordable than you might expect.
Pricing and availability
Engwe Mapfour N1 Air ST costs €1,299 on early bird pre-order (reduced from €1,499) and is due to ship on March 5.
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