Bikes
Engwe Mapfour N1 Pro: Test / Review
Published on: 15-04-2025 / Modified: 15-04-2025
The good weather is finally back, the temperature is rising, and I can once again consider testing bikes without risking losing a finger while riding in sub-zero temperatures. I never know in advance what type of product I'll be testing. Last year, I exclusively tested fairly powerful fat bikes.
I thought that would be the case again this year, but I was pleasantly surprised by a request from Engwe to test their new carbon electric bike. I tested a bike of this type two years ago, the Urtopia Carbon One, and I kept it because it was an excellent bike.
This new Engwe Mapfour N1 Pro is playing in the same territory as the Urtopia, but will it be able to do better and replace it? That's what I invite you to find out with this review!
Where to buy?
The Engwe Mapfour N1 Pro is available on the official website with a €150 discount, in addition to existing promotions.
To benefit from the €150 discount, you must first activate the promo using the following link:
Activate -€150 promo
You will be redirected to the homepage, but your promo will be active in your shopping cart, as shown in the image above.
To purchase the bike, simply add it to your cart:
Engwe Mapfour N1 Pro
If you want to purchase the N1 Air version, I have a €100 discount on this model:
Activate €100 discount
Engwe N1 Pro?
Until now, Engwe has focused on selling fat bikes, so the arrival of the Mapfour N1 Pro and N1 Lite in their range comes as a surprise. They didn't just make an electric city bike; they went further by offering a carbon frame with a seatpost-free frame like the Urtopia. I remember that when the Urtopia was launched, I saw a lot of negative comments online about this seatpost-free frame. Many people thought this type of frame would never survive the weight of cyclists. It turns out that I weigh 100 kg and have been using it for over two years without any problems. So the concept has proven itself.
Aside from the frame and the use of carbon, there are also a few other interesting elements. First, there's the position of the motor; it's installed at the bottom bracket rather than on the rear wheel. Why is this interesting? The central position of the motor provides a better balance in terms of the bike's weight, and this type of configuration is also more efficient than a rear-mounted motor. The easiest consequence to explain is the torque. The Urtopia didn't exceed 40 nm, this Engwe Mapfour N1 Pro has a torque of 80 nm!
The other interesting point that struck me when reading the spec sheet was the battery charging time. Engwe states that it takes 1.5 hours to charge the battery, whereas most of the bikes I tested required 5 to 6 hours of charging. The battery has a lower capacity, which helps, but even with a smaller battery, I haven't yet achieved such a charging speed. It remains to be seen if this promise is kept.
Otherwise, the bike is very well equipped with metal mudguards, front and rear lighting, hydraulic disc brakes, and advanced connectivity for tracking cycling activity and geofencing. I'll come back to connectivity later in this review.
Since this bike is equipped with a 250-watt motor and is limited to 25 km/h, you can use it without having to homologate it or take out additional insurance.
Assembly
Engwe made a great assembly video. I found it more interesting than the manual because the manual is missing some steps, and the drawings aren't always precise. I didn't have any difficulty with the assembly, in fact it took me longer to unpack each part individually than it did to assemble the bike.
Overview
Dimensions
This bike is theoretically suitable for people between 1.64 m and 1.99 m tall, but I would like to add a few caveats. I am 1.94 m tall and I find the frame quite low and the saddle not high enough. My son is 1.60 m tall and can sit on the bike with the saddle at the lowest height. The theoretical margin is therefore probably a little lower than what is stated. To be able to ride comfortably, I had to raise the saddle much higher than the height adjustment on the seatpost. The frame height didn't pose any problems for me, nor did the distance from the handlebars. My position isn't as upright as with a fat bike handlebar, but I'm more comfortable than on a racing bike. Here are the dimensions corresponding to the image:
A - Wheelbase 116.8 cm
B - Total length 189.5 cm
C - Reach 49.6 cm
D - Standover height 78.5 cm
E - Minimum seat height 87.6 cm
F - Maximum seat height 93.5 cm
G - Handlebar height 99.5 cm
Frame
The special feature of this bike is its frame: A carbon frame that doesn't have a seatpost. This is a new development for Engwe, but it's not the first time I've tested a bike of this type. I tested the Urtopia Carbon One two years ago, and at that time, it was the only bike of its kind on the market. Carbon allows for a significantly lighter bike; this one weighs 19 kg, and carbon also allows for more creativity with the frame shape.
The frame is available in two colors: dark green, like the one I tested, and gray. The whole thing is lighter than most e-bikes, but it's still a bit too heavy to carry with one arm. The Urtopia weighs 14 kg fully equipped; this one, on the other hand, is perfectly liftable with one arm.
Handlebar
The left side of the handlebars houses the assistance level control, and the right side houses the Shimano gear shifter. The handlebars aren't height-adjustable, but I didn't have any issues with the height. The grips are rubber with an overhang so the lower hand can rest on them. There's no throttle, which is a good thing to avoid having to homologate the bike. The N1 Air version has an adjustable stem.
The handlebar is one of the parts that needs to be assembled. It doesn't present any particular difficulty during assembly, but markings to secure it to the wheel axle would have been welcome. I hadn't been careful enough during assembly, and I had a slight offset in the axle. The clamping system also requires quite tight tightening, otherwise the handlebar ends up coming loose from its axle.
In the accessory box, you also have the option to add a bell to the handlebar.
Brakes
The Engwe Mapfour N1 Pro is equipped with two 160 mm hydraulic disc brakes. The brakes are not reversed like some e-bikes; the left brake is the front brake, the right brake is the rear. The Air version uses non-hydraulic disc brakes, so they are less effective.
Derailleur
This bike is equipped with a 7-speed Shimano derailleur with the following gear ratios: 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 28. The distance between the gear ratios is therefore not very significant.
The crankset is a 42-tooth crankset, and with this configuration, you get a gear ratio of almost 6.5 meters per pedal revolution. It's quite small, so this bike is intended for practical use, for example, commuting to work. This configuration is clearly designed to make pedaling easier. This gear ratio is greater than that of the Urtopia, so you'll feel less like you're pedaling in a vacuum. I personally would have preferred a 50-speed crankset for a larger gear ratio, but I think Engwe's choice is the right one because it will make this bike more accessible to everyone. You don't have to be a great athlete to ride this type of bike.
Motor
The Engwe Mapfour N1 Pro's motor is located at the bottom bracket. This is the first time I've tested a bike with this type of setup. The most tangible benefit is the torque. At 80 Nm, this bike responds almost immediately. The motor's location also provides a better balance of the bike's weight; it's a different feel.
The motor has a power of 250 watts, so this bike can generally be ridden without additional certification or insurance. As I'm not familiar with the laws in all countries, I still advise you to check the regulations in force in your country. In Belgium or France, this bike can be used without certification.
The level of assistance used will determine the accessible power:
Level 1: 126 watts (3A)
Level 2: 252 watts (6A)
Level 3: 378 watts (9A)
Level 4: 504 watts (12A)
Level 5: 630 watts (15A)
The bike can occasionally exceed 250 watts to give you a boost, an element that provides undeniable comfort when starting out. However, keep in mind that this is an assisted bike, so you have to pedal to get it moving. It's probably the best compromise for those who want to do a bit of exercise without necessarily focusing on endurance or power.
Saddle
The saddle is height adjustable, and the tilt can also be adjusted. The height adjustment limit is very low, and for a tall person, it won't be sufficient. Engwe informed me that higher saddles will be available within a month. In the meantime, I set this saddle well beyond its maximum limit to ride in a position more suited to my height. If you are tall, consider ordering a saddle that fits.
Wheels
This bike is equipped with Chao Yang 700 * 42C tires. These tires are road tires that will offer you greater riding comfort than a traditional city bike. However, they are not adventure tires; they are not designed for riding on rough terrain. The tire pressure range is between 44 and 73 psi. Therefore, you will need to determine the optimal pressure based on your weight and desired comfort level. I usually inflate my tires to the maximum (almost 90 psi) but I couldn't do it here because the tire then takes up too much space compared to the mudguard and in any case it's well above the recommended pressure.
Battery
The battery is a removable 36V 10Ah lithium-ion battery. It can be charged directly on the bike, or you can remove it by unlocking it with the key. The battery is housed in the frame from above; there isn't much space to remove it, so be careful not to scratch the frame when removing it from its base.
This battery should be able to be recharged in 1.5 hours, but in reality, it takes a little longer. I didn't measure the charging time, but it's over 2 hours. That's still perfectly adequate for recharging the battery at work.
The theoretical range is 100 km, which I think should be possible, but it will depend heavily on how you use the bike. If you use the 5th level of assistance to provide minimal effort, this range will likely be much less. I'll come back to this point later in this review with a road test.
Equipment
This bike comes very well equipped out of the box. It has two metal mudguards attached to the frame by a metal rod. This will prevent you from hearing the mudguard tap the road every time you encounter a bump. The drawback of this type of setup is the space available for the tire. If you overinflate the tire, it will protrude slightly from the frame and rub against the mudguard. Before setting off on a long ride, remember to check this point to avoid damaging the tire.
The bike is also equipped with LED lights at the front and rear. A bell can be mounted on the handlebars. There is no luggage rack, but Engwe may offer one as an option in the future. The rear light is powered by the sun; the light will turn on automatically when the light gets darker.
The screen is very readable, but only in bright light. The readability of the screen is a problem on many Chinese bikes, and this one is much easier to read than those I've tested previously. It displays all the essential information such as speed, assistance level, and range. The screen can also display guidance information.
The front wiring tends to get in front of the lights, so you have to wrap the cables to force them to position themselves a little lower.
The bike is also equipped with a rear lock; I hadn't noticed it at first, and I was surprised that I couldn't start the bike. This mechanical lock uses an electromagnetic lock to block the rear wheel. You actually have to pair the bike with the Engwe app to unlock it. If you try to move the bike after pairing it with the app, an alarm sounds. There's no fingerprint unlock like on the Urtopia, which would have been convenient to avoid having to use the app. If you remove the battery, the alarm will obviously not sound but the lock will continue to work.
Application
The Engwe app is available for Android and iOS and will allow you to use your bike to its full potential.
The home screen gives you an overview of the weather conditions near you. You can also view your ride statistics. The second screen allows you to start a ride with the bike. You can then follow your journeys on a map with an indication of speed and cadence. This screen also allows you to unlock the bike or turn on the headlights. This feature is very useful, but it clearly doesn't have enough permissions to keep the screen on. This means that at some point your screen may turn off and you won't see what the app is doing.
The lock has a fairly short time limit. This means that if you don't start right away, the alarm will go off quite quickly, and you risk triggering it even if you've already unlocked the bike.
The third screen provides an overview of the bike, with the option to lock it and turn on the headlights. You can also change the assistance level, but these buttons are too small to replace the buttons on the handlebars. You can also geolocate your bike from this screen.
The fourth screen lists the rides shared by the community. This way, you can get more information about the rides of other Engwe bike users. You can even leave comments.
The last screen is for configuring your account.
Road Test
Range
Using the amperage for each assistance level, I can attempt to estimate the theoretical range of this bike, but this range will actually be lower because it doesn't take into account your weight, the temperature, or the type of ride.
With assistance level 1 and a constant speed of 25 km/h, you get a range of 82 km. With assistance level 5 and a constant speed of 25 km/h, you get a range of around 30 km. In reality, I achieved a range close to 80 km by alternating between the different assistance levels, taking advantage of the descents, and without trying to maintain 25 km/h. If I exclusively use assistance mode 5 under the same conditions, the range drops to around 40 km.
This level of range is generally more than enough for commuting. The battery's charging speed will allow you to recharge your battery while you work.
Comfort
- Saddle
Even before riding this bike, I realized that the saddle was going to be a problem. The seatpost height isn't high enough for someone my height (1.94m). The saddle is a bit hard for a bike of this type; it will take some getting used to if you're not used to this type of saddle. I'm used to riding a racing bike that has an even harder saddle, but I still noticed a difference compared to other bikes of this type I've tested.
- Suspension
The Engwe Mapfour N1 Pro doesn't have suspension; the frame and tires have to absorb all the vibrations. With the tire pressure at maximum, I was still jostled around quite a bit, and I had to lower the tire pressure a little. The frame absorbs some of the shock, but it has its limits. This is clearly not a bike designed for Paris-Roubaix. On normal roads, you won't encounter any problems.
Assistance
The Engwe Mapfour N1 Pro has 5 levels of assistance with a torque of 80 Nm. The bike also features a torque sensor that will give you a feel close to that of a normal bicycle. The torque sensor detects how hard you press the pedals to adapt to the effort. You can therefore push very hard to obtain maximum power or pedal at your own pace with just the right amount of assistance to help you. If you've never ridden a bike with a torque sensor, you'll be surprised by the comfort it provides.
I tested it on a 2.5% climb over a distance of 690 m to assess the gain offered by the bike. I tried to keep the speed as close as possible to 25 km/h throughout the ride and kept a 42Tx14T configuration throughout.
Test 1: I pedal without assistance
Maximum heart rate: 159
Ride time: 2:07
Average speed: 19.55 km/h
Test 2: I pedal with the maximum assistance level
Maximum heart rate: 123
Ride time: 2:29
Average speed: 16.67 km/h
I think the result is conclusive. I can go faster without the assistance, but at the cost of a much higher heart rate. With the assistance, my heart rate went up to 123 beats, which is ridiculously low. This level of assistance is therefore ideal for commuting to work or for leisurely strolls. You'll have to pedal a little, but don't tire yourself out.
Brake Test
The disc brakes on this bike are extremely effective; I was pleasantly surprised by the braking power. Going from 25 km/h to 0 takes about 2 to 3 seconds. The wheels lock quickly, and the bike glides on both locked wheels until it comes to a stop.
Routes
This bike is designed for use on urban routes, or at least on roads in good condition. I rode my usual roads, and since I record my routes with my Polar heart rate monitor, I can compare the ride time and the effort required.
In particular, I have a loop of almost 21 km that I completed in 50:34 min with an average speed of 24.6 km/h and a maximum speed of 34.2 km/h. Over the entire route, my average heart rate was 135 beats, with a maximum of 149. Suffice it to say that with such a low heart rate, I didn't feel any fatigue after riding for 50 minutes without stopping.
I did this same route on my Decathlon road bike, and it took me just under 47 minutes to cover the same distance, with an average speed of around 27 km/h (17 mph) and a peak speed of 52 km/h (12.2 mph). My average heart rate is 160, with a peak speed of 177 km/h (17.7 mph).
Here too, the results are clear. I can go faster with an unassisted road bike, but the effort is much greater for a relatively small time saving. Obviously, this is a choice to exercise, so I think it's normal for it to be harder. If you're not looking to exert yourself too much, this bike will do the job very well.
Target Audience
This bike is aimed at a more urban audience, such as commuters who cycle to work. Of course, if you want to use it for more recreational purposes in the countryside, that's fine too, as long as you don't ride on rough terrain. The frame size makes the bike accessible for both small and large sizes, provided the saddle is adapted for larger sizes. The bike's connected features will protect your bike against theft, allowing you to ride it around town with a little more confidence than a bike without these features.
N1 Pro vs. N1 Lite Comparison
This bike comes in two versions: the PRO version, which I tested, and the Air version, which costs a little less.
| Features | N1 Pro | N1 Air |
| Motor | Ananda 250 watts | Mivice 250 watts |
| Engine position | Central | Rear |
| Torque sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Torque | 80 Nm | 40 Nm |
| Tyres | 700*42C | 700*38C |
| Transmission | Shimano 7 speed | Shimano 7 speed |
| Brakes | Hydraulic discs | Discs/cable |
| Battery | 10 Ah | 10 Ah |
| Charging time | 1h30 | 5 to 8h |
| Weight | 19 kg | 15kg |
As you can see from this table, there are some notable differences between the two versions. The N1 Air has less torque, is lighter, and has less effective brakes.
Review/Conclusion
Engwe is stepping out of its comfort zone with this Engwe Mapfour N1 Pro. Until now, Engwe had only marketed fat bike-style electric bikes. The gap between the world of fat bikes and this type of bike is enormous, yet this first attempt is very successful. I had already tested a bike of this type two years ago, so the Mapfour N1 Pro isn't revolutionary, but it's positioned at a significantly lower price without making major sacrifices compared to a bike like the Urtopia Carbon One.
The first thing that jumps out is obviously the frame. The choice of carbon allows for a lighter bike (19 kg) and a more innovative shape. I quite like this format, and having used it for over two years on another bike, I know the concept works. I weigh 100 kg and my Urtopia Carbon One has never shown any weaknesses in the frame, so I think this Engwe will follow the same path.
The other special feature of the bike is the motor placement. This is the first time I've tested a bike with a mid-mounted motor. This type of configuration is more efficient than a rear-mounted motor; the torque is significantly higher, and the weight distribution is better. The torque isn't the only interesting thing about this motor; there's also the torque sensor that adapts the assistance level based on the pressure applied. So you can ride at your own pace or pick up the pace; the motor responds. I've done several tests where I've compared my heart rates with and without the assistance, and the results are clear. The assistance is very effective and will make this bike accessible to people who aren't used to cycling, without offending those who would like to pedal a little faster.
The bike is also very well equipped out of the box; it has everything you need, and I particularly appreciated the use of metal mudguards. They're attached to the frame and barely move while you're riding. This may seem trivial, but hearing the mudguard hit the wheel the entire time is annoying.
I also liked the brakes; they're ultra-powerful and allow you to stop very quickly. They're very well-sized for the bike, and despite my 100 kg, I never felt any weakness when stopping quickly.
The screen is very well integrated into the handlebars, so it won't move depending on the type of road. Its readability in bright light is also better than most other Chinese bikes I've tested.
The use of an app is also a strength of the bike. It allows you to configure your bike, track your routes, create guidance for the screen, and also activate the electromagnetic lock. The lock triggers an alarm in case of unauthorized movement, and the app also allows you to locate the bike in case of theft.
The charging speed and battery life are also positive points. It's not the bike with the best battery life, but the battery life is good and the charging is faster. The battery life will meet the expectations of a large majority of the population.
So, I have to finish with a few weaknesses because not everything is perfect. The biggest problem for me is clearly the seat height. The seat tube is too short for someone my height (1.94m), so I have to bend my legs when riding. Engwe will be selling higher saddles on its website; remember to choose this type of saddle if you are tall.
The app's sleep mode is also problematic. I think the app doesn't have the necessary permissions to force the phone's screen to stay on, so after a while, the phone's screen turns off and you lose tracking. This should be fixed in a future update.
Mounting the handlebars also posed a problem for me because there's no guide to ensure perfect alignment between the wheel and the handlebars. It's not too serious; you just have to be careful, but you have to be careful to tighten the handlebars very tightly, otherwise they risk coming loose from the wheel.
I think Engwe hit the nail on the head with this first test ride. This bike is less expensive than the Urtopia I tested, it's better equipped, and offers superior pedaling comfort. I'm actually thinking I'll be parting with my Urtopia after two years of loyal service in favor of this Engwe Mapfour N1 Pro.
Strengths
Motor responsiveness
Torque sensor, comfortable pedaling
Good balance of effort/speed/distance
Weight
Brakes
Equipment
Battery life
Charging speed
Lock and alarm
Weaknesses
Saddle height
Fairly narrow clearance between mudguards and wheels (be careful not to overinflate the tires)
Handlebar tightening
App screen goes to sleep
LAURENT WILLENHead of myself on this blog
I share my passions on my blog in my free time since 2006, I prefer that to watching nonsense on TV or on social networks. I work alone, I am undoubtedly one of the last survivors of the world of blogs and personal sites.
My speciality? Digital in all its forms. I have spent the last 25 years working for multinationals where I managed digital teams and generated revenues of over €500 million per year. I have expertise in telecoms, media, aviation, travel and tourism.
Questions/Comments