What’s it like riding a fat tire e-bike with TRIPLE suspension? Engwe X26 review
One of the major advantages of riding electric bikes is that the extra electric assist means you don’t have to worry about weight penalties as much. Pedal bike designers have to minimize weight to make the bike less grueling to ride, but e-bike manufacturers can add in more comfort features without making the bike harder to use. That often means more suspension and larger tires. Or in the case of the Engwe X26 electric bike, the company opted for an extra helping of both.
I got my first glimpse of the new Engwe X26 electric bike at Eurobike this summer, and that’s where I got to check out its novel triple suspension design.
With a fairly normal dual crown front suspension fork and a rear swingarm, the suspension looks more or less standard at first. But when you get closer, you see there’s actually a second suspension system in the rear. The entire rear half of the frame is its own swingarm, with a second swingarm formed from the lower chainstays. That means we’ve got a monoshock hiding in front of the seat tube and a set of coilover shocks in place of seatstay tubes. It’s a Frankenstein of suspension with a total of five shocks in three locations. Then to top it all off, the bike wears some massive 26×4″ tires for the ultimate cushy riding experience.
Want to see the Engwe X26 in action? Check out my review video below. Then keep on going to read my full review further down the page.
Engwe X26 Video Review
Engwe X26 Tech Specs
- Motor: 1,000W peak-rated rear geared hub motor
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h) on throttle, 31 mph (50 km/h) when unlocked
- Range: Claimed up to 57.7 mi (93 km)
- Battery: 48V 20Ah (1,272 Wh) split among two batteries
- Frame: 6061 aluminum
- Tires: 26″ x 4″ puncture resistant
- Weight: 90 lb (41 kg)
- Weight capacity: 330 lb (150 kg)
- Brakes: Two-piston hydraulic disc brakes, 180 mm rotors
- Extras: Color LCD display with speedometer, wattmeter, battery gauge, PAS level indicator, odometer, tripmeter, left side thumb throttle, frame integrated rear rack with cushioned passenger seat, integrated headlight and tail lights, folding mechanism, 8-speed Shimano Tourney transmission, adjustable kickstand
So much extra junk in the trunk
Wow, there is a lot of excessiveness going on with this bike.
First, there’s that suspension. It’s a triple suspension design that is probably unnecessary (just give me good rear suspension, not two sets of decent rear suspension), but it seems to get the job done.
A fast bike like this is best tested on-road, since there’s no way you want to be bucking around off-road at 30+ mph on a 90 lb machine while riding a rutted out dirt trail. And since the bike comes out of the box with a throttle-enable 28 mph top speed, there’s some serious credence lent to using this as a commuter bike.
It likely won’t fit into Class 3 designation in many areas since it can exceed 20 mph on throttle control, but if that isn’t an issue in your area, then you’ll enjoy that extra speed and power. The 1,000W rear hub motor makes quick work of starts, and the dual battery system means the batteries won’t drain as quickly as you’d expect on such a big and heavy e-bike.
The Engwe X26 is also a folding e-bike, though I wouldn’t want to fold it very often.
It’s so big and awkward to maneuver in its folded state that it’s really more of a feature list add-on than a useful quality.
Sure, it folds in half. But it doesn’t roll well like that, and it’s now half as long but twice as wide. There’s a time and a place that such a feature will be helpful, but I doubt many people will ever actually fold it.
Just look at me struggling to get this thing into its folded state below.
The bike’s main battery is in the seat tube, offering 912 Wh of capacity. That’s already quite a bit above average, but there’s a second battery in the top tube that adds another 360Wh of capacity. Together, you’ve got enough battery to ride pretty much all day with moderate pedal assist.
They claim over 50 miles of range, but expect barely over half that if you’re heavy on the throttle.
Normally I’m not a fan of seat tube batteries since they’re easier to steal if you don’t take the seat in with you, but in this case they’ve included a handy lock on the seat tube clamp. It’s surely not as strong as the locks on conventional e-bike batteries, and I imagine a 12″ flat head screwdriver would make quick work of it, but it will stop thefts of opportunity.
And the good news is that with a second battery hidden in the frame, if the seat and battery ever do get stolen, you can at least stand up and ride home with your reserve battery powering the bike.
There are some other nice to see parts here, too.
The cast wheels forgo spokes, which means they also forgo the problems that come with spokes. Your wheels will never go out of true or get clicking spokes, though you should also avoid crashing with these wheels since they aren’t repairable or adjustable like spoked wheels.
You also get some good hydraulic disc brakes, too, which I consider a minimum piece of safety equipment on any bike this heavy. Stopping 90 lb of e-bike plus however heavy the rider happens to be is no easy task, and while mechanical brakes could do it, those poor cables would need frequent adjusting.
Hydraulic disc brakes are simply a better choice on these big, heavy e-bikes.
The knobby fat tires and the extra suspension would normally make this a fine trail bike for anyone taking it off-road, but it’s just so heavy that I wouldn’t recommend it for super technical terrain. Where it really shines though is on the road. Those tires and the extra suspension make it as comfortable on the road as a motorcycle, letting you sink into the bike and overcome pot holes without worrying about getting catapulted off the saddle.
At the current sale price of $1,899, marked down from a $1,999 MSRP, the bike feels fairly priced to me. You’re getting much more battery (and much more suspension) than comparably priced fat tire e-bikes, though the design isn’t nearly as nice. Wires are cable-tied just about everywhere, so what you gain in performance you give up in appearance and tidiness. It’s not a looker, but it actually rides quite well.
If you’re on the hunt for an e-bike that rides like a motorcycle and has the suspension to match, this could be it. This is a bike for someone who values performance over attractiveness. If you want a nice, easy-going bike for recreational rides, or one that doesn’t look like a project, I’d keep searching elsewhere.
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Tennessee EV charging infrastructure developer PowerUp America just ordered a minimum of 100 new DC fast chargers in Q3 from Kempower, the Finnish company with a manufacturing hub in North Carolina.
PowerUp America, a relatively new player in the DC fast-charging station scene, is preparing to launch its first-ever DC fast-charging station in Kentucky by the end of the year.
These chargers are headed to NEVI-funded sites, which means they must all comply with the Build America, Buy America rules. PowerUp America posted on X/Twitter in October that the 400 kW chargers were already rolling off Kempower’s manufacturing line.
Here’s where they’re going, in addition to the fast charging station in Manchester, Kentucky: five new stations in Tennessee and two in Virginia. That Kentucky site features amenities such as pull-through stalls for easy towing, a full turning radius, a canopy for shade and weather protection, and on-site facilities (likely including snacks and restrooms – you know the drill).
Each charger will offer both CCS1 and NACS connectors and will support tap-to-pay or app-based payments.
Josh Turner, CEO of PowerUp America, said, “Every new site is more than just a charger; it’s an investment in local economies, workforce development, and the transportation future we’re building across the Southeast.”
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Hyundai’s at it again. The automaker is extending its IONIQ 5 lease offer, keeping one of the most affordable EV deals in the US alive at just $189 per month.
Hyundai extends IONIQ 5 lease deal for $189 a month
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is one of the most popular vehicles in the US, and for good reason. Hyundai updated it for the 2025 model year with more driving range (up to 318 miles), a revamped look inside and out, and a built-in NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.
Hyundai was also offering IONIQ 5 leases as low as $189 per month, making it one of the most affordable options for those looking to go electric.
The offer was set to end on November 3, but Hyundai has extended it for at least another month. Through December 1, you can still lease a 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE RWD for just $189 per month for 36 months. With $3,999 due at signing, the effective cost is about $300 a month.
That’s still a pretty good deal, considering the 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select RWD is listed for lease at $219 a month for 24 months. With $4,499 due at signing, the effective cost is $406 a month, or over $100 more than the IONIQ 5.
Upgrading to the IONIQ 5 SEL RWD with 318 miles of range costs just $50 more per month. The offer is listed at $239 for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing, or an effective rate of $350.
Hyundai reduced prices on the 2026 model year by nearly $10,000 on some trims after the federal tax credit expired at the end of September.
| Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim | Driving Range (miles) | 2025 Starting Price | 2026 Starting Price* | Price Reduction |
| IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range | 245 | $42,600 | $35,000 | ($7,600) |
| IONIQ 5 SE RWD | 318 | $46,650 | $37,500 | ($9,150) |
| IONIQ 5 SEL RWD | 318 | $49,600 | $39,800 | ($9,800) |
| IONIQ 5 Limited RWD | 318 | $54,300 | $45,075 | ($9,225) |
| IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD | 290 | $50,150 | $41,000 | ($9,150) |
| IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD | 290 | $53,100 | $43,300 | ($9,800) |
| IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor AWD | 259 | $55,500 | $46,275 | ($9,225) |
| IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD | 269 | $58,200 | $48,975 | ($9,225) |
The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 was listed for lease starting at $289 per month, but that offer also ended on November 3. Hyundai has yet to update lease offers for the new model. We’ll keep you updated as soon as it’s posted.
Hyundai’s electric SUV remains one of the most affordable EVs in the US, alongside the Chevy Equinox EV and new Nissan LEAF.
For those looking for a spacious, efficient, reasonably priced SUV, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is still worth checking out.
Interested in taking one for a spin? We’ve got you covered. You can use our link to find available Hyundai IONIQ 5 models near you.
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Polestar is about to make staying on course and finding your exit on the highway a lot less stressful. The EV maker is rolling out Google Maps’ new live lane guidance feature right onto the 10.2-inch driver display in the Polestar 4 – and it’s the first car brand to do so.
If you’ve ever missed an exit because you couldn’t get over in time, this one’s for you. Google Maps’ feature uses in-car AI to determine exactly which lane you’re in by analyzing road elements like road signs and lane markings from one of the Polestar 4’s forward-facing cameras. Then, it gives you visual and audio reminders to change lanes in time. No more guesswork, no more “oh no, that was my exit” moments.
You’ll see every possible lane highlighted for your route, along with a clear indication of which one you’re in. It’s designed to calm the chaos of multi-lane driving, especially in rush-hour traffic or sprawling interchanges.
Sid Odedra, Polestar’s head of UI/UX, says of the company’s latest collaboration with Google: “Live lane guidance continues the path of Polestar’s driver-centric UX strategy, reducing driver stress and improving safety by making missed exits and last-minute lane changes much less of a worry.”
The feature is coming first to Polestar 4 drivers in the US and Sweden “in the coming months,” via an over-the-air update. It’ll hit more markets and road types after that.
Google Maps’ Andrew Foster says this is just the next chapter in a partnership that began with the Polestar 2 in 2020, when it became the first car to ship with Google-built-in software. “Now, Polestar 4 will be the first to integrate our groundbreaking live lane guidance, which will help people drive with even more confidence.”
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
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