2020 vBike LENO 20 Review

Video Review

Written Review

The vBike LENO 20 electric bike is a fast and versatile folder with a rear rack, powerful headlight and impressive 28 mph top speed. The LENO 20 is ready to folded up and packed away for your next adventure.

vBike is a Canadian-based company founded by Vahid, a PhD who built his first electric bike way back in 1985. Let’s just say he’s been around the block when it comes to e-bikes. vBike is focused exclusively on offering folding electric bikes and have at the time of writing five different models to choose from, most of which have E-PAS technology — a cool, new tech on the scene that collects kinetic energy from the motor and feeds it back into the battery to extend the range.

Power — 500 nominal watts, 800 peak watts

The vBike LENO 20 folding fat tire electric bike has a geared hub motor that offers 500 watts of nominal power and 800 watts of peak power. This motor is also pretty torquey with 80 Newton meters of torque on tap. 

Speed  — 28 mph (UNLOCKED)

In the stock configuration, the vBike LENO 20 folding fat tire electric bike has a top speed of 20 mph, which can be reached using the throttle or the pedal assist, making this a class 2 electric bike. However, the vBike LENO 20 can also be unlocked to a top speed of 28 mph, which would make it a class 3 electric bike. vBike also noted to us they will be upgrading their display as well, which is a nice bonus!

Battery and Range — 48 volt 10.4 ah or 14 ah, 45 miles, 65, LG cells

The vBike LENO 20 folding fat tire electric bike runs on a 48 volt system and has a 10.4 ah battery for an estimated max range of 45 miles with pedal assist. The battery sits inside the frame, which makes for a streamlined look and also helps keep the battery protected from the elements. With the frame unfolded, the battery can be unlocked and removed to be charged and/or stored separately from the bike. vBike also offers an upgraded 14 ah battery for an additional $200.00 CAD.

Pedal assist sensor — Cadence sensor

The vBike LENO 20 folding fat tire electric bike is equipped with a cadence sensor that measures the rotation of the cranks. Like most cadence sensors, there is some latency from the time the rider starts and stops pedaling to the time the motor activates and deactivates.

Display — LCD

The vBike LENO 20 folding fat tire electric bike uses an LCD display located on the center of the handlebars with an independent button pad on the left side of the handlebars. This display has all the necessary information like speed, distance, battery level and more.

Frame and weight — 6061 Aluminum alloy, 60 pounds curb weight, 275 lb carrying capacity, black and white

The vBike LENO 20 folding fat tire electric bike comes in one frame size and two color options — black and white. It’s crafted from 6061 aluminum alloy with a curb weight of nearly 60 pounds. This is quite a bit heavier than some other folding electric bikes, especially since the vBike LENO 20 so be careful when trying to stow it in awkward positions. The single tube design keeps the standover height incredibly low and the saddle can be dropped almost to the bottom, making this an excellent choice for riders with a shorter inseam who want to keep their feet flat on the ground when at a stop. The gussets on the frame do help to reinforce it, and while this can be taken on light trails, extreme off-roading is not recommended. 

The locking mechanisms on the LENO 20 feel pretty sturdy, and within seconds it can be folded and unfolded. The handlebars fold down too, along with the pedals, to make a very small and easily stowable electric bike.

Suspension —  front suspension fork, 60 mm travel

The vBike LENO 20 folding fat tire electric bike has front suspension with approximately 60 mm of travel, lockout and preload adjust. The suspension does a good job a mitigating small bumps and inconsistencies in the road, and can even tackle some light, dirt trails, but again, we do not recommend using the LENO 20 for heavy-duty off-road use.

Gearing — Shimano, 7 speed

The vBike LENO 20 folding fat tire electric bike has a Shimano Tourney derailleur with a 7-speed cassette. It uses a Shimano SIS Index thumb shifter on the right side of the handlebars.

Brakes — Tektro, mechanical disc, 180 mm

The vBike LENO 20 folding fat tire electric bike has Tektro mechanical disc brakes in the front and rear with 180 mm rotors. These brakes offer ample stopping power and the brake levers are equipped with motor inhibitors, which instantly cut power to the motor whenever the brake levers are depressed. This is an especially important safety feature for fast electric bikes with cadence sensors, like this one.

Warranty — 1 year comprehensive, 5-year frame

The vBike LENO 20 folding fat tire electric bike has a 1 year warranty that covers everything, and a 5 year warranty on the frame. This is an above-average warranty and we’re happy to see it!

Price — Starting at $1,028.00 USD

Starting at $1,058.00 USD, $1,399.00 CAD the vBike LENO 20 folding fat tire electric bike is a competitively priced ebike that also offers an above-average warranty, a surprisingly bright headlight, upgradable battery option and front suspension. 

Who’s it for — Commuters with limited space 

The vBike LENO 20 folding fat tire electric bike feels like a good choice for those who need a compact electric bike for commuting or traveling, and would be particularly fun as an RV companion or even as a vehicle you could throw in the back of a small plane. The fat tires would make this a great choice for those who live near the beach, or maybe just have less-than-ideal road conditions and appreciate the extra suspension it gives the bike. Overall, the LENO 20 is a fun ride with a great top speed from a friendly, Canadian company.