We tested: PVY Z20 Pro EVO electric bike – torque sensor rebirth!

A PVY Z20 Pro EVO At first glance, it doesn't differ much from its predecessor, but appearances can be deceiving!

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Introduction, or what is this article about?

The electric bike market has exploded in recent years, especially since the global changes of 2020, when many city dwellers rediscovered the benefits of two-wheeled transportation. In this ever-expanding segment, PVY's latest model, the Z20 PRO EVO folding electric bike, has been launched, combining practicality and technological innovation at an extremely affordable price.

PVY is no stranger to the world of electric bikes. The manufacturer's previous model, the Z20 PRO (and Z20 Pro MAX), has already proven itself in the market, but the new EVO version has received significant improvements that improve the user experience in key areas. The most important innovation is the integration of a torque sensor, which fundamentally changes the cycling experience compared to the previous pedal sensor solution.

This compact folding e-bike is available at an introductory price of under 290 thousand forints, which is a remarkable offer considering the built-in technology and versatile usage options. The PVY Z20 Pro EVO It is not only suitable for city driving - although it feels truly at home there - but also stands up to rougher terrain, thanks to the 20-inch, lightly patterned tires.

One of the biggest advantages of an aluminum frame bike is its portability. It can be folded in seconds and, at 22,5 kg, remains manageable. This is especially a big advantage for users who combine cycling with other means of transport or have limited storage space at home.

In the spirit of environmental awareness, PVY has also come up with a special initiative: for every Z20 PRO EVO sold, a tree is planted in collaboration with the JUST ONE Tree organization. This way, customers not only reduce their own carbon footprint by using the bike, but also actively contribute to greening the planet.

PVY Z20 PRO EVO – practical and stylish

A PVY Z20 Pro EVO At first glance, it catches your attention with its clean, yet modern appearance. Like the previous version, this machine also carries a bit (much more than its predecessor) of the Himo Z20 shapes, we could even mistake it for it if we squint. However, this is not the Himo Z20, this is a much better machine!

The frame made of 6061 aluminum alloy is both lightweight and durable, ensuring the bike's load capacity of 150 kg. The model is available in two colors: gray and white, so everyone can find the most attractive option for themselves. The practicality of the folding frame design is invaluable in everyday life, especially in an urban environment, especially if you want to combine the advantages of car and bicycle transportation. Drive to the P+R parking lot, and then continue by bike.

In the open state, the PVY Z20 Pro EVO It measures 148 x 60 cm, and its height can be adjusted depending on the saddle position, so that users between 150 and 200 cm tall can use it comfortably. However, the bike's true strength is revealed when it is folded: its size is reduced to just 89 x 45 x 64 cm, so it can be easily transported in the trunk of a car or stored in an apartment or smaller rooms.

The 20 x 2,125-inch wheels strike a good balance between stability and handling. The lightly patterned tread of the tires allows for safe riding in urban environments, it's not too noisy on hard asphalt, but it also holds its own on lighter terrain, not wanting to constantly slip out from under us. Above the front wheel we find the simple telescopic fork, which makes riding on uneven roads more comfortable, effectively absorbing vibrations from road imperfections.

The ergonomic arrangement of the controls on the handlebars is practical and well thought out. On the left side are the light, horn, and turn signal switches. The display is also located on this side. The display allows you to switch the assistance levels and access the service mode, which allows you to unlock the motor's power (from 250 watts to 500 watts). On the right side are the controls for the 7-speed gear system and the throttle, which allows you to activate the motor without pedaling.

The total weight of the bike is 22,5 kg, which is considered particularly favorable in the world of electric bikes. This is helped by the removable 36V 14,5Ah battery, which is integrated into the frame and can be locked with a key. Removing the battery is a simple operation, so charging it at home can be a convenient solution for those who cannot bring the entire bike close to the charger.

Safety is ensured by mechanical disc brakes on the front and rear wheels, which provide reliable stopping power in various weather conditions. Visibility is ensured by a 5 lumen front light with an IPX1200 water resistance rating, as well as an integrated rear brake light that activates when braking, increasing road safety.

The practicality is further enhanced by the bike's rear rack, which can hold up to 25 kg of load, making it ideal for carrying equipment needed for shopping or commuting. The battery also has a USB port, allowing you to charge mobile devices on the go, which can be especially useful on longer trips. The bike is IPX5 waterproof, so even light rain is no problem, although the manufacturer does not recommend using it in extreme weather conditions.

Detailed specifications of PVY Z20 PRO EVO

A PVY Z20 Pro EVO The heart of the bike is a 250-watt brushless DC motor integrated into the rear wheel. With its 50 Nm of torque, this compact power unit can easily tackle inclines of up to 15 degrees and can be boosted to 500 watts. In accordance with European Union regulations, the default speed limit of 25 km/h can be extended to 32 km/h when used on private property, although the latter is not legal (at least when used as an electric bike) on public roads.

One of the most significant improvements compared to the previous Z20 PRO model is the inclusion of a torque sensor. This advanced sensor measures the force applied to the pedals and regulates the motor's assistance based on this, compared to the previous generation's cadence sensor. In practice, this results in immediate and more natural assistance - no delay, no annoying jerky start, just smooth and well-dosed power, proving especially useful on climbs or when starting off.

A PVY Z20 Pro EVO The power supply is provided by a removable 36V 14,5Ah lithium-ion battery, which is a significant improvement over the 10,4Ah battery of its predecessor. Thanks to the increased capacity, the range has been increased to up to 120 kilometers in pedal-assist mode, while in pure electric mode (with the included throttle installed) you can travel 50-60 kilometers on a single charge. The battery takes 5-6 hours to fully charge with the included 42V-2A smart fast charger.

Speaking of propulsion, it is worth highlighting that the PVY Z20 Pro EVO It is equipped with a 7-speed gear system, which is paired with a 48-tooth sprocket, allowing you to select the optimal gear for the terrain and speed. The five levels of pedal assistance can be adjusted on the smart display, which also displays a variety of useful information.

Regarding the drive, it is important to highlight that the manufacturer provides the throttle with the bike, but you will have to install it yourself. In other words, the PVY Z20 Pro EVO is EU compliant from the factory, meeting all the conditions that the EU imposes on electric bicycles, but if you want, you can install the throttle, modify the top speed, and thus convert your electric bicycle into an electric moped. Of course, completely different rules apply to it than to an electric bicycle, so be aware of this before you convert!

Safety and comfort are ensured by mechanical disc brakes, which provide reliable braking power in all conditions. The front telescopic fork effectively absorbs shocks caused by road irregularities, contributing to a comfortable ride. The bike is IPX5 waterproof, which means it can withstand light rain and splashes, although the manufacturer does not recommend using it in harsh weather conditions.

A PVY Z20 Pro EVO Its dimensions are remarkable: 1480 x 600 x 1210 mm when opened and only 890 x 450 x 640 mm when folded. The bike has a net weight of 22,5 kg and a maximum load capacity of 150 kg, which is above the average for the category. The rear rack alone can withstand a load of 25 kg, making it ideal for transporting bags or other equipment.

In terms of lighting, the bike is equipped with an LED front light and a rear light, which not only ensure visibility in poor light conditions, as the rear light also functions as a brake light and a turn signal, thus increasing traffic safety. The bike is CE certified, which guarantees that it meets the safety, health and environmental requirements of the European Union.

PVY Z20 PRO EVO – and this is the practice

Two years ago, on February 16th to be exact, my article about the PVY Z20 Pro was published. Luckily, I had to start the bike tests a little later this year, because February would not have been suitable for this task. Back then, it was my first bike test in 2023, and I couldn't have wished for anything better!

The Z20 Pro was a 500-watt bike with great equipment. We got a luggage rack, a taillight, and metal fenders as standard, which was quite a miracle at the time. The price was also friendly, as we could get it for 289 thousand forints. I can safely say that the machine was a success among customers, and quite a few of them were sold.

But two years and a bit have passed since then, so it came as a surprise when the distributor asked me if I wanted to try the PVY Z20 Pro. I didn't know if the fault was mine or the matrix, I had had such a rough déjà vu for a long time. Then of course the penny dropped when I saw the suffix EVO in the name.

The enlightenment lasted until I saw the bike itself in pictures, because then I thought again that there is no such thing as stepping into the same river twice. And there really is no such thing, because although PVY Z20 Pro EVO It looks almost the same as its predecessor, but we find significant differences. Fortunately, these differences are positive with the exception of two. I'll shoot the gunpowder right away, one of the negatives is the fender, because instead of the damn metal fenders we get quite commercial plastic pieces. Too bad!

Although at first the frame seems unchanged, it soon becomes clear that we are getting a completely different frame. This frame looks much more like the previous HIMO than the previous PVY. Rounded edges, semi-hidden cabling and more delicate stuff. In short, it looks better than its predecessor, if not much, but undoubtedly better!

A positive change is that while the bar on this one has become more commercial, on the old one it was the trunk. The PVY Z20 Pro EVO Its luggage rack is a much more massive piece, according to the factory description it can be loaded with 25 kilos. For me it is definitely a positive that we got spoked wheels instead of the old aluminum rims, it somehow fits this machine better.

I have one more negative thing about the frame, and that is the lack of a handle. The old frame had a handle under the seat that you could use to lift the bike, making it much easier to put it in the trunk of a car, for example. The new frame lacks this, and for me this is a bigger mistake than the fenders being made of plastic.

Two more positives: One is that we get the rear light connected to the electrical system, which also functions as a brake light and a turn signal. It's true that the turn signal is not something that burns the eyes, not much is visible from it, at least in sunlight. The other positive is that the handlebar mounting is much stronger than before, meaning it's not the hinge itself, but the mechanism that fixes it in a vertical position.

What was missing was the seat, it's a bit small for me, or I'm just used to such seats. The softness and comfort are adequate, my back didn't hurt during the test. It's not too soft, but not hard either, it seemed just right to me.

The front shock absorber hasn't changed, it's the same cheap solution as the predecessor. I wouldn't say it's bad, but you can't lock it or adjust the stiffness. So it's as simple as a wooden wedge, but it works.

The new PVY Z20 Pro EVO In the case of the Z20 Pro EVO, I was very curious about two things before the test. One is the derailleur and the other is the torque sensor. The derailleur is because it is finally a bike that does not use the Shimano Tourney package, which is Shimano in name only, but something completely different in quality. With the ZXNUMX Pro EVO, the manufacturer no longer insisted on the Shimano derailleur because of the name, and added something Chinese.

Well, this Chinese thing did its job beautifully during the test. It was set up well at the factory, I didn't have to touch it. The chain jumps smoothly both up and down on the wheel, the thing rustles nicely when rolling, so I can't say a word! I used to say it, and I'll say it again now, that the quality of the gearing on bikes with rear hub motors is almost secondary, because the high torque is not transferred to the wheel via the chain and gearing, but is already there at the back due to the rear hub motor. So, if the gearing is a little weaker (like the Shimano Torney/SYS), then there's no problem.

The torque sensor was the other point I was curious about. Well, the point is that it is much better than a simple pedal or speed sensor, but I wouldn't call it perfect. Its imperfection is that we have to play with the strength of the assistance. That is, we have to adjust the gap between first and fifth depending on how steep the road is or how fast we want to go.

The thing is, for example, with a fifth gear assist, you turn the pedals in neutral and the bike goes. Where is the torque sensing here? Let's be honest, nowhere.

However, if you get used to using it and switch the assist levels alongside the shifter as needed, the torque sensing operation will also come into play. You will notice this most on hills, where the assist comes almost imperceptibly, you will only notice that you can climb hills relatively easily where you could not before with a conventional bike.

According to the manufacturer, the PVY Z20 Pro EVO It can handle a 15-degree incline. We have a slope here, where I usually test bikes and scooters, and it's somewhere around 16-17 degrees at its steepest. Well, I rode it up, although not easily, but without panting or sweating.

It is important to mention that with a scooter it is easy to calculate how big the slope is that it can go up. On a bike it is more difficult because it has pedals that we pedal. I have been cycling quite a lot lately, so I have strength in my legs (although not crazy much), so 16-17 degrees with this bike was not a problem for me, but I am not sure that you will be the same with this one. For this reason, I am cautious, but I dare say that the factory-set 15 degrees is real!

Range. This is another interesting question. I charged the battery and drove it up and down mountains, valleys, forests, fields, and asphalt, but it didn't want to run out. Unfortunately, the voltage value is not visible on the display, so I can only estimate the range that can be covered on one charge. The factory-specified 120 kilometers is definitely not it. I would say that in single gear, on flat terrain, not racing, with few stops and starts, maybe 80 kilometers would be realistic.

Important moment: In the predecessor, the battery had a capacity of only 10,4 Ah, while the PVY Z20 Pro EVO's battery has a capacity of 14,5 Ah. This means that it is not only more economical due to the torque sensor, but the battery capacity has also increased by almost 50 percent!

Of course, this again depends on how much you weigh, whether the wind is blowing from the front or from the back, what the road surface is like, and I could go on and on. The only thing I can say for sure is that due to the relatively small battery, this bike needed the torque sensor like a piece of bread, because it uses the available energy noticeably more economically.

PVY Z20 PRO EVO – This is the summary

If you loved the PVY Z20 pro from two years ago, then the PVY Z20 Pro EVOYou'll love it too. A very simple city bike. Small, light, but comfortable, torque-sensing and rides pretty well. It fits in the trunk of a car, but you can easily fold it up and take it on a commuter train.

The battery isn't huge (but it's still almost 50 percent larger than its predecessor), but if you use it for what it was designed for, which is commuting within the city, you can get up to 2-3-4 days on a single charge, depending on the daily distance you need to cover. I tried it on a bit more bumpy terrain, the shock absorber seemed a bit soft for my weight, but other than that, I can't say anything bad about it.

What is also important, and not a little, is that its price has not changed at all compared to two years ago. Of course, we can thank our country's great friend, the blond cyclone, Donald (not Duck, but) Trump, who has arranged for the dollar to currently cost exactly the same amount of forints as it did two years ago. Unfortunately, the euro does not, but at least we get more forints for one euro. A clear profit.

Well, I digress. The point is that the new torque sensor PVY Z20 Pro EVO It costs almost exactly the same as the PVY Z20 Pro with pedal sensor two years ago, and this is a serious achievement because it shows that the torque sensor can finally really be included in the affordable price range!

If you liked the bike, then the PVYZ20EVONEW coupon code 288 556 forintYou can order it from the Czech warehouse for . No shipping costs, no customs costs, no hidden costs. Purchase by clicking on the link below:

PVY Z20 PRO EVO electric bike

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Frequently asked questions about using PVY Z20 PRO EVO

1. How does the PVY Z20 PRO EVO differ from the previous model? The most important innovation of the PVY Z20 PRO EVO is the installation of a torque sensor instead of the previous pedal sensor, a larger capacity battery (14,5Ah) compared to the predecessor's 10,4Ah battery, and a more robust luggage rack and integrated rear light.

2. How far can you go on a single charge with the PVY Z20 PRO EVO? The manufacturer claims a range of up to 120 km in pedal-assist mode, but in real life, with mixed use, we can expect a range of around 80 km on a single charge.

3. How fast can you ride with the PVY Z20 PRO EVO? According to European regulations, the maximum speed of the PVY Z20 PRO EVO is 25 km/h, but it can be unlocked to 32 km/h, which, however, may only be used on private land.

4. How heavy is the PVY Z20 PRO EVO and how much weight can it hold? The total weight of the bike is 22,5 kg and can withstand a maximum load of 150 kg, while the rear rack alone has a load capacity of 25 kg.

5. How big can the PVY Z20 PRO EVO be folded and how should it be folded? The PVY Z20 PRO EVO measures 89 x 45 x 64 cm when folded. Folding is easy: fold down the handlebars, fold the frame at the middle joint, and lower the saddle.

6. Is the PVY Z20 PRO EVO electrical system waterproof? The PVY Z20 PRO EVO is IPX5 waterproof, meaning it can withstand light rain and splashes, but the manufacturer does not recommend using it in harsh weather conditions.

7. What terrain is the PVY Z20 PRO EVO best suited for? The PVY Z20 PRO EVO is primarily designed for urban use and lighter terrain, with a front telescopic fork and 20 x 2,125-inch lightly treaded tires that allow it to be used on dirt roads, but it is not specifically a mountain bike.

8. How long does it take to fully charge the PVY Z20 PRO EVO battery? The PVY Z20 PRO EVO 36V 14,5Ah battery takes approximately 5-6 hours to fully charge with the included 42V-2A smart fast charger.

9. What warranty does the manufacturer provide for the PVY Z20 PRO EVO? The PVY Z20 PRO EVO comes with a 1-year warranty on electronic and structural components, while the frame is covered by a 10-year warranty, which is outstanding in its category.

10. How does purchasing the PVY Z20 PRO EVO help protect the environment? PVY partners with the JUST ONE Tree organization to plant a tree for every Z20 PRO EVO sold, so customers not only reduce their own carbon footprint by using the bike, but also actively contribute to greening the planet.