Ever since Lectric Bikes launched, the company has moved from one successful design to another. Their line not only includes their popular folding e-bikes, but they have added a cargo e-bike, an all-terrain e-bike and more recently a nearly maintenance-free model with a high-end Pinion gearbox. It is, however, the company’s XP 3.0 that is their most popular model and represents one of the best values currently available in the e-bike world. In our review of the Lectric XP 3.0 we will take a look at just what makes this such an impressive value.
There aren’t many e-bikes on the market that can eclipse the $1000 price point. Some of the companies we’ve seen bring e-bikes to market at this (or a lower) price point have cut corners to do so and Lectric is a company that has earned our respect and admiration.
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My Experience Riding the Lectric XP 3.0 E-Bike
The success of the Lectric XP 3.0 has helped propel the folding e-bike category from mere curiosity into one of the, if not the most popular categories of e-bike. Having an e-bike that is easy to store is a feature that doesn’t go out of style. It doesn’t hurt to have a design that can be folded or unfolded in less than a minute and is foolproof in its safety.
We prize e-bikes that make it easy for someone to incorporate an e-bike into their lifestyle. Practically speaking, what we’re looking for is an e-bike that won’t hold someone back. They need to be able to ride any time of day (lights front and rear), in any conditions (fenders) and will allow them to carry necessities or even another person (rear rack). Oh, and it needs to be easy to store (kickstand and foldable). The XP 3.0 includes all of that, making it all-purpose e-bike.
It’s also difficult to find an e-bike that is as all-purpose as the XP 3.0. Whether you want to take your kid to school, run to the grocery store for a few essentials or commute to work, the XP 3.0 can do any, heck, even all of those things, and in the same day. Let’s dig into the XP 3.0’s many winning features.
Range
Estimated Range: Up to 45 mi.
Real World Range Test Results: 33 mi. (PAS 2, not 1)
Among the many upgrades that Lectric gave the XP 3.0 compared to the XP 2.0, one was a larger battery. Previously, the battery had a capacity of 460Wh, but it has now climbed to 499Wh. You’d think that would result in greater range, but it didn’t really climb from the XP 2.0’s range (less than a mile—from 32.22 to 32.99 mi.). That’s because greater peak power and more torque draws more current.
When our colleagues at Electric Bike Report tested the Lectric XP 3.0, they covered 33 mi. in their low PAS long-range test (PAS 2) and 23.3 mi. in their max PAS test (PAS 5). These aren’t super range numbers, but rather than focus on the range it doesn’t have, we prefer to ask a different question: Can the XP 3.0 give a rider enough range to handle a day’s riding? The answer is yes, provided you’re not using it to deliver bagels and sandwiches. Even set to PAS 5, the XP 3.0’s 23-mi. range is enough to deliver most folks to work and get them back home along with a stop to pick up a kid or grab a few things from the market, and probably both.
Sure, it’s easy to find an e-bike that offers more range, but it’s just as easy to find an e-bike that costs more. What Lectric has done with the XP 3.0 is to create an e-bike that offers enough range to handle a day’s errands while remaining one of the most affordable UL-certified e-bikes on the market.
Power (Motor & Battery)
With the Lectric XP 3.0 we have a 500W hub motor, just as we did with the XP 2.0, but this is by no means the same 500W brushless, geared hub motor found on the older version. Peak wattage has climbed from 850 to 1000, an almost 20 percent increase in maximum power. Similarly, the torque the motor produces climbed from 35 to 55Nm, a more than 50 percent increase in the power necessary to accelerate away from a stop or climb a hill.
In short, the riding experience of the Lectric XP 3.0 is markedly improved relative to the XP 2.0. We want to stress that we didn’t think the XP 2.0 was bad; it was simply one of the best-performing options in that price range. What the XP 3.0 does is recalibrate our sense of what an e-bike in this price range can do.
The battery, while rather modestly sized at 499Wh, did get a boost from its previous capacity of 460Wh. A capacity of 499Wh may not sound that great, but our standard for reasonable range is to see a match of motor power (nominal wattage) to battery capacity. Pairing a 500W hub motor with a 499Wh battery meets that standard nicely.
Components
The big change, component-wise, between the XP 3.0 and the XP 2.0, was the switch from mechanical disc brakes to hydraulic disc brakes. Making such a switch not only increased absolute braking power, it also reduced the amount of force necessary at the lever to stop the e-bike. Hydraulic levers also offer a smoother feel in addition to that lighter touch.
Lectric gave buyers a twofer in the brakes by also increasing the rotor size from 160mm to 180mm; the bigger the rotor, the better the stopping power. While light riders might not notice a big difference, bigger riders and anyone toting a child along or lugging some groceries home will welcome the greater braking power.
We were critical of the XP 2.0’s ability to reach Class 3 speeds—anything above 20 mph. The largest gear it had, based on its 14-28t freewheel simply wasn’t large enough to do much more than reach 20 mph, unless you could pedal like a windmill in a gale. By replacing the 14-28t freewheel with an 11-28t freewheel, the largest gear will now reliably deliver riders to speeds greater than 20 mph, though reaching 28 mph seems like it will be difficult for most of us.
Not everyone wants to pedal like a Waring blender, though, and for them, Lectric included a half-twist throttle that will leave you relaxed, but getting where you want to go.
Lectric also changed the frame with the XP 3.0. Previously, the rear rack was bolted onto the frame, but now it is welded to the frame. This is good for the e-bike and the rider in a couple of ways. First, it doubles the rack’s carrying capacity, from 75 lbs. to 150 lbs. The upshot is that the rear rack is now strong enough to be able to accommodate a child seat plus child, fundamentally changing what this e-bike can accomplish.
Screen / User Interface / App
Too often, brands get fancy with the display, prioritizing color and fancy functions over readability. That’s not a problem with the Lectric XP 3.0. It may not be fancy, but this black and white display does everything a good display should do.
That it is mounted above the stem, in the middle of the handlebar is helpful because that’s where it is easiest to see. Mounting the display out near the grip means turning your head to see it and for most of us, where we turn our head is where we go. That’s true when steering an e-bike, which means that checking your speed or battery level won’t cause you to steer to the left or right.
Also, the numbers are big enough to be easy to read in a single glance. The smaller the font becomes, the more time you need to register what it says. And for those of us who wear glasses for reading, but not driving, small type can render a display useless. The three most important data points on the display—current speed, PAS level and battery level are all easy to read. Further, we like Lectric’s “energy bar” because it breaks down battery charge into ten increments, which gives the rider a much more detailed sense of remaining charge than with battery level indicators that may only break capacity into four or five increments.
Sure, color is nice, but there’s no substitute for readability. Again, this is an occasion where due to Lectric’s need to make an affordable e-bike they chose a component that was no-frills, but accomplishes the job well.
Is the Lectric XP 3.0 Worth Buying?
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When an e-bike is as value-driven as the Lectric XP 3.0, the question is less is it worth buying than why wouldn’t you buy it. This is one of the most value-packed e-bikes on the market and the fact that its battery and entire electronics system are certified to UL’s 2271 (battery) and 2849 (system) standard mean that not only is it affordable, it is safe enough to keep in your home.
For anyone who will need to pinch a penny or two to afford the XP 3.0, we can say that it is difficult to find an e-bike that stretches your dollar farther.
Without criticizing the Lectric XP 3.0, there are e-bikes that can do more; they can go faster, go farther or go places the XP 3.0 can’t reach. Any of those needs, be it a bigger motor, bigger battery or a design meant for off-road use, will result in a bigger spend. We like to say you get what you pay for; with the Lectric XP 3.0, you’ve gotten as much as you can hope to get for $1000.
Pros
- Motor power increased from 35Nm of torque to 55Nm, and peak power climbed from 850W to 1000W, fundamentally improving the riding experience
- By upgrading from mechanical disc brakes to hydraulic disc brakes and from 160mm to 180mm rotors, Lectric gave braking power and rider control a massive boost
- Swapping the 14-28t freewheel for an 11-28t freewheel gave the drivetrain enough muscle to be able to achieve Class 3 speeds north of 20 mph
- With the rear rack now integrated into the frame, its weight capacity has doubled, from 75 lbs. up to 150 lbs., enough to support a child’s seat
- Increasing the suspension travel in the fork from 40mm to 50mm will make for a smoother ride in all circumstances
Cons
- One of these days they are going to change the battery lock so that the key doesn’t have to be inserted in order to ride the XP 3.0; the jiggling key is annoying
- While we love Shimano components generally, we’re not wild about the Shimano Tourney thumb shifter; there are trigger shifters available for 7-speed drivetrains
There are any number of reasons why someone may choose to keep their e-bike purchase as affordable as possible. Whether its a tight budget or needing an e-bike that is as versatile as possible, the Lectric XP 3.0 is a terrific all-rounder that helped redefine what we can expect from an e-bike that sells for less than $1000.
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