The original Lectric XP electric bicycle took the EV industry by storm when it launched in 2019. Its affordable price point with plenty of features won over riders across North America. The XP 2.0 has made many improvements to the success of the first model, touted as the best bang-for-your-buck bicycle. While there is much to love for first-time riders, it may leave experienced cyclists wanting more. Here’s our hands-on review of the Lectric XP 2.0 electric bicycle.
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Table of Contents
What you need to know about Lectric XP 2.0
The Lectric XP 2.0 is one of the most affordable electric bikes on the market, priced at $999. You can ride it in nearly every region thanks to its variable pedal assist and throttle. The bike ships in Class 2 mode of 20 mph (32 km/h), but you can unlock it to get a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h), turning it into a Class 3 e-bike.
You can also ride the XP 2.0 in almost any terrain thanks to its fat tires and adjustable front fork suspension. The only place where I found the bike didn’t perform as well was on rough, mountainous trails. But for the city and suburban riding, you will feel safe in traffic with the bulky size. Despite having such a thick frame, the e-bike is foldable, making it easier to fit into the trunk of a car or store in a compact space.
The XP 2.0 has a powerful motor with 500W continuous power and 850W peak pick-up speed from a throttle twist. There are five pedal assist levels to help match your peddling to help propel you uphill faster. The e-bike has a seven-gear drive train that is easy to shift between. You can remove any assists to use the XP 2.0 as a regular bike should you want the extra exercise.
You need to insert a unique key to turn on the battery while riding, and Lectric provides you with one spare. You’ll get around 40 miles of range on a single charge, but the battery is removable so you can swap in a freshly charged one should you need to double that distance.
What’s good?
Sturdy build: You might not believe that the XP 2.0 is foldable, as the crease blends in smoothly with the beefy frame. I appreciated the big, robust build since it bodes well for the e-bike lasting many years. I also found the three-inch balloon tire struck a nice balance between a mountain bike and fat bike tires for the best of both worlds. Combined with the new suspension fork, I had a comfortable ride in the city streets, grass fields, gravel trails, and even across the sandy beaches on the shore.
Powerful pedaling: With a 500W (850W+ peak) rear motor, you get five pedal-assist levels, quickly letting this bike switch between Class 2 and 3 capabilities. The throttle twist had me catching up with cars as soon as the light turned green, and finding the right speed was easy with the seven-gear drivetrain. I always felt I had the right amount of support to keep me riding for longer.
Great quality for the price: For an e-bike under one thousand dollars, this is the best bang for your buck. Sure, you don’t get fancy components like hydraulic brakes or a torque sensor, but the Lectric XP 2.0 does not cut corners on quality. Between the wide handlebars, LCD display, and disc brakes, there’s everything to give new riders the confidence for adventuring and commuting in wet or dry conditions.
What’s not so good?
Modest battery: Lectric slightly downsized the battery from the first XP e-bike from 10.4 Ah to 9.6 Ah. While that may cut down on the range, at least the battery is removable, so you could swap in a fresh, fully charged one should you need to go the extra mile.
Cumbersome folding: This bike is a tad heavy at 64 lbs. That weight makes folding it a hassle since the kickstand will not keep the cycle propped up while collapsing. A second pair of hands is almost necessary to help fold the bike. However, once folded, the centrally-placed handle makes carrying it a bit easier.
Tricky keyhole: The keyhole used to activate the XP 2.0 is located underneath the frame, making it difficult to access. I had to kneel down each time to see what angle to insert the key, which can be especially hard when parked beside other bikes on a rack. It’s also easy to forget you left your key inserted after turning it off. A notification on the screen would have been a helpful reminder.
Lectric XP 2.0 Specs
Range — Up to 72 km (45 miles).
- Bike Weight: 64 lbs
- Maximum rider weight: 330 lbs
- 5 Pedal-Assist levels
- Class 2 and 3 Capabilities
Should you buy the Lectric XP 2.0 electric bicycle?
If you are looking for an entry-level e-bike that can conquer nearly any terrain, the Lectric XP 2.0 is definitely worth it. The wide handlebars and beefy frame will give anyone the confidence to control the bike at high speeds. The suspension fork and big air tires also make a comfy ride for longer journeys. The bike has a carrying capacity of 330 lbs and a rear rack with a 75 lb payload for transporting cargo. Overall, finding a foldable electric bike of comparable quality in the same price range is rare.
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This bike might not impress the spandex-wearing cycling enthusiast and won’t handle super well down steep mountain trails, but Lectric knows its audience. This is a great commuter vehicle with a powerful motor for a fun ride around the city. With about 20 miles (32 km) of throttle-only riding and more with the pedal assist, the range should be sufficient for most riders. The only concern would be if you must haul the bike up several flights of stairs to your home or work, as the weight could be an issue.
You can order the Lectric XP 2.0 for $999 with free shipping across North America. Shipping to Canada will cost an additional flat rate of $200). Right now, you can also get a bonus package that includes a folding bike lock, a brighter headlight, and slime for labor day weekend. There are plenty of additional accessories from Lectric that you can buy to upgrade your XP 2.0, such as front and back cargo baskets, side mirrors, a phone mount, and an oversized seat with extra suspension.
FAQs
Q: Is the Lectric XP 2.0 worth it?
A: The Lectric XP 2.0 is worth it for anyone wanting a beginner electric bicycle to ride both on and off-road for fun. It packs a lot of features into an affordable package without compromising on quality.
Q: How fast can the Lectric XP 2.0 go?
A: The XP 2.0 has a top speed of 28 mph but arrives at a default top speed of 20 mph.
Q: How can I make my Lectric XP 2.0 faster?
A: To change the top speed on the Lectric XP 2.0, press and hold the + and – buttons on the left handlebar until you see the screen change. Then, press the + button to cycle through the bike classes until you get to “3,” which will unlock the top speed fo 28 mph.