You might think of Lectric as the “foldable ebike” company but that would be doing them a serious disservice. Not only is the Lectric XP the most popular foldable ebike on the market today, it’s also a bike many consider the most outstanding value you can get for under $1000, which has earned them legions of adoring fans. In fact, the original Lectric XP debuted in 2019 for only $899 and blew everyone’s expectations out of the water by generating over 14M in sales in its first year!
With the release of the XP 2.0, Lectric has made notable enhancements to its signature ebike, now priced slightly higher at $999, which is still beyond competitive in the entry-level commuter and recreational ebike scene when you consider all of the standard features that are included. To back up this ambitious pricing, Lectric offers a one year warranty and provides reliable customer service.
The Lectric XP 2.0 maintains many of the key features seen on mid-level ebikes and even shares some stats with a few high-end electric bicycles. High speeds north of 28mph, a twist throttle, and LED screens aren’t features that immediately come to mind when thinking of a budget, entry-level electric bike. To the surprise of many, these are all standard functions on the Lectric XP, including fenders, a rear rack and integrated lights.
Because of its unique foldable design, Lectric saves you time and energy by shipping the Lectric XP 2.0 all in one piece, which means you don’t have to spend any time assembling the ebike or adding additional accessories unless you want to. In addition to being entirely assembled before shipping, the previously mentioned features are not even seen on higher-end ebikes commanding upwards of $200-$300 more than the Lectric XP, really illustrating how much of a steal this bike is for $999.
Purchase a Lectric XP HERE or continue onward for our full ebike review.
Lectric XP 2.0 Specs
Top speed: 20mph, adjustable to 28mph
Brakes: Tektro Mechanical Disc with 160mm Rotors
Motor: 500W (800W Peak)
Tires: 20”x3.3”
Battery: 48V 9.6 Ah
Charge Time: 4-6 hours
Motor Torque: 60 Newton Meters
Weight: 63lbs
Frame: Folding Aluminum Frame
Range: Up to 45+ miles
Carrying Capacity: 330lbs
How the Lectric XP Stands Out at its Price Point
Reliability and Quality
For a foldable electric bike, $999, is a very competitive price. One would assume that in order to allow for such a low price, the manufacturer must have forgone some commonplace features seen on other electric bikes sold at higher price points, or cut costs on the quality of the materials used. This is not the case with the Lectric XP. It may not be the most stylish bike on the market, but considering what’s included with this bike, it’s a remarkable achievement that Lectric is able to squeeze in features like cruise control, a walk mode, and a cargo capacity of over 330lbs for such a low price, while also happily providing customer support and warranty service.
Carrying Capacity
A rather notable feature of the Lectric XP 2.0 is the above average carrying capacity of the rear rack, rated for 77lbs. This is actually 22 lbs higher capacity than the rack of the original XP. While having a rear rack cargo capacity is definitely not a feature unique to the Lectric XP, having such a significant cargo and carrying capacity for a low price point is. Not only is a rather high weight rating of 330lbs achieved on a budget ebike, but a folding ebike at that.
In addition to the rack’s higher weight capacity, Lectric also included additional mounting points on the XP’s frame in order to accommodate a front rack and basket, further increasing its cargo towing capabilities.
Comfort and Adaptability
Another notable improvement with the XP 2.0 is the addition of adjustable front suspension, which can be paired with one of the cushiest saddles on the market and a suspension seat post for only an additional $99. Suspension on an ebike is something you usually only see on bikes in the $1200 and up range, so it’s nice that Lectric has found a way to prioritize ride comfort while still keeping its base price down.
The tires have come down in size on the XP 2.0 in order to provide enhanced agility while riding but these 20×3.3 inch tires still provide incredible traction on dirt roads, sand, grass and light trails in addition to respectable speeds on pavement. This is a true fat tire bike that can be ridden almost anywhere.
Comfort and versatility are clearly a focus with the redesigned Lectric XP 2.0 which is why the 2nd generation models also come with longer handlebars to accommodate a wider range of riders. These handlebars are not only more comfortable for those seeking a more upright riding style, they also include additional mounting points for phone mounts and rear view mirrors which is opening up new possibilities for accessories not possible with the previous XP.
High Torque
Lectric has managed to equip this ebike with a torque output of up to 60-newton meters using a 500W nominal output motor, an area in which the Lectric XP shines yet again. 500W may not seem like the most powerful motor output for a larger ebike, but the Lectric XP’s motor is capable of a maximum output of 800W+. Although this kind of output isn’t very sustainable for long term riding, it translates very well into short term torque bursts, supported by the bike’s smaller 20” wheels, this motor and its torque go a long way.
Having such an impressive maximum motor output capacity for its price along with the ability to maximize the use of torque lets you climb hills and blast off from a standstill with relative ease. It’s not a necessity, but it’s always nice to know that your ebike has what it takes to conquer whatever hill may lay in your path.
Summary: Is the Lectric XP the Right Choice for You?
If you’re just looking for a simple form of alternative transportation and don’t care too much about flashy or stylish design and extra tech features, then the Lectric XP is a bike you should take a long look at. There are other ebike companies making budget ebikes with similar features and maybe even slightly better components than the Lectric XP, but you must keep in mind that those bikes’ starting price points are hundreds of dollars more. In fact, many of those same bike companies will force you to spend even more to add features like integrated lights, large LED screens, racks and fenders, while Lectric makes those features standard with all its bikes, which is kind of amazing.
If you’re willing to spend more for higher end components and a more aesthetically pleasing ride, then by all means go with an Aventon or one of the Juiced Bikes but if you’re looking for something more utilitarian, more economical and more compact, you’re not going to do any better than the Lectric XP 2.0