When it comes to bang for your buck electric bikes, there is one name that rises to the top more than anybody else: Lectric eBikes.
Their XP model has been an industry leader in affordable yet capable electric bikes, and the latest iteration – the Lectric XP 3.0 – takes value and performance to new levels. In this in-depth review, we’ll dive into what makes the XP 3.0 worth its $999 price tag.
Contents
Overview
The Lectric XP 3.0 builds upon the success of previous models with some key upgrades:
- Hydraulic disc brakes: Stronger stopping power with less hand fatigue
- Higher top speed: Unlockable to 28+ mph
- More torque: Up to 55 Nm from the motor
- Smoother assist: Better tuned pedal assist with less abrupt starts
- Heavier duty rack: Now rated to carry 150 lbs of gear or passenger
Yet despite these improvements, Lectric managed to keep the price steady at an industry-leading $999. As we run through all the details in this review, it will become clear that this new XP 3.0 is arguably the best value electric bike available today.
Braking
The most obvious upgrade on the XP 3.0 is to the brakes – hydraulic disc brakes are now standard front and rear.
For those unfamiliar with types of bike brakes, hydraulic disc systems provide stronger stopping power than mechanical (cable actuated) options. There are a few reasons why:
- The brake fluid system maintains proper pressure without stretching or slack developing over time. Mechanical systems using steel cables need occasional adjustments as the cable stretches slightly.
- Hydraulic brakes squeeze the brake pads from both sides simultaneously, providing even pad pressure. Mechanical brakes typically squeeze from just one side.
- More braking force can be applied with less hand effort on the brake levers.
All of this contributes to a more powerful yet easier to modulate braking experience. Yes, hydraulic disc brakes require a bit more maintenance should an oil leak develop down the road. However, the performance and reduced hand fatigue advantages are well worth it in our opinion. This upgrade alone makes the XP 3.0 feel much more premium than its affordable price would suggest.
Torque and Speed
While the 500W rear hub motor itself is carried over from previous generations, the torque output has been increased in the controller programming to 55 Nm – up 20 Nm from before.
More torque off the line contributes to snappier throttle response and stronger hill climbing ability. Yet Lectric also refined the way power is delivered for a smoother pedal assist experience, which we’ll cover more shortly.
In terms of top speed, owners can unlock the assisted levels to reach 28+ mph thanks to 20 amp controller (again increased from earlier versions). Note that exceeding 20 mph will classify the bike under federal standards as a Class 3 electric bicycle rather than Class 2. So know your local regulations before unlocking to higher speeds. However, it’s nice to have the top end available and the new gearing is perfectly suited for speeds in the 25 mph range.
Refined Pedal Assist
While on paper the XP 3.0 uses the same basic cadence-sensing pedal assist system, it has been significantly reprogrammed. Lectric developed what they call a “torque sensing” effect that provides a much more natural power delivery. This makes the pedal assist extremely smooth and responsive, avoiding the abrupt acceleration feeling some bikes have off idle.
The great tuning isn’t just for moderate speeds either. Even up at full tilt, the assist ratios feel dialed for maintaining harmony between human input and electric assist levels. Overall power is solid, yet predictable.
Speaking of programming – the monochrome display carries over but with an updated 20 amp controller to handle the extra juice flowing through the system. It provides plenty of information like battery state, assist level, speed, and odometer. We do wish the display was integrated into the handlebar instead of hanging out front as a potential snag hazard when loading the bike into a car or navigating tight spaces. But that’s a small gripe given the quality found elsewhere.
Frame and Portability
The XP 3.0 retains the folding aluminum frame for which Lectric models are known. It’s a proven design that keeps weight reasonable at 64 lbs yet feels sturdy and stiff when riding. The swooping top tube not only looks good but allows standover clearance when stopped.
Folded dimensions are still about 37” tall x 31” long x 16” wide – compact enough to fit in most car trunks. The folding latch system is secure and easy to engage, with rubber pads to prevent frame contact while folded.
One upgrade in the frame design is a more robust rear rack, now rated to carry 150 lbs. This enables using Lectric’s upcoming rear passenger accessory without concern for exceeding payload limits. The rack feels incredibly solid with thick tubing and integrated lighting. Large cutouts maintain heel clearance while pedaling as well. This rack paired with the rated weight capacity gives tremendous flexibility for carrying additional people or lots of cargo – a key benefit over non-electric bikes.
While the paint finishes aren’t as flashy as premium trekking e-bikes, the matte black or white choices fit the overall vibe and keep costs down. Matching black components like the fenders, folding latches, suspension, and brake parts round out a cohesive aesthetic. Our test unit looked great with blue accents sprinkled throughout complementing the dark base shades nicely.
Contact Points
Let’s move on to other touch points and components making up this well-rounded ride.
The handlebars adopt a wider, mountain bike style to provide increased leverage and control compared to previous generation XPs. The thicker diameter aluminum tube feels stout, while still reasonably light. Rubber grips are softer than prior models and quite comfortable, although we did notice they can twist slightly out of position when maneuvering the folded bike around.
Pedals utilize metal spindles but unfortunately swap plastic platforms instead of alloy cages. We hope these hold up over time but long term durability remains a question. On the upside, the larger crank arms (170mm length) provide better torque transfer when muscling steep hills.
Saddles play a big part in riding comfort as well. The nicely shaped seat appearing on the XP 3.0 is among the best we’ve tried out of the box on affordable e-bikes. Wide cushioning with a supportive ergonomic shape helps avoid discomfort over bumpy terrain. We recommend still investing in padded bike shorts for longer outings though.
Shifting comes courtesy of a 7-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain with 11-28T cassette. This gives a wide gear range to tackle both steep climbs and maintain pedal cadence at higher speed. Trigger style shifter and derailleur offer basic yet reliable performance.
One last ergonomic touch we appreciate are the wider, swept-back handlebars providing great stability and leverage controlling the bike – especially helpful when carrying loads using the robust rear rack.
Ride Quality
Transitioning to ride characteristics, the Lectric XP 3.0 doesn’t disappoint. Right away accelerating from a stop, you can feel the increased torque – good for jumping quickly ahead of traffic. The smooth pedal assist programming also stands out immediately, with seamless power delivery instead of the herky-jerky feel some budget e-bikes have.
Front suspension offers 50mm of travel using a coil spring design. While we wouldn’t call it high end dampening, the movement helps take the edge off cracks and divots during city riding. Suspension lockout allows disabling when sprinting or climbing to maximize power transfer efficiency uphill. The stock coil suspension gets the job done, however upgrading to air suspension would noticeably improve small bump sensitivity further. We give Lectric kudos for including some front suspension at all though given most competitors exclude it to lower prices.
Braking is simply awesome thanks to the new hydraulic disc system with 180mm rotors. These mechanical discs offer practically the same one-finger stopping power as $3K+ mid-drive e-bikes. Modulation feels intuitive across the lever arc with nice initial bite easing into progressive power. Between the grippy tires and powerful brakes, we always felt in control scrubbing speed as needed.
Ride feel in general inherits Lectric’s signature peppy acceleration profile, enhanced by the additional torque over prior models. On flat ground we hit nearly 30 mph on full throttle – plenty fast for most riders. While not the cushiest ride across rough pavement due to the basic front suspension, it avoids harshness you’d experience with no suspension at all. Considering bumps gets smoothed better with speed, we simply recommend cruising above 15 mph when possible and avoiding potholes of course!
Range
Lectric quotes an EPA-rated range between 45-65 miles depending on conditions. Our tester came with a 14 Ah (500wh) battery but a larger 20Ah (700wh) upgrade is available for $200 more. These numbers line up reasonably well with our testing given ride style and terrain. However as with any e-bike your mileage will vary based on:
- Rider weight
- Average speeds
- Use of throttle versus pedal assist
- Terrain (hills sap more energy)
- Tire pressure
- Frequency of stops/starts
- Wind conditions
- Battery age/number of recharge cycles
Plan on realistic ranges of 30-50 miles with pedal assist and 25-35 miles for more aggressive throttle-only operation. Those should sufficiently fullfil most commuting or recreational needs. But for all day adventures or demanding conditions, upgrading to the larger battery is money well spent. It really expands possibilities with the XP platform. Either way, charging is convenient via the separate hybrid battery pack.Expect full recharges from empty in around 6 hours using the included 4A fast charger.
Accessories
One exciting prospect with the XP 3.0 is upcoming accessories hinted at by Lectric. Most interesting is a rear passenger package allowing someone to ride along behind the main rider. This takes advantage of the high capacity rear rack and frame stiffness. Lectric also offers other accessories like their cushy “comfort package”, premium seat suspension, passenger package, larger battery upgrades, and more.
Browse all Lectric XP accessories here.
For other accessory ideas, the strong rear rack begs to be outfitted with bags, baskets or other cargo. The handlebar block accepts a crossbar for mounting a front basket. Standard bicycle accessories like mirrors, phone holders, locks and lighting can all be added easily as well. Get creative transforming your XP into the perfect electric mobility machine!
Pros
- Smooth, peppy 500W motor with lots of torque for the price
- Hydraulic disc brakes for great stopping power
- Pedal assist feels natural and progressive
- Rear rack with whopping 150lb capacity
- Comfortable ergonomics across contact points
- Sized for smaller riders with seat extending up to 43” height
- 7-speed drivetrain maintains good cadence across output speeds
- Rated for 28+ mph with simple display unlock
- Excellent value at $999, or $799 with current promos
Cons
- Basic front suspension could be more adjustable
- Display mounted to bars rather than integrated into them
- Pedals use plastic platforms instead of alloy
- Must have key inserted for power (no auto-off)
- Rubber grips can twist under heavy use
- Max range requires upgrading to larger battery
Who is the Lectric XP 3.0 For?
The XP 3.0 hits a nice sweet spot between budget bikes with cut corners and premium mid-drives costing thousands. Riders who will appreciate this electric bike include:
- Commuters wanting a faster, lower effort commute without breaking the bank
- Campuses where affordability for students is crucial
- Apartment dwellers short on space to store the folded bike
- First-time e-bikers seeking bang-for-buck performance
- Shorter riders thanks to good standover height and lower top tube
- Casual pedal assist explorers benefiting from hydraulic brakes and rear rack
- DIY modders with a solid platform to customize
While exceptionally versatile, the crouched riding posture does get tiring over extremely long distances. So we’d hesitate recommending it for touring or century rides. Otherwise, Lectric’s latest iteration checks so many boxes at a bargain price.
Availability & Pricing
At publishing time in February 2023, the Lectric XP 3.0 remains available at its $999 MSRP direct from Lectric eBikes.
Lectric does occasionally run sales and currently has a $200 off promo, dropping the price to just $799 with free shipping. Big box retailers also sometimes stock Lectric models at varying discounts – just try to buy through Lectric first since profits go right back into improving these affordable e-bikes.
See Lectric pricing and availability here
Or tap our exclusive coupon below for $200 off instantly!
$200 off Lectric XP 3.0
Firm on keeping the bike under $1,000? Lectric just released their new XP Lite model for $799 featuring a step-through frame and 350W motor. It sacrifices some speed and power over the XP 3.0, but rides nearly as well around town.
For the best blend of performance, quality and cost, we still think the XP 3.0 reigns supreme! This third generation model demonstrates how Lectric continually refines an already successful platform. Given their track record we can’t wait to see what innovations Lectric implements next to push boundaries even further in affordable electric bikes.
Verdict
Lectric hit a home run delivering this upgraded XP 3.0 to market while actually lowering MSRP back down to an astonishing $999. The smart upgrades across all areas of the bike provide a more well-rounded riding experience compared to prior editions. From torquey acceleration to powerful hydraulic brakes, it’s clear Lectric listened closely to customer feedback in developing this impressive new model.
While the components and frame construction still reflect cost savings, you simply won’t find another full-size folding electric bike with these specs anywhere close to this price. Lectric’s direct-to-consumer model continues enabling value simply unmatched by traditional bicycle brands.
So whether you’re seeking a folding commuter, grocery getter, campus cruiser, recreational toy or lightweight car replacement, the 2023 Lectric XP 3.0 checks nearly every box. This high bang-for-buck electic bike earns our strong recommendation as one of the best values available in the entire eBike industry today!
