I rode the unique Lectric XP electric bike for six months through the pandemic in 2020. It was a salve, a solution to really feel the breeze on my face throughout quarantine and go farther than typical with out hopping on public transportation. I’ve a little bit of a gentle spot for it. Lectric’s goal was to ship a foldable, highly effective fat-tire ebike for below $1,000, and that is nonetheless true with model 3.0 of the XP three years later.
I’ve seen extra Lectric ebikes right here in New York Metropolis than I can depend. I get it—the Lectric XP is likely one of the most affordable foldable ebikes, and it comes with loads of extras. I would nonetheless by no means purchase it myself—I stay in a walk-up and do not need to take care of such a heavy, cumbersome factor. That does not imply I do not respect this chunky car. Within the third iteration, Lectric has made some small however good tweaks to the formulation, leading to a extra refined and useful fat-tire ebike that is nonetheless enjoyable to trip.
XP Acquire
I examined the usual Lectric XP, however as typical there is a Step-Thru model if you need a better time clambering onto the seat. A lot of what I stated in my evaluation of the Lectric XP 1.0 is similar for the XP 3.0. This factor comes utterly assembled, so all it’s worthwhile to do is take it out of the field and unfold it. It is nonetheless freakin’ heavy (the truth is, it is 1 pound heavier at 64 kilos), however I discovered it simpler to unfold than the cheaper and lighter Lectric XP Lite—the hinge is quite a bit smoother.
It is nonetheless annoying to maneuver and carry. I want there was a solution to affix the tires to one another when the Lectric is folded up, à la the Montague ME-1, which has tires that may be hooked collectively in order that the entire ebike can roll round like a trolley. The XP 3.0 is cumbersome, so carrying it’s a ache even with the metallic deal with close to the seat submit. There’s nearly all the time one thing jabbing my legs as I stroll down my steps.
Be sure you select the Elite Bundle whenever you purchase, because it comes with a bigger seat, suspension seat submit, bike lock, and Elite headlight. These are all actually useful equipment. As a 6’4″ man, I a lot choose the enormous seat over the unique saddle; it is extra snug. That is my first time making an attempt a suspension seat submit, and take into account me a convert. It makes these sudden bumps on the street simpler on the butt. The headlight will get pretty vivid, although its place tends to maneuver round if the roads are tough, so you could have to readjust it every now and then. I respect the choice to put in storage for the included bike lock, although it was a bit tough with the slender area on the body. At the least I needn’t deliver a bag to hold the lock.
Three years on and I am nonetheless not a fan of the way you energy the ebike. Lectric makes you stick a key into the underside body of the downtube. Twist it to show the battery on so that you could press the ability button on the handlebar and produce the XP 3.0 to life. Should you plan to park it open air typically, the important thing additionally unlocks the battery, permitting you to take it indoors for security and recharging. I simply hate consistently having to succeed in the underside of the body. Do you assume James Bond can be hunting for the keyhole earlier than he hopped on a bike? So uncool.
{Photograph}: Lectric
