Ultra-affordable $799 Lectric XP LITE electric bike launched, and we got the first test ride

The staff over at Phoenix, Arizona-based Lectric eBikes has simply launched their latest and most inexpensive electrical bicycle but: the Lectric XP LITE. At simply $799, it packs in a lot of what riders already beloved concerning the model’s flagship Lectric XP 2.0 folding e-bike, but shaves off some severe {dollars} and poundage.

The Lectric XP 2.0 has spent years because the main inexpensive electrical bike in the US. Riders have lengthy praised its steadiness of efficiency and luxury at a super-reasonable $999 worth.

When the unique XP was launched after which adopted by the XP 2.0, Lectric eBike co-founder Levi Conlow advised me that he was satisfied that it will quickly face competitors from the opposite US-based main e-bike corporations. “I used to be certain that Rad and the opposite large guys had been going to right away come out with a motorcycle that was priced low sufficient to compete with us. So I fairly rapidly labored up this design for an much more inexpensive e-bike to high them.”

However as years glided by and no low-cost challengers arose, Levi lastly determined that they shouldn’t simply sit on the design anymore. If nobody else would compete with Lectric to push costs even decrease, they’d simply do it themselves. And thus, the Lectric XP LITE was born, coming in at simply $799.

Levi and his co-founder/childhood buddy Robby Deziel invited me out to Phoenix just lately to see the Lectric XP LITE e-bike in particular person and put some miles on one of many first items off the road. After only one afternoon with the bike, I can already inform you that that is the #1 electrical bike I’ll suggest to anybody purchasing on a good price range. If I’ve discovered one factor about low-cost e-bikes, it’s that there’s loads of junk within the $500-$800 e-bike class. However the XP LITE is lastly a ray of sunshine – a high quality providing at an excellent low worth. It could not have the identical excessive efficiency because the XP 2.0, however the LITE model nonetheless presents far more than some other e-bike in its worth vary.

Check out my check experience video beneath to look at as I get my first ever experience on this new price range e-bike.

Lectric XP LITE first experience video

Lectric XP LITE fast specs

Motor: 300 W (720 W peak) geared hub
Prime velocity: 32 km/h (20 mph)
Vary: As much as 72 km (45 mi)
Battery: 48V 7.8 Ah (375 Wh)
Weight: 20.8 kg (46 lb)
Max load: 124 kg (275 lb)
Brakes: Mechanical disc brake calipers
Value: $799!

Maintain the most effective, do away with the remainder.

The Lectric XP LITE retains a lot of what makes the XP 2.0 so effectively beloved then chucks something additional to chop down on additional price and weight.

For instance, it’s nonetheless a category 2 e-bike with a 20 mph high velocity and a twist throttle to get you there with out pedaling (although in fact you may ignore or take away the throttle and use the pedal help to experience it as a category 1 e-bike). The nominally 300W motor truly places out 720W of peak energy, so it’s received respectable pep, regardless of not being a powerhouse. I did some uphill driving on grassy knolls and it was as much as the duty. I’m undecided how it will do in San Francisco, however reasonable hills weren’t an issue.

It’s additionally received a minimalist folding body that retains the bike at a mere 46 lb (20.8 kg). That’s not gentle by folding-bike requirements, nevertheless it certain is gentle by folding electrical bike requirements!

Then you definitely’ve received your backlit LCD show with large seen readout, 160 mm disc brakes, built-in lights, IP65 water-resistant construct, and so forth. All of it’s backed by a US-based firm with native transport and a staff of younger Arizonans manning the shopper help telephone traces and electronic mail/chat bins. You simply can’t get that with just about some other ultra-budget electrical bike lately.

Now there are some compromises right here, to be honest.

For instance, it is a single-speed e-bike, so there’s no multi-speed transmission to run by means of the gears. However with that 720W peak-rated motor, you doubtless received’t must downshift when climbing up hills.

And there’s no suspension, which brings us again to the Lectric XP 1.0 days when a inflexible fork saved the burden down and longevity up.

The tires are additionally narrower at 2.6 inches extensive. So, it is a extra urban-oriented electrical bike, although that didn’t cease me from performing some off-road driving in parks (see my video above). The dearth of suspension implies that rutted out grassy areas provides you with a little bit of a shock, however the bike continues to be highly effective sufficient and rugged sufficient to deal with it, so long as your physique is equally succesful.

The final compromise is the XP LITE’s smaller battery. It’s small by way of capability, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a comparatively excessive voltage system at 48V, which makes this doubtless probably the most inexpensive 48V e-bike available on the market. Even so, the Ah ranking is simply 7.8, for a complete of 375 Wh. That’s not an enormous battery by any stretch of the creativeness. They declare a most vary of 45 miles (72 km), however that’s with severe pedaling effort in your half. For throttle-only driving, 15–25 miles is a extra lifelike real-world determine.

So, the bike isn’t excellent. It lacks the 28 mph velocity of the XP 2.0 and the bigger battery, suspension, and 7-speed shifter. Nevertheless it’s smaller, 20 kilos lighter, simpler to maneuver round, extra nimble, and naturally much more inexpensive. And it is available in 4 colour choices, which is a enjoyable little bonus over the black and white choices for the XP 2.0.

Plus, the Lectric XP LITE may even reap the benefits of a lot of the identical ecosystem of equipment just like the racks and baskets, upgraded lights, consolation package deal, pre-slimed tires for automatically-sealing tires, and so forth.

Together with fenders and rack would have been a pleasant contact, however I discover it onerous to complain about lacking equipment when the bottom worth is simply $799. They did give us an LED headlight and tail gentle, which is greater than I can say for therefore many e-bikes lately that maintain out on lights.

Now simply because it is a fairly superior worth level doesn’t indicate this e-bike is for everybody. The narrower tires and lack of suspension imply it isn’t going to be as adventure-friendly as the broader tire and front-suspended XP 2.0. And, the smaller battery received’t let the rides final fairly so long as different e-bikes with greater batteries, although the medium energy degree will assist the battery last more than a better energy motor would have allowed.

So, if you happen to’re energy hungry or need probably the most snug experience on the market, this doubtless isn’t the bike for you. However so long as “regular” bike tires (i.e. not ridiculously fats tires) are acceptable and you will get by with 20 mph speeds and modest energy, the XP LITE presents a really enjoyable experience. The bike seems like it is best to have paid way more for it, that’s for certain.

I sit up for getting extra time on the bike for a whole assessment. However after only one afternoon of driving, I’m fairly darn smitten with the XP LITE. And, I’ve received a sense you’ll find it irresistible too. At this worth, there’s simply no level in going with some off-brand anymore.

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