Lectric XP 3.0 Step-Thru Review

Founded in 2018, Lectric e-bikes have quickly made a name for themselves with their popular XP folding models. The XP 3.0 comes in step-over and step-thru (tested) frame styles with 20-inch wheels and big, 3-inch wide tires that expand its versatility to a wider range of surfaces. Shipped in Class 2 settings with a 20 mph top speed, the XP can be manually adjusted to Class 3 with a 28 mph top pedal-assisted speed. This affordable model also arrives fully assembled and comes loaded with useful features like lights, fenders, a cargo rack, lights, and a kickstand.

Performance Comparison

Ride

The Lectric XP Step-Thru 3.0 has a ride quality that isn't as defined by its folding design and small, 20-inch wheel size as you might think. The bike feels roomy and comfortable, especially at speeds below 20 mph. While it may lose some stability at speed, we often forgot that we were riding a folding model. 3-inch wide tires provide increased traction and dampening while increasing the bike's versatility to a wider range of surfaces. The seated position is upright, with a fair bit of stem and handlebar adjustment possible.

The simple fact that the Lectric XP 3.0 has 20-inch wheels allows the bike to be folded and stowed easily, but they don't produce the best ride. The smaller diameter wheels don't roll as fast or smoothly as bigger wheels, and the bike's short wheelbase, steep head angle, and tall/narrow handlebar can make it feel a bit nervous at speed. It has a short turning radius, and we never found it to feel too unstable, even when zipping along at 28 mph or coasting down a steep hill with a head of steam. This bike has a rigid frame, but its suspension fork and high-volume tires do a surprisingly good job of dampening the vibrations.

The XP 3.0 comes in step-thru (tested) and step-over frames. The step-thru version we tested has a very low standover height, making it quite easy to get on and off the bike. Lectric claims a weight limit of 330 lbs and specifies a user height range of 4'10" and 6'3". There is quite a large range of seat and handlebar height adjustability, and our 5'10" tester was able to find a suitable seat height for comfortable pedaling. The seated position is comfortable and relaxed but still upright. The seat itself is quite comfortable, as are the ergonomic grips. We also found the hydraulic disc brakes smooth and powerful, a stand-out feature at this price range.

The XP 3.0 also comes chock full of user-friendly features as standard equipment. Fenders front and rear help to ward off splashes from puddles or spray from wet roads. It comes with head and tail lights, turned on by pressing and holding the up arrow on the controls, for increased visibility or riding at night. A sturdy rear rack is designed to hold up to 150 lbs of cargo! The XP can also be folded to less than half its size for storage or transportation.

Range

Considering its smaller 500Wh battery size, we were quite impressed with the Letric XP 3.0 in our range testing. Sure, other models with larger batteries bested it, but that's only because it has less battery storage than those bikes. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of its performance in our range test was its average speed of 14.9 mph on our rolling test course.

During our range test, we rode the Lectric XP using the throttle only for 24.51 miles with 1,074 feet of elevation gain/loss with an average speed of 14.9 mph. Lectric claims a low-end range of 25 miles, and we feel that we could have easily gone that far, perhaps even farther, on perfectly flat terrain. Given the rolling hills of our test course, we weren't too surprised to come up a little short, but at the same time, we were quite impressed by its average speed. This bike held its speed well up the gradual hills, a testament to the motor's power.

Power

Like the Little Engine That Could, the Lectric XP is a surprisingly powerful little bike. The 500W (1092W peak) motor feels torquey and robust, giving the bike quick acceleration using the throttle and easily reaching its top speed of 20mph, or 28mph, when using pedal assist. It may be diminutive in stature, but we were quite impressed by this bike's power.

The XP has five levels of pedal assistance to support your pedaling efforts, increasing from 1 to 5. It works with a cadence sensor, and the assistance comes on after the pedals start turning and stays on as long as they continue to turn, regardless of how much effort you put into pedaling. Thanks to the smaller wheel diameter, it has great pickup and acceleration in the higher output settings. The five levels offer a nice range of support, so you can cruise along nice and slow in the lower settings or zip around at top speeds in the higher ones. The XP is shipped in its Class 2 settings with a 20 mph top speed, and you can change this bike's speed limit by following the instructions in the manual to make it Class 3 with a top speed of 28 mph. Be sure to check and follow the rules regarding e-bike classes/speed limits where you ride.

A twist throttle integrated into the right grip engages the throttle when you are in any of the pedal-assist settings, 1-5, and can whisk you along at 20 mph on flat ground. Again, the bike feels quick to accelerate, though you can modulate the power depending on how far you twist the throttle. We found the motor quite robust, and the XP holds speed well up gradual hills, as evidenced by its impressive 14.9 mph average speed in our throttle-only range testing that featured over 1,000 feet of elevation gain/loss in 24.51 miles. The throttle also has a cruise control function that can be engaged by twisting it to the desired speed, then pressing and holding the up arrow until cruise lights up on the display. When using the higher pedal assist settings, the power onset can feel abrupt and a bit jumpy, but it's something you quickly get used to.

Interface

The Lectric XP has a quality display and controls that are very similar to those found on several other models in this test. The function of the control buttons and twist throttle is intuitive, and the ergonomics are good. The LCD is bright and easy to read, showing everything you need to know at a glance. The XP's battery is cleanly integrated into the bike's frame, although it can also be unlocked and removed for security or charging. The key for the battery fits into the underside of the downtube, which isn't the most convenient spot to reach.

The controls of the Lectric XP consist of a handlebar-mounted control unit with three buttons situated next to the left grip and a twist throttle integrated into the right grip. The button controls are easy to reach with the thumb while riding, with simple functions that are easy to understand. Once the key is inserted into the battery and in the locked/on position, the power/mode button is used to turn ON the display. Once the display is on, the up and down arrow buttons change the pedal assist level. The mode button can also switch the bottom data field on the display between the Odometer, Trip A/B distance, Voltage, and Current and Elapsed Time. These three buttons also adjust the bike's settings, including screen backlight brightness, distance units (Km or Miles), speed limit (Class 2 or Class 3), pedal-assist sensitivity, throttle on/off, and more. The lights are turned on by pressing and holding the up arrow, while the walk assist is engaged by pressing and holding the down arrow while you are off the bike. The throttle is operated by twisting it back towards you, and the power can be modulated depending on how far you twist it. Throttle cruise control can be activated by twisting the throttle to the desired power and pressing the up arrow.

The LCD is in the middle of the handlebar, right above the stem. The 3" long x 2" wide screen is easy to read, even in bright sunlight, and it has a backlight feature that is turned on with the lights for use in dim lighting conditions. The display shows all of your important ride information at a glance. At the top of the screen, the remaining battery charge is displayed graphically as a set of ten bars that turn off as the battery is depleted. Just below that, in large numbers, the speedometer shows your current (default), max, or average speed in mph or km/h. Below the speedometer is your current pedal assist level on the left and a light indicator on the right. At the bottom of the screen is a data field that can be switched between odometer, trip distance, elapsed time, and more.

The battery is hidden neatly within the front half of the folding frame. A key locks and unlocks the battery, which can be slid out of the frame when the bike is folded. Using the included charging cord, you can charge the battery on or off the bike. The keyhole is on the underside of the frame in a not so easy to reach location, and the key must be in the locked/on position to turn the bike on. While removing the battery from the bike may not be the most convenient, the battery's integration is quite slick and helps give the Lectric XP its clean lines and relatively sleek appearance.

Assembly

The Lectric XP tops the charts for its ease of assembly. This folding model comes fully assembled, so all you need to do to finish the job is remove it from the box, remove the protective packing materials, unfold it, and lock it into its riding position. Of course, you'll need to adjust the seat and handlebar height to your preferences, check the tires' air pressure, and turn it on, but otherwise, it's pretty much ready to go. The entire process took approximately ten minutes to complete.

Even though the Lectric XP comes fully assembled in the box, it is still quite heavy and may require two people to move the box and remove the bike from it. It is a smaller box than most full-size, non-folding models, so it is a little easier to move around than some. The bike utilizes folding pedals, allowing it to be packed even smaller, but they're poor quality. Unless you need to minimize the bike's size often, we'd recommend swapping them out for standard bicycle pedals.

Value

The Lectric XP 3.0 is an excellent value. Its price almost qualifies it for the budget category, but it performs as well or better than some of the more expensive competition. Lectric has done a fine job creating a quality folding electric bike while keeping the price low. This is an excellent option if you're on a budget but don't want to sacrifice performance.

Conclusion

The Lectric XP 3.0 Step-Thru isn't just a great value; it's a quality folding e-bike with performance that we feel exceeds the asking price. The folding design makes it a convenient option for transporting or users with limited storage space. This powerful little model can also be configured in Class 1, 2, or 3 settings for pedal-assisted speeds up to 28 mph. It also comes loaded with useful features, and the 3-inch wide knobby tires expand its versatility on a wide range of surfaces, making it ready for nearly any adventure.