A couple of weeks ago, I visited the Lectric eBike headquarters in Phoenix. I was suitably impressed, so when they offered me the new Lectric XP4 750 eBike to test drive, even before the shipping date, I jumped at the chance.
I am a big fan of Lectric eBikes and have been ardently riding the Lectric XP2 for about four years. There have only been a few hiccups (a seat spring broke, and the display went dark). For both items, Lectric quickly sent replacement parts. The battery is showing its age after well over a thousand miles and needs to be recharged more often, but I still have not had to replace it.
Transporting the Lectric XP4 eBike
The Lectric XP4 eBike is made to fold for transport, perfect for RVers. My SUV was large enough to just fold down the handlebars and slide in the back. When we travel, we transport our electric bikes on the back of our RV in a Hollywood Bike rack rather than folding them. However, we do always remove the battery and carry it separately in a fireproof carry bag.
I know a number of RVers fold their Lectric eBikes and put them in a huge Rubbermaid or Hefty container to transport.
The pedals come off easily when transporting now with an easy, quick connect. A major improvement. The folding lock remains the same for removing the battery or folding to move.
Weight
The frame has been redesigned with fewer welds, and with the bigger motor, it has put on a few pounds. It is 71 lbs., so I was glad my husband considers himself my pack mule and lifted it out of the SUV. All that weight brings the benefit of a 300 lb. payload, though. There is a grab bar across the frame to help lift. In all these years, I did not know that!
I was excited to pull it out and do a test spin in the campground. The handlebars came up easily, and the seat was easy to adjust. A lot of the controls have changed and moved to different spots, so I actually had to read the online manual and watch the “getting started” video.
First impressions of the new Lectric XP4 eBike
One of the best new features is that the key is now positioned on the bike side instead of underneath. Being underneath caused no end to vexation trying to find and insert the key to unlock the bike without having to lay it on its side. Hunt and peck.
And it has an on/off switch! Again, a very big plus. At the end of the ride, you can just turn it off and there is no need to have a key dangling underneath the bike when riding.
There is an easily accessed digital readout of the available settings on the display. So much easier! Before, I could never remember all the settings and the sequence to access them, so I would have to look up online or forget about it.
Turn signals and brake lights
Wow! It has left and right turn signals! They’re easy to turn on and off. The signal even turned itself off after rounding a corner. It has flashers and brake lights. I am a hands-on-the-handlebars bike rider and have rarely felt comfortable enough to use arm turn signals. These are great!
Power
The XP4 750 indicates the motor power is 750 watts, and it has a lot of pep! So much pep that I was glad I could program the throttle to only go as fast as the pedal assist is set. It is available in 500W or 750W. Peak motor power is 1310W.
The battery range is around 85 miles, depending on throttle use, hills and the amount of pedaling. Top speed is 20 mph, although with a combination of pedal assist and throttle options, it can go up to 28 mph. For me, 20 mph is more than fast enough! Actually, 16 mph is about my top comfortable speed.
Pedal assist
New on this model is the change to names instead of numbers on pedal assist: Eco, Tour, Sport, Sport+, and Turbo. The top speed is limited by which pedal assist you choose. Throttle speed is also limited by the levels chosen.
First ride
I expected it to be about the same as the XP2, and I was so wrong. It is so different and improved. The throttle is now a lever on the left side of the handlebars. It is convenient to push with my thumb, but being so used to turning the grip handle for the throttle, I was having some difficulty getting used to the change. My hands are small, and it is a stretch to reach and push the throttle. I am going to turn the control slightly so it is not such a stretch. Guess I need some thumb strengthening exercises, too!
The motor is so quiet, and the hydraulic brakes are amazing! The eBike stops smoothly and immediately.
The ride is very comfortable, and with the handlebars tipped toward the rider, it is a much more natural way to reach the bars.
My husband and I started our bike ride a little too late, and as it was getting dark, I remembered the headlight and how to turn it on. It was surprisingly bright and enough to see where we were both going. The turn signals are an added safety plus.
Torque sensor
Another major change is the shift to a torque sensor from a cadence sensor. The old cadence sensor told the motor to kick in when pedaling the cranks/pedals about a half rotation. With the torque sensor, the motor kicks in depending on how much pressure you put on the pedals. I have found that it is a lot more like riding a bike, and I have to exert more pressure on the pedals, just like in the old days! If I ease up too much, the motor will not kick in, and the bike slows down. There is an adjustment to be able to apply less pressure on the pedals to increase speed on the display panel.
I am still getting used to applying more pressure on the pedals to increase speed while changing gears. I realized quickly that I had become a very lazy electric bike rider. The XP4 is much closer to the feel of traditional bike riding.
I have found that I need to switch the gears to the next one or the next one so that my pedaling matches the increased speed and power, so that I can go faster. A torque sensor provides a better and smoother (less choppy) riding experience than the cadence sensor.
My husband got an electric bike because I was always passing him with “Biker on your left”. Now with this new, fast, beautiful “Raindrop Blue” eBike, I am holding back from a repeat performance.
The Special Launch Offer price is $1,299, saving $356 off the regular $1,655 price.
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RVT1213
Great write up, thank you! If you had an opportunity to choose between a brand new XP4 or a brand new XP2, which would you choose and why? Familiar feel, durability and predictable performance of the XP2 or new but different features of the XP4?
There are so many improvements in ride, brakes, turn signals, handlebars I would still go for the XP4 but still getting used to the difference in pedaling. It is not as easy for me as the XP2.
Does the bike have a Lifrpro4 battery that won’t catch fire?
Is there such a thing?
There’s a place for everything. If you want an E-bike great, but they can’t be on pedestrian trails. While walking on a no powered vehicle trail in Red Canyon Utah just last week, we were almost run over by 4 different groups going way too fast and unable to react to our “unexpected” presence. One actually ran off trail in brush and fell off bike. “On left” doesn’t work.
I knew nothing about e-bikes and so this was very informative. Thanks Nanci!
Just received my XP4 and am enjoying it immensely! Customer support is great!
Thank you, Nanci! Sounds like a great bike. You are a good sales person. Have a great week and safe travels! š
Ever notice how throttles are on cheap pedal cadence bikes, but quality bikes are torque sensing and need no throttle. Europe doesn’t want throttle bikes because they are dangerous when starting and are illegal in some countries. Torque-sensing give a much better transparent bike feeling like a regular bike, you have to slightly pedal to get going providing safety instead of zoom forward with a lazy mans throttle.