Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Review

On the throttle alone the XP Lite 2.0 reached 20 mph in 12 seconds, the slowest time in this comparison group but quicker than the 13.9-second average of rear-hub e-bikes of 500W or less. On maximum pedal assist (PAS 5) it took 9 seconds, in the middle of the group and close to the 9.2-second average of the same rear-hub e-bikes. The motor felt underpowered.

On the gradual hill the XP Lite 2.0 took 3:13 at an average of 18.0 mph with its 20 mph limit. That is 16 seconds quicker than the 3:29 average of the rear-hub e-bikes of 500W or less we tested on capped runs, but the slowest of the capped runs in this comparison group.

On the steep hill the XP Lite 2.0 took 2:53 at an average of 13.6 mph, the slowest time in this comparison group and close to the 2:57 average of the rear-hub e-bikes of 500W or less we have tested. It was a slog. The bike bogged down to 7 or 8 mph on the steepest section, even with significant pedaling effort, and the single gear kept us from spinning faster.

The XP Lite 2.0 ships as a Class 2 e-bike, and the throttle can be switched off in the settings to make it Class 1. On the throttle it topped out at 20.0 mph on GPS, matching the claim, and with pedaling the assist pulled slightly past the limit, to 20.1–20.3 mph. The display can't show more than 20 mph, so we checked the speedometer the other way around: at an indicated 20 mph, our GPS read 19.2 mph.

Pedal assist comes from a cadence sensor and arrives after about half a turn of the cranks (0.5 crank revolutions), which makes the bike feel a little sluggish from a stop, so setting off on the throttle is quicker. At the 20 mph limit the assist tapers off smoothly, on pedal assist and throttle alike. With one gear, pedaling starts to lighten at about 15 mph, and by 17 mph we were ghost pedaling.

Measured indoors, unloaded at 20 mph, the motor registered 64.0 dB(A), quieter than the 66.6 dB(A) average of the 17 e-bikes we have measured this way.

At maximum assist (PAS 5) the XP Lite 2.0 lasted 24.89 miles, with 1,243 feet of elevation gain, at a 14.0 mph average. That is second in this comparison group and 2% above the 24.3-mile average of the folding e-bikes we have tested. It did the most climbing of the five, at the lowest average speed.

Lectric claims up to 80 miles for the Long-Range battery, a figure its manual ties to riding mostly in PAS 1–2 on flat ground with a 180 lb rider. Our 24.89 miles at PAS 5 is 31% of the claim, well under the 53% average of the folding e-bikes we have tested. For riding mostly in PAS 5 the manual gives 60 miles, and our hillier run with a 200 lb rider reached just 41% of that.

Dividing battery capacity by measured range shows how far a bike stretches every watt-hour. At maximum assist the XP Lite 2.0 used 27.0 Wh per mile, more than the 23.7 Wh/mi average of the folding e-bikes we have tested. We used Lectric's 672 Wh figure. The label on our battery reads 655.2 Wh, which Lectric told us is a factory reading at partial charge.

The 48V battery charges on the included 2A charger, so by our calculation a full charge takes at least 7.0 hours (14Ah ÷ 2A), slower than the 6.3-hour average across our database. Lectric quotes 5 to 7 hours.

The 48V 14Ah battery sits inside the main frame tube, locked with a key under the frame, and it can be charged on or off the bike. The charge port is on the left side by the fold, and the same key switches the bike on. Lectric lists the bike as certified to UL 2849 and the battery to UL 2271. We confirmed its UL 2849 compliance in SGS's certificate database, but there is no UL label on the bike.

Like other Lectric models, removing the battery requires folding the bike.

The 10-bar gauge jumps around on hills, dropping as many as three bars and then recovering, though the discharge was otherwise consistent. On the last bar the power tapered slightly, and once the low-battery warning flashed, the motor began pulsing to save energy. We could still hold 15 to 16 mph until the final minutes.

The unbranded hydraulic disc brakes, with two-piston calipers and 180 mm rotors, stopped the XP Lite 2.0 from 20 mph in 16 feet. That is second in this comparison group and well under the 19.6-foot average of the folding e-bikes we have tested. The brakes are easy to modulate, with plenty of stopping power for a Class 2 bike.

The Elite headlight, part of the Long-Range bundle, measured 335 lux at 15 feet, below the 579 lux average of the 17 e-bikes we have measured this way. Lectric rates it at 850 lux without giving a distance. The rear light doesn't work as a brake light, and there is no bell or horn.

Riding the XP Lite 2.0

Handling is where the XP Lite 2.0 impressed us. For a small, budget folder on 20-inch wheels, it is surprisingly stable at speed and steady through corners, yet the steering is responsive enough to dodge potholes and weave through traffic. It is easy to find a good pedaling position, and riding one-handed is fine.

Without power it can be pedaled at low speed on level ground, but as soon as the road tilts up, the single gear severely limits it.

On our stability run we ride straight at top speed, shift our weight, and shake the bike to see whether a wobble starts. Coasting downhill at about 32 mph it felt stable for a small folder.

The main drawback is a harsh ride over bumpy pavement. With 20-inch wheels and a rigid fork and frame, we felt every impact and vibration, especially over broken pavement and cobblestones. The suspension seatpost didn't do much. At 200 lb we used up most of its travel just sitting on the bike. The saddle was comfortable at first but started to hurt a little after about an hour and a half.

The slide-on rubber grips have an ergonomic flare and are comfortable.

Where the XP Lite 2.0 sits on the spectrum from fully upright to fully aggressive, on its BMX-style handlebar and telescoping stem:

Lectric rates the one-size frame for riders from 4'8" to 6'2", an 18-inch span served by 11.5 inches of saddle-height adjustment, which by our rule of thumb is plausible. At 6'0" with a 33" inseam we needed the full seatpost travel, and the saddle was still slightly lower than we wanted, so the top of the range is possible at a stretch. With the seatpost fully inserted the saddle sits quite low, which supports the 4'8" claim.

The BMX-style handlebar slides into a telescoping stem with a quick-release clamp, which gives seven height settings over about 5 inches (127 mm).

With the Long-Range bundle's accessories fitted, our scale read 55.4 lb. Lectric lists the bike at 49 lb and doesn't say whether that includes those accessories, which it offers as add-ons. Even so, the XP Lite 2.0 is the lightest bike in this comparison group.

The frame folds in half, the stem folds down, and the pedals fold with a push. A Velcro strap holds the folded bike shut. Folding it is easy. Folded, it measured 36" × 16" × 27", which matches Lectric's figures, but only when we held it tightly closed. In daily use it may sit a little wider.

The welds on the 6000-series aluminum frame look good and are well painted, with only a tiny bit of sloppiness. The wiring is all external, wrapped in loom, and runs tidily down the front and under the main tube. The bike felt solid throughout testing, but the drivetrain creaked when we pedaled hard, and re-torquing everything didn't cure it. The kickstand is skinny, and on uneven ground the bike falls over easily.

The drivetrain is a single speed: a 52-tooth chainring, a 16-tooth cog, and a KMC chain. That saves weight and leaves no derailleur to adjust or break, but one gear means ghost pedaling at 17 mph. A double-sided guard protects the chainring.

The unbranded 20×2.5" tires have a smooth city tread and a reflective sidewall strip. They grip well in corners on pavement and do okay on hard-packed gravel, but you need to be careful in turns on loose gravel. On wet pavement they felt slippery under braking. Our Long-Range bundle came with a rear rack rated for 50 lb, front and rear fenders, the Elite headlight, and the suspension seatpost fitted.

The color display uses Lectric's high-contrast white-on-black layout, and we could read it easily in bright sun, even with sunglasses on. It shows the speed, assist level, battery gauge, watts, and the odometer, with more screens for trip, voltage, current, and time. It also has a USB-A port.

The controls are easy to use. The advanced menu has 22 settings, labeled P01 to P22. The manual documents 10 of them, and Lectric says to change only those. The numbered labels mean you need the manual to use it.

The XP Lite 2.0 arrived in a compact box, packed almost entirely in recyclable paper and cardboard. Assembly took 15 minutes and no tools, the quickest of the 7 e-bikes we have timed. Our factory audit found one issue: the one part that needs tools, an extra plastic chain guard, arrived bent, caught the crank, and broke its mount, so we removed it.

Every brand we review gets the same test. We send one short, everyday support question through the brand's public support channel, from a regular customer account with no BikeRide affiliation, so the test is equal for everyone. We then time how long the first useful reply takes, counting weekday hours only. For Lectric the first useful answer arrived after 36 hours, about twice the 18.1-hour average across the brands we have tested.

Only the display, the control pad, and the battery are proprietary. The brakes and the rest should be easy to replace, so most repairs should be cheap.

For the price you get hydraulic disc brakes, a color display, and a 672 Wh battery, on a simple single-speed bike with a rigid fork. The Long-Range bundle's accessories were free extras when we tested it.

We weighed everything we measured against the price at the time of publication. The XP Lite 2.0 is light for a folding e-bike, stops short, and handles well, and we think it is high value for money. Against that, it is slow on steep hills and harsh on broken pavement. The XP4 sells for a similar price, and unless weight matters to you, we think it is the better value.