People often criticize electric bikes. They say they’re too fast for bike trails, they don’t keep you fit, or they’re too expensive. I’ve even seen a meme showing someone on an escalator with the caption “training for an electric bike.”
That’s amusing, but not entirely accurate. Depending on how you use them and where you ride, electric bikes can provide an excellent outdoor workout experience. In fact, the Lectric XP 3.0 electric bike challenges many misconceptions people may have about these popular new personal vehicles, starting with its most important feature of all: the price.
I had to double-check the price of the base model XP 3.0 a few times—currently priced at $999, making it a significantly capable bike for a low cost. Most models I’ve seen are priced above $1,000 and can easily reach $1,500 or more.
But price isn’t the only feature I appreciate. The Lectric XP 3.0, as a folding bike, is highly portable, though you do need a strong back—it weighs 64 pounds. Folding it is simple and straightforward, unlike some other fold-up bikes I’ve tested that seem overly complicated. Just flip a couple of clamps, and the bike practically folds itself, making it very user-friendly in this regard.
Riding the Lectric XP 3.0 is a breeze as well. As a step-through model, it’s easy to hop on for a quick ride. I tested the 3.0 on short trips to remote offices, and its easy on-off feature is a major perk—it almost feels like riding a scooter in such scenarios. During a 40-mile ride, the bike lasted the entire trip, but only when I kept it on setting one or two.
Testing the Lectric XP 3.0 reveals how power settings affect performance. Setting one provides light assistance, just enough to ease your effort without doing all the work for you. This is subjective and depends on the terrain—I found it effortless on mostly flat trails in my area. However, it wasn’t ideal for uphill climbs near my house. Setting two offers more assistance, extending the battery life effectively. On hills, this setting is less effective for those expecting the bike to do the heavy lifting.
Settings three, four, and five provide significant assistance, effortlessly reaching the maximum speed of 20 MPH. The difference lies in the speed rather than the effort required. Setting five almost feels like riding a moped but drains the battery faster. For anything more than a quick trip to the grocery store, I recommend setting two, as the Lectric XP 3.0 can be challenging to pedal if the battery dies due to its weight.
However, it’s not unwieldy. On a normal bike path without hills, I could pedal comfortably with the battery off—there was minimal resistance, thanks to human power alone. The Lectric XP 3.0 is simply enjoyable to ride.
I particularly appreciate the minimalist display, showing bike energy level, speed, and mileage. While I couldn’t find a specific remaining range setting, it seems intentional, likely reflecting the energy consumption based on your effort and selected settings. The energy bar serves as a reliable indicator, though it’s crucial to fully charge the bike for accurate energy level readings and maximum range.
This electric bike excels in cargo transport as well. I loaded it with items for a long trip, barely noticing the added weight. Front and rear baskets can be added for additional convenience. Lectric offers two versions of this bike: one with a Standard and another with a Long-Range 48V lithium-ion battery certified to UL 2271, providing up to 45 or 65 miles per charge, respectively. I tested the standard range, and the performance matched the specifications.
The larger tires provide enhanced confidence while riding. During my 40-mile journey, I encountered muddy patches without any difficulty. They offer greater stability on various surfaces but add to the overall weight. As someone who has biked extensively and experienced punctures (including once on the Golden Gate Bridge), I appreciated the durability of the larger tires.
In summary, the Lectric XP 3.0 is currently my favorite electric bike. It’s compact enough to fit in my car’s trunk, travels up to 40 miles on a single charge, and is genuinely enjoyable to ride.
And you can’t beat the price either.