Lectric XP Lite Review: Slimmer, Lighter, Annoying

The grab handle is small, the wheels don't stay closed, and it's not comfortable to carry. Yowch! I am happy that I can fold this bike up and store it in my living room, but I wish it was simpler to manage.

If you don't want to carry the bike inside, you can take the battery out when it's folded. It's difficult to squeeze the charging port into the frame when it's folded because it sits on the inside of the frame and is hard to see. The design flaw is that you have to spread the bike open to make room.

You can start the ebike with the power button on the handlebars, but you need a physical key to turn on the battery. I don't mind having a key, it makes me feel like I'm about to jump up a motorbike, like Captain America, it's just not cool hunting for the spot to insert the key, hunched down and looking up at the underside of the frame

The tires are fat.

The riding experience is simple because the lite is a single-speed bike. Choose the level of pedal assistance you want and you don't have to worry about the derailleur locking up or having to switch gears. If you want to make things even simpler, there is a throttle.

I didn't mind that there's no suspension here. The fat tires are thick enough to absorb the bumps and dents in the road, so I never felt uncomfortable on some of the worst roads in Brooklyn. If you are going to ride in wet conditions, you need to get some fender. The components are water resistant so it can handle some splashes in the rain.

The same flaw that I have seen on nearly all rear hub motor still exists, even after you stop pedaling. You just need to be aware of it so you can hit the brakes at the right time. I had no problem stopping on this thing. The brakes are in good working order.

It doesn't go very quickly. I averaged 16 to 20 miles per hour on the original Lectric, but I averaged 13 mph on the XP lite. It's possible to get to 16 or 17 miles per hour, but that will drain the battery quickly. The lite will make you feel good as you pedal and your heart rate will go up, especially uphill, at level three, which was zero effort on the original Lectric. Don't expect a sweaty-less ride because it's not as powerful. You will be aware of the battery if you just set it to four or five levels.