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Affordable electric bike brand Lectric launched a new bike on Tuesday that’s physically lighter, lighter on cost and a little lighter on features than any other bike they’ve ever made.
The 46 lb Lectric XP Lite, according to the company, promises to be the “most accessible model to date” from the Phoenix-based brand. At a starting MSRP of $899.00 (currently discounted to $799.00), the Lite is the second e-bike in Lectric’s lineup behind the XP 2.0.
There are several differences between the two models, including price, motor size and several key component choices that help limit the Lite’s weight and cost to the end-consumer. We don’t currently have the new Lectric XP Lite for a full review, but by looks alone, it appears Lectric has retained much of the original XP’s shape in the new Lite.
With the new bike came new colors, including this nice khaki look.
Lectric XP Lite: Specs and Features
Those familiar with the original Lectric XP may notice some striking similarities between it and the new XP Lite.
Like that first bike, the XP Lite features a rigid front fork and what appears to be the same general frame shape and folding mechanism. But from there, you quickly start to notice some differences.
The new Lectric XP Lite is a single speed and, notably, is the first e-bike made by Lectric that does not use fat tires. Instead, the new bike rolls on 20” x 2.4” knobbies that’ll still give traction off-road but likely weigh less. The bike is also specced with a 300W rear hub motor and 48V, 7.8Ah (374.4Wh) battery that’s mounted inside the frame.
The narrower tires are a new thing for Lectric, but I think riders are going to find they like the handling and easier rolling.
Stopping is handled by a set of mechanical disk brakes with 160mm rotors front and rear. Lectric also rolled out a handful of new colorways with the bike including a khaki color and a nice blue alongside the brand’s traditional white or black finish.
The stock Lectric XP Lite comes as a fairly bare-bones package, but you can add a comfort package, carry package and/or commuter package that tag on things like a suspension seatpost, racks and a nicer headlight.
Lectric XP Lite vs. Lectric XP 2.0: What’s new and what’s different
Obviously price is one of the most notable differences between the new Lectric XP Lite and its sibling the Lectric XP 2.0. With a starting MSRP of $899.00, the Lite is a few hundred dollars cheaper than the XP 2.0 (it’s worth noting that Lectric seems to run a near-continuous discount on its bikes, according to the website).
Weight is the next notable change. With a claimed weight of 46 lbs, the new Lite weighs 20 lbs less than the XP; which is a very notable figure considering weight is often one of the biggest factors people consider when buying an e-bike.
But the Lite does make some compromises to achieve that lower price and lower weight. For starters the motor size is reduced from 500W to 300W and it’s using a single speed drivetrain instead of a geared drivetrain. It’s also got a smaller battery (about 20 percent smaller) than the XP 2.0.
Aside from the fatter tires, suspension fork and extras like the rack and fenders, the Lectric Xp Lite and Lectric XP 2.0 visually look very similar.
Drivetrains, wheels, frame material and brakes are all things that can drive up the cost of an e-bike.
The XP Lite is also using skinnier 20” x 2.4” tires and a rigid front fork, which is another departure from the XP 2.0 that likely yields solid weight and cost savings.
So what’s Electric Bike Report’s first-glance verdict? It appears to be a cheaper and lighter entry point into e-bikes that’ll do much the same job as the XP 2.0 with just a little less power and fewer features. We’ve always appreciated Lectric’s focus on inexpensive fun and the new XP Lite appears to be right in line with that vision.
How does it ride in the real world? That remains to be seen. We don’t have a Lectric XP Lite yet but we will soon, so keep an eye on Electric Bike Report for a full in-depth review soon.
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