Once it’s folded up, it’s not comfy to hold; the wheels don’t keep closed collectively (unlike the Montague M-E1) and the seize deal with is tiny, so my knuckles bang in opposition to the metallic body. Yowch. It’s nice that I can fold this ebike up and retailer it in my lounge, however I simply want it was simpler to handle. 

You can take away the battery from the Lectric XP Lite when it’s in its folded state, which is a pleasant perk in the event you don’t wish to carry the bike inside. While you can cost the XP Lite with out eradicating the battery, the charging port frustratingly sits on the within of the body when it’s folded, and it is a tight match to squeeze the charger into the port. You must unfold the ebike open slightly to make some room, which looks as if a foolish design flaw. 

The firm nonetheless has a bodily key it’s good to insert into the underside of the bike to show the battery on, although you begin the ebike with the facility button on the handlebar. I don’t thoughts having a key—it makes me really feel like I’m about to rev up a bike, like Captain America—it’s simply so not cool looking for the spot to insert the important thing, hunched down and searching up on the underside of the body like some form of avenue goblin.  

Fat Tires

The driving expertise isn’t sophisticated in any respect as a result of the Lite is a single-speed ebike. You don’t have to fret in regards to the derailleur locking up or having to change gears, simply select the extent of pedal help you need (one by 5) and journey. There’s additionally a throttle in case you wish to make issues even simpler. 

There’s no suspension right here, however I didn’t thoughts. The fats tires, which aren’t as fats as on the Lectric XP, are nonetheless thick sufficient to soak up these bumps and dents within the street, so I by no means felt uncomfortable, even on some actually terrible roads right here in Brooklyn. Just ensure that to get some fenders in the event you plan on driving in moist circumstances. (You shouldn’t journey it within the rain, however the elements are IP65 water-resistant, so it will possibly deal with some splashes.)  

Lectric makes use of a 300-W rear hub motor, and the identical flaw I’ve seen on almost all rear hub motors nonetheless exists: The motor retains working for a number of seconds even after you cease pedaling. It’s simple to get the dangle of, however you simply want to concentrate on it so you may hit the brakes on the proper time. Speaking of, I’ve had no bother coming to a full cease on this factor. The brakes are fairly dependable. 

That is perhaps as a result of it doesn’t go very quick. I cruised at 16 to twenty miles per hour on the unique Lectric, however I often went about 13 mph on the XP Lite at degree three pedal help. You can in all probability get to 16 or 17 miles per hour at its quickest velocity setting, however that can drain the battery actually quick. At degree three, which was zero effort on the unique Lectric, the Lite will make you are feeling a tingling in your quads as you pedal and your coronary heart price will go up, particularly uphill. It’s simply not as highly effective, so don’t anticipate a sweaty-less journey. Unless you simply set it to degree 4 or 5, however you then’ll be fairly aware of the battery.