Lectric Ebikes has lengthy set the usual for different firms to observe within the price range electrical bicycle area, repeatedly rolling out new fashions that supply never-before-seen worth. A brand new cargo e-bike with extra options? They did it. A brand new off-roader with higher parts? They did that, too. However what in regards to the firm’s best-selling mannequin, the Lectric XP 3.0 folding fats tire e-bike? It’s due for an replace, and right here’s what you may count on.
Imagine it or not, it’s been over two years because the Lectric XP 3.0 was launched in early November 2022. That mannequin has since dominated the business, giving riders with an underneath $1,000 price range higher bang-for-their-buck than ever earlier than because it rose to the highest of the US bestselling e-bikes record.
With 28 mph (45 km/h) speeds, hydraulic disc brakes, suspension, built-in rear rack, heavy-duty cargo/passenger capabilities, and a number of battery sizes, it’s turn out to be the go-to $999 electrical bike for hundreds of latest riders each month. It’s even a private favourite of mine. I’ve put my relations on XP 3.0s, I’ve purchased a number of XP 3.0s to donate to the underprivileged, and it’s the mannequin I selected when I went undercover as a meals supply employee to see the world via e-bike couriers’ eyes.
However nothing lasts ceaselessly, and two years is a very long time within the electrical bicycle business. We don’t but know fairly when a Lectric XP 4.0 will come to interchange the US’ present best-selling electrical bike mannequin, however you’d higher consider that Lectric’s designers in Phoenix have been whiteboarding concepts for some time now. And I’d guess {dollars} to donuts that these are a few of these concepts.
Upgrades in element high quality
With each new launch this yr, we’ve watched Lectric eBikes flex its buying energy by bringing us larger high quality parts than we deserve at these value ranges. The XPeak routinely will get oddly high-tier forks. The Lectric One acquired a transmission that in all probability prices as a lot as the entire bike should you had been to attempt to purchase it retail. And the Lectric XP Lite 2.0 gives a Gates belt drive for underneath $900. That is all absurd, or not less than it was till Lectric began waving its pockets round on the places of work of higher-end element makers that aren’t used to seeing clients on this inexpensive value vary.
Which means the Lectric XP 4.0 is prone to profit from that very same buying energy. I can foresee main upgrades together with a higher-end suspension fork, higher hydraulic disc brakes, and certain even a torque sensor for improved pedal help. I don’t think about the derailleur will make an enormous soar in high quality (possibly simply an 8-speed Shimano Tourney?), however a coloration display screen is probably going within the playing cards, as are nicer bolt-on grips and different consolation enhancements. We could even see higher suspension seat posts and nicer tires.
However for the love of all issues holy on this world, if these do-gooders on Utopia Rd even take into consideration touching that proper aspect half-twist throttle, then by the beard of Zeus we’re going to have phrases…
Extra energy?
There’s an actual likelihood that the XP 4.0 might be extra highly effective, particularly since Lectric has turn out to be fairly keen on its M24 electrical motor, which has graced fashions just like the XPeak 2.0 and XPedition 2.0. That 750W motor places out simply over 1,300W of precise electrical energy, due in no small half to Lectric’s help on utilizing larger present digital pace controllers than most of its opponents.
The truth is, the Lectric XP 3.0 might be probably the most highly effective “500W” e-bike round proper now, however that doesn’t imply it’ll at all times stay within the 5 hundred membership.
An influence improve isn’t a given, and Lectric should reserve that higher-power motor for its extra premium fashions. In spite of everything, they’ll’t simply give us all the great things at such a low value. Or can they?
No value change
Talking of value change, I discover it extremely laborious to consider that the XP 4.0 would launch at something aside from US $999. Lectric has solely ever modified the worth of this mannequin as soon as, rising it from the unique $899 of the XP 1.0 to the $999 of the XP 2.0. Ever since, they’ve steered away from value will increase on the XP line.
Lectric’s Co-founder and CEO Levi Conlow lately defined on the Micromobility America 2024 convention that each time the corporate’s rising effectivity causes the margins to creep “too excessive” (a overseas idea to most manufacturers), they both decrease the worth or launch a brand new model of the bike with extra options. And in order that’s probably precisely what the 4.0 will show to be – one other $999 e-bike, however this time with much more options.
Design and construct
I don’t count on we’ll see any big design adjustments to the construction of the bike. Positive, there might be a brand new body. However I count on the corporate to retain the identical boxy tube construction they’ve used ever because the model’s first XP bike rolled out in late 2019. They even apply it to their XPedition cargo bike regardless of there being no actual motive for it (the batteries aren’t housed contained in the body) aside from design continuity with the Lite, XP, and XP Trike traces.
What we are prone to see within the design division are minor updates for improved power and ruggedness. Lectric has been investing extra closely in third-party certifications, together with each structural body testing and digital certifications like UL compliance. That’s prone to proceed with the XP 4.0, that means we might see improved certification indicating much more confidence within the bike’s potential to haul cargo and passengers.
The colour scheme is unlikely to vary closely. Black and white have been the XP’s MO for years now, and even that’s an enchancment from once they had been solely accessible in white. We’ve in fact seen splashes of Lectric’s blue accent coloration on a lot of the model’s fashions, and the XP 4.0 is unlikely to be totally different in that regard. However count on it to be extra alongside the traces of the brand new XPedition 2.0’s coloration swatch design, not a radical coloration departure.
Fancy options?
This one is a little bit of a wild card, and I don’t count on Lectric to go overly nuts with fancy options. I don’t suppose we’re going to be getting any loopy cellphone apps or wi-fi charging via the kickstand anytime quickly. However we simply would possibly see the inclusion of value-added options like monitoring for anti-theft.
This might be finished pretty simply via using current know-how just like the Apple FindMy community – one thing that Lectric’s competitor Velotric has leveraged superbly. Such a function would probably add little price however might be of main worth. The truth is, I lately tried to plant that actual bug in Lectric Co-founder Robby Deziel’s ear. Robby has been wrist-deep within the design of those e-bikes since as early as 2019, when he personally helped me with the wiring on one of many first Lectric XPs ever. So let’s see if he listens on the built-in tracker thought.
When is the Lectric XP 4.0 coming?
I pleasure myself in having a little bit of a crystal ball for the electrical bike business, however even I do not know when Lectric is planning on releasing the XP 4.0. From every little thing I can collect, it’s not imminent.
I could have teased you with all of the cool issues Lectric might do on XP 4.0, however I don’t suppose we’ll be seeing any of these updates anytime quickly.
Suffice it to say that should you’ve been wanting to affix in on the XP enjoyable and one way or the other you’re one of many few Individuals who doesn’t but have an XP 3.0, that’s nonetheless a killer e-bike for an incredible $999 value. Someday the XP 4.0 will probably make us all “ooh” and “ahh” once more, however it doesn’t look like within the playing cards but.
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