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Lectric eBikes

Lectric XPedition

Our Score

4.3
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Hello friends, welcome back for another Ride Review! I'm reviewing a lot of cargo e-bikes these days, with the Haoqi Camel last week, and a new Radio Flyer model on deck for next week. For today's review I spent the day on Lectric's XPedition, a long-tail cargo bike with a payload capacity of 450 lbs (204 kg). You could use it to transport two kiddos in child seats, or a whole boatload of groceries on a Costco run. Or perhaps a camping trip? The possibilities are endless, but you'll need to budget a bit extra for the right accessories, which you can get from Lectric or possibly cheaper from a local bike shop.

Another day, another cargo e-bike... what makes the XPedition different?

The XPedition is certainly cheaper than most cargo haulers, which is no surprise for Lectric Ebikes; they've built their impressive reputation in part by keeping their prices impressively low. Even more impressive is the quality of those products; while they aren't the most premium, they're built well, and perhaps more importantly designed well. Many e-bike companies make cargo bikes simply because the category is hot, but they don't understand what makes a cargo bike useful. I'm happy to report that Lectric "gets it".

The XPedition frame is rock-solid sturdy, with particularly thick tubing for the rack, which can carry 300 lbs (136 kg) of weight all by itself. The front fork is solid steel too, which adds more stability. This is an area where many competitors have a suspension fork to increase ride comfort, but I think Lectric has the right idea here:

  • A solid fork translates to a more sturdy frame which feels more stable at speed and can handle a higher payload capacity

  • Suspension forks on a cargo bike offer sub-par performance due to the constantly changing payload weight. They only really work if a) it's a nice fork that allows adjustments, and b) you adjust it accordingly before each ride

  • Suspension forks also wear out faster on a cargo bike if used with heavy loads regularly... which it probably will be, otherwise why get a cargo bike?

Cargo e-bikes tend to be pretty big heavy, which makes them cumbersome to ride and more difficult to store. The XPedition, thankfully, is relatively small; It sits low to the ground, and it's easy to get on thanks to the low standover height of the step-thru frame. It is still fairly long, but storage is helped by the folding stem and easily removable pedals.

Powerful electronics, highlighted by the smooth pedaling experience of PWR

You can get the XPedition for just $1,399 with a single battery, or with dual batteries for $1,699... which is quite a steal especially considering these batteries are UL certified and using high-quality cells from the likes of Samsung and LG. These batteries power a 750 watt rear hub motor that peaks at over 1300 watts, with a hefty 85 newton-meters of torque. That's important on a cargo machine that needs to move a lot of weight; when riding un-encumbered it's amazingly powerful. This is a Class 2/3 e-bike, which means you can use just the throttle to reach speeds of 20 mph (32 kph), or pedal assist for a top speed of 28 mph (45 kph).

Speaking of pedal assist: This is where Lectric's Power Wattage Regulation (PWR) system comes into play. It's a configuration for the pedal assist system and in my opinion it's simply excellent, because it feels more intuitive and requires less fiddling with display controls. It also gives more control to the rider to opt for more exercise in the lower assist levels. Here's how it works:

  • Pedal assist levels limit the amperage of the controller, which in turn limits the power output of the motor

  • Pedal assist levels do not limit top speed

In practice, this means that if you have pedal assist set to Level 3, you get 50% power, but you can still reach the maximum top speed with some brisk pedaling. If you set it to Level 5 you get 100% power so it's much easier to reach that top speed; less exercise, but some days that's just what you need.

This means that even though the XPedition has a fairly basic cadence sensor, it feels fairly responsive and engaging to ride. For contrast, most e-bikes with this sensor give full power in any assist level and only cap the speed (so Level 1 stops at 12 mph, Level 2 stops at 15, and so on). That's a more jarring experience and it requires a lot of pushing display buttons, which I don't love... so props to Lectric for PWR!

Ride comfort is great, even without a suspension fork

Despite its small size, the XPedition should fit just about any size of rider thanks to its wide range of adjustability. The tool-free adjustable stem has a wide range, and the seatpost is almost ridiculously long (I'm quite tall at 6'3" / 190cm and I couldn't reach the pedals at max height). This makes dialing in the fit easy, and you can also choose between an upright seating position or one more forward and aggressive. This is especially nice on a cargo e-bike because these vehicles often end up being shared between multiple riders, so being able to adjust fit quickly without tools is important for quality of life.

Once you're in motion it's a pretty smooth ride experience, mostly due to the tires which are 20x3 and have a good volume of air for absorbing bumps and vibrations. Of course, if you venture off the asphalt onto trails, it's going to be a rougher ride... but again, why would you? This is designed for urban utility. The tread pattern is also street slicks for maximum rolling efficiency and traction on asphalt.

The pedaling drivetrain is Class 3 capable while still budget friendly

The XPedition is rocking Shimano's Tourney derailleur, their entry-level setup. These derailleurs are often paired with a 14-28 tooth freewheel, which are relatively poor quality and have a limited pedaling range, especially on the top end. Lectric made a small upgrade here with a cassette (higher quality) with an 11-28 tooth spread; this is a small upgrade with big results, because it allows for easier pedaling on the top end, allowing you to actually reach the 28 mph (45 kph) top speed without ghost pedaling or too much exertion. I was able to sustain maximum cruising speeds quite easily, which felt quite stable due to the sturdy frame and solid steel fork.

The Bottom Line: one of the best quality-for-money cargo bikes I've ever ridden

I'm not going to tell you the XPedition is the best cargo bike on the market; there's some really premium, purpose-built stuff out there from the likes of Yuba, Tern, and Benno that are really amazing to ride. The thing is, you're going to pay a lot for those, typically at least $5,000 USD (and usually more). The XPedition checks all the important boxes, providing amazing utility and a solid riding experience, and doing it at an incredibly low price point. When you combine that with Lectric's excellent reputation and reliable customer service? Well, let's just say it's easy to see why this is the best selling cargo e-bike in the US.

Price
$1,399.00

Type
eBike

Class

Release Year


Drive Type

Frame Material

Basics

Imperial
Metric
Watts

Wheels
2

Use Cases

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Reasons to Buy the Lectric XPedition

  • Amazing value for money ratio, especially with free shipping (and it's fully assembled!)

  • Lectric has an excellent reputation and provides better service than most DTC companies

  • One of the most approachable and adjustable cargo e-bikes, able to fit a wide range of riders and doesn't require tools for adjustments

  • Stem folds down and pedals quick-pop off for easier storage

  • Powerful electronics with a 750 watt motor, and a dual battery option for those who need more range

  • Lectric's PWR system provides a smooth pedal assist experience, among the best for cadence sensor-equipped e-bikes

  • Pedaling drivetrain has an upgraded cassette with an 11 tooth cog, which eliminates ghost pedaling and allows easier cruising at top speed

  • A wide range of utility including up to 300 pounds (136 kg) of cargo, two children, and more (requires appropriate accessories which you can get from Lectric or most local bike shops)

  • Hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors provide excellent stopping power

  • 20x3 tires provide a great balance with good air cushion comfort, but still small enough to feel nimble

  • Grayscale LCD is backlit and incredibly easy to read even in direct sunlight, with a high-precision 10-bar battery readout

  • Integrated lights and sturdy alloy fenders

Reasons Not to Buy the Lectric XPedition

  • Lack of active suspension limits where you can ride; off-roading will be bumpy! This is designed for urban/city use on streets and bike paths

  • Throttle is linked to pedal assist level, which makes it less useful (you can't use it as a speed boost override unless you have it set to max level of assist)

  • Lectric's PWR system is excellent, but it's still not as responsive and natural-feeling as a premium torque sensing system

  • There are integrated lights, but they have room for improvements: there's no brake light activation, no turn signals, and no horn

  • Will require some extra $$$ investment in accessories to be truly useful


Bottom Line

The XPedition excels in all the important areas for an electric cargo bike, with impressive utility and and a hefty payload capacity of 450 lbs (204 kg). It's relatively small and light for a cargo hauler but still fits large riders well thanks to the wide range of adjustability, which can be done tool-free for easier sharing between multiple riders. Lectric's PWR system provides an excellent pedaling experience that rivals entry-level torque sensor setups, and the beefy electronics make it easy to maintain high cruising speeds.

Our Scores

Ride Quality
3.8

Build Quality
4.0

Design
4.5

Value
5.0

Score
4.3
Review by Tyson Roehrkasse
Photo of the author, Tyson Roehrkasse

Tyson Roehrkasse is a technical specialist who has worn just about every hat there is in the IT and software development fields. He began working with PEVs in 2018 as a developer for Electric Bike Review, and immediately became obsessed with learning about e-bike technology. He soon began creating his own reviews on the EBR platform and to date is the second largest contributor of review content there. After a five-year tenure with EBR Tyson moved on to work with other companies in the industry, building websites for other reviewing companies and e-commerce platforms for EV manufacturers. He also continued working as a freelance reviewer, eventually partnering with the Micromobility Industries to produce reviews and other content for their partner site, Ride Review.


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Frequently Asked Questions - Lectric XPedition

Is the Lectric XPedition eBike easy to store and transport?

The eBike comes with a foldable frame that folds down to a compact size of 72 x 12 x 32 inches, making it easier to store and transport than many other cargo eBikes.
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Does the Lectric XPedition have a feature to control power expenditure?

The XPedition features a brand new Pedal Assist Wattage Regulation (PRW) system that allows riders to control the power expenditure of the pedal assist for a more customizable riding experience.

What is the top speed of the Lectric XPedition?

The XPedition features a 1,310 W peak motor that helps it maintain a top speed of 28 mph.

What is the weight capacity of the Lectric XPedition eBike?

The Lectric XPedition has a max payload capacity of 450 pounds, which means it can haul a significant amount of weight.

What kind of frame does the Lectric XPedition have?

The Lectric XPedition has an aluminum frame.

Are the brakes on the Lectric XPedition reliable for quick stopping?

Yes, the bike is equipped with 180 mm front and rear hydraulic brakes for an ultra-responsive and low-maintenance braking system.

What type of warranty does the Lectric XPedition come with?

Lectric eBikes provides a one-year warranty for the XPedition, along with a full US customer service base for support.

Does the Lectric XPedition come fully assembled?

Yes, the XPedition ships fully assembled, reducing the hassle for customers.

Can the Lectric XPedition eBike handle long-range trips?

Yes, with its dual-battery capacity, the XPedition offers riders up to 150 miles of range on a single charge.

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