Lectric Ebikes has lengthy set the usual for different firms to comply with within the finances electrical bicycle area, constantly rolling out new fashions that provide never-before-seen worth. A brand new cargo e-bike with extra options? They did it. A brand new off-roader with higher elements? 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’ll be able to count on.
Imagine it or not, it’s been over two years for the reason that Lectric XP 3.0 was launched in early November 2022. That mannequin has since dominated the business, giving riders with an below $1,000 finances 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 grow to be the go-to $999 electrical bike for hundreds of recent riders each month. It’s even a private favourite of mine. I’ve put my members of the family 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 by e-bike couriers’ eyes.
However nothing lasts perpetually, 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 switch 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 greater high quality elements than we deserve at these value ranges. The XPeak routinely will get oddly high-tier forks. The Lectric One obtained a transmission that in all probability prices as a lot as the entire bike for those who have been to attempt to purchase it retail. And the Lectric XP Lite 2.0 provides a Gates belt drive for below $900. That is all absurd, or not less than it was till Lectric began waving its pockets round on the workplaces of higher-end element makers that aren’t used to seeing prospects on this reasonably priced value vary.
Meaning the Lectric XP 4.0 is more likely 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 sure even a torque sensor for improved pedal help. I don’t think about the derailleur will make an enormous leap in high quality (perhaps simply an 8-speed Shimano Tourney?), however a colour display is probably going within the playing cards, as are nicer bolt-on grips and different consolation enhancements. We might 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 probability that the XP 4.0 may very well be extra highly effective, particularly since Lectric has grow 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 greater present digital velocity controllers than most of its opponents.
In actual fact, the Lectric XP 3.0 might be essentially the most highly effective “500W” e-bike round proper now, however that doesn’t imply it should all the time stay within the 5 hundred membership.
An influence enhance isn’t a given, and Lectric should still reserve that higher-power motor for its extra premium fashions. In any case, they will’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 arduous to consider that the XP 4.0 would launch at something apart from US $999. Lectric has solely ever modified the value 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 just lately defined on the Micromobility America 2024 convention that at any time when the corporate’s rising effectivity causes the margins to creep “too excessive” (a international idea to most manufacturers), they both decrease the value or launch a brand new model of the bike with extra options. And in order that’s seemingly 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 large design modifications to the construction of the bike. Positive, there will probably be a brand new body. However I count on the corporate to retain the identical boxy tube construction they’ve used ever for the reason that 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 cause for it (the batteries aren’t housed contained in the body) apart from design continuity with the Lite, XP, and XP Trike traces.
What we are more likely to see within the design division are minor updates for improved energy 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 more likely to proceed with the XP 4.0, which means we might see improved certification indicating much more confidence within the bike’s means to haul cargo and passengers.
The colour scheme is unlikely to alter closely. Black and white have been the XP’s MO for years now, and even that’s an enchancment from once they have been solely out there in white. We’ve in fact seen splashes of Lectric’s blue accent colour on many of the model’s fashions, and the XP 4.0 is unlikely to be completely different in that regard. However count on it to be extra alongside the traces of the brand new XPedition 2.0’s colour swatch design, not a radical colour 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 assume we’re going to be getting any loopy cellphone apps or wi-fi charging by the kickstand anytime quickly. However we simply would possibly see the inclusion of value-added options like monitoring for anti-theft.
This may very well be performed pretty simply by the usage of present know-how just like the Apple FindMy community – one thing that Lectric’s competitor Velotric has leveraged fantastically. Such a function would seemingly add little price however may very well be of main worth. In actual fact, I just 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 satisfaction 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 assume we’ll be seeing any of these updates anytime quickly.
Suffice it to say that for those who’ve been wanting to affix in on the XP enjoyable and in some way you’re one of many few People who doesn’t but have an XP 3.0, that’s nonetheless a killer e-bike for a tremendous $999 value. At some point the XP 4.0 will seemingly make us all “ooh” and “ahh” once more, nevertheless it doesn’t look like within the playing cards but.
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