Lectric Ebikes has sent another salvo across the e-bike industry, this time further entrenching itself in the best-selling commodity e-bike role with a major upgrade to the new XPedition 2.0 electric bike.
The original Lectric XPedition is already a success, generating unheard of revenue in the fast-growing e-bike segment.
But now the Phoenix-based electric bike brand is doubling down on the price with a long list of upgrades for the second-generation model — all without increasing over the original version's $1,399 price.
“The XPedition has been the best-selling and most successful e-bike in the industry since its inception, and that's because of its unmatched combination of performance and value,” said Lectric Ebikes CEO and Co-Founder Levi Conlow. “With XPedition 2.0, we are doubling down on that commitment. Even in a year when e-bike prices have increased, we are delivering significant improvements without increasing the price—something we believe will increase the continued success of this e-bike.”
With an extended rear rack and a 450 lb weight capacity on a redesigned frame, the XPedition 2.0 is designed to carry almost any cargo riders can imagine, from extra gear to extra passengers. In fact, the combination of luggage racks and passenger seats makes the XPedition 2.0 suitable for both tasks.
But the big story here is undoubtedly all the new features added in XPedition 2.0.
That upgrade includes a new torque sensor designed by Lectric Ebikes to provide better, more responsive pedal assistance. But throttle lovers, don't give up! Of course the existing throttle is still there, allowing riders to choose between hard-pull riding or pedal-assist riding – or both.
The 750W M24 hub motor at the rear provides a maximum power rating of 1,310W, which means better acceleration and stronger hill climbing – even when the bike is loaded down with cargo or friends.
The kickstand is now wider for stability, while the tires have been slightly reduced to 2.5 inches for easier riding. To compensate for the reduced air volume in the tires, the ride is improved with a new 50mm dual-spring suspension fork that offers adjustable suspension. There's also a fixed seat, so it's not just the rider's hands that get the comfortable treatment.
Speaking of hands, on top of the handlebars there is a new color display and improved bolt grip and new turn signal controls.
There are also three battery options available, allowing riders to decide how much range they need. When fully charged, the larger 35Ah battery option gives the bike a capacity of 1.68 kWh and a range of up to 170 miles (273.6 km) per charge when using pedal assist. While throttle riders will likely see a range that's a fraction of that, that's still one of the longest ranges available on the commodity e-bike market. And those batteries are also UL compliant, giving peace of mind to those who are justifiably concerned about safety.
To ensure that the large battery capacity can still be charged quickly, Lectric has an integrated fast charger with a 5-amp output to reduce the charging time by 60% compared to the basic charger.
The base model of the Lectric Ebikes XPedition 2.0 starts at US $1,399 and includes a single 624 Wh battery. Upgrading to the dual battery model increases the battery to 1,248 Wh and costs US $1,699. For even longer rides, the long-range dual battery model has that massive 1,680 Wh battery and is priced at US $1,999.
The XPedition 2.0 comes in both Stratus White and Raindrop Blue color options, and includes the same technical specifications and components on all models, including those powerful hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano-speed transmissions, fender packages, and more.
Additional accessories are usually offered à la carte, but Lectric's promotional offer during pre-orders packs several hundred dollars worth of accessories and bikes for free, including running boards, seat cushions, frame bags, and upgraded lighting.
Pre-orders placed soon are expected to ship in the first week of January.
Electrek's Take
It's starting to feel like every other e-bike company is fighting for second place, isn't it?
I'm not saying this is the best cargo bike out there. But it has to be the 100% best e-bike ever to hit the roads. It can't hold a candle to the $4k-$7k premium cargo bikes I like to drool over, but this gets a lot of the same performance for a fraction of the price. And more importantly, it makes this type of ride accessible to many people who would otherwise not be able to afford a cargo bike to take their kids to school or leave their car in the garage on their many grocery shopping trips.
I've been a fan of Lectric Ebikes since 2019, when I reviewed the first ten e-bikes the company ever produced. Now over half a million ee bikes later and the company is still offering as great a value as ever.
It's days like this that remind me how true to mission Lectric has always been, offering incredible value and constantly pushing the limits of how much it can offer riders on limited budgets.
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