Lectric Ebikes has lengthy set the usual for different firms to comply with within the funds electrical bicycle area, repeatedly 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 possibly can anticipate.
Consider 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 trade, giving riders with an below $1,000 funds higher bang-for-their-buck than ever earlier than because it rose to the highest of the US bestselling e-bikes listing.
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 change into 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 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 via e-bike couriers’ eyes.
However nothing lasts perpetually, and two years is a very long time within the electrical bicycle trade. We don’t but know fairly when a Lectric XP 4.0 will come to exchange the US’ present best-selling electrical bike mannequin, however you’d higher imagine 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 increased high quality elements than we deserve at these value ranges. The XPeak routinely will get oddly high-tier forks. The Lectric One acquired a transmission that most likely prices as a lot as the entire bike in the event you have been to attempt to purchase it retail. And the Lectric XP Lite 2.0 affords a Gates belt drive for below $900. That is all absurd, or no less than it was once till Lectric began waving its pockets round on the workplaces 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 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 facet 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 may very well be extra highly effective, particularly since Lectric has change into 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 increased present digital velocity controllers than most of its opponents.
The truth is, the Lectric XP 3.0 might be essentially the most highly effective “500W” e-bike round proper now, however that doesn’t imply it would at all times stay within the 5 hundred membership.
An influence enhance 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 onerous to imagine 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, growing 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 not too long ago defined on the Micromobility America 2024 convention that every time the corporate’s growing effectivity causes the margins to creep “too excessive” (a overseas 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 possible 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 anticipate we’ll see any enormous design modifications to the construction of the bike. Positive, there shall be a brand new body. However I anticipate 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 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 prone 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 prone to proceed with the XP 4.0, which means we may see improved certification indicating much more confidence within the bike’s capacity 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 after they have been solely obtainable in white. We’ve after all 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 anticipate 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 anticipate 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 via the kickstand anytime quickly. However we simply may see the inclusion of value-added options like monitoring for anti-theft.
This may very well be accomplished 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 characteristic would possible add little price however may very well be of main worth. The truth is, I not too long ago 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 concept.
When is the Lectric XP 4.0 coming?
I delight myself in having a little bit of a crystal ball for the electrical bike trade, however even I don’t know when Lectric is planning on releasing the XP 4.0. From every part I can collect, it’s not imminent.
I could have teased you with all of the cool issues Lectric may 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 in the event you’ve been wanting to hitch in on the XP enjoyable and someway you’re one of many few Individuals who doesn’t but have an XP 3.0, that’s nonetheless a killer e-bike for a tremendous $999 value. Sooner or later the XP 4.0 will possible make us all “ooh” and “ahh” once more, nevertheless it doesn’t seem like within the playing cards but.
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