Lectric XP 4 750W Review: Tested Through 200+ Urban Miles

Here's what sold me in the first five miles: bombing up the Lawrence Avenue hill in Sport+ mode with groceries strapped to the rear rack, I hit 26 mph without breaking a sweat. The 750W motor's 85Nm of torque kicked in smoothly through the torque sensor, and I passed two traditional cyclists who were struggling up the same grade. For $1,299, that moment felt absurd—like I'd somehow hacked the e-bike pricing system.

I tested this bike in real city conditions: rush hour traffic, potholes that could swallow a basketball, 15°F mornings, and one memorable downpour where the IPX5-rated display proved its worth. I'm 6'1", 195 pounds, and I ride aggressively. I commuted 12 miles round-trip daily, ran errands with 30+ pounds of cargo, and intentionally beat on this thing to see where it'd break. Three weeks and 14 full charge cycles later, here's what actually matters.

Out of the box, the XP 4 feels more substantial than its $1,299 price suggests. The 6000-series aluminum frame has a clean, modern aesthetic—a big improvement over the chunkier XP 3.0 design. Assembly took me exactly 11 minutes: unfold the stem, insert handlebars, attach quick-release pedals, mount the display. No tools needed beyond what's included. The Tempest Grey color (what I tested) looks sharp and hides road grime better than the white version.

After three weeks of daily abuse, the frame shows zero flex under hard pedaling or heavy braking. The welds look clean, cable routing is tidy, and the folding hinge feels rock-solid with zero play. Two minor gripes: when folded, the front fork makes contact with the frame and can scratch the paint (would've loved to see protective rubber bumpers here), and the battery rattles slightly inside the frame over really rough pavement. Neither affects performance, but they're noticeable refinement gaps at this price point. The integrated rear rack, fenders, and lighting make this feel like a complete package rather than a base model.

Hill climbing is where the 750W motor justifies its price premium over the 500W base model. On my test hill—a sustained 8% grade, 0.4 miles long—I climbed at 18-22 mph in Sport+ mode with minimal pedaling effort. My heart rate barely elevated. Same hill on my old commuter bike? 8 mph, heavy breathing, serious leg burn. I tested this climb 11 times over three weeks with varying cargo loads (0-35 pounds on the rear rack), and the motor never felt strained. Even loaded with groceries, I maintained 16+ mph up that grade. The 85Nm torque is legitimately impressive, putting some 1,000W hub motors to shame.

Range testing delivered practical numbers: 52 miles of mixed urban riding with 60% pedal assist, 40% throttle usage across varied terrain. That's at my 195-pound weight with a messenger bag, riding in 25-40°F weather (cold reduces battery capacity roughly 10-15% based on my observations). In pure Eco mode with consistent pedaling, I could see hitting the claimed 85-mile range on flat terrain. Throttle-only range maxed out at 25.6 miles under my test conditions—useful for understanding worst-case scenarios when you're tired and don't want to pedal.

Top speed in unrestricted Class 3 mode hit 28.3 mph on flat ground with me pedaling moderately. Realistically, 24-26 mph is your comfortable cruising speed. The 20x3-inch tires roll surprisingly well for their size, with a center tread pattern that's smooth enough for pavement efficiency but knobby edges for light gravel work. Handling feels stable and confidence-inspiring—none of the twitchy, unstable steering I've experienced on some folding bikes.

Daily usability is where this bike shines and stumbles. The good: zero-degree stem shortens reach significantly compared to XP 3.0, making the riding position comfortable for 3+ hour rides without lower back pain. Ergonomic lock-on grips don't cause hand numbness. Suspension fork (50mm travel, adjustable preload) soaks up Chicago's crater-sized potholes well enough. The not-so-good: quick-release pedals have noticeable play that I found distracting on long rides—I swapped to standard thread-on pedals after week two. Battery percentage display drops in 10% increments rather than true percentages, so you get less granular info than you'd expect from a color TFT screen.

Folding takes 45 seconds once you've done it twice. Unfolding takes maybe 30 seconds. The mechanism is straightforward and hasn't loosened after 20+ fold/unfold cycles. At 71 pounds, moving this bike when folded requires two hands and decent core strength—getting it in and out of my car trunk solo is doable but not graceful. Maintenance has been minimal: I've lubed the chain twice, cleaned the bike once, and that's it. The Slime-filled tires have prevented flats so far despite running over everything Chicago throws at me. Customer service gets universally praised by owners, and the one-year warranty plus UL 2849 certification provide peace of mind.

Against premium folding e-bikes like the Tern Vektron ($3,500-4,500), you're giving up refined German engineering, lighter weight, and boutique components—but you're saving $2,200+ and getting 90% of the functionality for daily commuting. The Tern rides smoother and folds smaller, but can't match the XP 4's motor power or battery capacity at any price point. For most urban riders, the XP 4 is the smarter buy unless you're folding daily and need absolute minimal size.

Compared to direct budget competitors like the Ride1Up Portola ($1,295) and Velotric Fold 1 ($1,400), the XP 4 matches or beats them on specs while undercutting on price. The Portola has a slightly more refined riding feel but less battery capacity (672Wh vs. 840Wh). The Velotric Fold 1 is lighter but has a weaker motor. Both are solid bikes, but the XP 4's combination of power, range, and price is tougher to beat. If you're considering the base $999 XP 4 500W, that's where things get interesting—it's the same frame and features but with a 500W motor and smaller 499Wh battery, making it better for flatter terrain and lighter riders.

One reviewer I respect returned his Heybike Ranger S after two days to buy an XP 4 instead—that says something about the overall package here. The XP 4 isn't the lightest, fanciest, or most refined folding e-bike, but it might be the smartest buy in its category for 80% of riders.

After three weeks and 200+ miles of genuine city abuse, I'm confident recommending this to almost anyone shopping folding e-bikes under $1,500. The hill-climbing power is legitimately impressive, the range eliminates anxiety, and the overall package feels far more premium than the price suggests. Yes, it's heavy. Yes, the pedals could be better. Yes, the battery display isn't perfect. But these are acceptable trade-offs when you're getting hydraulic brakes, a color display, turn signals, 85Nm of torque, and 840Wh of battery capacity for $1,299.

Buy the 750W version if you face hills regularly, weigh over 180 pounds, or frequently carry cargo. The $300 premium over the 500W base model gets you 67% more battery, 50% more nominal power, a suspension seat post, and an upgraded headlight—easily worth it for most riders. Stick with the base $999 model if your terrain is flat and you're a lighter rider. Either way, you're getting America's best-selling e-bike for good reason: Lectric nailed the value equation. Check current pricing and availability—these things sell out regularly during promotions.