Lectric XP4 Review: 3 Weeks Living With This Compact Workhorse

The first time I hauled the XP4 up three flights of stairs to my apartment, I understood why folding bikes exist. At 64 pounds, it's not light, but being able to fold it in half made the difference between owning an e-bike and not owning one at all. My building doesn't have bike storage, and there's no way I'm leaving a bike locked outside in Brooklyn overnight.

I tested this bike for three weeks, putting about 180 miles on it across daily commutes, grocery runs, and a couple of longer weekend rides. I folded and unfolded it at least twice a day, rode it in 35-degree cold and 72-degree warmth, loaded it with cargo, and pushed it up some genuinely steep hills to see what that 500W motor could handle. Here's what actually matters if you're thinking about buying one.

Right out of the box, the XP4 looks more substantial than its price suggests. The welds are clean, the paint finish is even, and there aren't any obvious cost-cutting measures in the frame construction. I went with the step-through version, which makes it easier to mount when I'm wearing work clothes or carrying bags. The frame feels stiff when riding, no flex or creaking even when I'm standing on the pedals going uphill.

After three weeks of daily use, the build quality has held up well. The folding hinges still feel tight and secure. I did need to tighten the handlebar stem after about 100 miles (expected on any new bike), and the kickstand needed adjustment because it was letting the bike lean too far. The paint has picked up a couple of small chips from scraping doorframes, but nothing concerning. For the price point, I'm genuinely impressed with how solid this thing feels compared to other budget folders I've tested.

The XP4 genuinely surprised me with its hill climbing ability. My regular test route includes a steep 8% grade climb that's about a quarter mile long. With me at 185 pounds plus a backpack and groceries (maybe 220 pounds total), the bike maintained 11-12 mph in pedal assist level 4 while I pedaled at a moderate pace. On steeper grades (10-12%), I had to drop to level 5 and pedal harder, but it never felt like it was going to stall out. For comparison, my previous 250W folding bike basically required full effort from me on any hill over 6%.

Range testing gave me results all over the place depending on conditions. My best run was 38 miles on mostly flat bike paths using pedal assist level 2, with minimal throttle use and me actually pedaling. My worst was 24 miles on a hilly route using throttle heavily and assist level 4-5. For my typical commute (6 miles each way, moderate hills, assist level 3), I can go about three days before needing to charge. The battery meter is reasonably accurate, though it drops faster in the cold. At 35 degrees, I noticed about 15-20% less range than at 60 degrees.

Top speed on flat ground with throttle only is about 19-20 mph according to my GPS. Pedaling hard in assist level 5, I hit 26-27 mph, though that's working against significant wind resistance from those fat tires and upright riding position. The bike feels most comfortable cruising at 15-18 mph, which is perfect for bike lanes and shared paths.

Daily use has been mostly painless. The folding and unfolding process becomes muscle memory after a few days. I don't love lugging 64 pounds up three flights of stairs, but the alternative is not owning an e-bike at all, so I deal with it. The step-through frame makes it easy to get on and off, especially when I'm carrying bags or wearing less flexible clothes. The upright riding position is comfortable for commuting, though it catches wind on longer rides.

Assembly out of the box took me about 45 minutes. Attach the handlebars, front wheel, pedals, and adjust the brakes. Nothing complicated if you're comfortable with basic tools. Ongoing maintenance has been minimal so far (only three weeks in, admittedly). I've tightened the stem bolts once, adjusted the brakes once, and lubed the chain twice. The fat tires haven't picked up a single flat despite riding through some pretty sketchy glass-covered bike lanes in Brooklyn.

Against premium folders like the Tern Vektron or Brompton Electric, you're giving up refinement, weight savings, and a more compact fold. Those bikes weigh 15-20 pounds less, fold smaller, and ride more like regular bikes. They also cost $3,000-4,000. The XP4 gives you 80% of the functionality for 40% of the price. If you need the absolute smallest fold or lightest weight (for carrying onto trains daily, for instance), spend more. If you want solid performance and good value, the XP4 delivers.

Compared to direct budget competitors like the RadMini or Aventon Sinch, the XP4 holds its own. The RadMini has a more powerful motor (750W vs 500W) but weighs more and costs a bit more. The Aventon Sinch is sleeker looking but has a smaller battery. For pure value and well-rounded performance, the XP4 sits right in the sweet spot. It's not the best at any single thing, but it's really good at everything that matters for daily urban use.

If you don't actually need the folding feature, you can get better performance from a regular compact frame e-bike at this price point. But if you need to store your bike in an apartment, take it on public transit, or fit it in a car trunk, the folding capability is worth the compromises in weight and ride quality.

After three weeks of real-world testing, the XP4 has earned a permanent spot in my apartment hallway. It's not perfect (I wish it were lighter, had a torque sensor, and came with hydraulic brakes), but it absolutely delivers on its core promise: a capable, reliable e-bike that folds small enough for apartment living and performs well enough for daily commuting. The 500W motor handles hills better than I expected, the fat tires make rough city streets comfortable, and the build quality feels solid despite the budget price point.

If you're an urban rider who needs to store a bike inside, or you want to combine biking with public transit or car travel, the XP4 solves those problems without requiring a $3,000+ investment. I'd recommend going for the standard version unless you regularly ride 40+ miles between charges, in which case the long-range dual battery model makes sense. Either way, you're getting a versatile, well-designed folding e-bike that punches well above its $1,500 price tag.