Lectric Releases a Limited-Edition XP4 750, New Details on Honda’s RN0 eMTB, RockShox Issues a Stop Ride Notice for Zeb Forks │ TWR Ep 108

Lectric has released a limited-edition version of the XP4 750. It has the same frame, specs, and components as the standard 750W model. The difference is the bundle of accessories and three new matte colors: Matte Black, Matte Forest (green), and Matte Thistle (purple).

Under the paint, it’s the XP4 we already know. The motor makes 1,310W peak and 85 Nm of torque and pairs with a torque sensor. The 840 Wh battery is rated for up to 85 miles of claimed range. The bike also has custom Star Union 602 hydraulic disc brakes, a suspension fork, integrated lights and turn signals, and a 150-lb cargo rack.

The limited edition comes with two waterproof panniers, the upgraded Comfort Seat, a suspension seatpost, the Elite headlight, a phone mount, a bike lock, and a 5A fast charger. It’s priced at $1,399.

Our Take:

The XP4 is one of our top recommended e-bikes. It’s sturdy, it climbs hills well, and it’s a great value. This version doesn’t change any of that. It’s mostly about the colors and the extras, and the accessory list covers a lot of what new owners end up buying anyway.

We have one now, so stay tuned for more content on it.

RockShox has issued a stop ride notice for certain Zeb forks because of an out-of-spec upper tube. According to the notice, a hard impact that makes the fork extend aggressively can knock the snap ring in the air assembly loose. When that happens, the fork can suddenly lose air pressure.

The notice covers the Zeb Ultimate, Zeb Ultimate Flight Attendant, Zeb Select+, and Zeb Select. Forks with serial numbers from 07T6XXXXXXXX to 42T6XXXXXXXX could be affected. The serial number is on the back of the fork’s crown.

RockShox says it’s still evaluating the issue. If action is required, the company says it will handle it at no cost to riders.

Our Take:

A fork that suddenly loses air is not something you want to discover mid-descent. It’s good that RockShox plans to cover any fix, but there isn’t a fix yet. If your serial number falls in that range, the best thing to do for now is sit tight and leave the bike parked.

Bianchi, the Italian bike company founded in Milan in 1885, has entered a restructuring process. Despite its long history, the company appears to have run into financial trouble. A financial report for 2024 puts its liabilities at around 100 million euros.

Bianchi applied for creditor protection at the end of September, which temporarily keeps its creditors from seizing its assets. The goal of the restructuring is to agree on a repayment plan with those creditors.

Bianchi is owned by Grimaldi Industri Group, a Swedish conglomerate, which is paying for the restructuring. The company is protected for about three more months, and that protection can be extended.

Our Take:

Bianchi has been building bikes for more than 140 years, so this one is hard to see. The fact that its owner is funding the restructuring is encouraging, and the protection period can be extended if a repayment plan takes longer to work out. We’ll keep an eye on how it goes.

We’ve covered rumors and basic details on Honda’s RN0 before, and now Honda has released more information.

As a quick recap, the RN0 is a mullet-setup eMTB built with Rotwild. It uses a Shimano EP8 mid-drive and a 720 Wh battery, with 160 mm of travel up front, 145 mm in the rear, and styling inspired by Honda’s motorcycles. It also has Shimano’s Di2 electronic shifting, a Fox Factory fork, a Fox Float rear shock, and a carbon frame.

The big update is power. The EP8 motor on the RN0 now makes 100 Nm of max torque and 750W of peak power. Honda says it sees the bike as a stepping stone into eMTBs for its motorcycle customers.

Our Take:

This is a real eMTB. It has more power than the earlier version, but it still fits the “Man Maximum, Machine Minimum” philosophy we discussed a few weeks ago. Honda isn’t trying to build a dirt bike with pedals.

Working with Rotwild was also a smart move. Bike engineering is its own specialty, and partnering with a brand that already knows it gives the RN0 a better chance of riding the way an eMTB should.

Litespeed has released four new e-bikes. The Sustain and Harmonizer are road bikes, and the Overdrive and Distortion are gravel bikes. All four are hand-built to order in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Each model has a titanium frame and uses MAHLE’s X20 system, which includes a 250W rear-hub motor with 65 Nm of torque and a 250 Wh battery. All four are Class 1 e-bikes with a 20 mph max assisted speed.

The Sustain is the race-inspired road bike. At 26 lbs, Litespeed claims it’s the lightest electric titanium road bike ever made. It has an ultra-thin, sheet-formed titanium top tube, clears 35mm tires, and starts at $12,599.

The Harmonizer is the road bike for everyday riding. It’s built for comfort and durability but still weighs only 27 lbs. It also clears 35mm tires and starts at $9,999.

The Overdrive is the gravel version of the Sustain. It has the same race-inspired design and sheet-formed top tube. At 28 lbs, Litespeed claims it’s the fastest and lightest electric titanium gravel bike ever made. It clears 50mm tires and starts at $12,599.

The Distortion is the gravel bike built for comfort and durability. It weighs 29 lbs, clears 54mm tires, and starts at $9,999.

Buyers can customize their build with more than 100 component choices, and every bike comes with a lifetime warranty.

Our Take:

These are lightweight road and gravel bikes first, with a little assist added. A 250W motor, 65 Nm of torque, and a 250 Wh battery won’t win any power comparisons, but that isn’t the point. They’re built for riders who want help on the climbs and still want the bike to feel like a traditional road or gravel bike. They’re expensive, but you get a titanium frame, a bike built to order in the US, and a lifetime warranty.

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