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Griffin Hales

Lectric XPeak Review, 2024 | Prototype Shows Promising Future

Lectric enters the all-terrain category with a value-packed and versatile new model.

We’re doing something a little different in this review than our usual way of working. With the Lectric XPeak we are reviewing a prototype. Lectric will release the XPeak to the public in the coming weeks, but they sent a pre-production version for us to try ahead of its release.

In our Lectric XPeak review we’re going to look at how this new model from one of the most successful e-bike brands on the market differs from the all-terrain models it will compete with. Not only will we examine the relative quality, performance and durability of this e-bike, we’re also going to weigh that against what we expect to see on e-bikes in the sub-$2000 price range, as well as the fact that this e-bike comes in at a mind-blowing price of just $1299.

So let’s tackle the most obvious question that someone considering an all-terrain e-bike retailing for $1299 is likely to ask: Is it safe, or did they spec some cheap parts to get the price down? The answer is no, they didn’t go for cheap parts. And here’s the proof: One of the safety standards that manufacturers may voluntarily choose to adopt of ISO 4210-10. It specifies quality standards and test methods for e-bike components—everything from the frame and fork to the bar and stem and even the electronics. Until now, the only e-bikes that have met this standard have been expensive eMTBs. The Lectric XPeak is the first all-terrain e-bike to meet this standard.

So just what defines the Lectric XPeak an an all-terrain e-bike? We put it in this category for a simple reason: The Lectric XPeak features 26-in. wheels rolling on knobby Chaoyang 26 x 4-in. tires. A setup like this is meant to go places, not all of them paved.

An all-terrain e-bike needs a powerful motor and a battery big enough so that it will have substantial range. Lectric chose a 750W hub motor that peaks at 1310W. Powering the motor is a 672Wh battery, and we’re pleased to report that the entire electrical system including battery, motor, controller and wiring harness are certified to UL’s 2849 standard. Lectric’s PWR system also helps to make the cadence sensor react more quickly to rider effort, making the Lectric XPeak more responsive overall.

A 7-speed Shimano drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes round out the basics of the component package. Like other Lectric e-bikes, the XPeak comes in a single size, but they produce it in both a step-over frame and a step-thru frame.

Let’s have a look at Lectric’s first e-bike that doesn’t come with 20-in. wheels.

Aventon Soltera 2 Step-Through E-Bike Review, 2024

Lightweight, Authentic Pedal Feel, Robust Motor, Good Value for sub-$1400 bike

The Aventon Soltera.2 Step-Through we reviewed proved to be one of the brand’s best feeling motors to date. The 350W rear hub motor enables riders to feel like a powerhouse cyclist as opposed to riding a powerhouse of a bike. Aventon’s use of a torque sensor focusses more on ride feel, and it can provide subtle assistance that make you feel ready to take on a long, winding road, or summit any city slope like a champ.

Aventon’s lightweight Soltera.2 provides a lot of commuter-friendly features as well such as the integrated brake lights with turn signal functionality, a responsive drivetrain with an ultra-satisfying Revoshift shifter, and overall handling that’s responsive and fast thanks to the 680mm handlebar and 700x38c Kenda tires.

The Step-Through label is a bit misleading, we’d say it’s more of a mid-step, but it’s undeniably easier to mount and makes it friendlier to shorter riders or anybody who wants an easier time swinging a leg over the top tube.

It’s not a perfect ride, the motor seems to fall short of top-end class 3 speeds, but it’s whisper-quiet and the overall look is understated enough that people will have to squint to see the signs that it’s an e-bike.

Stealthy, snappy, and simple to use; the Aventon Soltera.2 Step-through has a lot going for it that’ll grab the attention of those in the market for a lightweight city e-bike.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Electric Bike Deals 2024

*Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission. If you’d like to help support our team please consider buying off of our links.

Looking forward to Black Friday electric bike deals? The season is still a ways out, but you can browse our Black Friday and Cyber Monday page to see what the deals have looked like historically!

The deals include discounts, BOGOs, and accessory packages from some of the top electric bike brands. We’ll keep you up to date on the most talked about brands in the e-bike industry, and we’ll include some of the EBR’s staff personal favorite e-bikes that we find. The types we’re telling our own family and friend to go out and buy!

Head down to the details below on Black Friday e-bike shopping.

Need any more help? We’ve listed our favorite e-bike deals below, but you can always check out our best e-bikes of 2024 page to see our top e-bikes of the year too!

*Editor’s Note: Last Updated: 11-27-2023 to up-to-date information on the latest Cyber Monday e-bike sales.

Lectric XP 3.0 Review, 2024 | Upgraded Brakes & Programming

When Lectric announced their most popular model was getting an upgrade, we could hardly wait for our Lectric XP 3.0 review. It’s no mystery as to why – the XP 2.0 has been one of the most popular e-bikes in the e-bike world. The reasons why it has been so popular are easy to see. It folds up smaller than a dorm fridge. It’s more affordable than a vacation and more fun than a dog on vacation.

In our Lectric XP 3.0 review we will look at the many updates the XP 3.0 received and what they add up to, as well as what they don’t—which is any sort of price increase.

Ordinarily, I try to focus on the bike in front of me when doing a review and keeping comparisons to a minimum. In this one though you’ll have to indulge me a little bit; Lectric has packed in substantially better features to the XP 3.0 compared to the Lectric XP 2.0 which we also reviewed – including some upgrades since it’s initial launch like better brakes and motor programming. There’s really no better way than to point out all the test performances that improved and all the better, stronger, faster, nicer features you now get along the way. And did I mention for the same cost?

The XP 3.0 has a motor that produces more torque, a drivetrain with more expanded gearing, a rear rack with more carrying capacity, a battery with more charge and a suspension fork with more travel, and brakes with more stopping power as they upgraded from mechanical to hydraulic discs with larger rotors. The new battery has better range, but for anyone who wants more range than the new battery offers, Lectric offers a long-range version of the XP 3.0 with an even bigger battery.

One big gain with the Lectric XP 3.0 is the ability to ferry a kid to school, sports practice/games and playdates. Not needing to get in a car every time we take our kids someplace is a huge help for anyone who wants to reduce their carbon footprint and be outside more.

Let’s dig into our in-depth review of the Lectric XP 3.0, along with it’s many updates for all of our thoughts but here’s the spoiler alert: no bike stretches your dollar further than the XP 3.0 and it rides better than it ever has.

Right now you can get $305 in free accessories when purchasing an XP 3.0 during Black Friday ! Click the button above, or head to our Black Friday E-Bike Deals page for more info.

*Editor’s Note: Updated Nov. 22nd, 2023 to update the review of the XP 3.0 with new written and video content.

Aventon Aventure 2 Fat Tire Electric Bike Review – 2024

The original Aventure raised the bar for affordable e-bikes. The Aventure 2 delivers an even better ride experience to what was already a top e-bike option.

When it debuted back in 2021, the Aventon Aventure set a new standard for what e-bikers could expect from a fat tire electric bike under $2000. Heck, you don’t even have to get category-specific; the Aventure largely reset the bar for what any sub-$2000 e-bike could achieve: a delightfully powerful motor, great handling, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, solid battery life, and sleek styling to boot. So with our Aventon Aventure 2 review, we find a bike that built upon its predecessor’s original achievements by dialing in precisely on the rider’s feel and experience.

That focus can be attributed to refining a lot of little details, and we’ll touch on each of those, but perhaps the single largest one can be summed up in two words: torque sensor.

As we saw just a few months ago on another Aventon e-bike we reviewed, the brand is making a concentrated effort to provide affordable e-bikes with a more natural pedal experience. The inclusion of a torque sensor on the Aventure 2 means riders will have more purpose to their pedal than ever before, while still benefiting from the fun experience that e-bike motors provide. Oh, and lets not forget how it yields more efficient battery life too.

The marriage of affordable e-bikes and torque sensors is one I’m very much eager to RSVP to.

The Aventure 2 doesn’t stop at the torque sensor though. There are a host of meaningful upgrades and feature add-ons that make this e-bike feel fresh and exciting. The fact that the costs haven’t changed much makes it all the better too.

There is plenty to unpack and explore, so let’s go ahead and dive in together to Electric Bike Report’s Aventon Aventure 2 review.

Right now you can get the Aventon Aventure.2 for $400 off during Black Friday savings! Click the button above, or head to our Black Friday E-Bike Deals page for more info.

*Editor’s Note: Updated Nov. 20th, 2023 to include award badge, and links to latest info and pricing.

Lectric XP Lite E-Bike Review 2024

While it’s rare that we test a bike model that alters our perception of e-bikes, it does happen. The main takeaway from our Lectric XP Lite review was that it shifted our view of how affordable an e-bike can be while still being worth recommending.

Buying a first e-bike isn’t as hard as buying a car, but people have understandable questions before making such a purchase. The big one for most folks is: How much do I need to spend in order to get a quality e-bike? For some years, we’ve considered $1000 as the entry point for quality, but with the release of the new XP Lite from Lectric eBikes, we’ve encountered an e-bike that manages to come in hundreds below that mark while delivering a combination of function, quality, rider experience and value that we can enthusiastically recommend.

The XP Lite is a simplified version of Lectric’s popular XP 3.0 we reviewed, which was their first bike that catered to folks wanting fun on a budget. The XP Lite is a Class 2 bike with a maximum assist speed of 20 mph, plus a half-twist throttle that lets tired legs recover. Like other models from Lectric, the XP Lite is a folding bike that unfolds in seconds and tucks away in closets, trunks or under desks.

Compared to the XP 2.0, the XP Lite simplifies the drivetrain, making it both quiet and maintenance-free. It also comes with narrower tires than the XP 2.0, which not only gives this e-bike zippier handling and quicker acceleration but it makes it more battery efficient than its bigger brother too. To further keep the price down, Lectric chose a smaller, yet very efficient pairing of the motor and battery, allowing the bike to go farther on each watt burned (more on that in the range test section).

The price is definitely right for a ‘lite’ version of a model, but did those changes drastically alter the fun and performance factors that the XP 2.0 was able to deliver? Read on through the full XP Lite review to find out.

Right now you can get an extra $50 off the XP Lite plus free accessories during Black Friday savings! Click the button above, or head to our Black Friday E-Bike Deals page for more info.

*Editor’s Note: Updated Nov. 20th, 2023 to include award badge, and links to latest info and pricing.

Specialized Globe Haul ST Review – 2024

Specialized’s first hub motor e-bike is a homerun on performance, with enough ways to use it that anybody can enjoy it.

Specialized is one of the biggest bike brands in the world. They are responsible for more innovation than most other brands combined. They were the first of the big legacy brands to even introduce an e-bike. They’ve watched the (welcome) rise of the direct-to-consumer e-bike brands, and Specialized is nothing if not competitive. So how did they decide to compete? By making one of the best performing e-bikes we’ve ever tested. To say our time spent reviewing Specialized’s Globe Haul ST left us impressed would be an understatement.

In our standardized gauntlet of e-bike tests the Globe Haul ST seriously wowed; hill climbing, range, speed and safety all earned high marks on this e-bike. Even in the harder to quantify areas, the Globe Haul ST left a lasting impression with just a more polished feel than we’d expect from a first generation model. Of course, few gen one products can leverage the type of R&D background that this bike had.

As a Class 3 utility e-bike equipped with a seriously fun 700W hub motor (a lot more on that to come), the Globe Haul ST is a capable e-bike that adapts to its rider. Take it to work, take it to Costco, take it out just for fun. It will be a great ride whatever the use.

Specialized used its knowledge of geometry and frame design to make a one-size-fits all e-bike that darn-near will fit everybody. It’s unique in that it accommodates riders from 4’5″ to 6’4″ and ACTUALLY fits them well. And the 20X3.5” Carless Whisper tires provide a low center of gravity and easy balance ensuring it’s easy to ride even for those who haven’t ridden a bike in a while.

I’m only scratching the surface of how much this e-bike impressed the whole Electric Bike Report team, so continue on through the Globe Haul ST review down below for the full breakdown.

*Right now Specialized has a lot of discounts for accessories you can pair with a Globe Haul ST as part of their Black Friday savings! Click the button above, or head to our Black Friday Electric Bike Deals page for more info.

*Editor’s Note: Updated Nov. 20th, 2023 to include award badge, and links to latest info and pricing.

Ride1UP Portola E-Bike Review, 2024

A fun and useful folding e-bike packed with features at a price that’s hard to match.

When we review an e-bike, we start by looking at its specs: What motor and battery is it equipped with? What’s the drivetrain? Does it come in sizes, more than one color, include accessories? In a way, it can be the opposite of shopping because if someone knows they aren’t going to spend more than $2000, they are going to skip anything more expensive. Because we review everything, price is generally the last thing we look at, which can make for a fun game—guess the price before we look. With the Ride1UP Portola, we were wrong, by a lot.

In our Ride1UP Portola review we’re going to dig into what makes this folding e-bike such a surprise. Were it simply inexpensive, that wouldn’t be enough to merit a good review. We pass on a great many inexpensive e-bikes because they don’t exhibit the sort of quality found in the Ride1UP Portola. In fact, the Portola is nicer than we’d expect in this price range.

Let’s begin with the big picture. This is a folding e-bike equipped with a 750W hub motor, hydraulic disc brakes, an 8-speed Shimano drivetrain, a suspension fork, lights, fenders, integrated rear rack and kickstand. Buyers are presented with a choice of either a 500Wh or a 643Wh battery, depending on their budget. The battery is integrated into the step-thru frame.

Were we to guess this e-bike’s price based on how it is spec’d, we would expect to see this cost hundreds more than it does.

Oftentimes, a folding frame will serve as the first criteria for choosing an e-bike. Either someone is looking for a folding e-bike or they aren’t. And that’s reasonable. However, with the Ride1UP Portola we are faced with an e-bike of such exceptional value we suggest that anyone looking for a value—not just those who want a folding e-bike—should give this e-bike a hard look.

There’s lots to discuss with this e-bike, so let’s get to it.

Right now you can get the Ride1UP Portola for $100 off during Black Friday savings! Click the button above, or head to our Black Friday E-Bike Deals page for more info.

*Editor’s Note: Updated Nov. 20th, 2023 to include award badge, and links to latest info and pricing.

Aventon Level.2 E-Bike Review, 2024

If you’ve followed Aventon over the years you’ve likely noticed how its evolved in the e-bike space. Its e-bike lineup has held some crowd-pleasing favorites, and they’ve added even more diverse offerings to it, but over the last 18 months or so we’ve really seen refinement from Aventon’s e-bikes. That focus on refinement is what was most apparent during our Aventon Level 2 review; there was sense of purpose in offering a better looking bike with a more natural riding experience with the latest iteration of the Level.

The Aventon Level 2 rolls out new looks highlighted by the slightly more angled edges on the frame and four striking color options. The integrated rear tailights (including one in the fender) adds to the bike’s aesthetic while also enhancing safety. The center display gets a well-received upgrade from it’s old black and white LCD display to a full color display with enhanced ride data.

While those may be the most readily apparent new elements to the Aventon Level, the largest change comes from under the hood, so to speak. Aventon spec’d the Level 2 with a torque sensor – a first for the e-bike company. It’s not often that affordable e-bike brands opt for a torque sensor, so this marks a welcome foray into seeing what can be achieved on e-bikes on a budget that doesn’t break the bank.

While there is plenty new on the Level 2 there was also quite a bit of familiar tried-and-true componentry present as well from the 500W motor, 672Wh battery, 180mm hydraulic disc brakes and a suspension fork as well.

As we always do, we put all of this bike’s features through EBR’s standard tests to better see what the Aventon Level 2 could do on our review. Head to the sections below to get our full thoughts.

Right now you can get the Aventon Level.2 for $300 off during Black Friday savings! Click the button above, or head to our Black Friday E-Bike Deals page for more info.

*Editor’s Note: Updated Nov. 20th, 2023 to include award badge, and links to latest info and pricing.

Best Electric Cargo Bikes 2024

Intro to Best Electric Cargo Bikes of 2024

*Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.

Cargo bikes have been in use since the 19th century, where tradesmen used them to deliver and transport their goods around Holland. These tradesmen must have been onto something because the idea has seemed to stick throughout the years. Nowadays, people are searching for the best electric cargo bike to transport their goods (kids, cargo, or otherwise) with ease.

In our modern world it’s no mystery what electric cargo bikes are meant for, carrying loads of groceries, taking the kids to school, and simply being an alternative to a car around town. While the idea of cargo e-bikes is relatively straightforward, some cargo e-bikes do their jobs better than others.

A good cargo e-bike can make the difference between you driving or riding to the grocery store. It can also make day-to-day tasks more fun and engaging. The wide array of benefits cargo e-bikes can offer has inspired our Electric Bike Report team to find the best electric cargo bikes for 2024.

We understand that no two people are going to have the same exact needs, and because of that we have provided a wide array of cargo electric bikes; we think that our list is going to have a good choice or two for everybody looking for their best electric cargo bike.

And if you’re only cargo curious but perhaps looking at different styles as well, make sure to check out our experts’ picks for the best e-bikes period.

*Editor’s Note: Last updated November 16th, 2023 with the latest picks for the best electric cargo bikes.

Our Best Cargo Electric Bikes 2024

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Griffin Hales

Operations Manager, E-Bike Writer & Reviewer, Low-Rate Stuntman

Favorite Style of E-Bike

Favorite E-Bikes Reviewed

Current Bikes You Ride/Own

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Lectric XPeak Review, 2024 | Prototype Shows Promising Future

Lectric enters the all-terrain category with a value-packed and versatile new model.

Aventon Soltera 2 Step-Through E-Bike Review, 2024

Lightweight, Authentic Pedal Feel, Robust Motor, Good Value for sub-$1400 bike

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Electric Bike Deals 2024

Lectric XP 3.0 Review, 2024 | Upgraded Brakes & Programming

Aventon Aventure 2 Fat Tire Electric Bike Review – 2024

The original Aventure raised the bar for affordable e-bikes. The Aventure 2 delivers an even better ride experience to what was already a top e-bike option.

Lectric XP Lite E-Bike Review 2024

Specialized Globe Haul ST Review – 2024

Specialized’s first hub motor e-bike is a homerun on performance, with enough ways to use it that anybody can enjoy it.

Ride1UP Portola E-Bike Review, 2024

A fun and useful folding e-bike packed with features at a price that’s hard to match.

Aventon Level.2 E-Bike Review, 2024

Best Electric Cargo Bikes 2024

Intro to Best Electric Cargo Bikes of 2024

Our Best Cargo Electric Bikes 2024

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Griffin Hales

Operations Manager, E-Bike Writer & Reviewer, Low-Rate Stuntman

Get to Know Griffin Hales

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Favorite Style of E-Bike

Favorite E-Bikes Reviewed

Current Bikes You Ride/Own

Favorite New E-bike Tested

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Griffin Hales

Lectric enters the all-terrain category with a value-packed and versatile new model.

Lightweight, Authentic Pedal Feel, Robust Motor, Good Value for sub-$1400 bike

The original Aventure raised the bar for affordable e-bikes. The Aventure 2 delivers an even better ride experience to what was already a top e-bike option.

Specialized’s first hub motor e-bike is a homerun on performance, with enough ways to use it that anybody can enjoy it.

A fun and useful folding e-bike packed with features at a price that’s hard to match.

Intro to Best Electric Cargo Bikes of 2024

Our Best Cargo Electric Bikes 2024

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