Lectric XP 4 (750 Watt) Review | The Bar Has Been Raised

King of the Hill: It’s a classic animated series from my youth—and now, a fitting title for the XP 4 750W among folding e-bikes.

The XP 4 750W is officially the fastest folding bike we’ve tested in both our throttle and pedal hill tests, beating the next best times by four and five seconds, respectively. It also ranks as the 18th fastest (throttle) and 14th fastest (pedal) overall among all e-bikes we’ve tested since Justin began dedicated hill testing—now spanning over 230 bikes.

The extra $300 to upgrade from the XP 4 500W to the 750W version is absolutely worth it, both in clear performance gains and sheer value. A 50% more powerful motor and a 67% larger battery is nothing to sneeze at—many bikes would charge you a couple hundred dollars just for the battery upgrade alone.

*As of 4/25/25	Lectric XP 4 750W	*Folding e-bike average	*All e-bikes average
Throttle Time & Speed	1:14, 14.7mph	1:36, 11.3 mph	1:35, 11.4 mph
Max PAS Time & Speed	1:03, 17.2mph	1:27, 12.5 mph	1:28, 12.3 mph

Hill climb times aren’t just about bragging rights—they translate into real-world confidence, especially for larger riders or anyone planning to take advantage of the 150-pound rear rack capacity. Even with extra weight onboard, the stronger climbing ability makes for a better, more capable riding experience.

Finally, a welcome upgrade: the XP 4 models have ditched the old Tourney shifter and derailleur in favor of Shimano Acera components. Considering this is the best-selling bike line in North America, it’s great to see the quality step up while still keeping prices accessible. And ditching the over-the-bar shifter is a huge win for e-bikes—the new 8-speed trigger shifters are easier to reach, more reliable, and make climbing hills a lot smoother.

It turns out that one perk of selling the most e-bikes is that you start getting custom components. Star Union’s 602 2-piston hydraulic brakes were made specifically for the XP series, with 602 being a nod to the Phoenix-based brand’s area code.

The brakes are a clear step up in construction, with rotors that are now 2.3mm thick (up from 1.9mm), offering greater resistance to brake fade and a lower chance of warping or bending.

And it turns out, they’re phenomenal at braking too! In our brake test, the XP 4 averaged a 16’1” stopping distance. That’s podium-worthy, folks—the third-best brake result we’ve ever recorded, just behind the Specialized Globe Haul ST and the new all-time leader, the Lectric XP 4 500W. Currently, Lectric is holding both the gold and bronze with this brake setup.

How did it get such a good result? Well, most of the leaderboard consists of bikes with 20” tires which the XP has always had, but this is the first time it’s using a more road-friendly tread vs the knobbies of the past, and the larger contact patch certainly helped, and the rotor thickness can theoretically help as well too. Beyond that, I’ll have to grill Star Union on what else went into Lectric’s custom brakes and find out more.

Beyond the raw numbers, the brakes feel great too. Even the brake levers feel higher quality compared to many other bikes, which tend to cheap out in that area. All in all, it’s another big win for the XP 4.

The XP 4 sets a new high bar for all-around ride quality—and the 750W version adds even more comfort and safety upgrades.
Let’s start with the core XP 4 characteristics.

The bike accommodates a wide range of rider types, with both the high-step and step-thru frames comfortably fitting those between 4’10” and 6’4”. The 330-pound payload capacity and strong motor are helpful for riders of all sizes.

The 660mm handlebar pairs sensibly with the 20×3” tires, delivering neutral handling that strikes a nice balance—not too twitchy, not too sluggish. The tires have a mostly smooth center tread with some side grip, giving quiet performance on pavement with added stability. Plus, they come preloaded with slime for flat prevention.

One improvement to the XP 4’s geometry is the stem: it now aligns with the headtube angle instead of pitching forward 15 degrees like before. This shortens the reach slightly, allowing a more comfortable bend at the elbows and a relaxed, upright riding position.

The 50mm suspension fork is modest and more on the entry-level side, but it still takes the edge off bumps and road imperfections, and the black stanchions are nice for the look (I just am not a fan of chrome).

Aesthetically, the XP 4 has taken a big step forward. The new frame design is clean and modern, and the addition of color options, such as Raindrop Blue and Pine Green, is a welcome change from the standard black and white.

Plastic fenders have replaced the metal ones from previous generations. They still look sharp but rattle less when bouncing off rocks or debris. Other nice refinements include the relocated key port and the fact that you no longer need the key inserted to ride—something older XP owners will definitely appreciate (it’s been a sore spot for years).

Integrated lighting is another highlight: the headlight, taillights, and turn signals all come standard. The new color display shows speed, watts, amps, and more—and introduces some excellent quality-of-life upgrades.

One of the most noticeable is the new battery readout. It now uses a percentage-based reading (in 10% increments). While it may seem like it drops a bit quickly moving 10% at a time, it’s far more predictable and consistent than the older bar-based system, which often stayed full for too long before dropping erratically.

The settings menu is now far more intuitive. Riders can easily adjust Class mode, throttle behavior, screen brightness, and more—all without needing the owner’s manual to decode random letters and numbers.

The touchpoints on the XP 4 feel surprisingly premium. Small but meaningful upgrades like a weighted throttle lever, solid brake levers, soft rubber grips, and the move away from old folding pedals all elevate the feel. These aren’t flashy upgrades, but they make the XP 4 feel fantastic and less “budgety”.

Speaking of pedals, they’re now quick-release with solid grip and help slim down the bike’s folded dimensions. With a little practice, you can go from fully rideable to fully folded in under a minute. The folding latch engages securely without much effort, and once locked in, the frame feels rock-solid.

Carrying the folded bike is doable, with natural lifting points at the grab handle on the frame and the rear rack. That said, at nearly 70 lbs, it’s not light—removing the battery or asking a friend for help is a good move when lifting it higher into a truck bed or the back of a van.

One thing to be aware of: when folded, the frame makes contact with itself, which could chip the paint. A DIY fix like a dab of hot glue and a silicone bumper works fine for now, but it’s something Lectric could improve in the future.

With a 150-pound rear rack weight limit, the XP 4 can handle a Yepp child seat, a buddy passenger with cushion and footpegs, or a set of panniers for gear.

And as part of the XP 4 750W upgrade, you also get a suspension seatpost and a larger headlight. The seatpost adds a little more cushion to the ride, and the brighter light enhances both safety and the overall aesthetic. Combined with the upgraded motor and battery, these extras really help pad the value.

The Lectric XP 4 already offers a mix of features, specs, and versatility that few e-bikes at this price point can match. But with the upgraded XP 4 750W, you’re getting even more performance and value—frankly, more than any other e-bike we’ve tested in this price range.

This bike is redefining what’s possible on what I’d still consider an affordable budget. Its looks, ride feel, and performance are all standout. It’s the kind of bike with broad appeal—just as fitting for college students getting around campus as it is for RVers who want a compact yet capable ride to bring on the road.

I don’t want to get too bogged down in comparisons, but what the XP 4 delivers now versus its predecessors, at the same base price, is a leap forward. It’s one of the rare cases where I’d say the upgrade is truly worth it for previous XP owners. The riding experience has evolved significantly, and the added motor power on the 750W model genuinely unlocks a new level of fun.

As for drawbacks, they are few and fairly minor. The frame contact issue when folded is easily addressed with a bit of DIY (or hopefully, a future fix from Lectric). And while the large battery is a huge plus for range, it does add weight—so removing it or grabbing a second set of hands makes lifting the bike easier.

Beyond that, there’s not much more you can reasonably ask for at this price. Setting new category- and all-bike-leading test results while looking and riding better than ever are major achievements, and they position the XP 4 750W as a strong contender for the title of most popular e-bike in the U.S.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Lectric XP 4 750 Watt down in our comments section.