Lectric XP 4 (500W) Review | Our Best Budget XPerience Yet?

At the time of publishing, we are still in the middle of our Range Testing. We will update this review with the bike’s results and comparison data as soon as possible. Check back soon!

As with the Range Test section above, we have yet to complete our Hill Test with the XP 4. Check back in the near future to see how the bike performed!

Most e-bikes are equipped with one of a handful of common, tried-and-true brake systems that provide safe and effective stopping power. We perform our brake test on every bike using the above process to ensure that its system matches its style, speed, and weight; however, unsatisfactory results are uncommon.

As such, our Brake Test isn’t usually a highlight, but in the XP 4’s case, we were highly intrigued by the bike’s custom 602 hydraulic brake system, which is made by Star Union. The system has a custom brake lever body with large fluid reservoirs and sturdy aluminum levers. It also pairs 2-piston calipers with 180mm rotors on both wheels.

With this system, the XP 4 achieved spectacular results; its average stopping distance of 15’3” is the single best brake test for an e-bike we’ve recorded at the time of writing. For comparison, the average among all e-bikes is currently 21’7”, while the average among folding e-bikes is roughly a foot shorter at 20’8”.

A key difference between this system and many similar models we’ve tested is that its rotors are thicker at 2.3 millimeters, versus the more common 1.8-millimeter thickness. Thicker rotors result in better heat dispersion and improved overall braking performance.

The XP 4’s excellent performance was noticeable by feel as well as by the bike’s test score. Braking felt powerful without being too aggressive, and the system modulated speed well when going downhill.

Our entire team has been super impressed with the XP4’s custom 602 brakes, and we can confidently say they are safe and effective.

The subject of ride quality is an overall measure of how a bike feels to ride. It’s influenced by a variety of factors, including sizing, the bike’s geometry and riding position, its motor engagement, its user interface, its overall comfort factor, and many others. I’ll explore and explain these features in detail here.

Starting with sizing, the XP 4 is available in either a high-step or step-thru frame with a 19” standover height. Both models are recommended for riders between 4’10” and 6’3”, which is a wide range for a single frame size, but the bike offers an impressive 10” of saddle height adjustment and 4” of handlebar adjustment through the seatpost and stem, respectively.

At 5’11”, near the top end of the recommended height range, I found a comfortable fit with a good deal of room in both the stem and seatpost above my preferred settings. The long seatpost ensured proper leg extension, while the adjustable handlebars offered some adjustment in riding position and fit.

As is common with folding e-bikes, I felt perched relatively high above the frame, but one of the first things that I noticed with the XP 4 was its improved geometry. The angle of the stem on the previous version of the bike resulted in an unnaturally long reach, forcing my arms in an extended position, while this new version felt more relaxed and ergonomic (read: comfortable).

Another common aspect of folding e-bikes is somewhat twitchy handling. The XP 4 shared this element to some degree because of the small 20” wheels and 660mm handlebars it has in common with other bikes of its style, but its handling was made more balanced and stable due to the bike’s sturdy frame and above-average weight.

Seriously, this bike felt like a tank! In comparison to the XP 3.0, Lectric’s redesigned frame looks more appealing, feels stiffer and sturdier, and brings some much-needed flair to the table. It’s not the lightest or easiest to move around (I recommend an extra set of hands when loading it into a vehicle), but the improvements in ride quality are a worthy trade.

Speaking of improvements, I want to call attention to the fact that this bike simply exceeded my expectations for its feel with many of its trim elements. Previous XP models felt economical, with old-school LED displays, utilitarian button panels, hard rubber grips, etc.

The XP 4’s trim included noticeably higher-quality elements common on more costly e-bikes, such as softer lock-on grips, a control panel with rubberized buttons, integrated brake lights and turn signals, and a custom color TFT display.

In contrast with previous models, where adjusting settings sometimes felt like reading hieroglyphics, the XP 4 also has a custom UI with a user-friendly settings menu! By holding the + and – buttons, users can alter the torque multiplier, the engagement and limitations of the throttle, and the behavior of the lights, in addition to quickly switching between Class settings.

Another new feature are the XP’s custom 20×3” tires. Instead of the common knobby tires, the XP 4’s tires have a hybrid tread pattern made to be efficient on paved surfaces while offering stability when off-roading. I found them generally stable on pavement, hard dirt, and large gravel, though they could be somewhat slippery on sand and pea gravel.

Another element to mention is the XP 4’s cargo rack, which is capable of carrying up to 150 lbs. It’s compatible with a range of accessories for carrying cargo or passengers (including third-party child seating). The best part? Many accessories designed for the XP 3.0 are compatible, making it easy for owners of previous models to upgrade.

Finally, let’s discuss the XP 4’s folding features. Like Lectric’s previous models and those from many other brands, the bike has a hinged frame and a collapsible stem that functioned well and are intuitive to use.

Unfortunately, some areas of the frame contacted each other when the bike was folded and damaged the paint. The addition of rubber bumpers (such as those on other parts of the bike) would likely prevent this from being an issue.

Otherwise, we were highly impressed with the XP 4’s ride quality. It’s a noticeable upgrade from the previous version in nearly all aspects, and when its look and feel is put in perspective with its starting price, we consider any remaining compromises to be more than acceptable.

At the time of writing, e-bike prices have increased (or are expected to increase) across the industry due to tariffs. As a result, many of the bikes we’ve reviewed that were once in the budget tier have been forcibly priced higher.

From a different perspective, the budget tier has shifted to include e-bikes priced much closer to the $1,500 mark. Lectric has remained remarkably consistent in its pricing, and while we’re not exactly certain how the brand achieves this, the XP 4’s price of around a thousand dollars makes it an even better value than in previous years—especially considering its upgrades.

Lectric aims to create e-bikes that are affordable, feature-rich, and value-packed, as well as easy and fun to ride. After riding and testing the XP 4, I can confidently say the XP 4 checks all of those boxes, even though we have not seen all of its performance results in comparison to many of its peers.

It’s not perfect, and our testing has identified areas for improvement, but in most cases, we believe they are acceptable trade-offs for the price. Most importantly, we hope to see additional rubber bumpers added to prevent unwanted frame contact.

Otherwise, the bike has performed well in the testing we have conducted so far, and based on my personal experience, I expect it to continue doing so. At this point in time, I am happy to recommend the XP 4 to future riders buying their first e-bike or those outfitting their entire family.

As with previous versions, we consider the XP 4 as a great travel companion for RV enthusiasts, but it’s equally suitable for the daily commute to work or cruising around the neighborhood with your friend or child.

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 (500 Watt) down in our comments section.