Lectric XPeak 2.0 Review | The Fat Tire Value King?

With the XPeak 2.0, Lectric claims a range of up to 60 or 80 miles, depending on which battery you choose. We were sent the larger 20Ah (960Wh) battery for testing, so we were eager to see if it could deliver on those long-range promises.

In our max power test (PAS 5, Class 2, 20 mph), the bike lasted for 46.1 miles. After recharging, we ran it again on low power (PAS 2) and reached 65 miles. That’s a little shy of Lectric’s claimed 80-mile range, but since we used PAS 2 instead of PAS 1, so I won’t ding them for that.

Using those results and a bit of math, we’d estimate around 34.6 to 48.8 miles on the standard 15Ah (720Wh) battery. Of course, your mileage may vary, but that gives a solid ballpark to work with.

Overall, these are a mix of good and great results. The low-power test matched the average efficiency of other fat tire e-bikes we’ve tested. The watts-per-mile during the low-power test were pretty standard, but the high-power test stood out. We typically see bikes use about 25 watts-per-mile on max assist, but the XPeak only used 21. That’s impressive efficiency when it comes to battery consumption.

That efficiency speaks to the bike’s PWR+ programming. It gives you strong support when you need it—like getting up to speed or climbing hills—but then eases off to maintain speed without draining the battery unnecessarily.

Everyone has their own idea of what qualifies as “good” range, but personally, I think a floor value of 46 miles on the 20Ah battery—or an expected 34 miles with the standard battery—is pretty solid.

A big draw of any e-bike is how it handles hills. To measure that, we take every bike we test to the infamous Hell Hole Trail—a paved, third-of-a-mile climb with an average grade of 12 percent.On the throttle-only test, the XPeak made it to the top in 1 minute and 20 seconds, averaging 13.6 mph. That’s better than the all-bike average of 1:34 and even edges out the fat bike category average of 1:22 as of this writing.

With pedal assist in PAS 5, the time improved slightly to 1:15, with an average speed of 14.5 mph. Again, that beat the all-bike average of 1:28 and tied the fat bike average.

So let’s keep it simple with a basic analysis here: When it comes to flattening hills, the XPeak 2.0 does a great job. It’s got more than enough power to make steep climbs feel easy.

Beyond the test, I admit I was surprised with how well the bike adapted to hills offroad. I spent the better part of a day along a mountainside with several steeper climbs, and with the right use of gearing, it moved much quicker and easier uphill than I originally expected from a heavy e-bike.

To measure how well the brakes performed, we conducted a test as outlined in the graphic above. I was happy with the XPeak’s results as it was able to stop at an average of 22’5”. That just so happens to be the fat bike’s category average as well. The high-step model, which we tested separately, had an even better average result of 20’7”!

One of the key upgrades from the original XPeak to the 2.0 is a larger front rotor, moving to a 203mm rotor instead of a 180mm. That extra surface area helps dissipate heat more effectively, which improves braking performance.

In fact, the 2.0 stopped 7 inches shorter than the original model—even more impressive considering this version of the bike is heavier than the XPeak 1.0 we tested, due to the upgraded battery we were sent this time around.

As part of the continued theme of the XPeak 2.0, the larger rotor is another example of how Lectric has added more value without raising the MSRP. So, in the brake department, it’s a win for both performance and value.

“Ride quality” can be a little vague, but it largely comes down to how the bike looks and feels. Let’s start with the feel.

The XPeak 2.0 rides with a lot of confidence. The 600mm handlebar appeared a little narrow on paper, but paired with the wide tires, it gave the bike a very solid feel. It’s not twitchy, nor does it feel too wide. With this setup, you can cruise, commute, or romp off-road, all with relative ease and while maintaining good control of the ride.

The tires are great for the balance they provide on paved roads, although they do come with a noise penalty—you’ll definitely hear them on pavement. But they pay off big time when you cut through dirt or gravel. They float over loose terrain easily and can boulder over rocks and roots on milder trails.

The RST Renegade fork performed nicely, too. It softened the ride wherever I took it and helped the XPeak 2.0 earn an ISO 4210-10 rating—the eMTB durability standard. So while no, this isn’t a full-blown mountain bike, that durability rating provides some real peace of mind that the frame, fork, and components can handle rough roads, doubletrack, and fireroads.

The 2.0 also got a lot of quality-of-life upgrades over its predecessor, and they all paid off. We already covered the PWR+ programming and upgraded brakes, but there’s also a stiffer frame, an upgraded 8-speed drivetrain, and a new color display.

The frame and drivetrain upgrades were noticeable. Describing frame sturdiness can be tricky, but it mostly comes down to how confident you feel when turning, riding over rough patches, and handling bumps. I’d say the XPeak 1.0 felt “mostly confident,” while the XPeak 2.0 feels “very confident” across a variety of terrain, even on the step-thru frame.

The drivetrain upgrade from seven to eight gears is great, but the switch to rapid-fire trigger shifters was a night-and-day improvement. I’m not a fan of over-the-bar shifters on bikes meant to handle rough terrain, so this change was a huge step forward in my eyes.

Even the smaller details around the edges stood out. I like the sideways thumb throttle, which helps prevent accidental engagement, and the quick-release pedals with pins that keep your feet planted firmly where they should be.

Lectric also offers plenty of usual accessories like fenders, racks, and lights, but you can also choose from a variety of less common optional extras like fishing packages or winter riding gear if you want to ride year-round.

If the XPeak 2.0 has a downside, it’s a familiar one for bikes that keep costs low: sizing is limited to one high-step and one step-thru model. It’s a little more limiting still since the black and white color options are tied to the frame type you choose.

Still, I’ll give Lectric credit for their progress in styling. The frame angles, branding, and overall look are sharper and crisper than on previous bikes. It’s the kind of improvement I hope to see as a brand matures, and Lectric is clearly growing in that regard. While they’re still making affordable bikes, their designs are starting to look a lot less like budget rides.

We tested both the high-step and step-thru models of the XPeak and found that both had a similarly sturdy, sporty, and comfortable feel.

With a lower minimum saddle height, a low standover height, and a shorter reach, the ST model is geared toward shorter riders. The HS frame is better suited for taller folks due to its high standover height, taller saddle, and longer reach. A rider of the same height moving between both bikes will notice a slightly more upright riding position on the ST model.

Both frame styles felt solid and well-built, though, as with any bike that offers both a HS and ST frame, the high-step had a stiffer feel overall. We noticed some frame flex on the ST (again, unavoidable due to the nature of not having a top tube), but its ride was a noticeable improvement over the ST version of the XPeak 1.0.

Overall, the differences were minimal, so if you’re leaning toward the ST for ease of use but concerned about frame flex, I’d say that you shouldn’t be worried.

The e-bike community is constantly debating which fat tire bike is the best, but I don’t know if there are many that can truly challenge the Lectric XPeak 2.0 when it comes to offering the best value in the category. It has all the hallmarks of a good fat tire e-bike and then some.

Across all our standardized tests, the XPeak 2.0 performed as well as or better than other fat tire e-bikes we’ve reviewed. But it costs less, and it comes with components and durability certifications you simply don’t see on bikes under $2,000, let alone well under that threshold.

The motor delivered strong power, the ride felt stable and confidence-inspiring, the shifting was intuitive, and most importantly, it was just plain fun to ride!

This is a bike we happily recommend to riders looking for a budget-friendly ride with on- and off-road potential. It could be a stable and powerful commuter, a versatile adventure bike, or just about anything in between.

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 XPeak 2.0 down in our comments section.