Lectric XPeak 2.0 Review: First Impressions | Better Ride, Same Cost
Nearly one year after the XPeak originally launched, Lectric is already on to the second generation and improving most aspects while keeping the same hard-to-beat value pricing.
Roughly one year later, the brand is launching a second-generation XPeak 2.0 that builds on the success of the first while adding a suite of new features. These include torque-sensor-driven motor engagement, increased stopping power, a color display, and a better-matched drivetrain.
Lectric invited the Electric Bike Report team to Phoenix, AZ, where we spent a day testing the XPeak 2.0’s capabilities. We really put it through its paces, ripping around a mountainside to explore the full range of what the XPeak 2.0 can do. In the tough environment of the chunky, rocky Arizona desert, the bike’s improvements stood out.
The frame felt stiffer and more confident than before. The drivetrain, equipped with rapid-fire shifters now, felt crisp and natural compared to the old over-the-bar Shimano Tourney shifter. Of course, the torque sensor provided a solid initial burst and delivered reliable performance when the ride became steep and challenging.
I couldn’t help but be impressed by what the XPeak 2.0 could handle on rugged singletrack (which is admittedly a tough task for a fat tire like this), but returning to paved areas reminded me of the all-around versatility of a fat tire bike.
The motor is surprisingly quiet for its power. The XPeak 2.0 is a Class 3 e-bike, capable of reaching the 28 mph speed limit with ease—and it gets there remarkably quietly. The ride feels balanced and comfortable, making it suitable for daily commuting.
The cherry on top of the experience is that, while the XPeak 2.0 is an outright joy to ride and features noticeable improvements in handling, quality, and function, Lectric stayed true to its roots. They accomplished all of this without increasing the price; it still starts at just $1,399.
Whatever minor shortcomings the bike may have seemed insignificant in light of its incredible value. From our first ride, the XPeak 2.0 shows a lot of promise, but there’s still many more questions about it to unpack.
The XPeak 2.0: “Good wasn’t good enough”. The Key Changes
Before we could ride the bikes, we toured Lectric’s HQ, met the team, and watched a brief presentation about the models we were there to test (including access to the XPedition 2.0). Fortunately, the presentation answered my biggest question: why was the XPeak getting a second generation so quickly when other models had gone years without a successor?
Lectric’s CEO, Levi Conlow, was brimming with pride as he shared his team’s sales successes. He claims the XP series is the best-selling e-bike in America. The XP Trike leads e-trike sales, and the XPedition is the leader in cargo bike sales by units sold. The XPeak saw early success but wasn’t class-leading, so why not throw all the upgrades at it now and make a better product? “Good wasn’t good enough,” he later explained to me. And so, onto Gen 2 we go.
Lectric has started standardizing many new components across its models, and several feel like natural choices for the XPeak. Let’s take a closer look at the most significant changes—at least, what stood out to me during my time on the bike.
The frame looked sturdier this time around—and it certainly rode like it. Describing frame sturdiness is tricky, but it mostly depends on how confident you feel when turning, riding over rough patches, and handling similar challenges. I’d say the XPeak 1.0 felt “mostly confident,” while the XPeak 2.0 felt “very confident” across various scenarios. While the Lectric team didn’t share specific details about what was improved, it felt as solid as any affordable fat tire bike I’ve ridden.
Once again, the bike is ISO 4210-10 approved. This certification means it meets the stress-testing standards eMTBs must pass to prove they can handle the rigors of off-roading. It adds another layer of confidence that you’re riding a bike built to take some punishment if you want to mix in off-road rides.
The geometry doesn’t appear to have changed much. It’s still suited to an affordable fat-tire bike: mostly relaxed but capable of providing enough forward-leaning support when tackling uphill dirt trails.
Braking power saw an upgrade. Instead of 180mm hydraulic rotors on both the front and rear, the XPeak 2.0 now features a 203mm rotor on the front. We’ll see how it performs in our official testing once we get a model back to the Electric Bike Report office, but during our ride, it performed well on both roads and dirt.
My personal favorite upgrade might be the new Acera drivetrain. It features eight gears instead of seven, but the standout improvement is the shifter. I don’t fault an affordable bike for using the Tourney, but I’ve never been a fan of it on bikes designed for off-roading. Having to unwrap my thumb from the grip to shift while bouncing around is far from ideal. The new shifter is a much better option, in my opinion, and it performed reliably during our ride.
Finally, the battery received a small standard bump, along with an option for an extended-range battery. The new standard size is 15Ah (up from 14Ah) at the $1,399 starting price. For $1,599, Lectric also offers a 20Ah battery option, which provides 33% more range. More battery is always a welcome improvement.
PWR+ Improves The Motor Experience
Lectric does something unique with its torque sensor by retaining some of the ease typically associated with cadence sensors. I’d describe it as having a higher baseline wattage output at any PAS level but with noticeable increases in motor assistance when you push harder on the pedals. Overall, it’s a well-balanced pairing that performs effectively.
The high baseline wattage is particularly beneficial on a fat-tire e-bike. On many other torque-sensing fat bikes, riding at slower speeds can feel sluggish. This highlights why traditional bikes with 4” wide tires were not widely popular before e-bikes gained traction. Lectric’s torque sensor ensures the bike keeps moving, making even slower, mellow rides less strenuous for the rider. When you crank the power up, the motor responds well, enabling quicker acceleration with some effort.
A potential benefit of the new sensor lies in range and efficiency. In our previous testing of various e-bikes, bikes with the same motor and battery often achieved better range with torque sensors. This is because torque sensors allow more variation in motor output rather than delivering a fixed wattage.
It’s a TBD benefit for now. Once we conduct a full range test, we’ll know for sure, but I expect the XPeak 2.0 to exceed the 30–59 miles we recorded for the 1.0 in Class 2 settings.
The M24 motor delivers 750W nominal power, 1,310W peak power, and 85Nm of torque. By the numbers, this is a powerful setup, and hills won’t present much of a challenge—even for a heavier, less aerodynamic bike like this. The motor provides plenty of assistance to get you where you’re going.
The 8-speed drivetrain offers a wide enough gear range (11-34t) to support Class 3 speeds. While you’ll need to quicken your cadence around 25 mph, reaching 28 mph is still manageable. At higher speeds, the bike’s stability shines—the frame felt sturdy, with no major vibrations or jitteriness.
The motor is also quieter than expected. Given the bike’s size and weight, the motor must work hard, but it remains impressively quiet. You’re more likely to notice feedback from the tires or road than from the motor.
Emptying The Noggin: Other XPeak 2.0 Thoughts
I firmly believe that aesthetics matter for any product. The angles of the frame and the way the branding and colors come together all felt sharper and crisper. It’s the kind of improvement I hope to see as a brand matures, and Lectric is growing in this regard. While they’re still making affordable bikes, their designs are starting to look less like budget rides.
The only change made to the fork (still the RST Renegade with 80mm of adjustable travel) was the color of the stanchions. The black finish adds a unique touch and complements the bike’s overall appearance. The fork continues to offer solid comfort for riding.
The cockpit looks cleaner without the Tourney shifter, and the new color display is a welcome upgrade. It’s easy to read in sunlight and shows all the essential data. While I’d still love to see percentage-based battery readouts, a color display is a clear improvement over black-and-white, making this change worth appreciating.
One wishlist item I didn’t get was a sideways-removable battery. The bottom dropout design can be a bit awkward when loading or unloading, especially since it can bump against the tire. Still, it’s good that the battery is removable.
The XPeak 2.0 will also be available in a step-thru option. One was in the corner at Lectric’s HQ to look at, but none were on hand for testing. The frame appears to have been reinforced to reduce flex.
The high-step comes in Tempest Grey, and the step-thru comes in Stratus White. Both models offer a single frame size, but in general, smaller to taller riders will fit the step-thru, while medium to taller riders should feel at home on the high step.
The lights, fenders, and rack make the bike a practical choice for commuting. Bikes like this often log most of their miles on paved roads while staying off-road capable. These accessories help make everyday trips more convenient. While they can rattle a bit off-road, they’re easy enough to detach if you plan on spending a lot of time on dirt trails.
Overall Thoughts / Remaining Questions
The motor delivered impressive power, the ride inspired confidence, the shifting was intuitive, and most importantly—it was fun to ride!
I logged nearly 50 miles during my time with the bike. While I learned a lot, a few key questions remain until the full review can be completed: Will the step-thru model feel as solid as the high-step version? How will the new torque sensor perform on steep hills? Will the battery’s real-world performance match its specs on paper? And finally, will this bike achieve Lectric’s goal of becoming the go-to choice for powerful, affordable fat-tire e-bikes? (In other words, how will the market respond?)
Time will tell once we conduct the full review, but the future for the XPeak 2.0 looks undeniably promising.
If you were on the fence about the XPeak 1.0, I can confidently say that this feels like a better bike. For those who want more data before deciding, sign up for our email list to catch the full review in the coming weeks!