Lectric XPeak e-bike review: Here’s why it’s the highest-value adventure bike out there
The Phoenix-based electric bike brand Lectric Ebikes is known for rolling out some of the best bang-for-your-buck electric bicycles in the US. Time after time, the company has entered new markets and broken ground with high-performing, low-cost e-bikes that send the competition into panic. And the $1,299 Lectric XPeak might just be the best example of that high-value game plan yet.
The Lectric XPeak falls into the category commonly referred to as “adventure-style bikes”, which basically means they have massive tires and an off-road design, but aren’t mountain bikes.
The most common form for this category is the standard hardtail 26″ fat tire bike, and that’s exactly what the Lectric XPeak offers.
So then what makes it so special? Basically, it offers better parts than other companies at a price several hundred dollars lower. It’s a better bike for less money, and I’m of the opinion that it’s one of the only bikes worth looking at in this budget adventure category anymore.
If you want higher quality, there are always going to be fancier brand-name bikes out there. But if you have two goals of getting off-road and saving money, the Lectric XPeak is basically the answer.
The Lectric XPeak is a better experience, period.
From the moment you mount the Letric XPeak and start your first ride, you’ll realize how much better this bike is.
Despite using a cadence sensor for pedal assist, like all budget fat tire electric bikes, the company’s power-based pedal assist system makes the ride surprisingly smooth. Sure, there’s a little bit of cadence sensor lag when you start spinning the pedals, but it’s just not very noticeable by comparison.
The ride is comfortable thanks to that 80mm travel Renegade RST front fork. That’s a fork that has no business being on a bike like this – it’s just too nice. But there it is.
I was worried how I would feel about the paddle thumb throttle, but I even found that to be surprisingly comfortable, too. It’s much better than an up-and-down rotary thumb throttle, though nothing is going to make me stop missing the industry standard and always perfect half-twist throttle, which rightfully reigns supreme as the king of all throttle designs.
The 750W rear motor actually has a peak power of 1,310W, and is there to offer up to 28 mph (45 km/h) of pedaling speed with 85 Nm of torque, and the large front chain ring means that you can actually pedal that fast without spinning your legs like a power drill. Plus, the gripping alloy pedals bite into your shoes nicely for strong contact, ensuring you aren’t slipping off the tiny little nubs on the cheap plastic pedals so many bikes come with these days.
That big ol’ rear rack offers plenty of real estate for hauling cargo and other gear around, plus you get fenders included instead of some annoying add-on accessory.
For range, the bike gets a 48V 14Ah battery with 672 Wh of capacity. Range will of course vary depending on conditions, but up to 55 miles (88 km) of range is possible on low-power pedal assist. Just be careful letting it rip in full power motor at top speed, as you could watch your range plummet into the 12-20 mile (20-32 km) window.
Are there sacrifices?
Yes, of course there will be a few areas where sacrifices were made to keep costs down.
You’re looking at Chaoyang tires instead of anything fancier, but that’s fine by me. I don’t need Maxxis tires to show off at the trailhead. I don’t care if the other guy’s tires cost as much as my whole bike. I’m out here to ride, not compete.
So sure, sacrifices will always have to be made on budget-level bikes to keep the price reasonable. But that’s sort of the amazing thing here, that there just aren’t that many sacrifices being made. You even still get hydraulic disc brakes on 180 mm rotors and a telescoping seat post to fit a wider range of axles.
Then there’s that thru-axle front wheel, the eMTB safety certifications that so many adventure-style electric bikes lack, and the full surround LED lighting.
Consider that the bike comes in both a step-over and a step-thru, and you’re looking at a lot of value in just one e-bike here.
But then again, that’s exactly what we’ve come to expect from Lectric Ebikes, the same company that brought us the XP line of folding e-bikes that shook up the e-bike industry with fair pricing that more riders than ever could finally afford.
And at just $1,299, the Lectric XPeak is a two-thumb-up-buy!
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
The average US new car price crossed the $50,000 mark for the first time in September, according to new estimates from Kelley Blue Book (KBB). Prices have been climbing steadily for over a year, and the pace picked up this summer – but that hasn’t stopped Americans from buying.
KBB says September’s record average transaction price (ATP) was partly driven by luxury models and EVs, which pushed the market into record territory. EVs made up an estimated 11.6% of all new vehicles sold last month, which is also a record high. The average EV sold for $58,124 – up 3.5% from August’s adjusted figure.
In Q3, EV sales hit another milestone: 437,487 EVs were sold in the US, giving them a 10.5% market share. That’s nearly a 30% jump from the same period last year. With government-backed EV incentives expiring at the end of September, many buyers hurried to lock in their purchases.
Year-over-year, the average EV transaction price is basically flat, down just 0.4%. Incentives averaged 15.3% of ATP in September, or about $8,900 per vehicle – slightly lower than August but higher than a year ago, when incentives averaged 13%.
Tesla, which continues to dominate the EV market, saw an average ATP of $54,138 in September. That’s a slight dip from August and down 6.8% from a year earlier. With Tesla recently introducing the new Standard versions of the Model 3 and Model Y, KBB expects average prices across the segment to fall in the coming months. Erin Keating, executive analyst at Cox Automotive, thinks the market is “ripe for disruption.”
“It is important to remember that the new-vehicle market is inflationary. Prices go up over time, and today’s market is certainly reminding us of that,” said Keating. “The $20,000 vehicle is now mostly extinct, and many price-conscious buyers are sidelined or cruising in the used-vehicle market. Tariffs have introduced new cost pressure to the business, but the pricing story in September was mostly driven by the healthy mix of EVs and higher-end vehicles pushing the new-vehicle ATP into uncharted territory.”
Read more: US EV sales smash records in August as Tesla loses ground
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
It’s official. The Genesis GV70 is about to get two new electrified options, including its first hybrid and extended-range (EREV) versions.
Two new Genesis GV70 electrified SUVs are coming soon
Genesis is turning 10, and it’s planning to go all out. Hyundai gave us a look at what’s coming last month during its CEO Investor Day.
The plans include Genesis expanding with new electrified powertrain offerings, including its first hybrid and extended-range electric vehicles.
Up until now, the luxury automaker has focused on fully electric (EV) or internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. By expanding into different electrified powertrains, Genesis hopes to attract new buyers to the brand while grabbing a bigger share of the luxury market.
Genesis will launch its first hybrid in 2026, the GV80. We knew the GV70 EREV would follow shortly after, but now it’s been confirmed that a hybrid model is also set to join the lineup.
We got our first look at the Genesis GV70 EREV last week. The vehicle was parked in South Korea and appeared to be nearly identical to the current model. Aside from a tag labeling it an EREV and a massive muffler at the back, it looks about the same as the Electrified GV70.
Now, we are finally getting a glimpse of the Hybrid version. The Genesis GV70 Hybrid was also caught by HealerTV in South Korea, this time with an HEV tag.
Like the EREV, the GV70 Hybrid is still covered in camouflage, but this time, you can see the vehicle has the brand’s sport package. The optional package adds sporty exterior and interior elements, including chrome around the Crest Grille and window trim.
The vehicle is still a prototype, so it could change by the time it reaches production form. However, as the reporter points out, the GV70 Hybrid could bring a unique new look to the GV70 series.
On the side of the tire, the letters “FL” are printed, which is typically shown on Hyundai vehicles set to receive a facelift.
Genesis is expected to launch the GV70 EREV in late 2026, followed by the Hybrid version sometime in early 2027.
According to Hyundai, the EREV will have a combined driving range of over 1,000 km (620 miles). Although it still runs on an electric motor, it will feature a small gas motor that acts as a generator to charge the battery and extend the driving range.
Genesis is betting on new electrified vehicles, including EVs, hybrids, and EREVs, to drive growth. The luxury brand aims to expand into up to 20 new European markets while gaining a bigger share of the US market. By 2030, Genesis aims to sell 350,000 vehicles.
Although it had planned to only offer fully electric vehicles from 2030, Genesis backed off on its commitment. Instead, it will use hybrids and EREVs as a bridge to an all-electric future.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Duracell, the iconic US battery brand that started in the 1920s, is crossing the Atlantic to launch its first-ever EV fast charging network, Duracell E-Charge, in the UK.
Sales of gas and diesel cars will end by 2030 in the UK, which is driving EV sales and charging infrastructure growth. With more than £200 million ($266 million) in planned investment over the next decade, Duracell E-Charge is getting on the bandwagon with an aim to improve the fast charging experience.
Duracell has licensed its new network to Elektra Charge, a charge point operator set up to run the Duracell E-Charge network. The EV Network (EVN), one of the UK’s top charging infrastructure developers, will fund and build the charging hubs.
“The need for faster, more reliable charging to keep pace with EV adoption is clear,” said Reza Shaybani, CEO of The EV Network. “Duracell E-Charge is a direct response to that challenge.”
Duracell’s EV fast charging network will feature 400 kW ultra-fast chargers where drivers can pay via app, contactless, or plug-and-go. Each site will have intuitive interfaces, clear signage, and 24/7 support.
The first six Duracell E-Charge sites will come online in 2025. The Sunday Times reported that Duracell plans to grow its charging network to at least 100 charging stations with at least 500 charging points by 2030. The hubs will be strategically located along major motorways, near retail and hospitality venues, and at key city gateways.
“Charging your car should be as simple as changing the batteries in your remote,” said Mark Bloxham, managing director of Duracell E-Charge. “Plug. Play. Go.”
Electrek’s Take
I asked Duracell whether it had plans to launch Duracell E-Charge in the US, and I’ll update this story if I hear back. But if you want to know why this American legacy company launched its first DC fast charging network in the UK instead of the US, it’s a simple answer. Business-friendly, stable government policy.
Read more: InstaVolt is using GPS tracking to catch thieves stealing its EV charging cables
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024