RoadTrailRide: Lectric XPedition 2.0 Cargo eBike Review

Lectric XPedition 2.0 Cargo eBike ($1,799 + equipment)

Introduction

Right here in Boulder, Colorado, my cargo eBike is not a novelty, it is a necessity. With over 4,000 miles logged on my trusty Yuba Spicy Curry, I’ve hauled the whole lot from per week’s value of groceries up steep roads to commuting throughout city alongside a mixture of gravel trails, roads, and bike paths. 

It’s mainly our second automotive, my work shuttle, my transportation to trailheads. and my weekend escape rolled into one. So when the chance arose to check Lectric’s XPedition 2.0 – a motorbike claiming large utility and energy at a fraction of the price of premium manufacturers – my curiosity was piqued, and admittedly, I used to be a bit skeptical. 

I examined the XPedition 2.0 on quite a lot of terrain, together with these steep unforgiving hills, winding bike paths, and light-weight trails to seek out out if this budget-friendly cargo bike is a real car-killer or only a pretender.

Be aware: the bike was offered to me freed from cost by Lectric for testing and assessment functions.

First Impressions, Execs & Cons

Unboxing the XPedition 2.0, it’s instantly clear that Lectric is a stable firm that is aware of how one can ship a motorbike. The packaging was sturdy, and each part was securely fixed, arriving with no scratch. Meeting was simple, aided by intelligent QR codes on the field that hyperlink on to tutorial movies, a considerate contact for these new to eBikes.

As soon as assembled, the bike’s construct high quality is spectacular for its worth level. The welds on the brand new hydroformed aluminum body are clear, and the general development feels sturdy and prepared for work. It is a heavy machine at 83 kilos with each batteries put in, however its low step-thru design makes it surprisingly approachable.

Execs

Distinctive Worth: Provides options like a torque sensor and dual-battery functionality at a worth level rivals cannot contact.

Immense Energy and Capability: The 750W motor (peaking at 1310W) and a 450 lb payload capability imply it may deal with heavy masses (in my case, two 11 12 months olds) and steep hills with confidence.

Large Vary: The twin-battery possibility supplies an unbelievable quantity of vary.

Easy and Intuitive Journey: The brand new PWR+ torque sensor delivers natural-feeling pedal help, a major improve from cadence-only techniques.

Extremely Customizable: Comes with a number of included equipment and a variety of non-obligatory add-ons to tailor it to any want.

Cons

Heavy: At over 80 lbs with batteries, lifting it onto a automotive rack or carrying it up stairs is a critical problem.

Fundamental Suspension: Whereas the entrance fork and suspension seatpost assist, the journey could be harsh on very tough terrain because of the lack of rear suspension.

Proprietary Charger Connector: Makes it tough to make use of third-party chargers.

The Journey

The guts of the XPedition 2.0 is its highly effective 750W rear hub motor, which places out a powerful 1,310W at its peak. The actual game-changer, nonetheless, is the brand new custom-tuned torque sensor with PWR+ know-how. 

Not like the jerky on/off really feel of many cadence-based techniques, the XPedition delivers energy that looks like a pure extension of your individual pedaling. On the steep climbs round my neighborhood, the motor by no means felt underpowered, even when loaded down. My spouse and I took turns as passengers and the bike dealt with our weight with ease. It supplies a easy, regular help that makes you’re feeling superhuman, quite than only a passenger.

Whereas the XPedition’s hub motor is just marginally much less refined than the premium Bosch mid-drive motor on my Yuba Spicy Curry, it delivers a extra noticeable surge of energy at greater help ranges. Surprisingly, the Lectric holds its personal on the subject of hill-crushing capability. I even conquered a well known biking coaching hill (NCAR) in Boulder and crushed the Strava section utilizing solely the throttle (although no crowns have been claimed as I stored this a personal exercise).

The bike’s dealing with is a story of two traits. The lengthy wheelbase and low middle of gravity (thanks to twenty” wheels) make it extremely secure at velocity, even when totally loaded. But, these smaller wheels additionally lend it an agility that defies its measurement, making it straightforward to maneuver via metropolis bike lanes and round obstacles. 

That mentioned, I did discover it to be squirrely and unstable on gravel trails, largely because of the wheel measurement. The hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors are a obligatory function, offering robust, dependable stopping energy on steep descents.

With twin 48V, 17.5Ah batteries, the long-range mannequin boasts 1680Wh of capability. Whereas the marketed vary reaches 170 miles, in real-world situations with hills and a heavy load, a extra life like expectation is within the 50-60 mile vary – which remains to be phenomenal and greater than sufficient for a number of days of commuting and errands with no recharge.

Match and Options

As a cargo bike, the XPedition is designed for utility and excels at it. The prolonged rear rack is an enormous platform, rated for 300 lbs. The mannequin I examined got here with plush passenger seat cushions and durable operating boards, creating a cushty and safe spot for a passenger. The twin-leg kickstand is exceptionally secure, a important function when loading up youngsters or heavy groceries.

The ergonomics are additionally extremely adaptable. The step-thru body is a breeze to mount and dismount, and the adjustable stem and lengthy shock absorbing seatpost accommodate a variety of rider heights, from 4’11” to six’5″. 

I’m 5’6” and the bike matches comfortably, which isn’t all the time true for lower cost level one-size-fits-all eBikes. 

The colour LCD is brilliant and straightforward to learn, even in direct daylight, and features a useful USB-C port for charging units on the go. The left-hand thumb throttle and Shimano 8-speed shifter are intuitively positioned and straightforward to function.

Conclusions and Suggestions

The XPedition 2.0 isn’t just a fantastic cargo eBike for the worth, it is a fantastic cargo eBike, interval. It democratizes the car-replacement way of life, providing a degree of energy, vary, and utility that was beforehand the area of bikes costing two or thrice as a lot. It’s a workhorse that may comfortably haul youngsters to high school, conquer an enormous grocery run, or function a dependable every day commuter.

The bike is an excellent selection for anybody seeking to scale back their automotive dependency (particularly to/from work, faculty, gymnasium, monitor, trailhead, and so forth), urbanites needing to haul substantial cargo, and anybody looking for a robust, long-range utility automobile with out breaking the financial institution. Its ease of use and secure dealing with additionally make it a fantastic entry level for these new to the world of cargo eBikes.

Who ought to look elsewhere? When you dwell in a third-floor walk-up, the XPedition’s 83-pound weight might be a major disadvantage if not inconceivable for many. Riders who continuously sort out tough and unfastened trails or potholed roads may also want for rear suspension.

Finally, the Lectric XPedition 2.0 punches far above its weight class. And it delivers on the core guarantees of a cargo eBike – energy, capability, and flexibility – at a worth that’s merely plain.

Lectric XPedition 2.0 Cargo eBike

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