The brand new Lectric XP Trike2, simply unveiled in the present day, is the hands-down winner within the best-bang-for-your-buck class of electrical trikes. And as maybe the longest-running electrical bike reviewer within the trade, I can say that with confidence. I’ve seen lots of electrical bikes in my time. I’ve spent lots of butt-in-saddle hours on e-trikes. However I’ve by no means earlier than seen a price like this roll by on three wheels.
As an able-bodied, mid-30s electrical bike rider (and author), I’ll be the primary to say that electrical trikes aren’t only for older of us. They’re enjoyable e-bikes in their very own proper. However let’s face it – the overwhelming majority of the marketplace for electrical three-wheelers are those that simply aren’t as comfy on two wheels as a consequence of age, accessibility, or different causes. And so if you happen to’re a senior or in any other case on the hunt for a enjoyable and reasonably priced electrical trike, the Lectric XP Trike2 might be the one you’re going to finish up getting, and deservingly so!
When you don’t know Lectric eBikes, they’re the Phoenix-based e-bike firm that took the US by storm within the early 2020s, shortly rising into the #1 best-selling e-bike firm on the continent. They began with the extremely reasonably priced, high-value XP line of e-bikes, after which took that very same recipe to different kinds of e-bikes, from cargo bikes to off-roaders, and now to trikes.
The brand new XP Trike2 is the most recent era of their best-selling e-trike, and it’s completely higher than ever.
Initially although, let’s take a look at what stayed the identical. The ultra-affordable worth of $1,499 stays untouched, conserving this not solely probably the greatest e-trikes available on the market, but in addition probably the most reasonably priced. It additionally retains the low step-over peak for simple mounts and dismounts, the folding body to assist riders transport it extra simply, and the highly effective motor that makes it an ideal hill climber.
Apart from these options, principally all the things else has acquired an improve.
Initially, we now get included suspension with a 50mm suspension fork up entrance. The body has been redesigned with a brand new hydroformed aluminum downtube and a extra secure footprint. The stem angle has been modified to make it extra comfy and permit a extra upright, relaxed driving posture. A extra highly effective and longer-range model of the Trike2 can also be accessible, upgrading the motor with 50% extra energy for even higher hill climbing, in addition to together with a torque sensor for extra responsive pedaling and a longer-range battery.
The included TFT coloration display is a significant improve over the older mannequin, and there are even six new colours to select from, which is a significant enchancment over the unique XP Trike’s coloration choice checklist of… one.
Base mannequin versus the long-range improve
Each the bottom mannequin (Lectric XP Trike2 500) and the higher-spec choice (XP Trike2 750) are compelling choices, however they’ll doubtless serve several types of riders.
Even the bottom mannequin comes with a fairly large 13 Ah (624 Wh) battery, which is already going to present most riders no less than 30 miles of vary (or a claimed 50 miles if utilizing low energy pedal help and driving slower). Plus, the 500W motor is definitely rather more highly effective, doubtless peaking at nearer to 1,000W of precise energy. That’s the “oomph” that riders will really feel when climbing hills. And for a lot of of us, that’s lots. Plus, the $1,499 worth of the XP Trike2 500 is sort of enticing.
However riders who wish to improve to the XP Trike2 750, the upper worth of $1,799 does include some good upgrades. Initially, the upper energy 750W motor might be that a lot better at climbing hills, serving to riders up steeper inclines, or simply sustaining larger quickens the identical slopes. Subsequent, the bigger 17.5 Ah (840 Wh) battery goes to present extra vary, to the tune of almost 50 miles with combined driving (or the claimed 70 miles if utilizing decrease energy pedal help and staying off the throttle). The opposite good thing about an even bigger battery is that it merely doesn’t must be charged as typically. Even if you happen to’re driving round at 10 mph for an hour every day, that’s every week of driving earlier than you need to take into consideration recharging the battery.
The final vital improve on the 750W mannequin is a torque sensor, which is a extra refined pedal help sensor that ends in a extra pure feeling trip when pedaling. For riders who solely use the throttle, there’s not a lot profit to a torque sensor. However for anybody who truly needs to pedal alongside and get a little bit of health in, the torque sensor means the acceleration and the driving simply higher mimic the pure really feel of bicycle pedaling, making it extra like actual pedaling – albeit if you happen to had the legs and muscle definition of an expert bike owner.
All of that is to say: The bottom mannequin with 500W of energy is probably going ample for many riders, however that further $300 does supply higher hill climbing, extra energy, longer vary, and a nicer pedaling expertise – which can be essential for some riders.
Lectric could have introduced the XP Trike2 in the present day, however they aren’t fairly able to ship. In one thing of a throwback to Lectric’s early days, the bikes can be found on pre-order. Orders positioned now get precedence, with the 500W mannequin transport later this month (July 2025). The 750W fashions will take a bit longer, with present orders anticipated to ship by September.
It’s a little bit of a delayed gratification scenario, but when the XP Trike2 is something like the unique (and it appears to be even higher), then these bikes are completely going to be well worth the wait!
Electrek’s Take
As soon as once more, Lectric has left all the opposite e-bike makers combating over second place. My hat is off to the corporate – again and again they’ve shocked us with more and more higher e-bike generations at more and more the identical worth. Every time they roll out a motorcycle, they provide us an increasing number of, all with out touching the value tag.
The XP Trike2 follows that technique completely, although it undoubtedly appears like they’re hoping the XP Trike2 750 will deliver barely fatter margins – maybe making up for simply how ridiculously reasonably priced the XP Trike2 500 is. And whereas I feel the decrease energy mannequin might be ample for most individuals, that larger battery, beefier motor, and nicer torque sensor do sound like a tempting improve.
I haven’t ridden the XP Trike2 but, however I might be on it quickly and I can’t wait to share the expertise with you guys. Within the meantime, let’s hear what you concentrate on the brand new e-trike within the remark part beneath!
