The Lectric XP4 750 folding e-bike is the fourth generation of the popular XP foldie.LectricBack when e-bike maker Lectric was getting started in 2018, the first model it produced was the XP, a simple, folding electrified commuter bike that quickly caught on with commuters who wanted a rugged, reliable, affordable and transportable e-bike they could stash under a desk, in a closet, in a trunk or even carry aboard mass transit.After the success of the first XP, Lectric released the XP 2.0 in 2021 and the 3.0 in 2022, all while expanding its model line to include cargo bikes, non-folding commuter bikes, and more, making the company a leading player in the then-exploding e-bike industry. To date, the company has sold close to half a million XP units, making it the most popular e-bike sold in the U.S., according to Lectric.Limited on cargo space in your car, home or office? A bike that folds to less than half its operational size is a great option.Almost a decade later, Lectric has stayed true to the XP's core design (and price!), and recently introduced the fourth generation of its OG model, called the XP4. The price for the basic version is $999 - the same price as the original XP. I've been riding the $1,299 up-spec XP4 750 around Portland, Oregon. How does it stack up against the previous XP iterations and the competition?Lectric XP 4 Tech OverviewThe new frame feels as stout as a non-folding bike yet still lets riders fold the bike for easy transport or storage.While the XP4 looks almost identical to previous iterations, there's a lot of changes under the hood as it were. The iconic single-beam frame has been completely redesigned, is stronger, and now holds a larger battery for more range. And yes, it still folds easily, compacting the XP4 down into an approximately 70-pound chunk of cycling origami. The XP4 rolls on 20-inch tires the company says are now upgraded and include a layer of Slime flat protection installed, and it also has front suspension to smooth out the ride, plus a simple sprung seatpost for a bit more rider comfort.The new display keeps things simple or lets you track more in-depth riding metrics and performance settings.My review bike was the higher-powered "750" variant, which means it has the new 750-Watt rear hub motor that can - at last - propel the XP4 to a Class 3 maximum speed of 28 mph while in pedal assist and Turbo mode. A thumb throttle lets riders top out at 20 mph without pedaling. There are five pedal assist modes as well as a no assist option while the electrics are live, which is good since power is needed for the new LCD display, a new brighter headlight, and a rear tail/brake light with integrated turn signals.AdvertisementAdvertisementPower is metered through a torque sensor that adds more juice when riders increase pedal effort, and there are eight rear gears to choose from. Star Union 602 hydraulic disc brakes give solid stopping power under heavy loads. The new 48-volt, 17.5Ah (840Wh) lithium-ion battery sits inside the main frame spar and gives the bike 85 miles of range according to Lectric. A rear rack ready for panniers or kid seats (above) comes standard. Mounting points support all manner of accessories, including cargo options, front racks, and a pet trailer.And one great thing about assembling the Xp4: This is essentially no assembly. Get the bike out of the box, unfold it, charge it up, air up the tires and start riding.Riding ExperienceWhether you're riding solo, hauling cargo, or taking kids along, the XP4 is a versatile, smooth-riding e-bike.I've ridden all of the XP models except for the original, and there's a reason they are popular. While it uses 20-inch wheels, they are not the unwieldy 4-inch type; they are the more practical 3-inch models. As such, it handles more confidently and turns more easily than the more common 4-inch commuter foldies out there. The confident handling is a good thing since my Raindrop Blue review XP4 can hit 28 mph with maximum pedal assist mode engaged. It will still do an even 20 mph on throttle alone.Even at the higher speeds, the XP 4 instill confidence and doesn't feel like a folding bike with a hinge in the middle, even though it…. has a hinge in the middle. The closure and locking mechanism is stout, and there's no frame flex when it's ridden hard. Load it up with a kiddo, panniers and front rack, and that might change, but you'll be going slower anyway, so feel free to use it as a beast of burden.The thin profile makes it easy to slice through traffic. Note the turn signals on the edges of the taillight.Unfortunately, my little kid is now a college kid, so there's no rear-seat fun for him anymore, so I get to use all that power for myself. In my hill test, the XP 4 750's newfound oomph propels it up an incline at a pace older XPs would be jealous of, and it even climbed the grade on throttle alone, albeit at less than 20 mph due to my somewhat prodigious corpus.AdvertisementAdvertisementOn the backside ride down the steep hill, the XP 4 tracked well, and the front suspension actually enhanced front-end compliance on rough road surfaces; it nearly topped 40mph on the steepest section while tracking straight and true. Approaching a stop sign at speed, the twin hydraulic brakes brought the bike to a controlled stop in short order with no squeal, fade, or drama.But outside my testing extremes, the XP 4 750 is also a straight-up fun bike to ride around the neighborhood; the excellent utility is like a crazy-good bonus feature. XPs are common commuters and grocery getters, and I see plenty of kids sitting over the rear wheel on the way to or from school in Portland. For safety's sake, I have to note that the new headlight and rear taillight with turn signals are worthy upgrades that improve the XP 4's conspicuity in traffic and especially at night.ConclusionsSeveral colors are available, but I really liked the Raindrop Blue paint scheme. Very Oregon...This is a pretty easy call. The Lectric XP4 is a bargain e-bike due to its ability to fulfill multiple roles, including commuter, errand runner, light cargo bike, and all-around fun machine. Previously, I had lamented that early XPs "only" went 20 mph even with pedal assist; that has certainly been addressed in both versions but especially with the 750 variant I tested. Add to that the new lighting kit, upgraded frame, and wide, wide selection of accessories for kitting it out for just about any purpose, and you have one of the most versatile, most affordable, and most enjoyable compact e-bikes available. Oh yeah, and it also folds up.Any changes I would make? Portland has a LOT of hills, so I'd love to see a rear gearset with a couple of granny gears for grinding up the steepest hills (ditto for many San Francisco residents), but otherwise, I can't think of anything else that would markedly improve the XP 4 750.AdvertisementAdvertisementHighly recommended.Thank you for reading. Subscribing to Forbes.com lets you leave comments and supports contributors like me. You can also follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn.This article was originally published on Forbes.com
