Lectric's XPeak Is a Fat-Tire Monster on a Budget Set To Land on Your Christmas List

Folks, Lectric is on the move yet again. This time around, they've unveiled an e-bike that gives the average city-dweller a one-up, literally. What I mean is that the XPeak lineup seems to have been designed in an effort to help us ditch the age-old car. If you've had a chance to view the image gallery, you may have noticed that this range of EVs is designed around good old fat tires, which will affect your ride quite a bit.

For example, Lectric lets the world know that these are off-road bikes, and that's more than true. However, it does not mean that you should be flying around your local woods on one of these. Sure, explore trails and ride over roots and debris, but airtime is out of the question. Why? Mainly the tires.

The whole balloon-tires idea is also very neat in a city setting. For example, I've tested quite a few fat-tire bikes over the course of my career, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that they're really good at riding over cracks, tram tracks, and even hopping up a curb.

Then there's the fact that there are 4 inches of cross-section to each tire, placing that much space between the ground and the bike's rim. There is a downside, however: these babies tend to lead to a much bouncier ride, so if you have yet to ride an e-bike over the course of your lifetime, you'll need to take the time to accommodate a bit. Not to mention more sluggish during steering.

From here, Lectric offers two frame styles, a step-through and a step-over, but both rock the same secondary gear, such as the drivetrain and electronics. Even brakes and all that don't differ, which means they both cost the same, a reasonable $1,300 (€1,200 at current exchange rates), with shipping in January 2024, so a little late if it's what you want for Christmas.

One neat thing about the frame is that it can accommodate two cargo racks, and this is bound to be a plus for anyone looking to leave their car behind, even if for just a few activities. But, the real benefit of these components is that you can load up the XPeak with the goodies you need to camp out on the edge of town, weekend after weekend. Heck, why not load them up onto a bike rack, hit the road, and see places your own two legs would take days to conquer?

That frame is built out of aluminum, like most other e-bikes within this price range, and this also helps keep the added weight of components to a minimum, leading to a machine that weighs 67 lbs (30 kg), even though it's a beast.

I use the word 'beast' to refer to this thing's power because it's strapped with a 750 W motor that peaks out at 1,310 W and is able to squeeze out a massive 85 Nm (63 lb-ft) of torque. That's more than enough to handle whatever your town throws at you, and off-road, you'll understand why e-bikes are such a thing these days.

Now, that's a beefy hunk of magnets and copper coil, so to ensure you're out there enjoying as much time in the saddle as possible, Lectric integrates a removable 14 Ah battery into the XPeak's down tube, but just how much range you can get out of something like this?

Luckily for us, Lectric lays out these details, and at least 55 mi (88 km) on pedal assist is what we can achieve. It's enough to have me recharging once every two days if I'm lazy. But, with the throttle function, that number drops to just 45 mi (72 km) on the level one setting.

As for a couple of extras you need to be aware of, thumb throttle is standard on each of the two versions, so you'll be riding "dirt bikes" in no time, and at the front, an RST Renegade fork softens up blow with up to 80 mm (3.1 in) of travel. An LCD display and integrated lighting are also part of the deal.

The rest of the goods take shape as a ProWheel chainring with a 7-speed cassette and, most importantly, a pair of hydraulic brakes, an essential component, no matter the e-bike. Throw on a helmet, take it out for a spin around the neighborhood, and you're off.

All that's left to do now is hang tight until January 2024, find one in a local dealership, and take it out for a test ride. Just be warned; if that motor and battery setup is anything like what I've ridden before, bring a checkbook because you might be leaving the shop with a new e-bike.