Lectic XPress 750 Offers Commuters Long Range and High Comfort
As a former Ironman triathlete and current cycling enthusiast, I’ve spent tens of thousands of miles on two wheels. While I initially resisted the ebike craze, I’ve learned to love the freedom and fun they offer. For this review, I hopped on the saddle of the Lectric XPress 750 Commuter eBike to see how it performs as a daily commuter.
Pros
- Super-easy and fast assembly
- Quick, tool-free fit adjustments
- Comfortable commuter-friendly fit
- Confident 750W brushless motor
- Long 60-mile range
- Generous 330-pound capacity (rider + gear)
- Excellent value
- Wide range of available accessories to match your needs
Cons
- Not as light as some high-end commuters
What Makes a Good Commuter Ebike?
Even though I’m evaluating the XPress 750 based on my own experience, this bike is for my daughter. As part of the upcoming generation that has been hesitant to embrace driving, she doesn’t have reliable transportation other than her walking shoes.
She’s a senior in high school this year, and with the prospect of heading out of state to a major university this summer, an ebike is a great way to get where she needs to go when Dad isn’t available to drive her. But what should you look for if you’re shopping for a commuter?
Here’s what I look for:
- Fit: Your fit should keep you in an upright position that’s comfortable and helps you easily see everything around you.
- Range: The longer the range, the better. You don’t want to be forced into manually pedaling if you forget to charge the battery overnight. 40+ miles is excellent. 60+ miles is ideal.
- Speed: It’s always nice to have more speed than you need, and a Class II or Class III ebike will have all you need. It’s more important to have multiple speed settings when you’re riding in areas that require slower speeds due to road conditions, traffic, pedestrians, or regulations.
- Tires: Look for tires around 2 inches or a little wider. You want tread, but not the knobby tires of a mountain bike. City tires run smoother and quieter, making for a more comfortable ride on streets and paved paths.
- Capacity: Look for a bike that can hold your body weight, plus more. Adding accessories such as pannier bags and baskets can take the weight of what you need to carry to the office or class off your back. For an ebike, I like a capacity of at least 275 pounds to be safe.
- Weight: Weight isn’t a big concern for everyone. However, if you live on the 2nd floor or higher, keep in mind you’ll be hauling your bike with you if there’s no secure location to store it at ground level. You may also want a folding design to save space.
- Style: For a commuter, I prefer a step-through style. It’s easier than stepping over a top tube if you’re wearing jeans or dress pants (or a skirt for ladies).
Lectric XPress 750 eBike Assembly and Setup
Many ebikes are best assembled at your local bike shop. Between assembly, tuning the brakes, adjusting the derailleurs, and checking if the wheels are true, there’s quite a bit that needs attention before your bike is road-ready.
Lectric is a whole other story, though. The bike design and packaging make assembling your bike easier and faster than any other bike I’ve seen. It takes more time to take everything out of the packaging than to assemble it.
Assembly
The only components you need to install are the front wheel and pedals, plus any accessories you added. The front wheel uses a through-hub design that takes a little bit of effort if you’re installing it by yourself. There’s no gap at the base of the front forks for the skewer to sit on, so you need to hold the wheel in position as you run the skewer through.
Pro Tip: Gently flip the bike over and set it on its saddle and handlebars so you have two hands to install the wheel and skewer.
The pedals use a collet system similar to an impact driver. Simply pull the collet out, slip the pedal in place, and let the collet go. It’s much easier than remembering which pedal threads go in which direction and hoping you don’t overtighten them. Plus, you don’t need any tools.
Setup
Since both wheels were true, the disc brakes didn’t have any rub, and the gears shifted without any lag or slipping, there were no typical adjustments I had to make.
For fit, it starts with finding the saddle and handlebar positions that work best for you. There’s a quick clamp for the seat post, making height adjustments tool-free and super-fast.
The stem design is genius compared to what I’ve used before. Using a levering quick clamp style, you can easily adjust both the height and reach of the handlebars. You can also change the angle of the handlebars while the clamp is open.
Once you have all that set, feel free to use a hex wrench to adjust the components on the handlebar to the angle and position that’s most comfortable for you.
Lectric XPress 750 eBike Performance
One big difference between the standard XPress and the XPress 750 is that the latter gets a 750W brushless motor. The standard model has a 500W motor. While 500 watts is fine, the extra power of the 750 is more confident in hilly areas and with heavier loads.
There’s a difference in range as well. Using pedal assist, the 750 model’s 14Ah battery has a range of up to 60 miles—33% greater than the 45 miles the 500-watt model gets from its 10.4Ah battery.
The control setup lets you operate the XPress as a Class I, Class II, or Class III ebike. As a Class III, you have the option to run up to 20 MPH using only the throttle or up to 28 MPH if you’re helping out on the pedals. The bike ships in Class II mode, and the manual contains instructions on how to change it.
There are 5 pedal assist levels, plus off if you want to ride it as a standard bike. In the settings menu, you can adjust the characteristics of the modes to different presets.
With the stronger motor, this bike has a zippy response on the throttle and tons of confidence when you engage the pedal assist. Even with the non-aerodynamic upright position, my wife (who helped me with this review) had no trouble keeping up with me on my road bike.
Additionally, Lectric’s front suspension is extremely helpful. You can lock it out if you want on good roads, but if you’re riding on rough roads, bare ground paths, or sidewalks, it does a great job of absorbing vibrations and improving the comfort of your ride.
Lectric XPress 750 eBike Design Notes
Weight and Load Capacity
The XPress 750 weighs 58 pounds on its own, which is reasonably lightweight considering the motor’s power and the battery’s range. For context, Aventon’s similar Level.2 Commuter comes in at 62 pounds while Trek’s more expensive short-range Verve+ 1 is just 44 pounds.
This bike has a generous 330-pound capacity for rider and gear. I’m 210 pounds, meaning I could carry an additional 120 pounds.
Unlike most manufacturers, Lectric doesn’t offer this model in multiple sizes. The amount of saddle and handlebar adjustability is generous, offering a comfortable fit for riders 5’2″ to 6’3″.
Color LCD Display and Controls
The color LCD display is easy to read, even in sunlight, and shows everything you need to know. On it you can view:
- Battery level
- Current motor wattage output
- Speed
- Pedal assist mode
- Odometer
- Trip mileage
- Battery voltage status
- Battery current status
- Timer (starts automatically when you turn the bike on)
There are only 3 buttons to worry about on the controls, and the functions are easy to remember.
- Power: Press and hold for three seconds to turn the power on or off
- Pedal Assist: Press the + or – button once to cycle through the 6 modes
- Cruise Control: Use the throttle to pick your speed and then press and hold the – button to engage cruise control (automatically disengages when you hit the brakes)
- Headlight and Taillight: Press and hold the + button for three seconds to turn lights on or off
- Max or Average Speed: Press the power and + button at that same time to cycle between max and average speed displayed
- Settings Menu: Press the power and – buttons at the same time to access settings (check menu for options)
Additional Features
- PWR+ (Pedal Assist Wattage Regulation+)
- Shimano 7-speed, 11 – 28 rear cassette and derailleur
- 46T ProWheel front chainring
- 27.5 x 2.1-inch puncture-resistant city slick tires with pre-installed Slime sealant
- Hydraulic brakes
- Comfortable padded saddle
- Removable battery with keyed locking
Must-Have Accessories for the Lectric XPress 750 eBike
There are a host of accessories you can add to this model that can make it the ultimate commuter bike.
I highly recommend adding the front and rear fenders. This helps prevent dirt, mud, and other debris from spraying onto you as you ride.
The rear rack is super helpful if you’re going to carry any gear with you. It acts as a foundation for installing other accessories.
We added the waterproof pannier bags on our bike. With my daughter needing to carry books, a computer, and other gear to class, these were a no-brainer. They include a shoulder strap, so you can take them off and carry them over your shoulder instead of having to bring a separate backpack.
The suspension seat post adds another level of comfort. While the front suspension takes care of the vibration that reaches your hands and arms, your rear gets a ton of relief by having a vibration-dampening seat post.
Remember to grab a lock as well. Thieves suck, and they’re everywhere. We got the accordion lock to go with our bike.
Here are some other accessories you might want to add:
- Mirrors
- Bell
- Phone mount
- Bottle holder
- Wireless ebike speaker (fits in the bottle holder)
- Light upgrades
- Top tube bag
- Rear rack bags
- Soft or hard cooler
- Pet tailer
- Cover
Click the button below to see all the accessories available for the XPress 750.
Lectric XPress 750 eBike Price
As I mentioned earlier, there are two versions of the XPress—a 500W version and a 750W model. I focused on the 750W for this review, which costs $1299. The 500W model is a bit easier on your budget at $999 if you’re willing to trade-off some power and range.
Both models are available in step-through and step-over versions in either black or white color palettes.
The Bottom Line
If everything else were equal, I’d buy the Lectric XPress 750 Commuter eBike over other brands just because of its easy assembly and setup. But everything else isn’t equal. Lectric has a smarter design with thoughtful accessories that cover a wide range of needs and excellent performance compared to other brands in a similar price range. Less expensive than big-name brands like Trek and Giant and higher quality than cheap Amazon brands, Lectric’s flagship communter has settled into the sweet spot of affordability and quality.
