The Lectric XP 3.0 is the best-selling electrical bike mannequin within the US for one easy motive: worth. The $999 e-bike has been the go-to electrical bike for bang-for-your-buck riders because it launched final yr. And now it’s getting higher than ever with the inclusion of hydraulic disc brakes.

I’m an enormous fan of the Lectric XP 3.0. I journey one myself and have lengthy espoused its high-value providing, getting new e-bike riders out the door with a quick, highly effective e-bike for under $1,000.

However I’ll be the primary to say it’s not an superb-quality bike. It’s what I name “good, not nice.” And that is sensible, since most e-bikes price significantly greater than the XP 3.0. The bike is sweet sufficient for many riders, and that’s what counts for most individuals. It’s not going to unseat a Tern, nevertheless it’s additionally not meant to. It has made a couple of compromises to supply unbelievable pricing and get extra people on e-bikes than ever earlier than.

One of many few main drawbacks to the Lectric XP 3.0, and one of the crucial frequent requests from its rider neighborhood, was associated to its mechanical disc brakes. They cease the bike positive, however they’re fairly fundamental. Like all mechanical disc brakes, they require pretty common tuning to keep up good braking efficiency. And for first time e-bike homeowners, which signify a big portion of Lectric’s ridership, routinely tuning brakes isn’t an simply shaped behavior.

So so as to add much more worth and comfort to the e-bike, Phoenix-based Lectric eBikes has now introduced that the XP 3.0 will instantly swap over to hydraulic disc brakes and can preserve the same $999 price tag.

In contrast to mechanical disc brakes, hydraulic disc brakes require little to no upkeep, a minimum of till the pads are depleted and should be changed. That’s as a result of the hydraulic fluid retains the brake pads within the correct place on a regular basis.

That’s a serious benefit over mechanical brakes, which have a tendency to wish place changes over time because the mechanical cable stretches. With out making these changes on mechanical brakes, stopping power turns into progressively weaker.

One other main good thing about hydraulic disc brakes on e-bikes is the better stopping energy with much less finger energy. That permits for one-finger braking for a lot of riders, that means extra fingers could be left on the handlebars for management.

This isn’t the primary e-bike from Lectric eBikes to return with hydraulic disc brakes. That honor goes to the upper finish Lectric XPremium, although the decrease price Lectric XPedition cargo bike additionally launched with hydraulic brakes earlier this yr, as did the favored three-wheeled Lectric XP Trike.

Hydraulic disc brakes are sometimes seen as one main delineator between cheaper and nicer e-bikes. It’s not simply that they enhance the standard and efficiency of the ebike, however in addition they reveal that the producer cares about offering an upgraded expertise for the rider. For instance, when Rad Energy Bikes launched their in style “Plus” line a couple years ago with the RadCity 5 Plus and RadRover 6 Plus, hydraulic disc brakes have been one of many main upgraded options.

The draw back to those operating product upgrades that happen in the course of a product cycle like that is that they have an inclination to go away out early adopters. Hydraulic disc brakes might be a pleasant improve for brand new Lectric XP 3.0 riders, however what about anybody who purchased a Lectric XP 3.0 final week, final month, and even final yr?

Luckily, Lectric eBikes has introduced that they’ll be offering a hydraulic disc brake improve package for any present XP3.0 homeowners who need one, and also will cowl the set up price at a neighborhood bike store.

Not unhealthy for a sub-$1,000 e-bike!

Electrek’s Take

I really like every little thing about this. As I discussed, the XP 3.0 was already bike. However the mechanical disc brakes, whereas adequate, have been one in all its weak hyperlinks. Actually only a couple days in the past I used to be adjusting my XP 3.0’s brake cables after a reasonably rigorous 25-mile (40 km) journey by means of South Seaside with loads of stop-and-go using.

However to additionally supply an improve package for all present XP 3.0 homeowners looks like an superior transfer. I wish to be all rose-colored glasses right here and assume it’s altruistic, and I’m positive a part of it’s. However I’m additionally positive that the corporate anticipated to discipline hundreds of calls and emails from homeowners who just lately purchased an XP 3.0 with mechanical brakes and have been aggravated that if they’d simply waited, they’d have gotten an upgraded hydraulic brake bike.

Regardless of the motive, I’m glad to see an already in style e-bike getting even higher.