Urban Transport

Lectric launches XP Trike featuring novel single hub rear drive

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The XP Trike features a single-speed drivetrain, a 500-W hub motor and 60-mile battery
Lectric
The XP Trike features a single-speed drivetrain, a 500-W hub motor and 60-mile battery
Lectric
The XP Trike 's rear hub motor is mounted to a dual differential axle and drives both rear wheels
Lectric
The rear hydraulic disc brake is positioned between the wheels at the back
Lectric
The XP Trike offers accessibility and stability to more riders
Lectric
The XP Trike is compatible with Lectric's range of optional accessories, including the Wag-Along Pet Trailer
Lectric
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Not every bike rider is able to join the two-wheel pedal-assist revolution, and Arizona's wallet-friendly ebike maker Lectric has responded to folks looking for the improved stability offered by a third wheel with the launch of the XP Trike.

Lectric's first e-trike is built around a 6061 aluminum folding frame that can collapse down for between-ride transport, with the whole shebang tipping the scales at just 64 lb (29 kg). When ready to ride, it offers the company's lowest standover height – at 13.8 inches (35 cm)– to make mounting/dismounting easy for a wide range of riders.

Interestingly, the hub motor is not in the front wheel as you might expect but sits between the rear wheels on a dual differential axle and drives them both – though the setup ensures that each wheel can turn at a different rate for safety in the turns. This 500-W (1,092-W peak) geared brushless motor produces 65 Nm (48 lb.ft) of hill-flattening torque up to a top speed of 14 mph (22.5 km/h) over five pedal-assist levels (via cadence sensor), plus there's twist throttle too.

The XP Trike 's rear hub motor is mounted to a dual differential axle and drives both rear wheels
Lectric

Mounted behind the seat post is a removable 48-V/14-Ah Li-ion battery that's reported to offer up to 60 miles (96.5 km) of range for every 4-6 hours on charge.

The XP Trike's three wheels wear 20 x 2.6-inch tires rocking a custom reflective strip, and stopping power comes from hydraulic disc braking front and back with 180-mm rotors, plus there's a parking brake as well. A backlit LCD display provides riders with at-a-glance metrics, there's integrated head- and tail-lighting, and it can haul up to 450 lb (200 kg), including the rider. Lectric has also confirmed that the e-trike is compatible with the company's range of optional accessories, and can be upgraded to seating with backrest for added comfort.

Possibly the most compelling aspect of the XP Trike is its ticket price. It goes up for pre-order from February 7 for a suggested retail price of US$1,499 (which includes a free cargo package comprising small and large baskets and a front rack). That's much cheaper than recent three-wheel offerings from Rad Power Bikes and Addmotor. It's expected to start shipping (fully assembled) from April.

Product page: XP Trike

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4 comments
TechGazer
What I'd like is a three-wheeled (for winter safety) recumbent (for butt comfort) bike. I've ridden to town before (50 km round-trip), but it takes too long to work up to that length with a regular saddle, and butt soreness is the limiting factor.
Cora
@TechGazer check out Hase Trikes (hasebikes.com) or VanRaam.com - first one has delta style recumbents with available assist - as does VanRaam ; both with differential and center mounted hub drive.
PAV
"Interestingly, the hub motor is not in the front wheel as you might expect but sits between the rear wheels on a dual differential axle and drives them both – though the setup ensures that each wheel can turn at a different rate for safety in the turns. This 500-W (1,092-W peak) geared brushless motor produces 65 Nm (48 lb.ft) of hill-flattening torque up to a top speed of 14 mph (22.5 km/h) over five pedal-assist levels (via cadence sensor), plus there's twist throttle too."

This is an interesting and rather clever way of powering this trike, using a hub motor as a kind of middrive motor, and I'm sure helped reduce costs. The use of the differential is a step above the older one wheel drive trikes.
It does however leave you with a cadence sensor rather than a torque sensor which is far inferior, however still acceptable, especially at this price. We'll done Lectric, you've done it again! If I didn't already have 2 of the Buzz trikes, I would definitely be ordering two of these!
jerryd
This is a great E trike at a great price by an American company with good after sales service. There 2 wheel ones are even a better value if you don't need a trike. How many could get rid of a car owning one of these with an extra battery pack, a weather suit for your climate and a bike trailer.
With an extended seat for 2, the Trike or their model 3 E bike at $1k, and a trailer is very hard to beat.