Lectric now sells two full-size XPress commuters, and they’re closer in price than they are in character. The XPress 2 is the fully loaded version, with a 750-watt motor, a suspension fork, a 672Wh battery, and a rack and fenders included. The XPress Lite costs $300 less and strips all of that back to hit 53 lb on our scale, 19 lb less than the XPress 2. Lightweight ebikes almost always save that weight in the same three places (the fork, the battery, and the motor), and the XPress Lite is no exception. The real question is whether what you give up matters for the way you ride.
We had both bikes side by side, so we compared them part by part, weighed them, timed them from 0 to 20 mph, and ran them up the same hill with the same rider. We also put Lectric’s five-minute assembly claim to the test on the XPress Lite. If you want the deep dive on either bike, including display settings and pedal assist testing, check out our full XPress Lite review and our XPress 2 review.
Ebike Escape is reader-supported. If you buy through our links to the XPress Lite or XPress 2, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Lectric XPress Lite vs XPress 2 Video Comparison
Our video unboxes and assembles the XPress Lite on the clock, compares it to the XPress 2 front to back, and then runs both bikes through our 0 to 20 mph throttle test and hill climb.
Lectric XPress Lite vs XPress 2 Specs
Here are the specs that separate the two bikes, along with our own measured weights and test results. Everything not listed here is shared between them.
| Lectric XPress Lite | Lectric XPress 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $1,399 |
| Frame Styles | Mid-step | Step-thru, step-over |
| Motor | 500W Stealth M24 (864W peak) | 750W Stealth M24 (1,310W peak) |
| Torque | 61 Nm | 85 Nm |
| Battery | 48V 7.8Ah (374Wh) | 48V 14Ah (672Wh) |
| Claimed Range | Up to 45 miles | Up to 60 miles |
| Charge Time (2A charger) | Under 4 hours | About 7 hours |
| Measured Weight (with battery) | 53 lb | 72 lb |
| Payload Capacity | 275 lb | 330 lb |
| Fork | Rigid aluminum | SR Suntour XCM 32, 80mm |
| Tires | 27.5 x 1.95″ | 27.5 x 2.1″ |
| Brakes | Star Union 2-piston hydraulic, 180mm rotors | Star Union 602 2-piston hydraulic, 180mm rotors |
| Headlight | 90 lumens with amber side lights | Lectric Elite headlight (850 lux) |
| Rack and Fenders | Optional accessories | Included (30 lb rack) |
| 0 to 20 mph (Throttle) | 7 seconds | 6 seconds |
| Hill Climb Minimum (Throttle) | 9 mph | 12 mph |
Where the Extra $300 Goes
Battery and Range
The battery is the biggest difference and the main reason the XPress Lite weighs so much less. Its 48V 7.8Ah (374Wh) pack has a little more than half the capacity of the XPress 2’s 14Ah (672Wh) battery, and Lectric’s range claims drop from 60 miles to 45. Real-world range will land below those claims, and we’d plan on roughly 15 to 20 miles from the XPress Lite on throttle alone. The smaller pack does charge faster, in under four hours on the included 2A charger compared to about seven for the XPress 2. The two batteries are also interchangeable, so you can start with the XPress Lite and add the larger XPress 2 battery later if you need more range. Just remember that it brings back some of the weight and closes part of the price gap. Both packs fit our small battery bag.
Motor
Both bikes use Lectric’s Stealth M24 rear hub, but the XPress 2 gets the 750-watt version with 1,310 watts peak and 85 Nm of torque, compared to 500 watts, 864 watts peak, and 61 Nm on the XPress Lite. On paper that’s a big gap. The question we wanted answered is whether the XPress Lite’s 19 lb weight advantage makes up for the smaller motor, and the testing section below has the answer. Both motors are noticeably quiet, which Lectric has done a good job with across its recent models.
Fork, Tires, and Comfort
The XPress 2 rides on an SR Suntour XCM 32 suspension fork with 80mm of travel and slightly wider 2.1-inch tires, while the XPress Lite uses a rigid aluminum fork and 1.95-inch tires. That’s the trade-off you’ll feel most on rough pavement, since the XPress Lite passes along more of every crack and pothole. If you want the lighter bike but more comfort, a suspension seatpost makes a big difference. We sell the size that fits Lectric ebikes, including both of these.
Brakes, Lights, Rack, and Fenders
Both bikes stop with Star Union two-piston hydraulic brakes and 180mm rotors, but the XPress 2 gets the upgraded 602 calipers and custom levers. Lighting follows the same pattern. The XPress 2 has Lectric’s brighter Elite headlight and a taillight with turn signals built into the included rear rack, while the XPress Lite uses a 90-lumen headlight with amber side lights and mounts its rear light and turn signals to the frame. Fenders and the rack come standard on the XPress 2 and are optional accessories on the XPress Lite, which helps explain both the weight gap and the price gap.
What’s the Same
A lot is shared. Both bikes use the same detachable 3.5-inch TFT display and control pad, the same left-hand thumb throttle and lock-on ergonomic grips, and the same 8-speed trigger shifter and Shimano Altus derailleur. They also share torque and cadence sensing with the same settings menu, a tool-free front thru-axle, quick-release pedals, Lectric’s sport saddle, integrated turn signals, and 27.5-inch wheels. The parts you touch every ride feel identical, and the cockpit is where the two bikes are hardest to tell apart.
Frame, Fit, and Weight
The XPress Lite is Lectric’s first mid-step, and it splits the difference between the two XPress 2 frames. Its top bar adds frame stiffness compared to the XPress 2 step-thru, but its 24-inch standover is far easier to clear than the step-over’s 29 inches (the step-thru sits at just 18.5). The XPress Lite’s handlebars and fixed stem are closest to the XPress 2 step-over, with a slight upward rise and a fairly sporty, forward position. The XPress 2 step-thru is the most upright of the three, with swept-back bars and a quick-release adjustable stem. Our 6’0″ reviewer with a 32-inch inseam got full leg extension on the XPress Lite and felt comfortable, if a little more stretched out, and a 5’5″ rider on our team fit well too.
Weight is the reason to consider the XPress Lite at all. On our scale it came in at 53 lb with the battery against 72 lb for the XPress 2, and 46 lb versus 64 lb without the batteries. You notice the difference the moment you lift the front wheel to move the bike, and it matters even more if you’re loading a hitch rack, carrying the bike up stairs, or just want something that feels manageable to stand over. The trade-off is a lower payload capacity: 275 lb on the XPress Lite compared to 330 lb on the XPress 2.
Unboxing and Assembly: Is It Really Five Minutes?
Lectric claims a five-minute assembly time for the XPress Lite, and we put it on the clock once the packaging was off. Our time was 9:44, but that included talking to the camera the whole way, so five minutes is realistic if you’re working straight through. The process is the same easy routine you get on the XPress 2. The front thru-axle is tool-free with a built-in lever, the quick-release pedals click in by hand (just match the left and right labels), and the display, headlight, and controls connect with color-matched plugs. Lectric also includes a torque wrench, which is worth using on the stem and handlebar bolts. Follow Lectric’s setup videos for the torque specs and do a full safety check before your first ride. Our Tool Kit Essentials speeds up the handlebar step.
Real-World Performance Testing
Throttle Acceleration
From a stop on throttle alone, the XPress 2 reached 20 mph in 6 seconds and the XPress Lite took 7 seconds while pulling about 968 watts on the display. A one-second gap is smaller than the 250-watt difference in motor ratings suggests, and the lighter bike clearly makes up some of the difference. In everyday riding, you’re unlikely to notice it away from a stoplight.
Hill Climb
We ran both bikes up our big test hill with the same rider, starting at 20 mph on throttle only. The XPress 2 dipped to a minimum of 12 mph, and only briefly. The XPress Lite held about 954 watts and slowed to 9 mph before topping out. That’s a clear win for the XPress 2 and its 85 Nm motor, but 9 mph is a strong result for a 500-watt bike, and the XPress Lite stayed impressively quiet the whole way up.
Pros and Cons
Lectric XPress Lite
- $300 less than the XPress 2
- 53 lb on our scale, 19 lb lighter and much easier to lift
- Faster charging, under four hours on the included charger
- Same cockpit and settings as the XPress 2, including torque and cadence sensing
- Surprisingly strong 500W motor, only a second slower to 20 mph
- Rigid fork means a harsher ride on rough roads
- Smaller 374Wh battery limits range, especially on throttle
- No rack or fenders included, and a lower 275 lb payload
Lectric XPress 2
- Suspension fork and wider tires for a more comfortable ride
- Nearly double the battery with a 60-mile claimed range
- Stronger 750W motor, faster up hills
- Rack, fenders, and Elite headlight included
- Two frame styles, including a low step-thru with an adjustable stem
- Higher 330 lb payload
- 72 lb on our scale, a lot to lift onto a rack or up stairs
- Slower charging with the standard 2A charger
Which One Should You Buy?
Pick the XPress Lite if weight and price matter most, your rides are mostly on pavement, and you’re usually within 15 to 20 miles of home. It’s the better fit if you need to lift your bike regularly, store it upstairs, or want something lighter and more nimble than a typical commuter ebike. Pick the XPress 2 if you have a longer commute, ride rough roads, carry cargo, need the higher payload, or want the most upright step-thru option. For $300 more you get a bigger battery, a stronger motor, front suspension, and the commuter accessories already installed. If you can’t decide, remember the shared battery platform: buying the XPress Lite now doesn’t lock you out of more range later.
