A belt drive is usually something you pay a premium for, which is what makes Lectric’s top XP Lite 3 tier interesting. For $1,099, you get a Gates belt in place of the chain, the 14Ah battery, and the long-range model’s accessories plus the LevelUp Lite Rack. Everything else, from the 300W motor to the single-speed gearing and the new 3.5-inch display, carries over from the chain drive model we already reviewed, so the real questions are whether the belt changes how it rides and whether it’s worth $100 over the $999 chain model. There’s also a twist. At this price, Lectric’s own XP4 500W costs less and brings gears, a suspension fork, and more power, so the belt model has to earn its spot on more than value.
Below, we cover what the belt and its lower gearing mean on the road, how the three power profiles feel, what’s included at launch, how it fits and what it actually weighs, and how it handled our flat-ground and hill climb testing. We finish with a comparison against the XP4 500W and our pros and cons. For a deeper look at the chain drive tiers and everything new on the third generation, see our Lectric XP Lite 3 review.
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Lectric XP Lite 3 Belt Drive Video Review
Our video review is all about the belt drive model. We walk around the Gates belt, motor, brakes, and included accessories, dig through the display’s advanced settings, and show how the bike folds and how the battery comes out. Then we ride it in first person through all three power profiles, take the 300W motor up our test hill on throttle and pedal assist, and finish with the pros and cons and how it stacks up against the Lectric XP4.
In our unboxing, we race to assemble the chain and belt drive versions side by side, fold them for the first time, check fit for a 5’5″ and 6′ rider, and weigh both bikes.
Standout Features
Gates Belt Drive and Lower Gearing
The belt is the reason this tier exists. Lectric swaps the chain for a Gates belt, from the same company that makes belts for cars, so there’s no chain to grease, nothing to stain your pant leg, and far less upkeep. Estimates we’ve seen put belt life at more than 10,000 miles, and the drivetrain is cleaner and quieter than a chain. There’s an optional belt guard, but it’s a hassle to fit, so we left ours off and didn’t miss it.
The gearing changes too. The belt runs a 70T front pulley to a 22T rear cog, a ratio of about 3.2 compared with 3.5 on the chain model’s 56T and 16T setup, so it’s geared roughly 9% lower. That makes the first pedal stroke from a stop a little lighter and moves the comfortable cruising cadence to a slightly lower speed, which we get into in the testing section. It’s still a single speed, so there’s no derailleur to bend or adjust.
3.5-Inch TFT Display and Power Profiles
The new color display is the biggest upgrade across the XP Lite 3 line. Settings are written in plain English instead of codes, a second screen shows trip data, and a third shows live cadence, motor watts, amps, and volts, so you can see exactly what the motor is doing. The control pad adds turn signal buttons (press both for hazards), and there’s a USB-C port under the screen for your phone. In the advanced settings, you can run the bike as a Class 1 or Class 2 ebike, tie the throttle to the assist level or give it full power everywhere, choose whether it works from a standstill, and set the lights to flash for daytime visibility.
The power profiles are what really shape the ride. Speed limited stops each assist level at a set speed, power limited sends a set amount of power in each level and lets your speed build, and a third profile combines both. That matters more than usual here, because the XP Lite 3 only has a cadence sensor, which knows whether you’re pedaling but not how hard. The profiles are your main tool for making it feel gentle for a new rider or punchy for an experienced one.
Motor and 14Ah Battery
Power comes from a 300W rear hub motor that peaks at 819W, paired with that cadence sensor and a twist grip throttle; the XP Lite line is the last in Lectric’s lineup to keep one. Every belt drive model ships with the 48V 14Ah battery, which is right around the average size in our testing on a bike priced below average, so range is much less of a worry than on the 7.8Ah base model. It’s certified to UL 2271, the bike’s electrical system is certified to UL 2849, and it’s compatible with earlier XP Lite generations. The key that locks the battery in also works as the ignition, so it stays in the bike while you ride. Pulling the battery cuts weight before you lift the bike into a car, and it fits the small size of our ebike battery bag for travel. Plan on about 7 hours to fill it from empty on the included 2A charger.
Included Accessories
At launch, the belt model comes with the most accessories in the lineup: fenders, Lectric’s Elite Headlight, a suspension seatpost with preload adjustment, and the LevelUp Lite Rack, which is a $99 add-on for the chain models. The rack carries up to 50 lb and moves the taillight up where its brake light and turn signals are easier to see. The fenders and rack come in the box rather than installed, and Lectric changes what’s included from time to time, so check the current package before you buy. Braking comes from Star Union 602 hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors, which brought us down from 20 mph with plenty of power to spare, enough that you’ll want a light touch on the rear lever.
Frame, Options, and Fit
Straighter frame lines give this generation a cleaner look, and it folds at the main latch, which Lectric says is reinforced on the XP Lite 3, and at the handlebars, then rests on a small stand. Quick-release pedals pop off by hand for a smaller folded footprint, the BMX-style handlebars adjust for height, and the new locking ergonomic grips stay put. The 20 x 2.5-inch street tires have reflective sidewalls, and the fork is rigid to keep weight down. Mounting points sit two below the down tube and three on top, so you can slide a bottle cage forward or back to fit a big bottle, and our pink Sidewinder adjustable bottle cage looks right at home on the Ballerina Pink frame. Colors depend on the drivetrain:
- $1,099 belt drive (14Ah): JW Black, Ballerina Pink
- $799 and $999 chain drive: Arctic White, Blue Mist, Matte Grey, Matte Lavender (see our chain drive review for what each tier includes)
Lectric lists a rider range of 4’8″ to 6’2″, and our testers back that up: a 6′ rider with a 32-inch inseam fit with the handlebars raised, and a 5’5″ rider fit easily. On our scale, the belt drive weighed 49 lb without the battery and 56 lb with it, 3 lb more than the chain model we weighed (46 and 53 lb), though ours had the rack installed. That isn’t truly lightweight, since batteries are heavy, but it’s light for a folder with a 14Ah pack, and it makes a real difference when you’re lifting it into a trunk. Payload capacity is 275 lb. Rider heights, seat heights, and folded dimensions are in the geometry table below.
| Category | Lectric XP Lite 3 |
|---|---|
| Total Weight w/ Battery & Accessories (our scale) | 53 lbs (14Ah battery, fenders, suspension seatpost) |
| Weight without Battery (our scale) | 46 lbs |
| Claimed Weight | 41 lbs without battery; 49 lbs with 14Ah battery |
| Payload Capacity | 275 lbs |
| Rider Height Range | 4'8" – 6'2" |
| Standover Height | 24" |
| Seat Height Range | 32" – 42" |
| Handlebar Height | 41" – 46" (adjustable) |
| Handlebar Reach | 18" – 19.5" |
| Unfolded Dimensions | 64" L x 25" W x 41.5" H |
| Folded Dimensions | 36" L x 16" W x 27" H |
Lectric XP Lite 3 Belt Drive Specifications
Here are the full specs for every XP Lite 3 tier, including what changes on the $1,099 belt drive model.
| Component | Lectric XP Lite 3 |
|---|---|
| Price | $799 (7.8Ah, chain) / $999 (14Ah, chain) / $1,099 (14Ah, Gates belt drive) |
| Type | Lightweight single-speed folding ebike |
| Class | Class 1 or 2 (selectable) |
| Weight Capacity | 275 lbs |
| Top Speed | 20 mph |
| Motor | 300W Stealth M24 rear hub, 819W peak, 28Nm torque |
| Battery | 48V 7.8Ah (374Wh) or 48V 14Ah (672Wh), removable, UL 2271 |
| Claimed Range | Up to 45 miles (7.8Ah) / up to 80 miles (14Ah) |
| Charger | 2A (about 4 hrs for 7.8Ah, 5–7 hrs for 14Ah) |
| Display | 3.5" detachable color TFT, USB-C port, IP-X5 |
| Sensor | Cadence, 5 assist levels, 3 Power Profiles |
| Throttle | Half-twist throttle |
| UL Certifications | UL 2849 (ebike), UL 2271 (battery); ISO 4210 tested |
| Drivetrain | Single speed, KMC Z8 chain (Gates Carbon Drive belt on $1,099 model) |
| Controller | 15A internal, IP-X5, potted |
| Chainring | 56T forged aluminum (70T Gates on belt model) |
| Rear Cog | 16T (22T Gates on belt model) |
| Brakes | Star Union 602 hydraulic disc |
| Levers | Aluminum |
| Rotors | 180mm, 2.3mm thick |
| Frame | Aluminum, folding at stem and frame |
| Fork | Rigid steel |
| Axle | Bolt-on |
| Tires | 20 x 2.5" slick with reflective strip, Hippo Skin puncture protection, Slime pre-installed |
| Handlebars | BMX-style, 25" wide |
| Grips | Ergonomic lock-on |
| Stem | Adjustable telescoping, zero-degree |
| Saddle | Lectric custom saddle |
| Seatpost | Telescoping (suspension seatpost included on $999 and $1,099 models) |
| Pedals | Quick-release 6000-series aluminum |
| Fenders | Included on $999 and $1,099 models (ship uninstalled) |
| Rear Rack | LevelUp Lite Rack (50 lb capacity) included on $1,099 model; optional on others |
| Kickstand | Folding steel side kickstand |
| Lights | 90-lumen headlight with side amber lights (Elite Headlight on $999 and $1,099 models); rear brake light with turn signals |
| Colors | Arctic White ($799 or $999); Blue Mist, Matte Grey, Matte Lavender ($999); JW Black, Ballerina Pink ($1,099) |
Real World Performance Testing
Throttle
The twist grip throttle pulled about 800W from a stop and carried the bike to its 20 mph top speed without hesitating. It’s also easy to modulate: a light twist held around 100W at 13 mph, which is handy for easing along a crowded path. If you tie the throttle to the assist level, it follows whichever power profile you’ve picked, stopping at that level’s speed or holding its wattage. We prefer full throttle access in every level, since the twist grip is easy enough to control on its own.
Cadence Sensor and Power Profiles
Each profile has its own personality. Speed limited is the most approachable: each level ramps up quickly, often to near full power, then cuts out at its set speed, so Eco is barely there at 4 to 5 mph. Power limited holds a fixed wattage and lets your speed build, so even Eco’s 200W carried us to about 15 mph and Tour reached 17 mph, and the higher levels mainly get you to 20 mph faster. Speed and power limited stops at the same speeds as speed limited but gets there more gently. With the assist off, the bike was comfortable to pedal at 8 to 10 mph, and it took a quarter to half a pedal stroke for the assist to kick in.
| Assist Level | Speed Limited (cutoff) | Power Limited (output) | Speed and Power Limited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eco | ~4-5 mph | ~200W (up to ~15 mph) | ~5 mph, ~50W |
| Tour | ~8-9 mph | ~368W (up to ~17 mph) | ~10 mph |
| Sport | ~12 mph | ~527W | ~13 mph, ~475W |
| Sport+ | ~16-17 mph | ~632W | ~17 mph, ~632W |
| Turbo | 20 mph | ~800W | 20 mph |
This is where the belt model’s lower gearing shows up. It’s a little easier to get rolling from a stop, though a blip of the throttle is still the easiest way off the line on a single speed. The trade-off is at the top end: at 20 mph you can still push on the pedals, but your legs are spinning fast, and some riders will just use the throttle when they want full speed. The cadence felt most natural around 17 mph, so our everyday setup would be speed and power limited, cruising in Sport+ at about 17 mph and dropping to Sport around 12 mph in stop-and-go traffic. Power limited is fun on open paths, but outside the lowest levels, it keeps creeping toward 20 mph, which isn’t ideal downtown.
Hill Climb
On throttle alone, the 300W motor got up our test hill, just slowly. It held around 783W the whole way while speed slipped into the single digits and bottomed out at 4 mph on the display (5 mph by GPS) on the steepest section, which is about what we expected from a motor this size.
Pedaling made a big difference. With speed and power limited selected, Eco only helped once we dropped below 5 mph, and each step up added more power, from about 365W in Tour to around 625W in Sport+ and the full 800W in Turbo. At the same spot where the throttle had us crawling at about 5 mph, pedaling in Turbo held 7 to 8 mph. The single-speed gearing means a slow, heavy cadence on a climb like this, but because it’s a cadence sensor, you only need to keep your legs turning for the motor to help. If your area is hilly, plan on pedaling in the top levels.
Lectric XP Lite 3 Belt Drive vs Lectric XP4 500W
| Spec | Lectric XP Lite 3 Belt Drive | Lectric XP4 500W |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $999 |
| Motor | 300W, 819W peak | 500W, 1,092W peak |
| Top Speed | 20 mph (Class 2) | 28 mph |
| Drivetrain | Gates belt, single speed | 8-speed chain |
| Pedal Sensor | Cadence | Torque or cadence (switchable) |
| Battery | 48V 14Ah | 10.4Ah |
| Suspension | Suspension seatpost | Front suspension fork |
| Tires | 20 x 2.5 in. | 20 x 3 in. |
| Weight (with battery) | 56 lb (measured) | 68.5 lb |
If comfort and climbing matter more than weight, the XP4 500W is the one to consider. For $100 less at the time of writing (check current XP4 pricing), it adds 8-speed gearing, a front suspension fork, wider 3-inch tires, a 500W motor that peaks at 1,092W, speeds up to 28 mph, and the option to switch between a torque sensor and a cadence sensor. That makes it a more comfortable ride on broken pavement and gravel and a much stronger climber. In exchange, it’s about 12 lb heavier at 68.5 lb with the battery, it carries a smaller 10.4Ah battery, and it uses a standard chain.
Pick the XP Lite 3 belt drive if you’ll be lifting your bike often, want the lowest-maintenance drivetrain you can get at this price, and ride mostly on flat, paved routes. If you live somewhere hilly, you’re a heavier rider, or your rides include rough pavement or gravel, the XP4 is the better fit. And if the belt isn’t a priority, the $999 chain drive XP Lite 3 keeps the 14Ah battery and most of the same accessories for $100 less.
Pros and Cons
Save on your Lectric: Check our Lectric discount code page for the codes and accessory deals live this month.
Final Thoughts
Is a Gates belt worth $100 more on a $999 folding ebike? If you value a cleaner, quieter drivetrain you barely have to think about, we think it is, especially with the LevelUp Lite Rack included at launch. You’re still getting a 300W cadence sensor ebike with a single speed and no suspension fork, so it needs your help on hills and the cadence runs fast at 20 mph, and riders who want more power or comfort should look hard at the XP4. For shorter riders, RV owners, college students, apartment dwellers, and commuters who fold their bike into a trunk or carry it onto transit, it’s a light, easy-to-live-with folder with a premium touch you’ll have a hard time finding from other brands at this price.
Ready to ride? Check current pricing and included accessories on the Lectric XP Lite 3 belt drive.
