Unveiling the Ultimate Affordable Trike Showdown: Lectric XP Trike vs Rad Power Bikes RadTrike!

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More and more electric trikes are coming to the market, and it can be hard to choose which is the best fit. In this article, we compare and contrast all the important specs of the Lectric XP Trike vs. the Rad Power Bikes RadTrike.

Just a quick note on trikes. In general, electric trikes are excellent mobility devices, and we love that they allow more people access to the convenience and fun of electric micro-mobility. They require less balance and offer more accommodation for a variety of different physical abilities. They do have a slightly different feel, and it takes some time to get used to them. For safety reasons electric trikes have lower top speeds to cut down on the potential of tipping.

If we’ve help you decide to get a trike, please consider using our affiliate links for either the RadTrike or the Lectric XP Trike as a free way to support Ebike Escape.

RadTrike vs Lectric XP Trike Video Review

Price of the Lectric XP Trike vs. the RadTrike

Both of these trikes have slightly different offerings, but if the price is the main determining factor for you, the Lectric XP is a clear winner coming in at only $1,499 vs. the RadTrike, which costs $2,499.

At launch, the Lectric XP Trike included their cargo package which features a front rack and basket as well as a large rear basket. We expect during promotional periods that they will do this again but don’t expect the price of the XP Trike itself to fall below $1,499.

The RadTrike is compatible with a large number of Rad accessories. There are many cool options, but you pay extra for the upgrades.

Frame Style and Size

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Both the RadTrike and the Lectric XP Trike have a similar style of frame and a similar size. Both of the trikes feature very low stand-over heights for increased accessibility, with the RadTrike coming in at 13.4 inches and the Lectric XP at 13.8 inches.

They also have similar clearance and are able to roll over a small curb without issue if you go slowly. The RadTrike clearance is just under 5 inches, and the XP Trike is around 6 inches. The width of the rear wheels on the Lectric is 30.25 inches, and while the RadTrike is slightly wider at 32.75 inches, both of these trikes roll through a standard exterior door without issue.

One potentially huge advantage the Lectric XP has is that it, like most Lectric ebikes, it has a folding frame. You pull a lever, and the front wheel and front part of the frame tucks into the back wheels. Then you can tuck the handlebars down. The folding dimensions are 38.5″ L x 30.5″ W x 30″ H.

The RadTrike does have bolts you can take apart to split the frame in half and the folding handlebars allow it to be put in the rear of some SUVs. The RadTrike will also require some assembly on arrival, while the Lectric ships virtually fully assembled, and you just have to unfold it. For more information, you can check out our unboxing videos of the Lectric XP Trike vs. the RadTrike.

Rider Height and Weight

Both of the trikes are designed for riders between the heights of 4’10” and 6’4″. Though both trikes are advertised for taller riders, our 6-foot test rider felt the Lectric was more comfortable at his height. For our 5’8″ rider, both trikes felt equally well fit. Regarding weight limits, they are, again, quite similar.

Editor’s note: Our bathroom scale showed the Lectric XP Trike weighed around 92-95lbs while the RadTrike weighed less at around 79-82 lbs (both with batteries in place).

	RadTrike	Lectric XP Trike
Weight of Trike	82 lbs	69.5 lbs
Payload Capacity	415 lbs	415 lbs
Maximum weight of the rider	325 lbs	330 lbs
Maximum weight of the front basket	30 lbs	35 lbs
Maximum weight of the rear basket	60 lbs	75 lbs

Lectric XP Trike vs. RadTrike Comfort and Suspension

The Lectric XP comes with a stock seat that we feel is better than average. You can upgrade the Lectric to a support seat with a backrest for $39. The RadTrike already comes with a support seat, including a backrest with the base package.

The Lectric XP comes with a basic suspension seatpost and the RadTrike does not. For more comfort, you may want to consider adding an SR Suntour NCX suspension seatpost.

There is no front or rear suspension on either trike. We took these electric trikes across loose gravel and flat grass, and they did okay. We did have to go slow and would not recommend buying a trike with the primary purpose of using it off-road. The two wheels in the rear make for an uncomfortable ride on any uneven surface, paved or not.

The tires on the RadTrike are 18″ x 2.25″ and have a street pattern. The Lectric XP tires have slightly more tread and are sized at 20″ x 2.6″.

Both trikes have BMX-style handlebars that can be adjusted forward or backward. Additionally, the Lectric XP Trike handlebars can be raised and lowered.

Motor and Battery

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The RadTrike comes with a 48V 10 Ah battery which is slightly lower than the 48V 14 Ah battery that the Lectric XP Trike features. In ideal riding conditions, the estimated range for the RadTrike is 20-35 miles vs. the Lectric XP Trike, with an advertised range of over 50 miles (manufacturer estimates).

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The Lectric XP Trike motor is 500-watt nominal with a peak performance of 1,092 watts. The Rad Power Bikes RadTrike has a 750-watt peak motor. This is consistent with RadPower Bike’s general philosophy of having a hard limit of 750 watts peak for their motors.

Both trikes did extraordinarily well on our hill test though the RadTrike kept a slightly faster speed than the Lectric. Watch the comparison video above for more details. Both etrikes are single speeds with similar gearing. The RadTrike has a 42T front chainring with 16T in the rear. The Lectric XP Trike has a 36T front chainring and 16t in the rear.

Each trike has a slightly different drive system that gives them a different feel though neither is superior to the other. The RadTrike has a front-mounted motor and pulls the trike. The motor drives the front wheels, and the pedaling drives the right rear wheel while the rear left wheel is just along for the ride. On any loose terrain with full-throttle the front wheel can lose traction.

The Lectric XP Trike has a rear hub motor with a rear differential to power both rear wheels. With this system, the trike is pushing you along instead of pulling. This allows it to have more traction comparatively to the RadTrike.

Top Speed and Maneuverability

We were pleasantly surprised with how maneuverable and safe these trikes felt at low speeds. It does take a little time to get used to riding them compared to a regular bike or ebike. You can make some pretty tight corners at slow speeds and weave around obstacles without difficulty. The RadTrike has a reverse feature which can be quite helpful in backing out of a parking space or garage.

Electric trikes, in general, have a lower top speed than most bikes. Both the RadTrike and Lectric XP Trike have top speeds of 14 mph. If that sounds slow, watch our comparison video, and you can see how easy it was for our reviewers to lift a tire off the ground when turning at higher speeds.

Again, the trikes are meant to increase accessibility, and a lower maximum speed is an appropriate safety choice. It is also important to note that when going on sloped surfaces, it is important that the rider is able to shift their weight up the hill to maintain stability. This is true in places like slanted driveways across sidewalks or curb cuts. These trikes are not designed for off-roading.

Braking Power

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The braking systems are another place where the trikes differ. The Lectric XP Trike has front and rear hydraulic disc brakes vs. the RadTrike, which has a mechanical disc brake in the front and a rear coaster brake. Let’s break down what that means. The hydraulic brakes on the Lectric are considered an upgrade compared to mechanical brakes.

The RadTrike has a front mechanical disc brake (left-hand) but also includes an option for a coaster brake. You may remember coaster brakes from when you were a kid where you pedal backward to stop your bike. This may be helpful to those that have trouble applying a lot of pressure on a brake handle.

If you can use your hands without pain or issue, the Lectric is probably a better option as it is most likely more intuitive for the average adult. If you have difficulty applying a lot of pressure on your hands, the RadTrike opens up possibilities. Both bikes have parking brakes as well.

During our high-speed braking test, both trikes stopped relatively quickly though the Lectric stopped a bit sooner.

Lectric XP Trike vs. RadTrike Display

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The RadTrike has a simple display on the left hand and the buttons are large and easy to press. You can put the trike into reverse by holding the down bottom until the R comes up and then hitting the throttle. There are 0-5 pedal assist levels on the RadTrike. The throttle will start even at 0, and you have full access to the throttle regardless of which PAS level you are in. You won’t get full power immediately when you use the throttle from a standstill, creating a more gradual start-up for accessibility. No center screen is included which would usually show your current speed.

The Lectric XP Trike provides a different amount of throttle power in each pedal assist level, 1 through 5. Unlike the RadTrike, the Lectric XP Trike does not allow throttle power when you are in pedal assist level 0.

It sports the same display as the other Lectric bikes. A 3-button control on the left lets you adjust the pedal assist level. The buttons on the Lectric are smaller than on the RadTrike.

They do have a walk mode if you need the bike to propel itself at slow speeds.

Headlights and Brake Lights

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Both trikes include an integrated headlight and taillights. The RadTrike Halo headlight turns on automatically, but you must manually turn the brighter Elite headlight on the Lectric XP Trike.

For the rear lights, the Lectric XP has a daytime running light in the center of the rear in addition to a rear brake light on each wheel. The RadTrike has a single rear light in the center that is brake actuated in addition to reflectors on the rear wheels.

The included lights are a good start for both trikes, but we always recommend adding additional lights. You can never have too many when you need to be seen. If you are looking for recommendations, check out our accessories page.

Wrap Up: RadTrike versus XP Trike

Overall, there is no clear winner when comparing the RadTrike vs. the Lectric XP Trike. Rather, you should look at which trike fits your needs the best. The Lectric XP Trike is more affordable, folds for easier transport, and has a larger battery with an accompanying longer range. It also has hydraulic disc brakes.

The RadTrike is compatible with most of the many Rad Power Bike accessories available. The motor has a lower peak wattage, but the RadTrike held its speed better up the hill than the Lectric. The RadTrike includes a reverse function and pays special attention to accessibility, such as offering coaster brakes in addition to mechanical brakes.

Both trikes are designed for similar-sized riders in both height and weight. They have similar clearance and standover heights and the same top speed. Neither trike has additional suspension, and neither trike is designed for off-roading.

We have dedicated review articles with all the details about two of the most popular and affordable trikes, the RadTrike and the Lectric XP Trike.

Which one fits better for you? Are you interested in more trike reviews? Comment below.