Lectric ONE E-Bike Review: Can You Really Get a $6,000 E-Bike for $1,999?
Lectric has once again managed to shock the entire e-biking industry by releasing the ONE—an e-bike that costs just $1,999, but offers the value of a $6,000 model.
What’s so shocking about it? One word—Pinion. Yes, the Lectric ONE comes with an electric smart-shifting Pinion gearbox that changes gears automatically and is controlled with a smartphone app. If that’s not enough, the drivetrain also includes a maintenance-free Gates Carbon Belt.
These are premium features typically found on much pricier models (around $5,000-$6,000), which makes the ONE a standout in the market.
How did Lectric manage to pull off such a thing and is there a catch? We’ll go into more detail and explain everything in the review below.
Lectric ONE Main Specs
- MSRP: $1,999
- Motor: 750W rear hub, 85 Nm (Cadence sensor)
- Battery: 48V 10.4 Ah or 14 Ah
- Drivetrain: Pinion C1.6i gearbox
- Range: 45-60 Miles
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
- Tire Size: 20″ x 2.5″
- Weight: 55 lb
- Payload Capacity: 330 lb
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Lectric ONE Full Review
First of all, what is the Lectric ONE e-bike and who is it for?
This a compact low-maintenance electric commuter bike designed for city commutes, leisure rides on bike paths, or any other urban application that comes to your mind.
It brings together a surprising combination of parts, and we’re not saying this just because of the affordable price. The Pinion gearbox is common on European e-bikes, but not so much on the best electric bikes sold in the US.
Forget chains and greasy maintenance – the Lectric ONE’s Pinion gearbox and Gates Carbon Belt drive deliver a clean, virtually maintenance-free ride.
But Lectric ONE is about to change that.
While most high-end European bikes combine a Pinion gearbox with a mid-drive motor, the ONE does it with a rear hub motor. This allows Lectric to bring the price down while still providing plenty of power and smooth performance.
Here’s a more detailed overview of the most important features.
Pinion C1.6i Gearbox Details
When hardcore bike fans hear the name Pinion, they automatically know what it is and what it means for the value and performance of the bike.
For those who are not cycling afficionados or those in the US who still haven’t had a chance to familiarize themselves with this German company’s technology, here’s what the Pinion C1.6i gearbox is.
The C1.6i is a six-speed enclosed gearbox, similar to the one you can find on a car. It sits inside the bottom bracket and shifts gears with ease, requiring very little if any maintenance.
This particular model is a smart electric gearbox which means that it shifts gears automatically. You can set your preferred cadence using the Smart.Shift app and the gearbox will then upshift or downshift accordingly when you deviate from your ideal cadence.
You can also choose your starting gear, so the Pinion unit will automatically shift to that gear when you stop, meaning you can start pedaling again with minimal resistance.
Another nice surprise is the Gates Carbon Belt drive, so the drivetrain is chainless and requires no cleaning or lubrication.
Punchy 750W Electric Motor and Two Batteries
The Lectric ONE boasts a punchy 750W rear hub motor that puts out 85 Nm of torque. The motor, just like the Pinion gearbox, offers lots of customizations. You can set the maximum speed to Class 2 or Class 3, and you can also choose whether you want the acceleration to be fast or gradual.
The maximum speed is 28 mph with pedal assistance, but you can also use the throttle to propel yourself up to 20 mph without pedaling. The power transfer through the Gates Carbon Belt is smooth and the belt itself lasts multiple times longer than a traditional chain.
The Lectric ONE packs a punch with a 750W motor and offers a choice of two batteries, so you can customize your ride and range.
When it comes to the battery, you can choose between a 10.4 Ah or 14 Ah version. The range is estimated from 45 to 60 miles per charge, respectively. However, with conservative use, you’ll probably be able to get even more out of it, considering the low 55 lb weight of the bike.
The Lectric ONE also comes with a cadence sensor with 96 magnets, as opposed to 12 magnets found on other Lectric bikes. Therefore, the power delivery is smooth and natural, similar to that offered by a torque sensor.
Fully Equipped with Extra Features
The Lectric ONE strives to be the ultimate budget-value commuter e-bike, so it’s not surprising that it comes fully equipped with all the accessories you may need. Though, this is pretty common for all Lectric models.
The accessory package includes front and rear fenders, a 30 lb capacity rear rack, a kickstand, bright front and rear lights, and an adjustable handlebar.
You can choose additional accessories at checkout, such as a 20 lb capacity front rack, brighter lights, a comfort seat and seat post, and so on.
When it comes to sizing, the ONE is offered in one frame size only that fits riders 5’2″ to 6’4″ tall, which is a pretty decent range. You can easily find a comfortable riding position thanks to the adjustable handlebar, so you won’t feel cramped or stretched out if you’re on either end of the height range.
Hydraulic Brakes and Sleek Tires
We like the rest of the components on the Lectric ONE and can generally say that no significant shortcuts were taken when designing the bike.
The hydraulic disc brakes are paired with 180 mm rotors, meaning they will stop you on a dime no matter the weather or the speed you’re going at.
Moreover, the 20″ x 2.5″ sleek tires are a perfect match for the rest of the ONE’s spec list. They are fast and nimble, but stable and durable.
The tires feature a reflective sidewall for better visibility, puncture protection lining, and reinforced sidewalls to prevent pinch flats in case your tire pressure is low.
All in all, it seems like Lectric has pretty much thought about everything in order to create a well-rounded compact e-bike for commuting year-round.
Are There Boxes Left Unchecked?
Our first look at the ONE e-bike gives us the impression that Lectric has carefully selected every component so that there are no loose ends left.
It’s unfortunate but completely understandable that they didn’t manage to fit a torque sensor within this budget, which would make the ONE perfect.
With its Pinion gearbox, Gates Carbon Belt, and hydraulic brakes, the Lectric ONE offers an unprecedented ride quality.
However, the 96-magnet cadence sensor combined with the PWR pedal assistance programming that regulates the amount of power delivered to the motor based on your PAS level feels pretty smooth and natural when riding.
Another area where there’s some room for improvement is in terms of sizing and colors. At the moment there’s one size and one color only, which is not uncommon with budget e-bikes, but it’s always a big plus to have more choices.
Other Lectric E-Bikes We’ve Reviewed:
Final Thoughts About the Lectric ONE
Lectric has a history of offering great value for the money, but the ONE takes this practice one step further.
The ONE brings high-end technology and features to a budget-friendly package, which is a tough move to execute properly.
Lectric ONE’s smart electric Pinion gearbox that seamlessly shifts gears based on your preferred cadence is a premium feature reserved for much pricier models.
The Pinion gearbox and Gates Carbon Belt drive are irreplaceable when it comes to low-maintenance performance and a big first on a $1,999 e-bike.
To sum things up, the Lectric ONE redefines what’s possible to achieve on a limited budget. So if you’re looking for a sleek, low-maintenance commuter, this e-bike is a serious contender.
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