Lectric ONE Review

Lectric has been building and selling electric bikes directly to the consumer since 2018. Having made a name for themselves with inexpensive, folding models, the ONE is a decidedly upmarket move. Like their compact folding bikes, the ONE uses 20" wheels and a folding front end, but the similarities stop there. Packing a Pinion automatic gearbox and Gates belt drive, this electric shifting model is not shy on features. Shipped in Class 2 mode with a top speed of 20mph, the ONE can be switched to Class 3 mode, allowing pedal assist speeds up to 28mph. While it's the most expensive bike Lectric offers, it's a remarkable value for what it is. This ONE ships almost fully assembled, including lights, fenders, a cargo rack, a kickstand, and a color display.

Performance Comparison

Ride

The ONE uses an aluminum frame and fork mounted to 20-inch wheels. Comfort comes from the 2.5" Chao Yang tires, while the foldable stem and alloy seatpost offer average adjustability. The bike is incredibly compact, but size doesn't dictate its ride quality. With a wheelbase of 41 inches, the bike has a quick and sporty feel but is not very forgiving on uneven terrain. The drivetrain feels exceptionally smooth with the Gates belt drive and Pinion gearbox. The 6-speed gearbox is a completely sealed unit modeled after an automobile transmission. A simple electric shifter controls your shifts, making each shift precise and lag-free, whether you're pedaling or not. There is no chain slap or drivetrain noise; the entire system is virtually maintenance-free, with no need to lubricate the belt or internal gears. Since there are only six gears, the steps between gears are larger than you might experience with a comparable derailleur-equipped bike.

The bike is quite compact, but at 5' 10", I didn't feel the least bit cramped. The cockpit is fairly roomy, with an adjustable stem that trades height for reach and a 660mm handlebar. When using the throttle, the bike easily gets up to speed where you can initiate “Cruise Control.” At first read, this doesn't seem to be a necessary feature on an e-bike, but I found it incredibly useful when cruising on Class III bikeways. With the cruise control, it was easy to sit up with no hands on the handlebars, not pedaling, and just cruise along, taking in the sights. The bike's geometry seems well thought out for its use case; I found the bottom bracket high enough to pedal through corners and the seat tube steep enough to maintain a powerful pedaling position uphill. The seated position can be fairly upright, with more weight on the saddle than the handlebar, giving you a commanding view of traffic or the scenery.

The 20" wheels don't provide the smoothest ride, but the higher volume tires balance rider comfort and range well. On smooth surfaces, the bike feels great; on imperfect surfaces, the irregularities reverberate through the aluminum frame and fork. The short wheelbase makes the bike feel agile and sporty but leads to a nervous feeling at higher speeds. My top speed on the bike was 34 mph on a sustained descent; while it wasn't scary, it was out of the bike's comfort zone.

The ONE is only available in one size and style. This step-thru style frame is easy to get on and off, with a top tube height of 19 inches. Installing the convenient top-tube bag raises that height to 25.5 inches. The bike has a maximum weight capacity of 330 pounds, with the rack capable of holding 30 pounds. The Lectric website lists the bike as having a telescoping seatpost, but ours had a standard post with 8.5 inches of adjustability. Lectric recommends the bike for riders between 5' 2" and 6' 4", but that feels a bit optimistic; perhaps with a telescoping seat post, that would be more feasible. With the seat in its lowest position, it measures 30.5 inches from the ground and 39 inches in its highest setting. Lectric uses the same saddle on this bike as the rest of their lineup, and I've found them to be pretty comfortable for rides up to 2 hours. The shape is fairly standard, with a wider tail and elastomer suspension but no ergonomic channel.

The ONE has several features that feel pretty impressive at this price range. The color display, electronic shifting, and lock-on ergonomic grips give the bike a quality feel. Front and rear lights that run off the bike's main battery are standard and sufficiently bright for nighttime riding. When I purchased this bike, several accessories were offered for “free with purchase.” This is fairly common for Lectric, so I also received a top tube bag, a rear rack, panniers, and full alloy fenders. The rack and fenders came pre-installed, while the top tube bag uses five 4mm hex bolts to secure it to the frame. I found this bag to be ideal for a lock, snack, or phone.

Range

Using a 672Wh battery that mounts behind the seat tube, the Lectric ONE can propel you with pedal assist or with the throttle alone. For our range test, we exclusively use the throttle and a rider with gear that weighs 180 pounds. I charged the battery to capacity, inflated the tires to the maximum recommended pressure, and headed out to measure the bike's range. I put the bike in its most powerful setting and rode 27.21 miles on a single charge.

This range test included almost 1000' of elevation change, and the ONE seemed unfazed by the hills. Lectric advertises a range of “up to 60 miles,” there's no reason for us to believe that wouldn't be possible if you were adding pedal strokes and riding on flat terrain. Using the cruise control was delightful on this bike, but I found it difficult to engage with the layout of the controls. The bike uses a throttle paddle on the left side of the handlebar, and engaging cruise control requires holding the throttle down and pressing the (-) button on the controller simultaneously. Some fancy fingerwork is involved since they're both on the left side; it's not impossible, but it is awkward.

Power

The ONE has a powerful feel for a little bike, which never disappointed our testers. We could crest tall grades and easily handle bridges and overpasses. Lectric says the Sutto 750W motor can produce 1310 watts at maximum power and 85Nm of torque. These claims can be hard to validate using the “it feels like” methodology, so we used a precision dynamometer to measure the exact power and torque figures.

We are measuring the output at the rear tire's contact patch, which is affected by drivetrain efficiency losses. We measured 1090 watts and 41.6 Nm of torque on the dynamometer, which is pretty powerful for a machine that weighs 61 pounds. The ONE has five pedal assist settings that help you move while under pedal power. Oddly, the ONE uses a cadence sensor instead of a torque sensor, and while much has been written about Lectric's PWR (Pedal Wattage Regulation), it doesn't have the intuitive feel of a torque sensor-equipped bike. The system is a “simply designed and affordable cadence sensor with 96 magnets simulated,” according to Lectric. It feels good for a cadence sensor, but the high-end feel of the rest of the bike left me expecting a more precise sensor.

There is yet to be a standard for e-bike throttles; some activate with the twist of a grip, some with a half grip, others with a paddle, and no standard exists for which side of the handlebar we should put it on. The ONE uses a paddle throttle under the left side of the handlebar, leaving your right thumb available for the Pinion electronic shifter. Pushing that throttle in the highest power setting brought me up to 20 mph in 7 seconds. In our hill climbing test, the ONE shot up to the bike's top throttle speed of 20mph uphill, slowing to 16.1mph at the steepest part of the grade.

Interface

The ONE uses a similar interface to all other Lectric bikes but gets a high-resolution 3" x 2" color display. The controller is a simple 3-button unit that sits within reach of your left thumb. The controller's power button can also change the data you view on the display. The (+) button increases the assist level, and a long push activates the bike's headlight. The (-) button will decrease your pedal assist setting, and a long push of this button activates “Walk-mode” that powers the bike at around three mph, allowing you to walk next to it without having to push it along. The display is bright and easy to read, with well-presented data. The ONE doesn't use the integrated frame battery found on the XP and XPeak; instead, it's an external unit mounted behind the seat tube. The battery locks into place and can be removed to charge away from the bike. To remove the battery, you twist the key and pull upward, allowing it to unlatch; you needn't remove the seat or seatpost to get it out.

The MTC-2 display has multiple screens you can cycle through using the power button. In the default view, the battery's state of charge is represented by colored bars at the top of the display with current wattage in small numbers below. In the center of the display is the largest number, which is your current speed; it's intersected by a concentric circle showing the pedal assist level numerically with a one through five. A trip odometer populates the lower pixels, and the word “cruise” pops up when cruise control is activated. Cruise control is disabled if you touch the throttle or brake levers, which I often did accidentally.

A quick tap of the power button changes the bottom field of the screen to show an odometer. Press again, and you can see the battery's voltage; press once more to see an estimate of the bike's remaining range and, finally, once more to see the current time. Seeing the remaining range is an excellent feature that keeps you from guessing how far one green and one yellow square will get you.

Assembly

The ONE scores well for its exceptional ease of assembly. Many of Lectric's bikes arrive 95% assembled, and putting on the final touches requires minimal time and skill. The ONE is not a foldable bike, but its handlebars fold up into place, and the quick-release pedals install in seconds. This is convenient for assembly, and the bike is a fair bit easier to transport than others due to its compact form. Assembling the ONE involves extending the handlebars, installing the seatpost into the frame, and mounting the front wheel. There is a lot of cardboard packaging, but 99% is recyclable.

Once you make the ONE look like a bicycle, it's time to inflate the tires and charge the battery. Several yellow warning cards are attached to the bike; they remind you to check bolts, wear a helmet, and generally, not be an idiot. Our bike arrived with an overly tightened headset; it produced a notchy feel in the steering that made the front wheel auto center and resist turning. Readjusting the headset isn't a complicated procedure but requires some finesse.

Although the ONE is easy to assemble, moving the box around isn't exactly easy. The easiest way to assemble the bike is to open the side of the box and use the cardboard to support the bike while you put on the finishing touches. If this sounds foreign to you, Lectric offers an assembly video that walks you through the steps. If you still find the process daunting, consult a local bicycle shop; most are happy to assemble and tune your bike for a nominal fee.

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Value

The ONE seems like a bargain when considering the parts and technology that went into making the bike. The Pinion gearbox, motor, battery, and all of the custom bits are expensive to manufacture, but the value is subjective. I don't think many other bike companies could come to market with this much bike for so few dollars. If having quick-release pedals isn't beneficial for your lifestyle and how you'd use the bike, I'd recommend replacing them with standard pedals that provide a more solid feel.

That said, if the specs of this bike appeal to you, this is a great compact commuter bike. The gearbox, hydraulic brakes, and puncture-resistant tires should keep your maintenance costs minimal, and you'll never need to lube the belt drive. If you plan on locking the bike up somewhere for extended periods, consider taking the battery with you, as it's a major theft deterrent and may allow you to charge it while you work or study.

Conclusion

The Lectric ONE is a cool, unique bike that benefits from cutting-edge technology. It's fun to ride, has a respectable range, and has all the accouterments you might need for commuting. While it doesn't fold, it can pack down much smaller than most bikes and might even fit in the trunk of your car. Riding the bike on poor-quality pavement or unimproved roads isn't very enjoyable due to its rigid construction, but a suspension seatpost might improve the comfort. If a high-tech, high-value commuter appeals to you, the ONE is certainly worth your consideration.