The Lectric ONE is a truly ground-breaking addition to the entry-level e-bike market.
Have you ever thought it would be possible to get an electric bike with a Smart.Shift Pinion C1.6i gearbox and Gates Carbon Belt drive for less than $2,000? We haven’t either, but Lectric made it happen.
Lectric is shaking the e-bike market and blowing its competition away with a lightweight premium value commuter that has the most high-end setup in its price range.
If you’re looking for an affordable commuter with high-end features found on much pricier e-bikes, the Lectric ONE will check all of your boxes.
Let’s see what else this revolutionary electric bike has to offer!
Contents
Lectric ONE Spec Overview
We’ve mentioned in the introduction of this review that the Lectric ONE comes with high-end features found on much pricier e-bikes and we meant it.
For example, the second lowest-priced electric bike with the same Pinion C1.6i smart gearbox is the Stromer ST2 that costs around $7,000!
How Lectric managed to fit a Pinion smart electric gearbox that retails for around $1,500 on an e-bike that costs just $1,999 is beyond our imagination, but we’re happy they did it.
The Lectric ONE redefines what’s possible in an affordable e-bike, packing a high-tech Pinion gearbox and Gates belt drive into an incredibly budget-friendly package.
In addition to that, the Lectric ONE also boasts low-maintenance hydraulic disc brakes, Class 3 maximum speed, and a fully equipped commuter setup with all the accessories you could ask for.
The only drawback is the fact that this e-bike comes with a cadence sensor instead of a torque sensor, which is a slight letdown.
However, Lectric’s cadence sensors have 96 magnets instead of just 12 magnets commonly found on competitors’ bikes, so the power delivery should be pretty smooth.
Key Specifications:
- Motor: Rear hub 750W, 85 Nm torque
- Battery: 48V 10.4 Ah or 14 Ah (500 Wh or 672 Wh)
- Range: 45 or 65 miles
- Top speed: 28 MPH (Class 1, 2, or 3)
- Weight capacity: 330 lb
- Weight: 55 lb
- Drivetrain: Pinion C1.6i Smart Electric Gearbox
- Brakes: Dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes
- Tires: 20″ x 2.5″
- Accessories: Fenders, rear rack, lights, kickstand, color LCD screen
Learn More on LectricEbikes.com
Detailed Lectric ONE Review
Premium Pinion C1.6i Smart Gearbox
The Pinion C1.6i is a flagship electric smart gearbox from the German manufacturer, offering a premium shifting experience, customizability, and a maintenance-free ride.
Namely, the C1.6i offers a total of six gears, but the shifting experience can be adjusted using Pinion’s Smart.Shift app.
You can set your ideal cadence, so the gearbox knows when to shift gears. The bike will then automatically downshift to an appropriate gear when riding uphill and upshift when you’re going downhill.
Forget what you know about clunky e-bike shifting – the Lectric ONE’s Pinion C1.6i gearbox delivers a smooth, customizable, and practically maintenance-free ride.
In addition, you can also set your starting gear, so the Pinion gearbox will automatically shift to that gear when you come to a full stop. This allows you to easily start pedaling again without having to worry about what gear you’re in.
The C1.6i is paired with a Gates Carbon Belt drive for a chainless drivetrain that requires no cleaning and lubrication, so you’ll never get your pants greasy on your morning commute to work.
Class 3 Motor and Two Batteries
As a capable e-bike, the Lectric ONE is powered by a punchy 750W rear hub motor (1310W peak) with an 85 Nm torque. This motor can achieve a 28 mph speed quite easily, considering that the Lectric ONE boasts the “highest power-to-weight ratio of any bike,” according to the company.
The stock 48V 10.4 Ah battery is smaller than ideal and returns around 45 miles of maximum range. However, by paying $200 more, you can get a 14 Ah battery that offers a 65-mile range. Lectric is planning to offer a 19 Ah version as well in the future, but they didn’t specify exactly when.
Another feature we’d like to see improved is the cadence sensor. A torque sensor would fit a bike like this much better, though it would drive the price up. However, as we’ve mentioned, Lectric uses cadence sensors with 96 magnets paired with their signature PWR pedal assist, so you can expect the power transfer to be pretty smooth.
Commuter Friendly Components
Lectric had one thing in mind when creating the ONE e-bike—for it to be the perfect electric commuter you can get for the money. In our opinion, they’ve largely succeeded.
That’s why the ONE comes with dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes that require little maintenance but offer ample amounts of braking power and modulation. They are the best choice on the market right now.
With its powerful motor and lightweight design, the Lectric ONE effortlessly propels you to 28 mph, making it the perfect choice for speedy commutes.
In addition, this e-bike rolls on versatile and nimble city-friendly 20″ x 2.5″ sleek tires, perfect for fast accelerations and for maintaining a high speed on smooth city streets.
Some riders dislike small wheels and prefer 26-inch wheels or even larger because of improved stability and comfort, but 20-inch wheels have proved to offer the best of both worlds—practicality and comfort.
The Lectric ONE also has a left-side thumb throttle, so you can cruise at up to 20 mph without having to turn the pedals at all.
Fully Equipped with Accessories
If you’re the type of rider who wants a ready-to-ride e-bike out of the box, the Lectric ONE will make you happy.
This tiny electric commuter bike comes will all the accessories you could think of, so you can ride day or night, come rain or shine.
You get durable front and rear fenders, bright front and rear lights, a sturdy kickstand, and even USB charging to keep your devices topped up with electricity.
The taillights are brake activated but, sadly, you don’t get turn signals, which can be handy in urban conditions.
Of course, you can also install a bunch of other accessories from Lectric’s shop (if you want to personalize the bike further), such as front and rear cargo boxes, rearview mirrors, a bell, panniers, and so on.
Frame, Geometry, and Sizing
Lectric ONE is built around a lightweight aluminum frame with a rigid aluminum fork, so the total weight is around 55 lb, which is pretty light for an e-bike in this category.
The lack of a suspension fork reduces the total weight but will make the ride a bit bouncier. However, the 2.5-inch-wide tires should absorb the majority of the vibrations.
The Lectric ONE is the ultimate grab-and-go e-bike, equipped with lights, fenders, a rack, and everything you need for hassle-free city riding.
The ONE has a relaxed geometry, putting the rider in an upright position, though the handlebar is adjustable, so you can tweak your position slightly.
There’s only one color available (black) and one frame size, which is suitable for riders 5’2” – 6’4” tall. While this is a pretty decent height range, it doesn’t include everyone, and those on either end of this range might struggle to find the ideal riding position.
Final Thoughts About Lectric ONE
The Bottom Line? The Lectric ONE is a game-changer.
Never before could you get this kind of technology for such a low price, which will definitely rock Lectric’s competition.
The Pinion gearbox alone is a revelation, and the rest of the package just sweetens the deal. Sure, a torque sensor would be nice, but that would bump the price up.
For a maintenance-free, effortless commuter that feels far more expensive than it is, the Lectric ONE breaks the mold. It sets new standards that its competitors, such as Aventon, Ride1UP and Rad Power Bikes, will struggle to follow.
If you value incredible features and solid engineering at an unmatchable price, this is the e-bike for you!
$1,999
Pros
- Premium Pinion C1.6i gearbox
- Maintenance-free Gates Carbon Belt drive
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Bright front and rear lights
- Two batteries available
Cons
- Cadence sensor
- One frame size
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