Lectric ONE Long-Range Review: Pinion Gearbox, Gates Carbon Belt, 750W Motor

Lectric ONE Long-Range at a glance: who it fits

The Lectric ONE Long-Range is a compact, step-through Class 3 commuter that swaps the usual chain and derailleur for a Pinion C1.6 Smart.Shift 6-speed gearbox and a Gates Carbon Drive CDX belt. Lectric lists a 750 W rear hub motor (1,310 W peak, 85 Nm), a 48 V 14 Ah (672 Wh) battery, 20-inch tires and hydraulic disc brakes, at a list price of $2,199 on our record. Independent reviewers largely agree it delivers unusually low-maintenance, high-end drivetrain hardware for the money, with the main complaints being weight, ride comfort on rough pavement and a cadence (not torque) sensor.

Choose the ONE if you want a commuter you barely have to maintain, you ride 5–30 miles a day on paved streets, you value a compact frame that stores easily, and you like the idea of shifting at a standstill. Look elsewhere if you want a torque sensor for the most natural pedal feel, you want front suspension or big-volume tires for rough surfaces, or you need a bike that is easy to lift onto a car rack.

Key specifications, in plain English

• Motor: 750 W rear hub motor with a 1,310 W peak and 85 Nm of torque (Lectric’s figures). Peak watts is the short-burst maximum; 750 W is the sustained rating.
• Speed class: Class 3 — 28 mph with pedal assist, 20 mph on the throttle.
• Battery: 48 V, 14 Ah, 672 Wh, listed with LG 21700 cells. Lectric’s range estimate is 32–45 miles in high-assist Class 3 use and more than 60 miles at low assist; a manufacturer estimate assumes favourable conditions.
• Gearbox: Pinion C1.6 six-speed with Smart.Shift electronic shifting (about a 295% gear range), operated by handlebar buttons. Because the gears are sealed inside the gearbox, you can shift while stationary or coasting.
• Belt drive: Gates Carbon Drive CDX belt, which needs no lubrication. Our specification record lists a service life beyond 10,000 miles and a gearbox oil change roughly every 6,000 miles (10,000 km).
• Brakes: Tektro dual-piston hydraulic discs with 180 mm rotors front and rear, with motor cut-off when the brake levers are pulled.
• Frame and fit: hydroformed 6061 aluminium step-through, rigid fork, 20 × 2.5-inch tires; listed for riders roughly 5’2" to 6’4".
• Weight and load: listed at 55 lb with the battery; payload 330 lb (see the weight discrepancy below).
• Safety certification: listed as UL 2849 (system) and UL 2271 (battery) certified.
• Warranty: 1 year, per Lectric’s site and our record.

What independent reviewers found

We do not repeat other publishers’ test data as our own. Here is what the published reviews we read reported, attributed to each source, so you can go to the original for the full method.

Drivetrain: the reason to buy it

Electric Bike Review’s Justin Taylor called the Pinion shifting very quick and smooth, praised the near-zero-maintenance Pinion-plus-belt combination, and gave the bike a high overall score, with the only real gripe being a somewhat glitchy Pinion app. Electric Bike Report’s John Bozick likewise found the gearbox responsive under load and noted manual shifting works without a phone connection.

Hills and acceleration

Electric Bike Report timed a test hill at 1:23 pedalling and 1:30 on throttle alone, faster than that site’s commuter-category average for throttle climbs. OutdoorGearLab’s Joshua Hutchens rated the bike highly on hills, holding about 16 mph at the steepest section of his route, and recorded a 0–20 mph time of about 7 seconds.

Range in practice

Results depend heavily on assist level and terrain. Electric Bike Report reported about 30 miles at high assist and over 57 miles at low assist. OutdoorGearLab reported 27.21 miles on a route with about 1,000 feet of climbing. Both are well under the top-line “60 miles”, which assumes flat ground and light assist.

Where reviewers found problems

• Cadence sensor: OutdoorGearLab found the cadence sensor less intuitive than a torque sensor.
• Ride quality: the rigid frame and small wheels feel rough on uneven pavement, per OutdoorGearLab.
• Battery gauge: Electric Bike Report found the display’s charge indicator fluctuated with riding style, which can cause range anxiety.
• Cruise control and pedals: OutdoorGearLab found cruise control awkward to engage and the quick-release pedals lacking a solid feel.
• Weight: reviewers measured well above the listed 55 lb (see below).

Where sources disagree

• Weight: Lectric lists 55 lb. Electric Bike Report measured 61.2 lb, OutdoorGearLab 61 lb and Electric Bike Review 63 lb (with a roughly 7 lb battery). Plan on a bike in the low 60s when lifting it.
• Price: we list $2,199. Reviewers quote $1,999 (Electric Bike Review), “just over $2,000” (Electric Bike Report) and $2,399 (OutdoorGearLab). Lectric’s prices and promotions change, so confirm on Lectric’s store.
• Battery options: Electric Bike Review notes a smaller 499 Wh version exists alongside the 672 Wh Long-Range; this page covers the 672 Wh model.
• Range: 27 to more than 57 miles across the reviews, for the reasons above.

Who should buy the Lectric ONE

• Commuters who hate drivetrain maintenance and want a sealed gearbox and lube-free belt.
• City riders with limited storage: the compact 20-inch-wheel frame and folding handlebar are described by reviewers as easy to stow.
• Riders who want Class 3 speed and strong acceleration at a sub-$2,500 price.

Who should skip it

• Riders who want a torque sensor or front suspension; consider the Velotric Discover 2.
• Anyone who needs to lift the bike often into a car or up stairs.
• Riders planning off-road use — see our eMTB & trail e-bikes.

Lectric ONE legality: which class is it?

The ONE is a Class 3 bike (28 mph with pedal assist, throttle limited to 20 mph). Class 3 rules vary by state and city, including minimum rider age, helmet requirements and where you may ride. Check your state in our 50-state e-bike law guide. Lectric lists UL 2849 and UL 2271 certification; our explainer on UL 2849 and UL 2271 shows what those marks do and do not cover.

Price and value

At about $2,000–$2,400 depending on the date and promotions, reviewers consistently describe the ONE as strong value because a Pinion gearbox and Gates belt normally appear on much more expensive bikes. Confirm the current price with Lectric before deciding. More on the brand is on our Lectric brand page.

Lectric ONE vs. the alternatives

• Velotric Discover 2 ($1,699 on our record): a torque-sensor Class 3 commuter with an 80 mm suspension fork, integrated turn signals and Apple Find My, but a conventional chain and derailleur that need routine cleaning and adjustment. See the Velotric Discover 2 page.
• Segway Myon ($1,999): a tech-heavy commuter with electronic 9-speed shifting, torque sensing and built-in signals. See the Segway Myon page.
• Aventon Pace 500.3: a comparable Class 3 torque-sensor cruiser, now discontinued; our Pace 500.3 page is kept as a technical reference.
• More options: browse urban commuter e-bikes and compact and folding e-bikes, or use the comparison tool and the buyer’s guide.

Before you buy: a short checklist

1. Confirm the size against your height and check that the 20-inch-wheel ride suits you.
2. Check the current price and the exact battery version (672 Wh Long-Range vs 499 Wh).
3. Plan for a bike in the low 60-lb range if you must lift it.
4. Read how shipping and returns work on our site (Lectric ships and handles returns, not us) and Lectric’s own policies.
5. Confirm your state’s Class 3 age, helmet and path rules.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does the Lectric ONE go?

It is a Class 3 e-bike: up to 28 mph with pedal assist and 20 mph on the throttle alone, per Lectric.

Does the Lectric ONE use a chain or a belt?

A Gates Carbon Drive CDX belt paired with a sealed Pinion 6-speed electronic gearbox, so there is no chain, derailleur or cassette.

How far can the Lectric ONE go on a charge?

Lectric estimates 32–45 miles in high-assist Class 3 use and over 60 miles at low assist. Reviewers reported about 27 to 30 miles in demanding conditions and over 57 miles at low assist.

How much does the Lectric ONE weigh?

Lectric lists 55 lb. Three reviewers measured 61–63 lb.

Is the Lectric ONE battery UL certified?

Lectric lists the battery as UL 2271 certified and the electrical system as UL 2849 certified.

Does it have a torque sensor?

Reviewers describe a cadence sensor (with a fast-responding 96-magnet design per Electric Bike Review), not a torque sensor.

Sources and further reading

• Lectric – ONE Long-Range product page
• Electric Bike Review – Lectric ONE review (Justin Taylor)
• Electric Bike Report – Lectric ONE review (John S. Bozick)
• OutdoorGearLab – Lectric ONE review (Joshua Hutchens)