trek gravel bike electric

Best electric gravel bikes 2024: dirt loving drop bar e-bikes with added oomph

Could electric gravel bikes be the best and most versatile e-bikes on the market?

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Everything you need to know about e gravel bikes

Here’s our pick of the best electric gravel bikes on the market right now. We've tested them across a range of riding conditions, assessing their performance for both ride quality and factors specific to electric bikes such as range and charging time.

Gravel bikes are constantly being touted as the best 'do-it-all' bikes, so it's no surprise that they feature among our list of the best electric bikes . 

For those aiming to compete, a growing number of events such as the Dirty Reiver and the Belgian Waffle Ride now have an e-gravel bike category, adding to the appeal of this burgeoning market.

The mix of all-terrain capability, confidence-inspiring stability, and additional assistance make electric gravel bikes an interesting proposition, not only for off-road riding, but also as urban commuter bikes.

Our pick of the best electric gravel bikes

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

At the bottom of the page we've got more tips on what to look for when you're choosing the best electric gravel bike for you.

Alternatively, if you're not planing to head off tarmac you can check out our pick of  road-specific models in our guide to the best electric bikes here or if you're after something a little more affordable, you can find our guide to the best budget gravel bikes (without a motor) here.

The Topstone Neo Lefty features suspension both at the front and rear for added comfort over rough terrain

1. Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 3 Lefty

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Cannondale Topstone is the brand's gravel bike. Add the Neo to it and it designates a Cannondale electric bike, while the Lefty bit refers to its single legged suspension fork, plus, as you'd expect, the Carbon bit refers to its frame material. 

Cannondale calls this a full suspension gravel bike, with the 30mm travel Lefty Oliver fork upfront and the bike's 'Kingpin Softail suspension' giving another 30mm travel at the rear.

With the same drive system as the Canyon Grail:ON, Bosch’s Performance Line CX motor delivers up to 75Nm of torque, making this bike really capable of powering up rocky inclines or techy trails. The large 500Wh Bosch internal battery delivers up to a claimed 125km / 78mi range. On test, 40+ mile rides mixing the power modes barely used half the battery, so we could see how this range is certainly achievable.

The carbon fibre frame and suspension features put the Topstone Neo Carbon 3 Lefty well above the price point of other e gravel bikes, but we felt it was "unrivalled in its class in terms of motor performance and the grin-inducing ride." It also blurs the lines between gravel and mountain bikes even more, and will probably be more bike than most will need. But hey, what fun!

Read more: Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 3 Lefty full review

Specialized's Turbo Creo uses the brand's own motor 

2. Specialized Turbo Creo SL Carbon Comp EVO

With the same motor and battery as its pavement oriented brand mate, the Specialized Turbo Creo SL Carbon Comp EVO is ready to tackle wild and woolly conditions.

The frame is made from Spesh's' top-of-the line Fact 11r carbon fibre, and sees a Future Shock 2.0 suspension stem at the front, complete with adjustable damping. At the back is 1x Shimano GRX shifting, though the left shifter isn't a dummy, it actuates an X-Fusion Manic Dropper Post. 

When your legs run out of steam, Specialized's own SL 2.1 motor has got you covered with 240W of assistance. Integrated into the downtube is a 320Wh battery pack, claimed to be good for up to 128km / 80mi, Specialized offers a bottle cage sized ranger extender that adds an extra 64km / 40mi.

Rolling stock comes in the form DT Swiss R407 hoops with Boost hub spacing, finished in 38mm Spesh Pathfinder Pro tyres.

With the Mission Control app, not only can you adjust just how much power each of the assistance modes kicks out, but you can also set a distance you want to ride and the battery level you’d like to see remaining at the end and the bike will manage its battery usage automatically to hit these targets. 

You can even pair up a Bluetooth heart rate monitor and have the motor adjust its assistance to keep you within a certain range – perfect for recovery days.

But even before you start tinkering with these elements, the way the motor applies its power is markedly different to most other e-bike systems. There’s no whiplash-inducing jerkiness as you can get with some designs – the power comes on in a much more controlled fashion that feels much more natural.

Read more: Specialized Turbo Creo SL Carbon Comp EVO full review

Ribble's CGR AL E  features a MAHLE Ebikemotion 250W rear hub-based motor

3. Ribble CGR AL e SRAM Apex 1x 650B

On first look at the Ribble CGR AL e, you'd have no idea this machine is actually an electric gravel bike. Seriously, look at it! Where's the motor?

Building on Ribble's non-motorized CGR (Cross, Gravel and Road) which we rated highly, the electric version features a MAHLE Ebikemotion 250W rear hub-based motor and Panasonic 250Wh battery hidden away in the downtube. This is controlled from a single button on the top tube, designed to look as sleek as possible.

Ribble claims a range of up to 96 km / 60mi over mixed surfaces, and although this motor may not be as powerful as some MTB orientated setups, it does give a significantly more lightweight total build that can be totally recharged in three and a half hours.

Ribble's Hybrid AL e utilises a similar setup, and we found the power delivery to be a pretty good balance. Sure, you don't get the same instant acceleration with this as you do a more powerful system, but if all you're looking for is a bit of a helping hand a high powered motor can be rather overkill. With this, you can greatly increase the distances you're able to cover, but still feel like you've worked.  

The range starts with a Shimano Tiagra build. Shimano 105, SRAM Rival and Shimano Ultegra builds are also available and you can use Ribble's Bike Builders to customise your spec. There's even a step-through frame available.

Read more: Ribble CGR AL 105 full review

Read more: Ribble Hybrid AL e full review

The E-765 features a mid-drive motor and a SRAM 1x groupset

4. Look E-765 Gravel

Look released its all-new gravel bikes and gravel e-bikes at the same time in 2019, a range of high-end carbon fibre bikes that leans toward the racier end of gravel. These lightweight builds are stripped back for speed, so you won't find any bosses for mounting racks, mudguards or other luggage.

Just like Pinarello and Cairn (see below), Look has used the Fazua 250W motor and battery system, helping to reduce overall weight. There's a claimed range of up to 86km / 53mi in urban conditions, or 53km / 33mi over mixed surfaces.

There's space for most gravel tyres, although geared towards smaller 650b wheels with wider tyres – clearance for 700c wheels is 40mm or 55mm for a 650b. The electric E-765 Gravel version comes with Hutchinson Touareg 700x40c.

Read more: New Look gravel bike and E-gravel bike launched

The Grail:ON uses Bosch's PerformanceLine motor and battery that boasts a claimed range of up to 75 miles

5. Canyon Grail:ON

Canyon's offering is specifically targeted at those wanting an electric gravel bike that can tackle more adventurous riding with ease.

Opting for Bosch's Performance Line CX system — more routinely seen on electric mountain bikes — the motor provides up to 340% support in turbo mode and a generous 85Nm of Torque, designed for scrambling up steep climbs and smashing singletrack.

The disadvantage of this powerful 2.9kg / 6.4lbs motor is that this kind of riding is heavy on the battery. Canyon has used a larger 500Wh battery to tackle this, which gives an average 120km / 75mi range, depending on power settings, terrain, rider weight etc. You can predict your range on any given ride using the Bosch eBike range calculator here .

The Grail:ON features great clearance for up to 50mm tyres and its relaxed, upright riding position compared to the non-motorized Grail is welcome.  The unique handlebar design may not appeal to all riders, but it gives a little moe compliance when riding on the tops.

Read more: Canyon Grail: ON full review

Cairn Cycle's e gravel bike features geometry well-suited to technical trails

6. Cairn Cycles E-Adventure 1.0

The E-Adventure 1.0 electric gravel bike from Cairn Cycles really impressed us in our review, landing a 9/10 score. The alloy frame has helped to keep the price down too, which for a bike of this calibre is really respectable.

As the name might suggest, the E-Adventure certainly isn't lagging behind when it comes to the latest gravel-friendly features, including full mounting points for racks and three pack mounts on each fork leg, as well as internal dynamo routing for long-distance riding or commuting.

You can fit up to 700c x 45c or 650b x 2.25" (57c) tyres with the generous clearance. Meanwhile, the Fazua Evation 1.0 delivers a range of up to 80km /50mi and assistance up to 25kph / 15mph.

On test, we found the geometry to be really confidence-inspiring over technical terrain. To us, it's obvious that this could be a popular choice with riders seeking a little extra assistance to keep up with their riding buddies or for those heading out on bikepacking weekend adventures. Just remember you may need to recharge.

Read more: Cairn Cycles E-Adventure 1.0 full review

Pinarello's Nytro e gravel bike uses the Italian's brand's signature carbon curves to great effect

7. Pinarello Nytro Gravel

The Pinarello Nytro Gravel takes the features of the road-going Nytro electric bike but adds a gravel twist. Those features, like the curvy Onda fork, are themselves inherited from the legendary Dogma, the race bike choice of the Ineos Grenadiers pro team.

The frame is made from Toray T700 unidirectional carbon, with Pinarello's trademark asymmetric design which Pinarello says shapes the frame around the specific forces acting on the drive side and non-drive side of the bike. The frame also sees FlatBack tubing and Pinarello's Fork Flaps to slice through the air, as well as an FSC integrated seat clamp and aero seatpost.

There's added clearance for gravel tyres, with 40mm Maxxis Rambler rubber fitted. The frame will handle 42mm 700c or 2.1" 650b tyres.

The Jena e gravel bike features a Mahle motor and Shimano GRX groupset

8. Wilier Jena Hybrid

The Jena Hybrid takes Wilier's Jena gravel bike and adds a motor and battery from Mahle ebikemotion for extra grunt without too much extra weight. Wilier has mounted the motor controller on the bars, rather than on the frame as is normal with this system, so it's easier to change assistance levels and check battery status.

There's room for 44mm 700c tyres or up to 48mm 650b and Wilier has a range of its own brand wheels available including aero carbon options. There are loads of mounting points on the carbon frame and fork.

Wilier offers a range of spec levels for the Jena Hybrid and there's a flat bar option available too.

What should you look for when buying an electric gravel bike?

Although there'll be a few specific things that you'll need to consider when buying an e gravel bike, most of what you'll need to check out is the same as for any electric bike. That includes the motor type , placement and torque, battery size and range, bike weight, and, of course, your budget. Check out our handy guide on how to buy an e-bike here . 

Don't think that electric gravel bikes are simply for riding off-road though. Just like conventional gravel bikes, they can also make great town bikes or commuters, thanks to their plentiful mounting points (usually including mudguard and rack mounts), sturdy wide tyres and wide range gearing which comes in especially handy when you're carrying a lot of luggage .

You'll need to consider safe storage and charging, as these bikes tend to be pretty pricey. Check out our pick of the best E-bikes for more urban options and our best gravel and adventure bikes for non-electric options to consider too.

What motor is best for e-gravel bikes?

There's a wide range of motors used in electric bikes, with some of the biggest names including Bosch , Fazua and Shimano. As the motor fitted becomes more powerful , it also tends to become heavier, with greater energy demands that result in larger, heavier batteries.

Some electric gravel bikes that lean more towards the MTB end of the spectrum will feature more powerful motors for high torque of around 80Nm which helps on really technical terrain, while many use motors with around 40 or 50Nm. These are less powerful, so you'll need to work harder, but help keep the e-bike's weight down.

If you really want to do your homework, read up on how e-bikes work here.

How much range does an e-gravel bike need?

You'll need to think about how you intend to use your electric gravel bike when it comes to working out what your range requirements are, and the battery capacity you'll need.

Does that model have a removable battery so you can bring a spare or take it somewhere handy to recharge? Will you have a place to charge your bike on an overnight trip or commute?

Generally speaking, the larger the motor and battery, the heavier the total bike will be. Bear this in mind if you'll need to lift your bike into a car or carry it up a flight of stairs for example, as heavier bikes make this more tricky.

Is an information display important for an e-gravel bike?

Information displays will help you see how much battery life you have left, as well as what mode you're in. Typically these will come in the form of a digital unit mounted on the handlebars or a button with LED lights on the top tube.

Some will give you additional information, while others can be linked to your smartphone for more customisation and information. 

Do I need e-bike specific components and finishing kit

Keep an eye out for e-bike specific components and finishing kit when you're choosing an e gravel bike.

Think wheels, tires and groupsets, as these tend to be more robust and designed to cope with the extra weight and torque of the ebike system and the rigors of riding off-road. This helps them last longer before they need to be serviced or replaced.

What tires for an e-gravel bike

It wouldn't be an article about gravel bikes without mentioning tires, right?

Generally speaking, as the electric gravel bike you'll be riding is heavier than non-motorized gravel bikes, it's a good idea to opt for wider tires .

Even if you set your bike up tubeless, it's still possible to pinch flat if you bottom out the rim on a rock, root or curb — though sealant may plug the snakebite hole.

These wider tires will also help to take out some of the harshest bumps along the way, and make the ride a little more comfortable for you. Look for tyres that are a minimum width of 40mm, or even consider 650b wheels with wider MTB tires.

How we test

We have a dedicated team of testers here at  Cycling Weekly , whose job is to review a whole range of cycling products and to write objective reviews of their experience of using them day in day out in a whole range of conditions.

With huge experience, they're really well placed to compare products, identify their strengths and weaknesses and bring you an honest, unbiased assessment of how they perform.

In many way testing electric gravel bikes is the same as reviewing their acoustic counterparts. Depending on the bike, our testers ride a range of routes from forest roads to technical single track, as well as logging up plenty of miles on the road as well. Across this range of terrain we asses a number of factors, including comfort, handling, suitability for bikepacking and durability.

However, being e-bikes we also look at the motor and battery and consider ease-of-use and battery life and range amongst other factors.

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Best electric gravel bikes in 2024: 9 gravel ebikes rated and reviewed

How to choose an electric gravel bike

Russell Burton / Immediate Media

Paul Norman

The best electric gravel bikes combine two of cycling's hottest trends. The mix of gravel riding with electric bikes gives you the off-road capability of the former and the extra power of the latter to up your gravel enjoyment while getting the benefits of riding an electric bike .

Like the best electric mountain bikes , electric gravel bikes make a lot of sense for climbing off-road, particularly if your gravel riding regularly takes you onto steep, sketchy surfaces.

Having a motor to help on the climbs makes them a lot easier to tackle, while, on the way back down, there’s little downside to the extra weight of the motor and battery.

As with any electric bike, electric bike laws dictate an ebike motor's assistance will be limited to speeds below 15mph / 25kph in the UK, EU and Australia, and 20mph in the US.

For more advice on what to look for in an electric gravel bike, including the different types of motors available, our full buyer’s guide is at the bottom of this article .

But if you'd rather stick to paved surfaces, check out our guide to the best electric road bikes .

Otherwise, here are the best electric gravel bikes, as reviewed by BikeRadar's expert testers.

You can also head to our pick of the best gravel bikes for our top-rated, non-assisted options, and our guide to the best women's road and gravel bikes . If you're on a budget, we've got a round-up of the best cheap gravel bikes under £1,500.

The best electric gravel bikes in 2024, as rated by our expert testers

Gt grade amp.

• £2,900 / €3,200 as tested
• Alloy frame carries over non-powered Grade's responsive handling
• Quite a firm ride over rougher ground
• Weight: 14.8kg
• Motor: Mahle ebikemotion rear-hub motor

An aluminium frame powered by the Mahle ebikemotion rear-hub motor system forms the basis for the GT Grade Amp.

The geometry is carried over from the non-powered GT Grade Carbon , so the Grade Amp feels responsive despite its 14.8kg weight, even when ridden with the motor off.

We really like the shape of the Grade's slightly flared bars, but they're stiff, which in combination with a firm fork and the alloy frame, makes for a sapping ride over bumpy terrain.

The 42mm WTB Resolute gravel tyres help, though; they roll fast on the road, handle confidently on dry ground and cope okay in mud, making them good all-rounders.

3T Exploro RaceMax Boost

• £7,200 / $6,999 / €6,999 as tested
• Neatly integrated motor and battery
• Top-end chassis and build make for an expensive bike
• Weight: 12.5kg
• Motor: Mahle ebikemotion

Like the GT Grade Power Amp, the 3T Exploro RaceMax Boost features the Mahle ebikemotion rear-hub motor.

3T has even found room to fit the battery into the Exploro's frame without any mods to the pedal-powered bike, which means not only does it look smart, but the geometry is carried over, too.

The motor, in combination with the generously low gears (thanks to the 40t chainring and 11-42t cassette) and 12.5kg weight, makes even 20 per cent off-road gradients rideable.

The RaceMax Boost is kitted out with wide, aero 3T carbon wheels, with differential front and rear depths, and 35mm Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M tyres that roll fast on-road, but hang on well off-road, too.

This is an expensive option, though, and the forward-facing charging port on the bottom bracket is prone to collecting dirt.

• Read our full 3T Exploro RaceMax Boost review

Cairn BRAVe 1.0

• £2,789 / $3,632 / €3,334 as tested
• Huge off-road capability
• Heavy going on the road
• Weight: 18.9kg
• Motor: Shimano Steps E7000

The Cairn BRAVe is an electric gravel bike that borders on electric mountain bike territory, thanks to its powerful Shimano Steps E7000 mid-mounted motor and massive 2.35in tyres.

Whereas Cairn's E-Adventure uses the subtler Fazua motor, the Shimano motor here jacks things up, with up to 70Nm of torque.

It's a genre-defying bike – and while the weight and chunky tyres may hold you back on the road, if you want a drop-bar bike for seriously rugged off-road riding, the Cairn BRAVe fits the mould.

• Read our full Cairn BRAVe 1.0 review

Cairn E-Adventure 1.0

• £2,989 / $4,149 / €3,800 as tested
• Updated geometry gives great stability in the rough
• Quality build with 650b option available
• Weight: 16kg
• Motor: Fazua

This latest iteration of the Cairn E-Adventure, updated from the original 2018 bike , gets shortened seatstays and a sloping top tube to make it easier to manoeuvre on tight or technical trails.

The E-Adventure is powered by a Fazua motor, with a top-tube controller instead of a bar-mounted unit.

With Cairn coming from the same stable as Hunt wheels , there's naturally a good set of hoops for the job. We'd have preferred grippier tyres, though, because the Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres are inadequate when things aren't, well, dry.

There's a version of the Cairn with 650b wheels and a dropper post if you're after more off-road grunt.

• Read our full Cairn E-Adventure 1.0 review

Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 1 Lefty

• £8,000 / $9,500 / €8,999 as tested
• Hugely competent off-road
• We'd expect better bars and possibly a dropper for the price
• Weight: 17.8kg
• Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX

With 30mm of suspension front and rear, thanks to its single-leg Lefty Oliver fork and Kingpin rear linkage, the Topstone Neo offers bags of comfort when you hit the rough stuff.

It has serious grunt too, with an 85Nm Bosch motor paired to a 500Wh battery, which should get you up anything you might encounter.

There’s top-drawer kit on the bike as well, with a SRAM eTap AXS electronic groupset in a mullet configuration, combining SRAM Force road components and SRAM Eagle mountain bike parts.

That gives a massive range of gearing, thanks to the 42-tooth road chainring and 10-50t MTB cassette.

It’s an expensive proposition though, and given the Topstone's full-suspension intentions, it wouldn't be a stretch to expect a dropper post and better handlebars at this price.

The Topstone Neo has now been joined by the Topstone Neo SL , with a lower-powered Mahle ebikemotion motor, alloy frame and cheaper price.

• Read our full Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 1 Lefty review

Canyon Grail:ON CF 7

• £4,599 / €4,999 / $5,699 as tested
• High-powered assistance, enjoyable ride
• Impractical dual-level bar
• Weight: 16.6kg
• Motor: Bosch

The Canyon Grail:ON CF 7 is brilliant fun to ride on technical terrain. Its 50mm-wide Schwalbe G-One Bite tyres are grippy and fast. The compliance from the VCLS seatpost boosts the comfort the tyres provide.

In addition, the Bosch motor is potent enough to help you up sheer, gravel-strewn inclines at higher levels of assistance, such as its Turbo mode. In more economical modes, the 500Wh PowerTube battery managed 140 off-road kilometres in testing.

However, the double-decker Hover bar is difficult to fit bags, bike computers and bike lights to.

• Read our full Canyon Grail:ON CF 7 review

Giant Revolt E

• £4,999 / AU$7,999 as tested
• 53mm max tyre clearance
• Integrated ebike system
• Weight: 18.17kg
• Motor: Shimano

Despite the similar name, the Giant Revolt E is not quite an electrified version of our 2022 Bike of the Year winner , the Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0.

Geometry is slacker and longer, but remains relatively racy, which keeps the Revolt E 's handling agile. Cushioning from seatpost, saddle and handlebars makes the Revolt E comfortable on bumpy stuff.

The Shimano EP8 mountain bike motor delivers a massive 85Nm of torque and compensates for the bike's bulk, propelling you up vertiginous slopes regardless of the surface.

Range is also impressive for a bike of this weight. Our tester eked out nearly 120km and 2,000m of elevation.

• Read our full Giant Revolt E review

Trek Domane LT

• £7,800 / $9,250 / €8,000 as tested
• Space for 38mm rubber
• Front and rear IsoSpeed for off-road comfort
• Weight: 13.8kg

Okay, so it's not technically a gravel bike, rather an electric road bike, but the Trek Domane LT has the space for 38mm-wide rubber, so there's the potential to kit it out to head off-road, although you'll want to swap out the 32mm tyres fitted, as we found out.

The front and rear IsoSpeed system makes for a comfortable ride over lighter gravel. The Fazua motor system means the bike has shed weight from the original electrified Domane too and is removable, so you can also ride the bike unassisted.

With a road-going 50/34t chainset and 11-34t cassette, you don't have the great range of an all-in gravel bike, but that's where the motor comes in to help you out, while Shimano Ultegra Di2 gives you consistent shifting in tricky conditions.

• Read our full Trek Domane LT 7 review

Vitus E-Substance Carbon

• £4,000 / $5,000 / €4,700 as tested
• 650b wheels with wide tyres give plenty of grip
• Large gear range and sporty handling make for good progress off-road
• Weight: 14.7kg

The E-Substance is built to ride fast whatever the terrain, with the same snappy handling as its pedal-powered sibling and 47mm tyres on 650b wheels.

Since it uses the mid-mounted Fazua motor system, you can swap out easily to run a standard 700c gravel wheelset as well. There's a big range of gears to tackle a wide variety of terrain.

Other finishing kit is well specced and the E-Substance handles a good mix of off-road conditions well, without being overpowered by the assistance. However, as you'd expect, the wide tyres and 650b wheels do roll a bit more slowly than 700c wheels and tyres on the road.

Also consider…

The following bikes scored fewer than four out of five stars in our testing, but are still worth considering.

Bianchi Impulso E-Allroad TRK

• Electric commuting bike with light-adventure potential
• Weight: 15.5kg

Another bike that isn't a gravel bike, but we've included it here because the Bianchi Impulso E-Allroad TRK has plenty of multi-terrain potential.

In this build, the Impulso is designed as an electric hybrid bike for cycling to work , but the E-Allroad chassis at its heart is designed with gravel riding in mind.

The bike has a slightly more upright riding position than the drop-bar gravel version, thanks to a tweaked cockpit design, while spec choices include SKS full-length mudguards, a rear rack and rear Lezyne lights powered by the Mahle X35 hub-based motor.

Should you wish to venture onto light off-road terrain, such as the towpath pictured above, there are Kenda Flintridge Sport 35c tyres.

Kinesis Range

• £3,550 as tested
• Good riding position, if a little firm
• Some tyre squirm from narrow rims
• Weight: 16.8kg

We rated the Kinesis Range's handling and comfortable ride position, although the rear is a little firm on rough terrain.

It's well equipped, but we would have preferred wider wheel rims and more compliant tyres with less squirm when we dropped the pressure.

The Range is another electric gravel bike powered along by the popular Fazua Evation motor. It's a bit on the heavy side at 16.8kg though, so we had to run the motor on its highest output, which ate through the battery and limited range.

Buyer's guide to electric gravel bikes: what to look out for

Electric gravel bike motors explained.

Almost all electric gravel bikes are powered by either a rear-hub motor design or a ‘mid-drive’ motor.

The rear-hub motor systems tend to be the lighter option in terms of both the weight and the assistance they offer, making them a great option for road-based sports bikes. Rear hub motors are also often used on the best electric hybrid bikes and some electric folding bikes .

The mid-drive system positions the motor unit in the bottom-bracket area, and it’s connected directly to the cranks.

Having the weight of the electric bike motor lower and more centrally located in the bike delivers better handling, and provides greater torque and smoother traction – all useful off-road.

With that in mind, gravel bike motors tend to come in one of two flavours.

On the one hand, like electric road bikes, you’ll find smaller, low-profile units from brands such as Mahle ebikemotion (rear-hub) and Fazua (mid-mounted).

Although they put out 250 watts, they have quite low torque figures of 40Nm and 60Nm respectively. That results in a subtler, more progressive level of assistance, though they may lack a little grunt for tougher off-road endeavours.

Other electric gravel bikes come with a higher torque figure – up to 90Nm – and use units from the likes of Bosch, which you’ll also often see on electric mountain bikes.

That really helps you crest steep, technical inclines, particularly if you’re loaded up for bikepacking , but the motor will be larger, heavier and more intrusive, and it will be a lot more obvious that you’re riding an electric bike .

Which type of setup works for you will depend on where you’re riding, what you’re carrying and how much help you want.

Electric gravel bike batteries explained

Lower speeds, and more ups and downs, are likely to drain your battery more quickly on an electric gravel bike, compared to an electric road bike, so plenty of battery capacity is a must.

Whereas road ebikes favour lower weight over all-out range, the opposite is likely to be true for a gravel ebike.

As a result, on electric gravel bikes with more powerful motors you’re likely to see beefier batteries with capacities nearer to 500Wh, rather than the 250Wh or so of a road ebike.

For many riders, that might be overkill. So, as with their motors, other gravel ebikes will come with a smaller in-built battery and may have the option to add an external range-extender battery. This sits on the frame, often in a bottle cage, and may almost double the available range.

For most electric gravel bikes, it’s an optional accessory though. Also, it won’t be a cheap upgrade and it will block up one of your bottle cages, so load-carrying capacity is reduced.

Electric gravel bike controls explained

Electric bike motors offer a range of modes, with power output to match – from 'eco' for maximum mileage to 'turbo' for ultimate power and torque.

Most ebikes have controls on the handlebar or top tube, and some have LCD screens, which makes it easier to switch between modes, monitor battery life and see your speed and mileage. You'll up your range if you switch to lower-output modes on flatter terrain, saving the highest outputs for steeper climbs, so easy access to the controller is useful and a bar-mounted switch is a better bet here.

If you want to ride an electric bike for fitness , you will get more of a workout in lower-powered modes while also extending range.

Some systems also now offer Bluetooth connectivity and phone apps to track your heart rate and other data, so think about getting a quality bike phone mount to make the most of the data.

Electric gravel bike wheels and tyres

Having a well-built set of gravel bike wheels and grippy gravel bike tyres with plenty of volume is vital on an electric gravel bike, given the rough terrain a bike like this is designed for, along with the torque produced by the motor.

With the extra weight of the motor and battery, you’ll be adding several kilos to the bike’s weight, so you need the tyre grip for handling and the wheel strength to deal with the extra torque coming from the motor.

As with any gravel bike, the frame clearance for wide tyres (with additional mud clearance) will be important.

Be prepared to swap out tyres for something more aggressive if the going is particularly bad, or for a lighter tread if you’re doing more road riding and taking on lighter trails.

While most gravel bikes have 700c wheels, smaller-diameter 650b wheels are an option if you want to increase your tyre volume.

That can help add grip and smooth out the terrain, which can be particularly useful with the extra weight and power of an ebike.

As with all gravel bikes, tubeless tyres have huge benefits too, helping to stave off punctures and allowing you to run lower tyre pressures for improved off-road grip and comfort.

Electric gravel bike drivetrains

If you’re riding off-road, you need the all-terrain features that have made gravel bikes so popular. That starts with low enough gearing to deal with steeper climbs.

Most non-assisted bikes now have drivetrains that go below 1:1 in terms of gravel bike gearing , with a super-compact 48/32t (or similar) crankset paired with a wide-ranging cassette .

A 1x drivetrain is also a popular option, keeping things simple by using a single chainring (with no front derailleur ) and, once again, a wide-ranging cassette to provide a big spread of gears suitable for a variety of terrain.

Even if you’ve got a motor to help, you’ll want plenty of low-gear options. Most motors work better if you’re climbing seated than if you’re riding out of the saddle too, because your power delivery is smoother and it’s easier for the electronics to match. You may find the power delivery from the motor is jerky if you’re standing to climb.

Single-ring drivetrains are very popular on gravel bikes, for their simplicity and lower weight, paired with ample range. It’s something you’re likely to find on many electric gravel bikes too.

On higher-spec bikes, you may get electronic shifting, either from SRAM’s 12-speed eTap AXS or from Shimano GRX 815 Di2 . Their slick gear changes work well with a motorised system and you’re less likely to experience a mis-shift than with cable-operated derailleurs. They also usually require less maintenance than a cable operated groupset.

A mullet build with a SRAM eTap AXS Eagle rear derailleur borrowed from its MTB range will come with a really wide-range cassette, while the SRAM Force eTap AXS Wide option is designed to give space for wider tyre clearance up front, while still giving the option to run a double chainset. You can read more on gravel bike setup in our in-depth guide.

Bolts and bosses

As with any gravel bike, the versatility to take on a range of adventures will be important.

Expect to see features such as rack and mudguard mounting points, and bolts to fit a top-tube bag.

Mounts for a third bottle cage under the down tube are also the norm. They’ll be particularly important if you decide you need a range-extender battery, because you’ll lose one of the two in-frame mounts.

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Best electric gravel bike 2024 – charge up your gravel riding

The best electric gravel bikes will take you on longer rides and bigger climbs on everything from pavement to singletrack

How to choose the best electric gravel bike

The best electric gravel bikes give you some extra power when tackling gravel rides, while also offering the ride features that have made the best gravel bikes a go-to option for cyclists looking to ride far and fast off-road.

Whether your interest is just exploring further or gearing up for a bikepacking adventure, adding a motor to a gravel bike expands your horizons, letting you ride further, or just helping you tackle steep and gnarly trails more easily.

As we explain in the buyer's guide to electric gravel bikes lower down the page, most e-gravel bikes come with comparatively low torque motors, which along with lower capacity batteries make for a lighter bike and a ride that's more like an unassisted gravel bike. 

As with the best electric mountain bikes , they stand in contrast to models with beefier motors and larger capacity batteries that have the output to help you climb hills more easily, but may feel heavier on twisty singletrack. Take a look at our best e-MTB motors guide to get a feel for the differences. There are also motor systems used on e-gravel bikes that aren't usually found on electric mountain bikes.

Once you've got your electric gravel bike, take a look at our guide to the best e-bike accessories and upgrades - although geared to e-MTBs, they're also useful for electric gravel bikes.

 Best electric gravel bikes

Why trust BikePerfect Our cycling experts have decades of testing experience. We'll always share our unbiased opinions on bikes and gear. Find out more about how we test.

Cannondale Topstone Neo Lefty 1

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Cannondale Neo Carbon Lefty 1 builds on the standard Topstone Lefty with a carbon frame and front and rear suspension. The rear is a passive suspension system using the natural flex in the carbon layup and a thru-axle pivot which Cannondale calls the kingpin rear suspension system and that promises up to 30mm of movement at the saddle. 

On the front is a revised version of the gravel Lefty suspension fork first introduced on the Slate gravel bike. There's 30mm of air-sprung suspension movement from the Lefty to match the rear. The look is polarizing but it's a system tuned for the needs of gravel riding and it works.

The chosen power unit for the Cannondale Neo Carbon Lefty 1 is a 250 watt, 85Nm Bosch Performance Line Speed system. It's designed to work well even at low cadence and provide a sporty riding feel. The Cannondale Neo Carbon Lefty is one of the few full-fat electric gravel bikes sold, so you pay for the extra power with a bike weight approaching 40lb/18kg.

The groupset is a mullet combo of a SRAM Force crankset and eTap AXS shifters paired with an MTB X01 Eagle 12-speed rear derailleur. Cannondale has opted to spec the Neo Carbon Lefty 1 with 650b wheels rather than 700c, shipping with 42mm tires with frame clearance of up to 47mm.

Specialized Turbo Creo SL Expert EVO

Specialized names its e-bike gravel models by adding Evo to the road-focused models. The actual design of the two models is similar, with the geometry between the two bikes being exactly the same. On the gravel-focused Evo models, you'll find a different wheel and tire package, flared handlebars, and a dropper post with 50mm of travel. Specialized also specs its Future Shock 2.0 suspension under the stem for additional comfort. If you want a bike that can move between paved rides and off-road rides and handle both, Specialized is a great choice. 

The low torque, low weight, custom-designed SL 1.1 motor from Specialized is not a high torque system designed for handling steep technical trails and obstacles. Instead, there's only 35Nm of torque on demand but by keeping a light touch, the range gets extended to a quoted 80 miles and the weight stays low. The mileage can be extended by 40 miles with a range extender battery that sits in a bottle cage if you are planning a big day out. The system also has no resistance when not working, so if you want to conserve battery or go for an exclusively human-powered ride you won't feel any drag from the motor. 

With its own motor and interface, Specialized's Mission Control App allows you to check the battery and customize modes. Specialized has also integrated a power meter into the motor, that can connect to your GPS via ANT+, and provide extra ride stats regarding the effort you are putting in.

Trek Domane+ SLR 9 eTap

Like Specialized, with the new Domane+ SLR Trek offers the same frame in road-going and gravel specs. All the road-going specs get Shimano two-ring drivetrains, while gravel specs are fitted with SRAM single-ring chainsets and chunkier 40mm Bontrager tires, making them suitable for lighter off-road use. In the US, the Domane+ is speed limited at 28mph; in the rest of the world at 25kph.

All the range uses the same OCLV 800 series carbon fiber. They're all powered by a motor from German brand TQ with 50Nm torque and an internal 360Wh battery. It's lightweight. compact, quiet and has a low Q-Factor of 163mm. A neat feature is that assist level is controlled via buttons on the hoods. You can add a range extender battery which Trek says ups the range from 60 to 90 miles.

Claimed weight for this top gravel spec SLR 9 eTap is just 27lb/12.2kg, making it one of the lightest electric gravel bikes available. You do pay for the high spec, although Trek also sells the Domane+ with eTap AXS drivetrains and Force and Rival level which bring the price down a little.

3T Exploro Racemax Boost

3T was an originator of the fast gravel category with the Exploro, which has aero tube profiles to give you an edge in speed. The Exploro Boost adds the latest Mahle ebikemotion X20 rear hub motor system to that, replacing the original X35. The newer X20 system motor is even more compact, with higher torque than the X35, while a new torque sensor is claimed to make for more measured power delivery. 

3T was able to fully enclose the 250Wh battery in the Exploro's chunky down tube without modification and, as with the X35, you can add a range extender, which can sit in the bottle bosses under the down tube, so you've still got two useable bottle cage mounts. There's up to 61mm tire clearance, plus there are integrated fender mounts.

This top Euro spec of the Exploro Racemax Boost gets SRAM Red eTap AXS shifting paired with a 3T Torno carbon chainset. It's not yet available Stateside, where 3T is still selling the older X35 powered bike, but expect the motor and spec upgrade to make its way across the pond from Italy in the next few months.

Canyon Grail:ON CF 8 eTap

The frame of the Grail starts with a unique double-decker handlebar setup referred to as the Gravelcockpit. Instead of going down the route of suspension, with all its potential tradeoffs, Canyon chose to go with a passive system. The intent is still increased comfort through increased front-end compliance, but it's lighter and simpler. The double bar also gives a more upright riding position that suits long days covering rough ground without a long headtube. Like the Lefty fork, it works well but its looks are polarizing.

For the motor system Canyon has used a more mountain bike-focused higher torque system from Bosch called the Performance Line CX (Gen4). The system focuses on smoothly handling of roots, steps and stones, even in low cadence and high torque uphill situations where you need to control power to maintain traction.

Giant Revolt E+ 28mph

When you look at the best electric gravel bikes out there, they are almost all class 1 e-bikes (see our guide below for an explanation of the different classes). The drive system is there as a support and the focus isn't on mixing with traffic. There's not much need for the max 28mph that a class 3 electric bike is capable of. 

The Giant Revolt E+ Pro, on the other hand, is a bike designed for versatility that carries a class 3 motor. The tagline is "from city streets to rugged backroads," and it is capable of moving in and out of traffic with ease. This is a great choice if you see yourself splitting time between fire roads and commuting. 

The bike uses Giant's SyncDrive Pro motor which is developed by Yamaha. It's another full fat motor system with 85Nm torque in the highest assist setting and a 500Wh battery to match. There is the option to add an external range extender battery which adds an additional 50 percent of battery capacity for taking on huge rides. 

Drivetrain duties are handled by Shimano's GRX groupset and the bike cruises on fast-rolling Maxxis Receptor semi-slick gravel tires.

You can buy the Giant Revolt E+ outside the US too, where it's speed limited at 25kph.

Alchemy E-Ronin GRX Disc

If you like the sound of a hand-made carbon bike from the USA then Alchemy is the answer. Since 2008 Alchemy has been putting out work like no one else. All the manufacturing for every bike happens under the roof of its Denver, Colorado headquarters. That in-house manufacturing makes for added flexibility. The electric-assist limits custom geometry options for the E-Ronin, but if you’d like to make your bike unique, custom paint starts at $500. 

Other perks include a crash replacement discount, a two-week money-back guarantee, free shipping, and a lifetime warranty. There are four available builds and five frame sizes. There’s also the extremely rare (for electric bikes) option of buying only the frame and building it up yourself. 

Alchemy has specced a Fazua motor which may not deliver the same power output as other motors but helps contribute to the impressively light claimed weight of under 30lbs and will give the bike a natural ride feel. You also get plenty of tire clearance and mounts for three bottles and a bento box.

Boardman ADV 8.9e

At £2,799 the Boardman ADV 8.9e isn't exactly an entry-level bike. Look at what else is on offer in the electric gravel bike category though, and it looks a lot more reasonable. If you like the idea of the Fazua drive system, the Boardman ADV 8.9e has the lowest price tag available on the market.

It might be the cheapest available, but Boardman has still managed to put together a compelling package. The frame uses aluminum as a nod to keeping the price contained but it's still managed to spring for a carbon fork. The running gear consists of a SRAM APEX 1x11 groupset with hydraulic disc brakes, Boardman alloy cockpit and wheels, and a Fizik saddle.

At this stage in gravel bike design, the included 38mm Vittoria Terreno Zero tires are far more suited to light gravel and comfortable on-road use. If you lean closer to the mountain bike side of gravel biking you might look for a plusher setup. On the other hand with a low price and tire width that's perfect for the everyday commute the Boardman ADV 8.9e makes for a very compelling all-around bike.

Ribble CGR AL e Apex 1

The Ribble CGR AL e is one of the cheapest electric gravel bikes on the market. There are a variety of levels available and they start way down at $2,767.65 / £1,915.83 for a two chainring Shimano Tiagra version. 

Find just a little bit more though and the SRAM Apex 1x 650B retails at $3,113.75 / £2,082.50 and gets you a build that is much more capable off-road.

On the SRAM bike, a 1x11 drivetrain keeps the system simple and lightweight. There's less to break, less that needs adjusted, and less to think about when shifting. The SRAM Apex rear derailleur also includes a clutch that helps keep the chain from bouncing over rough roads. Along with the change in groupset the generously sized 650b wheels make for a much more comfortable ride.

Whatever configuration ends up fitting your budget the Ribble CGR AL e uses the Mahle ebikemotion X35 drive system. While the Ribble bike is a budget bike this same system shows up on CGR AL e-bikes at all price ranges with all the models using the same integrated downtube battery.

Basso Volta

With the Basso Volta the idea was to take the muscle-powered Palto and add more versatility. The hand-built carbon frame gets a new layup and internal structure but retains a similar geometry. The Palto is more of an all-road or gravel race bike than a bike meant for rugged adventuring. Keeping the same geometry maintains the same sporty ride feel to the Palta, while the motor adds a helping hand when you need it.

Keeping the bike light was a priority for Basso Bikes and the Italian Polini motor fills that need. The 250W (500W max) motor weighs in at only 2.8kg and sports one of the best power-to-weight ratios in the industry. The 75Nm torque is a bit lower than the Bosch drivetrains used by some but still puts the Basso Volta in the full fat electric gravel bike range and is paired with a 500Wh battery. At 16.5kg for the whole system, it's still light enough to pedal without assistance though.

Look e-765 Gravel

The Look e-765 gravel is a two for one deal. On one hand, it's a capable e-bike with up to 400W of pedal assist if you want it. There's a solid app available for monitoring anything you can think of. Through the app, any battery system details you might want to know are available at a glance as is all the normal ride-tracking data you'd expect.

If you'd rather ride a traditional leg-powered bike, you can remove the entire drive system. The Fazua system houses everything in a Drivepack system. Combined in a single unit you'll find an integrated motor and electronics as well as a removable battery. Simply slide the battery into place and then insert the whole unit into the downtube or swap it with a cover. With the drive system removed there's only a small weight penalty over a non-motorized bike and the now-empty cavity is perfect for storing ride essentials.

How fast can I go on an e-bike?

In the US electric bikes fall into one of three classes:

• Class 1 e-bikes have pedal assist up to 20mph and no throttle. 
• Class 2 e-bikes have pedal assist up to 20mph and also a throttle up to 20mph. 
• Class 3 e-bikes have pedal assist up to 28mph and a speedometer. It's also common to see a throttle that works up to 20mph. 

Most electric gravel bikes are class 1 bikes and that's because class 2 and 3 bikes can face limitations around trail access. Every location is different, and not all states even acknowledge the class system of e-bike identification but, in most cases, class 3 e-bikes will not be usable on trails. No matter what kind of electric bike you choose it's a good idea to investigate access in the places you want to ride them. Pay extra attention if you like the idea of a class 3 e-bike and the higher speeds they are capable of.  

In the rest of the world, electric bike motors are normally speed limited at 25kph/15.5mph and in Europe they can't be throttle operated. That means that there's a significantly larger global market for lower-speed electric bikes than for Type 3 equivalent, which also means that fewer high-speed pedelecs are designed by bike brands.

How much torque do I need?

Regulations mean that most electric bike motors are limited to 250 watts of continuous power output, but torque can vary significantly. 

As with the best electric mountain bikes, there's a divide between "full fat" electric gravel bikes with higher torque motors with torque outputs of 65Nm up to 90Nm or so and "lite" models with lower torque figures of around 40Nm to 60Nm. 

But where there's a wider range of full fat electric mountain bikes available than lite models, the reverse is true for electric gravel bikes.

A higher torque motor will help you get up steeper grades, but it will usually be heavier and take a higher load from your battery, so the battery too is likely to be heavier. A lower torque motor will mean you need to do more of the work, but you'll get a considerably lighter electric gravel bike in return, which may handle more like a non-electric gravel bike.

Unless you're consistently riding very steep terrain, it's likely that a lighter, lower torque motor will be a better option. You'll have more choice of bikes too.

What motor systems should I look out for?

The same brands of electric bike motors are used across the majority of electric bikes.

The lowest output motor used in lightweight electric gravel bikes is the Mahle ebikemotion X35 rear hub with 40Nm torque, although it's being superseded in many electric bikes by the similar X20, which has higher torque of 55Nm, but a comparably light system weight of around 3.5kg.

You'll also see mid-drive motors (in the bike's bottom bracket) from the German brand Fazua used in many electric road and gravel bikes. As we've mentioned above, it has the advantage of a removable battery, so you can turn your electric gravel bike into a considerably lighter non-assisted bike with a large storage area in the down tube.

Another German brand is TQ. It's a new entry into the electric bike motor market, although it's got a considerable track record in aerospace and robotics. Its mid-drive motor is very compact and quiet, with 50Nm torque. It's currently only found in the Trek Domane+, but BMC's Fourstroke AMP electric mountain bike now also uses the system, so expect to see more electric gravel bikes from more brands using the TQ motor.

Higher torque gravel bike motors are dominated by mid-drive Bosch units with up to 85Nm torque output. They're larger and heavier though, with the motor weighing around 2.8kg. Other brands in this space are Yamaha (which is used on Giant electric bikes) and Shimano Steps.

How large a battery do I need?

Related to the lite vs full fat question is the size of the battery. A lower torque motor is likely to have a smaller capacity battery of 200Wh up to 350Wh. 

In contrast, a full fat electric gravel bike's battery is likely to have a capacity of 500Wh or more. That makes it heavier and so more difficult to move around.

What's the range of an electric bike?

Comparing electric-assist bikes there are a whole lot of numbers that get thrown about. Range is sometimes measured by vertical gain and sometimes by distance. The batteries employed get listed by the watt-hours they hold and there's maximum torque available for the motors. It can all get overwhelming fast when all you want to know is how far can you go.

How far you can go is the hardest spec to figure out. Whether it's the rider, the bike, or any accessories, more weight adds up to the more power the battery will need to supply. If you ride into a headwind, you'll use more power. Spend your day on the bike climbing hills and again you'll use more power. 

It's likely you want the best gravel tires on your gravel bike and knobby tires have higher rolling resistance; that resistance means more power is needed to keep you rolling. If you were riding a non-electric bike these are all the same factors that would determine how you felt on a given ride. Different motor systems and a rider's preferred choice of modes will have a massive effect on energy demands too.

With such a huge set of variables, it's almost impossible for brands to offer an accurate range. That said it is possible to compare the theoretical range, which involves taking the watt-hours capacity of the battery and power rating of the mode you would choose to ride (measured in watts). For example, most motors put out 250 watts of assistance in turbo mode, which means if you have a 500Wh battery you can theoretically ride for two hours with full assistance and cover 40 miles.

Obviously, the real-world variables mentioned previously will reduce that total mileage but there are other factors that will save battery. Even if you have the motor set in boost mode it won't always be pushing out full assistance and, on the flats, Eco mode is often more than enough to help you keep a good pace. Also on downhills, it's very easy to exceed the motor's speed limit and so you won't be using any assistance at all and save more energy.

How much work do I need to do myself?

Going hand in hand with the range discussion is the question of how much work you want to do. One of the best ways to extend range is to do more work with your muscles and ask less of the bike. Every electric bike has a variety of settings that offer variable levels of support to make that easy.

The numbers that show what you get at the various levels are max watts and support ratio percentage. A low mode might offer a 50 percent support ratio percentage with a max of 250 watts. Meaning however many watts your muscles put into the bike the motor will add an additional 50 percent until the max of 250 watts. 

It's comparatively easy to exceed 25kph on an electric gravel bike, particularly on blacktop or smoother, flat off-pavement runs. In countries where electric bike motors have to cut out at 25kph, that means that the motor won't be working on these stretches and so you'll be providing all the power and won't be draining your battery. Most electric bike motor systems are designed so that they have little or no drag when not providing power making it easier to maintain speed.

Josh Ross is our American tech writer. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest of the United States he lives cycling and the culture that accompanies it. Josh is most happy when talking about the finer details of how bicycle parts and components work, and enjoys putting his thoughts to words for Bike Perfect . He is a road cyclist at heart but can often be found taking the gravel road less travelled. Although he rarely races these days, he still enjoys a good Zwift session and race but will always choose the real world over pixels when given the choice. Height: 5'9" Weight: 137 lb. Rides: Look 795 Blade RS, Cannondale Topstone Lefty, Cannondale CAAD9, Priority Continuum Onyx

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Electric Bikes

Best Gravel Electric Bikes: 7 Picks for All Budgets in 2024

By Charlotte Broughton

Updated Jan 02, 2024

This post may contain affiliate links, which help to keep Discerning Cyclist rolling. Learn more .

Gravel bikes have flooded the market in the last decade, as have e-bikes. It’s no surprise that the electric gravel bike has become a popular option for people who love adventure, but fancy the added support of a motor.

After all, who doesn’t want to go further and faster while riding off road? No one. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide to help you find the best gravel electric bike to suit you, no matter your budget or taste.

Best Gravel E-Bikes

Customisable and streamline

Ribble Gravel AL e

A great customisable option for those wanting an aluminium gravel electric bike with a compact battery and motor

Sleek, carbon and fancy

Trek Domane+ SLR 7 AXS

High-end OCLV Carbon frame electric gravel bike with 12 speed Sram and the lightweight TQ-HPR50 motor system

Comfort and affordability

Fiido E-Gravel

Affordable gravel e-bike with a hybrid riding position that features 9 gears and hydraulic disc brakes

Lightweight aluminium

Cannondale Topstone Neo 5

A lightweight aluminium frame with a carbon fork, featuring Shimano GRX 11-speed and Bosch Performance Line Speed drive-unit

Sleek design

Bianchi E-Impulso Gravel E-Bike

Aluminium frame gravel e-bike complete with Shimano GRX 11-speed groupset and Ebikemotion motor

Versatile and robust

Ribble CGR AL e

A versatile all-rounder that can double up as an e-bike road bike as well as a gravel e-bike with lots of customisation available

What is a Gravel Electric Bike?

If you were wondering what a gravel electric bike is, then it’s exactly what it says on the tin: a gravel bike with the added benefit and capabilities of an electric bike.

PICTURED: Bicycle Anatomy 101 Mug (Limited Edition)

These bikes are essentially therefore just a gravel bike fitted with both a motor and battery (which you have to charge ) allowing you to boost your rides with a pedal assisted motor. Allowing you to ride further for longer as well as faster.

What’s not to love about that?

Who Are Gravel E-Bikes For?

Gravel e-bikes have been designed with people who love to adventure and explore in mind. Given gravel bikes can pretty much go anywhere, they are a great option for those who enjoy off-road riding but maybe need the added support of a motor or want to adventure for further.

Not to mention, gravel e-bikes would also make a great option for those wanting to bike pack as the motor will of course help to haul all kit and equipment around, which often adds up weight wise.

But, due to gravel bikes versatile nature , and most being rather light , an electric gravel bike would suit pretty much any rider who enjoys both off-road and road riding, as a lot can double up as a road bike once fitted with slicker tyres.

Gravel Electric Bikes Pros + Cons

• Great for off-road use
• Travel further for longer
• Lighter than normal e-bikes
• Faster than a normal bike

Best Gravel Electric Bikes

1. ribble gravel al e.

Prices are approximate

Weight: 13.50kg (29.7lbs) in medium to 14kg (30.8lbs) in medium 

Wattage: 250W  (250W in UK & EU) 

Max. Range:  60  miles (96km)

Gears: 10 to 11 -speed 

Wheel Size:  27.5″

Max Load:  120 kg (264lbs)

Removable Battery: ✅

Throttle:  ❌

Lights: Optional

Fenders:  ❌

Pannier Rack:  Optional

If customisable is what you are looking for then the Ribble Gravel AL e is a great option to consider given their prebuilt specs range from the ‘Hero’, a high-end 11 speed Shimano GRX Di2 build to the ‘Sport’ which consists of 10 speed Shimano GRX RX400, both built around the same aluminium Gravel AL e frame.

As well as that, all builds also share the same motor which is the very compact  MAHLE SmartBike Systems X35+ 250W, coupled with a Panasonic battery. Overall this customisable build option is great for those wanting to build a gravel e-bike around their budget with a solid frame as their starting point.

• Customisable
• Compact motor
• Great price point

2. Trek Domane+ SLR 7 AXS

Weight: 12.50 kg (27.56 lbs) in 56cm

Wattage: 250 W (250W in UK & EU) 

Max. Range:  62  miles (100km)

Gears: 12 -speed 

Wheel Size:  700c

Max Load:  125 kg (275lb)

Pannier Rack:  ❌

This high-end 800 Series OCLV Carbon electric gravel bike certainly isn’t going to be for everyone with a price tag as hefty as this. However, for those wanting a high quality option that benefits from being lightweight then this is the one for you.

Not only that but with a range of up to 100km in eco mode, it’ll also assist even your longer gravel adventures. Additionally, this bike is fitted with the TQ-HPR50 motor system which is both powerful (peaking at 300W and continuously 250W) as well as compact.

• Lightweight
• Looks fantastic
• Very high quality
• Expensive 
• Overly fancy for most

3. Fiido E-Gravel

Weight:  18  kg (39.6lbs)

Max. Range:  50  miles (80km)

Gears: 9 -speed 

Removable Battery: ❌

Fenders:  ✅

Pannier Rack: Optional

The E-Gravel from Fiido is a great option for anyone wanting a flat bar option that’s affordable. At under $2,000 it’s undoubtedly a bargain and definitely a more accessible option. Given it’s upright / flat bar design, it’d make a great leisure e-bike or even commuter that can be taken off-road too.

With regards to spec, this bike also comes with hydraulic disc brakes, 9 speeds and a range of accessories as standard. The motor fitted is also silent and can be controlled by an easy to use waterproof display on the bars.

• Available in step through design too
• Only two sizes
• Pretty heavy

4. Cannondale Topstone Neo 5

Weight:  18 kg (40lbs)

Max. Range: 70 miles (113km)

Gears: 11 -speed 

Max Load:  130 kg (286lbs)

Consisting of Shimano GRX 11-speed groupset with GRX hydraulic disc brakes which is built around the SmartForm C1 Alloy frame, the Cannondale Topstone Neo 5 gravel e-bike is a great go to for those wanting a sleek and compact bike with a performance orientation.

Not only that, but this bike benefits from being fitted with the Bosch Performance Line Speed 250W, which can easily be controlled by the Bosch Purion display, which is user-friendly and clear to read.

• Looks great
• On the expensive side

5. Bianchi E-Impulso Gravel E-Bike

Weight:  15 kg (33lbs) roughly

Max. Range:  N/A

Max Load:  N/A

Another gravel e-bike that is a little on the pricier side but arguably more of a mid range option is the Bianchi E-Impulso Gravel E-Bike. Fitted with the Ebikemotion X35 Plus 250W Motor Unit which due to it’s compact size offers a slick look which is a far cry from the previous bulky looking e-bikes.

In terms of spec, this one comes with Shimano GRX throughout, thus benefits from having 11-speeds which is more than enough for gravel riding. Overall, this bike is a great option for someone looking for a solid mid range gravel e-bike to train and leisure ride on.

• Range not specified

6. Ribble CGR AL e

Weight:  around 13.5 kg (180lbs)

Max. Range:  60  miles (96 km)

Max Load:  120 kg (264lb)

Lights:  Optional

Fenders: Optional

Unsurprisingly, we have another entrant from Ribble, this time with the CGR AL e range, another very customisable option best suited to those who want choice and / or to build a bike of their suiting to a specific budget.

Coming with two pre built options either with Shimano 105 (Enthusiast) or Tiagra (Sport), both still come with the same Panasonic battery and MAHLE SmartBike Systems X35+ 250W motor, which is very compact and sleek, making this another great lightweight option for those who are weight conscious.

• Pre built specs available

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Best electric gravel bikes for 2023: 11 models for all budgets

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If you’re looking for the ultimate e-bike for fast commuting and weekend adventures, electric gravel bikes combine the best of both worlds. Swift on the road but capable of exploring rougher terrain, the gravel e-bike is fun but practical. In this article, I will recommend 11 of the best electric gravel bikes for 2023 and look at some exciting new tech used on these bikes.

The 11 best electric gravel bikes for 2023

Trek domane+ slr 7 etap, kona rove hd, scott solace gravel eride 20, bmc roadmachine 01 amp x one, orro terra e grx600, ribble gravel al e, vitus e-substance alloy gravel e-bike, giant revolt e+ pro xr, specialized turbo creo sl comp carbon evo, gt egrade amp, cannondale topstone neo sl 2, what are gravel bikes.

The gravel bike is an amalgamation of designs from various disciplines – mountain, road and cyclocross bikes . Designers have integrated the best design cues from all three into one versatile machine.

Gravel bikes first became popular in the United States due to the thousands of miles of deserted gravel tracks crisscrossing the vast wilderness and the fire roads designed to allow access to fire trucks in remote forest plantations.

Typically, a gravel bike will have a much more relaxed frame geometry, more akin to a mountain bike, but with the advantage of being much quicker, particularly on compacted gravel surfaces and forest trails. They also have more clearance for wider tyres. – It’s not uncommon to see gravel bikes with 47mm wide tyres.

Why buy an electric gravel bike?

If you commute by bike in the UK, US, or anywhere, it’s unlikely that your daily commuting route will be free from potholes, road debris and other road surface hazards. Anyone who has ever ridden a bike with slick 25mm tyres on the average British road will know the ever-present dangers of poorly maintained surfaces.

Electric gravel bikes offer the perfect solution for this problem. With wide all-terrain tyres and hydraulic disc brakes, these bikes are designed to be versatile. Whether commuting through a wet British winter or going on a summer adventure, gravel e-bikes are great fun!

New gravel e-bike tech for 2023

It seems that things stagnated for a couple of years, but in 2022, things started to happen. This new tech will be filtering through to e-bikes in 2023. On the motor front, German company TQ rolled out their new e-bike system, which delivers a lighter, smoother and quieter experience. Mahle launched the X20 with torque sensing assist and a cableless motor connection for the rear wheel dropout. And Shimano introduced a wireless Di2 version of the popular 105 road groupset.

TQ-HPR50 motor

The new TQ-HPR50 crank motor was quickly adopted for e-gravel and e-MTB applications, where lightweight was required. This motor weighs only 1.8kg and fits in an oversized bottom bracket shell. It produces 300 watts of peak power and 50Nm torque and has an integrated 360Wh battery.

This new e-bike system has already been adopted by some of the biggest names in cycling – Scott, Trek and BMC, to name but a few. Early reports suggest it’s an absolute gem of a motor and takes the gravel e-biking to another level. It is near silent in operation and offers zero resistance when not in use. Over the next few years, we’ll likely see this motor fitted to many of the best electric gravel bikes on the market.

This new motor from Mahle will eventually replace the older X35. The new X20 motor system i s lighter at only 3.2 kg (including battery). Other significant improvements include a torque-sensing pedal assist and a wireless connector on the dropouts. Major manufacturers like BMC are already adopting this system.

New wireless groupsets

Gearing options are now off the chart! With prices decreasing significantly on wireless shifting, cheaper and cheaper gravel e-bikes will have this option. You have SRAM Rival 1 AXS with an option for 10-45 cassette, or you could have a ‘mullet’ drivetrain using the Rival AXS shifters paired with a GX mountain bike mech and 10-52 cassette for a mega low gear.

Shimano GRX Di2 has been around for a while, but their new 105 Di2 drivetrains will work with an 11-36 cassette, making it suitable for some gravel applications.

What are gravel-specific components?

As they are designed for road and off-road riding, gravel bikes tend to use components suited to both. Typically, gearing will be lower, and using subcompact cranksets or 1 x drivetrains is the norm. Hydraulic disc brakes are also fitted as standard to most electric gravel bikes. Many gravel-specific e-bikes have a 650b wheel size with tubeless tyres, which can be run at lower pressures.

Electric gravel bikes typically use sub-compact cranksets or 1 x gearing like their counterparts. A typical road bike will have a 50/34 compact crankset with an 11-28 rear cassette, whereas a gravel bike will likely have a 48/32 or 46/30 sub-compact crankset combined with an 11-32 or 11-34 cassette. This gives the rider much lower gear for tackling steep technical off-road climbs without getting out of the saddle (thus losing traction on the rear wheel).

1 x Drivetrains are also very common on gravel bikes. These typically have a 42t front chainring and an 11-42t rear cassette. One of the main benefits of this kind of setup is simplicity and a small weight saving. 1 x drivetrains are almost universal on higher-end mountain bikes and gravel bikes.

With the new wireless groupsets available, particularly from SRAM, there’s the possibility to mix and match with mountain bike components for an even bigger gear range. Even Campagnolo have got in on the action with their excellent 13-speed Ekar gravel groupset .

Wheels and tyres

Many of the latest gravel bikes will have 650b wheels fitted, although 700c is still widely used. The main advantage of 650b is the slightly smaller diameter and wider rim, making for a more robust wheel capable of handling the rough and tumble of off-road riding. A typical gravel tyre will be 650b x 47, and most can be run tubeless, meaning they can be used at the preferred lower pressures without worrying about getting pinch flats.

Gravel tyres will have a greater weight and rolling resistance, which will be especially noticeable when riding on tarmac. Still, I’ve ridden quite a few, and I feel that for the everyday rider, this is negligible. Larger volume tyres with many treads are also good for riding an e-bike in the winter .

Finishing kit

Because of the need for greater control (particularly when descending), gravel bikes generally have flared drop handlebars and shorter stems.

Flared bars have a drop bar portion wider than the maximum bar width at the hoods. This design was first seen on touring bikes in the ’70’s’70s and ’80’s’80s. This wider grip allows for greater control on technical descents. Some gravel bars are slightly flared, and some will be substantially flared (almost like moustache handlebars).

Dropper seat posts are also becoming quite common on high-end gravel bikes. This makes perfect sense, especially useful for technical descents.

Because gravel bikes are designed for off-road adventures, most will have provisions for mounting mudguards, front and rear pannier racks and multiple bottle cages.

What are the top 20 electric bike FAQs?

Can I use a gravel e-bike for touring?

Electric gravel bikes make excellent touring/bike-packing bikes. They’re designed to go places regular road bikes can’t, and their robust design makes them particularly suitable for touring and bikepacking. The only consideration would be the battery range. For more information, please read my article on the best electric bike for bikepacking .

Most electric gravel bikes below have a smaller internal battery to keep weight down. But, because these bikes are so light, they’re very efficient. I have managed to squeeze nearly 100 miles out of a charge on the Ribble Gravel AL e I’m currently testing.

Electric gravel bikes are perfect for touring if you use the e-assist only when needed. Apart from the above benefits, you can also fit front and rear pannier racks, mudguards and bottle cages.

So, here are – my recommendations for the best electric gravel bikes in 2023. I have included some of the latest models, although some have remained unchanged from last year.

Best gravel e-bike for road riding

• Carbon frame
• TQ-HPR50 cranks motor
• 360Wh battery
• SRAM Force eTap AXS
• Price: £8900

The Trek Domane+ SLR 7 sits near the top of the range in the new 2023 Domane+ range. It’s designed to be a crossover bike suitable for endurance and milder gravel riding. It comes as standard with 40 mm tyres, rolling on Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon rims, making it versatile.

The latest cutting-edge technology features the TQ-HPR50 crank motor with a 360Wh internal battery. The Domane+ is the perfect fusion of bike and technology. This model has the excellent SRAM Force eTap AXS 1 x 12 electronic groupset, with a 10-44 cassette and XPLR long-cage mech.

Weighing in at just 12.50 kg, it’s very light, especially considering the battery capacity. This is a true, long-distance mile muncher and should be just as easy to ride without assistance. The US version will assist up to 20 mph, and the UK / EU version will be 15.5 mph (25 km/h). I’ll have to see if I can get ahold of one of these to review later this year, as it looks like a cracking bike!

Best Cheap Electric Gravel Bike

• Aluminium frame
• Suntour HD rear hub motor
• 418Wh battery
• Shimano Claris 8-speed
• WTB SX19 rims
• TRP Spyre-C mechanical disc brakes
• Price: £2099

The Kona Rove HD is part of Kona’s new budget e-bike range for 2023. This is great news for riders who don’t want to spend a small fortune but still want a capable gravel e-bike from a world-class brand like Kona. This model features the excellent Suntour HD 250-watt rear hub motor, which uses a sophisticated torque sensor to measure pedalling input. In addition, there’s a substantial 418Wh battery. Components include a 38t front chainring with a Shimano Claris 8-speed rear derailleur and an 11-32 cassette. The brakes are Tektro Spyre-C mechanical callipers with 180mm rotors. Wheels are WTB SX19 rims with Shimano hub upfront and WTB Horizon Comp 650b x 47.

I like the look of this new e-bike from Kona. With a retail price of £2095, it will be a great option for those on a budget while offering a solid entry to the world of electric gravel bikes.

• SRAM Rival AXS XPLR
• Price: £7299

The Scott Solace is a completely new gravel e-bike for 2023 and benefits from the same TQ motor and 360Wh battery as the Trek. It features a full carbon frame, fork, and SRAM’s Rival 1 AXS XPLR wireless gravel groupset. The Scott is more of a pure gravel bike (as opposed to the Trek above) and uses 650b wheels wrapped in trail-busting 50mm tyres. The geometry is more off-road friendly with a slack 71-degree head angle and a slightly longer wheelbase (than the Trek).

It’s a great-looking e-bike and weighs in at just 13.34 kg, which is pretty good, considering the big tyres. Currently priced at £6995, it’s one of the more expensive options. I have checked, and it’s not currently in stock online, but it should be available in time for Spring.

• SRAM Force 1 AXS XPLR
• Price: £8100

Another brand-new e-bike for 2023, the BMC 01 AMP X, is aimed at the same market as the Trek. It’s more of an endurance bike, with clearance for 38mm tyres. It will be great for long road rides, with rougher surfaces thrown into the mix.

This is the third bike here to feature the new TQ-HPR50 motor and 360Wh battery. The drivetrain is the same SRAM Force 1 AXS XPLR used on the Trek. The BMC uses some quality finishing kit, like a D-shaped carbon seat post and Redshift suspension stem, to help reduce fatigue on rough surfaces.

A quality brand like BMC is typically expensive and priced at €8499 or £8100 in the UK. It looks like a fantastic e-bike that will have good road manners and be able to handle a bit of the rough stuff.

• FSA HM 1.0 rear hub motor
• 252Wh battery
• Shimano GRX600
• Price: £3899.99

The 2023 Orro Terra E GRX600 is the only gravel e-bike on this list that uses the FSA HM 1.0 e-assist system. It’s very similar to the original Mahle X35 in weight (slightly heavier at 3.98kg) and battery capacity (252Wh) but has a torque sensor. The hub is slightly larger, and the top tube control is similar in functionality. This system was released in 2021 and has been used by Pinarello on some e-bikes.

It features a full carbon frame and fork, a mixture of Shimano GRX components, Vision rims with rast-rolling Continental Terra Trail 40c tyres and a quality FSA finishing kit. Costing £3899.99, the Orro Terra E is reasonably priced for a full carbon gravel e-bike. There’s also a range extender battery available.

Orro has a fine pedigree for gravel bikes, and If you’re in the market for a lightweight carbon gravel e-bike, it’s well worth considering.

• Alloy frame
• X35 ebikemotion hub motor
• Shimano GRX groupset (Di2 option available)
• Price: £2799 – £4399

I recently had a Ribble Gravel AL e on loan from Ribble Cycles. It’s a capable e-bike and is a great all-rounder. It features the Mahle X35 ebikemotion motor with a 252Wh internal battery. The Gravel AL e is at home on tarmac or rock-strewn single track.

I covered over 300 miles on it over the winter months, including a couple of rides on Dartmoor, and I’m impressed with how it handles rougher terrain. Another big plus point is it’s fairly light at 14 kg. That’s about 4 kg heavier than my regular gravel bike , and you don’t notice the extra weight that much on the road. Another plus is I found it very comfortable.

My test model has the Shimano GRX 400 groupset with 46/30 crankset and 11-34 cassette – I’ve found this gearing okay for moderate trails, but it does struggle a bit on steep, technical sections. If you have deeper pockets, there’s a GRX Di2 version . It’s a great gravel e-bike and one of the cheaper options available.

Watch my YouTube video review .

Best Value Fazua-Powered Gravel E-Bike

• Fazua Ride 50 Trail motor
• SRAM Apex 1 x 11
• Price: £2629.99

French company Vitus makes quality bikes sold exclusively through Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles. For 2023, their gravel e-bike range hasn’t changed but offers exceptional value for money.

Their Vitus E-Substance Alloy gravel e-bike features SRAM Apex 1 x 11 drivetrain with Prime Kanza 650b wheelset wrapped in Maxxis Rambler 47c gravel tyres. Power is provided by the latest Fazua Ride 50 Trail, which has 10% more power and 6% less weight than its predecessor. It’s also more efficient, which will marginally improve battery range.

The E-Substance Alloy is one of the best all-around gravel e-bikes available for the price and is currently on offer for £2629.99, which is an absolute bargain and well worth considering.

Best Electric Gravel Bike for Battery Range

• Shimano EP8 motor
• 500Wh battery
• Shimano Di2 GRX
• Price: £4499

The 2023 Giant Revolt E+ Pro XR remains largely unchanged from last year’s model. It still uses Shimano’s excellent EP8 mid-drive motor, which boasts a maximum of 85Nm and a massive 400% assist in full power mode – like the Sync Drive motor of old, it’s been tuned specifically for this bike. Another great feature is the use of Shimano GRX Di2 wireless shifting, which doubles up as a control of the electric assist.

There’s no display, but the RideControl Go panel is neatly integrated into the top tube. Electric assist is controlled using the left-hand shifter, and there’s ANT+ connectivity to pair a compatible bike computer (like a Garmin). The brakes are GRX hydraulics, large 180mm diameter front and back rotors, and 700 x 40c Maxxis Receptor Evo tyres. Finishing off the package is a 500Wh downtube integrated battery, which should give a realistic range of 60-70 miles.

I like the look of the Giant Revolt E+, and having that Shimano EP8 motor is a big plus for me. It can be fine-tuned using the Shimano e-tube app, allowing you to change performance characteristics and other parameters to suit your needs.

• Specialized SL 1.1 motor
• 340Wh battery
• Shimano GRX
• Price: £6250

The Specialized Turbo Creo SL comp carbon evo remains unchanged for 2023, but it’s still a cracking e-bike despite new competition. It uses its own SL 1.1 mid-drive electric motor, developed by Brose, specifically for its Turbo Creo range of e-road and gravel bikes. This motor is an absolute gem, almost whisper quiet, and produces seamless assistance when needed.

The 340Wh battery gives a potential assisted range of up to 80 miles (in the lowest setting) – you can even purchase an additional range extender, making the Turbo Creo SL a potential long-distance touring machine. A built-in power meter will transmit data to an ANT+ head unit like the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt. The mission control smartphone app lets you fine-tune your power settings to suit your riding style.

Apart from the usual Shimano GRX components, you have the addition of the excellent Future Shock 2.0, which gives you a small amount of front suspension that can be easily adjusted via a knob on top of the stem. This removes the sting from the lumps and bumps associated with rough terrain and reduces rider fatigue over longer distances. I’ve tried it, and it does the job! Another excellent feature is adding a dropper seat post – something you rarely find on other electric gravel bikes.

The Specialized Turbo Creo SL comp carbon evo is expensive, but the price hasn’t prevented it from being one of their best-selling e-bikes. I see a surprising amount of these on the roads, and some riders in my local cycling club use them. It’s a great e-bike that’s equally good on the road or gravel and worth considering if your budget allows it.

• Mahle X35 rear hub motor
• Shimano GRX 1 x 11
• Price: £2900

The GT eGrade AMP  is another lightweight gravel e-bike from the iconic mountain bike brand. GT Cycles have been making gravel bikes for a good few years, and the regular-grade gravel bike has been one of their best sellers. The eGrade uses the same frame geometry as its non-assisted counterparts. It benefits from Shimano GRX 1 x 11 groupset with a gravel-specific wheelset and WTB Resolute 700 x 42c tubeless-ready tyres.

Like many other bikes featured here, the GT eGrade AMP uses the super light x35 ebikemotion, which helps keep the total bike weight below 14kg. I like the understated styling of the GT and the classic ‘triple triangle’ frame design, which increases stiffness, response and durability.

I can see the GT eGrade AMP being a very popular choice for gravel e-bikes – it’s very competitively priced and will be a tough workhorse ready to take on forest trails, single track or a spot of bikepacking. A much cheaper flat handlebar version is also available (£2300) – read the full GT eGrade Current review .

• Shimano GRX 400
• Price: £2950

The Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 2 hasn’t changed much since 2021, but it’s still a great option for under £3000 / $3000. Its lightweight alloy frame and durable Shimano GRX components make it a great entry into the world of gravel e-bikes.

Featuring the tried and tested Mahle X35 system, it’s smooth and quiet and provides just the right amount of assistance when you need it. Shimano GRX400 is ideal for a mix of road riding and gravel; top gear is high enough for descending and riding on the flat, and the 30/34 low gear combination is ideal for those steeper climbs. The WTB Resolute 700 x 42 tyres will be great for hardpack gravel and smoother single track.

It’s a tidy package, and although it doesn’t feature any of the latest tech, at £2950, it’s one of the cheaper options here and well worth considering.

Gravel bikes have polarised opinions within the cycling community. Some see them as a big brands’ marketing ploy, while others praise them. Love or hate them, gravel bikes are here to stay and having e-assist adds a whole other dimension of fun and practicality.

The best electric gravel bikes are designed for exploring different terrains while being light enough to pedal without electric assistance if the battery runs out. They are the ultimate ‘do-it-all’ bike for weekend adventures. For now, I’m happy to stick with my regular unassisted gravel bike, but I would consider buying one in the future.

Thank you for reading this article; if you have any questions or need any advice before purchasing, please comment below, and I will reply within 24hrs.

Meet Tony, a passionate e-bike advocate and enthusiast who discovered the life-changing benefits of electric bikes back in 2016. Tony’s technical experience within the e-bike field was gained while running a successful electric bike conversion business for 5 years in his home county of Cornwall, UK.

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Hi Tony, love your reviews. Could you please tell me if any of these e gravel bikes are available in flat bar versions in Australia. Regards Greg

Ribble cycles do ship to Australia, and it would be worth having a chat with them regarding a flat bar conversion. I have a friend who uses a Specialized Turbo Vado SL as a gravel bike – he’s fitted some Gravelkings, wider handlebars with shorter stem and reckons it’s great off-road. Another option would be to build one up from scratch – gravel bike frameset with a Bafang mid-drive would be a good choice. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions.

Cheers, Tony

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Best Electric Gravel Bikes to Explore Off the Beaten Path in 2024

Image source: Canyon.com

Gravel bikes are one of the most versatile bikes around, perfect for fast everyday commuting, performance training, or bikepacking.

Add an electric motor and you get one of the most capable, long-range vehicles around – an electric gravel bike. The best electric gravel bikes are quickly becoming popular amongst riders from all age groups, young and old alike.

Everybody enjoys these trendy bikes that can take you further with less stress as you choose your pedal assist to help you conquer previously exhausting elements. With the look of a road bike and the performance of an off-road bike, the best gravel ebikes shine through any time of the year.

Gravel bikes are one of the most versatile bikes around. You can ride one for fast everyday commutes, use it for performance training, and bikepacking. Add an electric motor and you’ll get one of the most capable and long-range commuters around – an electric gravel bike.

What to expect from a good quality e-gravel bike?

The best gravel e-bikes typically have a mid-drive motor (although good-quality hub motors are also available) and a lightweight carbon fork and frame.

They allow you to reach higher speeds more confidently knowing that the power of hydraulic disc brakes have your back. The frame geometry and drop bars up front give you an aerodynamic position while maintaining a comfortable posture so can tackle any terrain.

• Read more: 10 Best Mid-Drive Ebike Models We Recommend

Always look for tubeless-ready wheels (TLR) with extra grip on the side of the ridges so that you get extra bend around sharp curves. Good quality e-gravel bikes should be around 40 lbs (18kg) in weight with a battery that slips out the side for charging and standard tire clearance for 700c and 650b wheels.

The 8 Best Electric Gravel Bikes in 2024

• Trek Domane+ SLR 6 AXS
• Ride1UP Gravel Roadster v2
• Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 3
• Santa Cruz Bicycles Skitch
• Cannondale Adventure Neo AllRoad
• Ride1UP CF Racer1
• Salsa Confluence
• Cervelo Rouvida

#1 Trek Domane+ SLR 6 AXS

Best high-speed carbon gravel bike

MSRP: $9,000

• Motor – TQ-HPR50, 50 Nm, 250W
• Battery Capacity – 360 Wh
• Drivetrain – SRAM Rival eTap AXS, 12 speed
• Weight – 27.78 lb
• Pedal Assist Range – Up to 60 miles

The Domane+ SLR 6 AXS is a Trek electric gravel bike designed to thrive through the elements, especially up hills.

With a powerful TQ-HPR50 50 Nm motor offering class 3 speeds and a 360 Wh battery nestled stylishly in its lightweight carbon frame, the Domane+ SLR 6 is the ultimate gravel warrior for long-distance rides.

As a class 3 eBike, it has a pedal-assist speed of up to 28 mph (45 kph) and a range of up to 60 miles. The bike comes with 700c x 40 mm tubeless-ready tires, assisting in bump absorption and making your whole cycling experience smoother and more fun. In addition, the carbon frame comes with Trek’s IsoSpeed rear system that further lowers vibrations.

The SRAM Rival eTap AXS, 12-speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes are as good as they come and only contribute to an already powerful setup that makes the Trek Domane+ SLR 6 AXS one of our top electric gravel bikes to ride.

It’s also one of the lightest electric bikes you can get, with a weight of just 27.78 lb.

Buy from Trek Bikes

#2  Ride1UP Gravel Roadster v2

Best Flat-Bar Electric Gravel Bike

MSRP: $1,345

• 350W geared hub motor, 40 Nm
• 250Wh battery
• Single-speed Gates belt drive
• Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes

The Ride1UP Gravel Roadster v2 is one of the best electric gravel bikes with a flat bar, manufactured by a company that’s becoming a leader in the direct-to-consumer market.

The Gravel Roadster v2 boasts a single-speed Gates carbon belt drivetrain that requires minimal maintenance—ideal for dusty gravel rides. On top of that, it features Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes and proper gravel 700C x 42 mm tires.

The Gravel Roadster v2 is powered by a 350W geared hub motor with 40 Nm of torque and a 250 Wh battery, which are not the most powerful on this list. However, they will help you have a more comfortable ride and battle inclines and headwinds.

This ebike is also very affordable at just $1,345, so we recommend it to casual gravel riders who still not ready to commit by spending thousands on a drop-bar gravel ebike.

Buy from Ride1UP

#3 Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 3

Best Class 3 Electric Gravel Bike

MSRP: $6,350

• Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX, 28mph
• Battery: 500Wh PowerTube
• Carbon frame
• Shimano GRX 812 11-speed drivetrain
• Shimano GRX hydraulic disc brakes

The Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 3 is a 650b gravel e-bike built for commuting on both adventurous gravel and comfortable road-like terrain.

The Bosch Performance Line CX mid-drive motor allows a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph and, combined with a 500Wh battery, provides plenty of range for a day on the trails.

A lefty suspension fork helps absorb most vibrations or bumps you encounter, and tire clearance of up to 47 mm means you can customize this bike for varied terrains.

The 11-speed Shimano GRX drivetrain provides flawless shifting and has a solid gearing range. Finally, the GRX hydraulic disc brakes don’t disappoint and are a brilliant addition to the overall product.

Buy from Mike’s Bikes

#4  Santa Cruz Bicycles Skitch

Lightest Electronics and Build

MSRP: $6,299

With its impressive e-bike technology, the Santa Cruz Bicycles Skitch satisfies every desire of most gravel riders. The Skitch is not cheap, but it delivers excellent features for the money, including hydraulic disc brakes, SRAM Apex Eagle 12-speed groupset, and more.

The price also indicates that you are getting high-quality components. It showcases several advantages like the durable carbon fiber frame paired with a lightweight carbon fork, as well as the gravel-specific geometry.

The bike has also been fitted with a Fazua Ride 60 motor that will assist you up to 28 mph, as well as a 430 Wh battery that can provide hours of assistance on rough gravel roads.

SRAM Apex 2-piston hydraulic disc brakes also ensure higher-ranking modulation and responsiveness to any quick-changing braking on any terrain.

The Santa Cruz Skitch electric gravel bike also leaves the factory with 45 mm wide Schwalbe G-One tires that are perfect for versatile riding on gravel or paved roads.

Buy from evo.com     Buy from Mike’s Bikes

#5 Cannondale Adventure Neo Allroad

Best Gravel Ebike for Commuting

MSRP: $1,675

• Aluminum frame and fork
• Bafang G020 hub motor, 250W
• microShift 7-speed drivetrain
• 180 mm mechanical disc brakes
• Kenda Booster 27.5″ x 2.6″ tires

The Cannondale Adventure Neo AllRoad is one of our favorite electric gravel bikes due to its affordable price tag and the fact it’s made by Cannondale, one of the world’s best bike brands.

While this isn’t a classic drop-bar gravel ebike, the lightweight aluminum frame and fork on this bike deliver a sturdy ride quality with the ideal comfort for beginners. You get 27.5″ x 2.6″ tires, making the Adventure Neo Allroad suitable for heavy off-road riding.

Cannondale opted for an industry-leading Bafang rear hub motor and battery, coupled with a microShift 7-speed drivetrain and mechanical disc brakes for reliable stopping power.

Don’t look past this sleek gravel ebike if you want tried and tested performance from Cannondale at a reasonable price.

Buy from REI     Buy from Mike’s Bikes

#6  Ride1UP CF Racer1

An affordable gravel machine

MSRP: $2,295

• 250W, 42 Nm rear hub motor
• 252 Wh battery
• Carbon frame and fork
• SRAM Rival 1 11-speed rear derailleur
• Continental Terra Trail 700x40c tires

The Ride1UP CF Racer1 is the most affordable quality carbon gravel ebike you can get right now. It’s pretty incredible what Ride1UP managed to squeeze into a $2,295 price tag.

The 250W/42Nm rear hub motor and 252 Wh battery give you the extra push you need to conquer a climb, allowing a max assisted speed of 20 mph (32 km/h).

The battery offers a range of 16-40 miles and you can keep track of all of your riding statistics on a color display mounted on the handlebar.

The Ride1UP CF Racer1 offers excellent value for the money. It boasts reliable components like SRAM Rival 1 11-speed rear derailleur, Continental Terra Trail tires, and SRAM Rival hydraulic disk brakes.

All in all, the CF Racer1 won’t let you down, as Ride1UP is known for some of the best-value bikes on the market.

Buy from Ride1UP.com

#7 Salsa Confluence

Best Gravel Ebike for Bikepacking

MSRP: $2,999

• Motor: Mahle ebikemotion X35+ 250W, 40Nm
• Battery: 250Wh
• Charge time: 3h
• SRAM Apex 1×11 speed
• Teravail Washburn, 700c x 42 mm tires
• Weight: N/A

The Salsa Confluence is a brand new ebike from the adventure-focused brand. It comes fitted with a lightweight ebikemotion X35+ motor, giving 40Nm of torque and a 20 mph top speed.

It also features a high-quality gravel-ready 1×11-speed SRAM Apex drivetrain, allowing you to shift gears smoothly and precisely even while riding in very harsh gravel conditions.

The 250 Wh battery charges in around 3h, making it great for those time-effective commutes. You also get a carbon fork for comfort and a definite performance factor.

The huge 42 mm Teravail Washburn tires are just the right width to balance speed and off-roading capabilities.

Finally, the Salsa Confluence comes with a bunch of mounting points on the frame and fork, allowing you to attach racks and frame bags, which makes it ideal for long bikepacking trips.

Buy from REI

#8 Cervelo Rouvida

Best electric road/gravel bike

MSRP: $6,200

• Motor: Fazua Ride 60, 60Nm
• Battery: 430Wh
• Shimano GRX, RX822, 12 speed
•  WTB Vulpine, 700 x 40c tires
•  Shimano GRX, RX610 hydraulic disc brakes

The Cervelo Rouvida is on top of our list if you are looking for performance, serving the best deal for a battery-powered bike.

Cervelo is one of the most popular bike brands for performance cyclists, but their ebikes are impressive as well.

The Rouvida is showcasing a Fazua Ride 60, 60 Nm drive unit and a 430Wh battery, offering a max assisted speed of 28mph.

It comes with a 12-speed Shimano GRX RX822 drivetrain settled in a premium carbon frame and fork designed to roll smoothly on pavement or gravel.

The hydraulic disk brakes and 40mm tires allow for tackling off-road terrain and mixed conditions.

Things to Keep in Mind

Electric road vs electric gravel bike.

The main difference between lightweight electric bikes for road and e-gravel bikes is that the gravel bike is built to conquer more extreme terrains.

Both can be cycled through cities and back roads with their battery-powered pedal assist, but the specifically modified gravel monster is for those who want to endure more extreme performances whilst having the added comfort to do so.

Gravel e-Bikes are becoming more popular as they give the cyclist the option and freedom to choose their terrain.

Gravel eBike vs Touring eBike

Although they are both all terrain electric bikes, gravel-specific ebikes are designed more for performance to withstand and absorb hard knocks, whereas touring ebikes are for long-distance trekking.

Weight plays a huge factor over long distances, which makes gravel ebikes attractive, but the comfort factor and wider variety of gears are what counts in touring ebikes.

While most best touring bikes are made from steel, such as the ones by Surly Bikes Brand , popular electric gravel bikes are made from aluminum and carbon, which makes them lighter but less practical.

Are Gravel E-Bikes Legal To Drive On the Streets?

Gravel eBikes are legal to drive, as they fall into two e-bike classes – Class 1 and Class 3.

• Class 1 eBike – Speed limited to 20mph, pedal-assistance. Motor wattage is limited to 750W.
• Class 2 eBike – Speed limited to 20mph, throttle (and optional pedal assistance). Motor wattage is limited to 750W.
• Class 3 eBike – Speed limited to 28mph, pedal-assist (and an optional throttle). Motor wattage limited to 750W
• Class 4 eBike (Not legal to ride on the street) – Speed limit 28mph and over, pedal & throttle assist. Motor wattage 750W and over.

All About Electric Bicycles

eBicycles.com aims to cover all topics related to electric bicycles. Our goal is to serve as the hotspot for e-bike lovers by providing value through reviews, how-to articles, and detailed guides. Stay up-to-date with the world of e-bicycles and share your passion with us.

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Best Electric Gravel Bikes: Explore Gravel Roads with Electric Assistance

Image source: Cannondale.com

Electric gravel bikes maximize your riding time by taking you further and faster over varied terrain for a longer distance.

Cycling on gravel ebikes is a fun activity all year round thanks to the added pedal-assist options picking up the pace through any muddy slopes whilst the extra power and added gadgets allow you to pack extra weight. This makes electric gravel bikes the perfect choice as a trustworthy steed for both long and short-distance touring and bikepacking.

A Selection of Best Electric Gravel Bikes

Niner – RLT E9 RDO 4-Star Cannondale – Topstone Neo SL 2 Santa Cruz – Skitch Cannondale – Topstone Neo 5 Orbea – Gain M30 1X Specialized – Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon Ride1UP – Gravel Roadster v2 Specialized – Turbo Creo SL Expert Orbea – Gain M20x GT – eGrade Current

NEW ! – Ride1UP – Roadster V2

Niner RLT E9 RDO 4-STAR

Futuristic look – futuristic performance

MSRP: $5,695

• 11-speed Shimano GRX (11-42T)
• Shimano GRX 400 hydro brakes
• Class 3 eBike – Assists up to 28mph
• 250W Bosch Performance & 500Wh battery

The 4-star version of the RLT E9 RDO is a truly impressive Niner electric gravel bike, packed full of so many cool features that the price almost seems too low.

So what’s the catch? The bike has a full carbon RDO frame complete with internal cable routing, rack and fender mounts, and clearance for 50mm tires.

You also get a killer 11-speed Shimano GRX drivetrain with hydraulic disc brakes, Stan’s NoTubes rims, and Schwalbe G-One Speed tires. So are the electronics cheap? Nope – you get a top-quality 250W Bosch Performance motor combined with a long-range 500Wh battery, powering you along at 28mph (45km/h) for a full day of cycling.

It’s a full package gravel ebike with no corners cut, offering very decent value for money.

Size Recommendations

50 (5’2″ – 5’6″) 53 (5’5″ – 5’9″) 56 (5’8″ – 6’0″) 59 (5’11 – 6’3″)

Buy on Jenson USA

Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 2

MSRP: $3,600

250Wh battery  |  Range: Up to 47mi  |  700x42c |  20mph top speed

• Aluminum frame & carbon fork
• Class 1 – Assists up to 20mph
• 250W Bosch Performance Line Speed
• 11-speed Shimano GRX 400 (GRX 600 shifters)
• Shimano GRX hydro disc brakes w/ RT54 rotors

Cannondale , well known for their quality SmartForm aluminum frames, now brings you the new Topstone Neo SL 2 gravel eBike with a carbon fork for speed and comfort.

There’s not much you can’t do with this bike, it’s at its best when tackling varied terrain. Light and speedy with a stealthy-looking Mahle ebikemotion X35 250W motor and a 250Wh battery, it provides you with 20mph pedal power and a range of up to 47 miles. 

Not only does it come with a convenient endurance riding position for extra comfort over long commutes, but it also features 700c x 42mm tires for a softer ride. The additional tire clearance also leaves enough space for bigger tires if desired.

The lithium-ion battery, however, is not removable and there is no suspension but the Shimano GRX 2×10 drivetrain and hydraulic disk brakes deliver excellent performance on even the most challenging terrains.

Buy from REI

Santa Cruz Bicycles Skitch 

MSRP: $6,300

• Carbon frame and fork
• FAZUA Ride 60 motor
• SRAM Apex Eagle

Santa Cruz has achieved its goal of developing the ultimate light and aerodynamic gravel bike, handling any terrain you throw at it.

With carbon material being more flexible and more comfortable, the fork of the Santa Cruz Skitch lets you glide effortlessly over any terrain with the well-balanced on-road and off-road 700×45 mm tires that come with it. In addition, endurance geometry delivers a super-comfortable riding position.

This bike is versatile and sturdy, providing you with the confidence you need to venture into unknown territories.

The bottom bracket FAZUA Ride 60 motor and battery are a single unit that will assist you up to 28 mph for up to 60 miles per charge. Coming in at $6,300, it’s not the most affordable, but you get great value for the money.

Buy from evo.com     Buy from Mike's Bikes

Cannondale Topstone Neo 5

MSRP: $5,550

• Motor: Bosch Performance Line Speed, 28 mph
• 500 Wh battery
• 700x36c tires
• Shimano GRX 400, Shadow RD+ derailleur

This stylish gravel bike by the cycling giant Cannondale definitely lives up to its brand recognition.

The Shimano GRX 11-speed groupset offers top-class performance, allowing you to shift precisely and quickly. In addition, the boost you get from the punchy Bosch Performance Line Speed motor will leave you feeling confident and satisfied pushing up steep hills. 

However, considering the aggressive attitude and power this bike displays, some riders might find the tire choice quite odd and opt for an upgrade. WTB Exposure 36 mm tires were made to be ridden mainly in dry weather conditions on hard-packed terrain due to their narrower size. However, you have clearance for up to 42 mm tires, so you can upgrade to a wider set.

Orbea Gain M30 1X

MSRP: $4,599

36V 6.9A (248Wh)   |  250W Ebikemotion X35 plus |  1×11 Shimano GRX

• OMR Monocoque Carbon
• Shimano RX400 hydro disc brakes
• Fulcrum E-Racing 900 wheelset
• Class 1 eBike – Max assisted speed 20mph

The Orbea Gain M30 1x eBike cuts no corners with a carbon frame, tire clearance up to 40mm, Shimano GRX 11-speed drivetrain, and RX400 hydraulic brakes.

The Gain was put together to enhance every part of your ride without taking full control, allowing you to ride longer and have more fun. The wide range of gears is ideal for any terrain, whether climbing, descending, or just enjoying a flat ride. The beautiful OMR carbon frame includes neatly concealed internal cable routing and integrated front and rear lights for a sleek appearance. 

This Class 1 pedal-assist bike with its Mahle Ebikemotion Motor and 248Wh battery was designed to give you an overall feeling of having enough power on every ride. On the handlebars, you get an advanced iWoc ONE control interface that connects to a pedal-assist sensor, providing all your riding data and the option to adjust power based on heart rate.

Buy from Jenson USA

Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon

MSRP: $7,000

• Fact 11r Carbon
• 11-Speed Shimano RX812 GX Shadow Plus
• Motor: Specialized Sl 1.1
• Battery: Specialized SL1 320Wh

When shopping for an electric gravel bike, you will be happy to know that the value you get for your money is worth every penny on the Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon.

Not only is it one of the fastest electric bikes on gravel but with a FACT 11r full carbon frame and Future Shock 2.0 fork, it’s one of the lightest eBikes in its class. 

You’ll certainly notice an increase in the distance you can cover, with Specialized’s lightweight e-bike SL 1.1 motor delivering 240W of pedal power. The motor features a reactive torque curve that automatically tunes in with your cadence and eliminates any pedal resistance when you are not pedaling.

The fully integrated 320Wh internal battery provides a whopping 80m (128km) range with an optional range extender giving an added 40 miles, making this the ultimate long-distance warrior. All of this is perfectly finished off with a Shimano GRX 11-speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes.

Buy from Mike's Bikes

Ride1UP Gravel Roadster v2

MSRP: $1,345

• Motor: 350W rear hub
• Battery: 250Wh
• Single-speed drivetrain with a belt

The Ride1UP Roadster gravel e-bike is a casual gravel bike with an aluminum frame and fork, low-maintenance components, and a 350W rear hub motor for added power.

The bike comes with 700C rims and 42mm tires allowing for less stress over punctures and an overall, smoother ride. 

The 250Wh integrated battery gives you a 20-30 mile range, making you go further, whilst the mechanical disk brakes add to the control.

Best of all, the Ride1UP Gravel Roadster costs just $1,345, which is a bargain for what you get.

Buy from Ride1UP

Specialized Turbo Creo SL Expert

MSRP: $7,799

• SL 1.1 Motor – 240W
• SL 1 – 320Wh
• FACT 11r carbon frame, Future Shock 2.0 carbon fork
• Shimano 105 hydro brakes

Specialized has developed a fast, aggressive eBike in the Turbo Creo SL Expert. It has a smooth character and aggressive geometry and component list, allowing you to zip along on any terrain.

This bike has a premium carbon frame and fork with Future Shock 2.0 micro-suspension integrated into the stem and fork. 

The Specialized electric bike drive system has plenty of power that excels on steeper gradients and is complemented by a large battery that provides all-day ranges. Finally, a premium Shimano Deore XT Di2 electronic groupset provides pro-level performance and reliability. 

Orbea Gain M20x

250W Ebikemotion X35 Plus  |  Battery: 248Wh   |  Max speed: 20mph

MSRP: $4,859

• 1×11 speed Shimano GRX
• OC2 Carbon seatpost

The Orbea Gain M20x comes with a trusty 250W Ebikemotion motor and 248Wh battery, giving you a maximum assist speed of 20 mph.

With an OC2 Carbon seatpost combined with an excellent 11-speed Shimano GRX drivetrain, this is one of the best electric off-road bicycles available for the price. 

The OMR carbon frame and fork hold it all together superbly, while the pedal-assist pushes you effortlessly up even the most intimidating hills. Clearly destined for tough off-road trails, the Gain features mid-sized 38c Schwalbe G-One Bite tires with 40mm clearance, perfect for cornering sharp bends on loose gravel at a low angle. When it comes to strength and reliability, it definitely delivers on even the most ambitious of trails.

GT eGrade Current

MSRP: $3,300

250W Ebikemotion X35  |  40Nm torque  |  Battery: 250Wh   |  1×10  speed

• MicroSHIFT M6205
• Shining 32H rims
• WTB Resolute TCS 700x42mm tires

This flat-bar electric gravel bike can tackle the most hardcore terrain with the feel of a lightweight traditional bike. It features a 250W Ebikemotion motor which is not only powerful but increases stability due to the extra centralized weight. The 250Wh battery located inside the downtube is incredibly subtle and weighs almost nothing.

The aluminum frame and carbon fork help soak up those little vibrations while providing great front-end performance.  The MicroSHIFT drivetrain is supported by WTB Resolute gravel tires with tubeless-ready rims, allowing for a fun and confident ride on rough, technical terrain.

Ride1UP Roadster V2

An urban flat-bar gravel bike

Available for pre-order

MSRP : $1,095

• 350W gear hub motor, 40Nm torque
• Class 3 eBike – 24mph
• Estimated range – 20-30mi
• Charge time: 2-4 hours
• Disc brakes

Available for pre-order, this is the newest bike available by Ride1UP, which generally offers an awesome set of great value e-bikes at the very competitive price range and e-bikes market.

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11 of the best electric gravel bikes you can buy - e-gravel bikes tried and tested.

[Updated November 19, 2021]

If you're after a drop-bar electric gravel or adventure bike, then we might have the answer in our roundup of all the best ones we have tested. We've tried and tested these bikes listed with more on the way, plus there are more suggestions for options for you to investigate at the bottom.

• The widest gravel bike handlebars you can buy: broad bars for bikepackers
• The 11 gravel-specific products you never knew you needed
• Opinion: We need to be more specific about what 'gravel' is

11 of the best 2021 electric gravel bikes

Canyon grail:on cf 8 — £4,949.00, cairn brave 1.0 drop bar — £2,549.00, ribble cgr al e – from £2,399, boardman adv9.8e – £2,429.10.

• Look e-765 Gravel – £5,997.00 (£4,036.32 if you're a size M or XL and willing to pop over to Ireland for it)

Orbea Gain 2021 – £2,359 - £8,199

Specialized turbo creo 2021 – £4,000 - £11,500, kinesis range – £3,550, cannondale topstone neo carbon lefty 1 2021 – £7,999.99, giant revolt e+ pro xr – £2,699.99, merida esilex+ 600 – £3,000.

The Canyon Grail:ON CF 8.0 combines a top-performing Bosch Performance CX motor with a large 500Wh battery that gives huge range potential. Wide tyres and the S15 VCLS seatpost aid comfort, but the double-decker bar will likely divide opinions and impacts fit options.

Regardless of whether the full carbon frame has any performance advantage for an e-bike of this type, the Grail:ON is still a bike that stands out from the crowd. The hover bar certainly draws attention and may divide opinions. However, the real highlight is the Bosch Performance CX motor and large 500Wh battery, which combine to offer a vast range of power adjustment on offer. The Performance CX may have been designed primarily for mountain bikes, but in my experience testing the Grail:ON, it is incredibly competent for gravel riding as well.​

• Read our review of the Canyon Grail:ON CF 8

Cairn has delivered a bike that manages to not only cross between established categories but create its own with the BRAVe. The Shimano powered bike mixes the downhill ability of a mountain bike with the ability to cover ground that a gravel bike can provide. While there are some less than perfect areas, the overall package and price make it well worth a look.

• Read our review of the Cairn BRAVe 1.0 Drop Bar

The Ribble CGR AL e is a cracking bike for the money. Comfortable, stable and capable over very rough ground or while effortlessly eating up road miles, it adds intuitive, discreet electric assist to a fundamentally great chassis. It's a bike that opens up huge possibilities (for all levels of rider) in covering serious ground – and having a lot of fun along the way.

• Read our review of the Ribble CGR AL e

Boardman’s new range of Fazua-powered e-bikes offer really good value for money, and our experience aboard the ADV8.9E has been very positive. You’re getting a lot of the performance of more expensive e-road bikes at a much lower price point. The Fazua system is good for mixed riding, and offers useful assistance and good range. It’s built into a bike that’s solid and enjoyable to ride.

• Read our review of the Boardman ADV9.8E

Look e-765 Gravel – £5,997.00 ( £4,036.32 in M or XL if you can go to Ireland for it )

Look has entered the market somewhere very close to the top end with their e-765 Gravel, the sister bike to the road-going e-765. And it’s a very good bike for mixed terrain riding, even if it is expensive enough to put it out of reach of the many (us included).

• Read our review of the Look e-765 Gravel

Carrera Crossroad E – £999

Carrera is making some really good e-bikes for less than £1,000 at the moment, including the Subway E we recently reviewed. Here it has set itself the task of bringing e-road bikes down to that level, and you know what? It’s succeeded. Okay the Crossroad E isn’t perfect but it is a versatile bike that’s quite a lot of fun to ride. For a grand it’s an impressive package, and definitely one to consider if you have a longer commute you want to do more often by bike.

• Read our review of the Carrera Crossroad E

If you want an e-bike that doesn't look like an e-bike, the Gain range from Basque brand Orbea might well hit the spot. Orbea describes it quite accurately as being designed to "enhance your ride, not dominate it". What they're getting at is the fact that the Ebikemotion X35 Plus motor is significantly less powerful than the Shimano or Bosch mid-mounted motors that many e-bikes have in this price range, but at 14kg for the Gain D15 it's also much lighter than most e-bikes.

• Read our review of the Orbea Gain D15

Specialized builds its Turbo Creo e-bikes into gravel or road machines by tweaking the spec, but they all use the same SL 1.1 motor, developed by German car component giant Mahle, which also owns the Ebikemotion system found on the Orbea Gain.

The range tops out at the S-Works Turbo Creo SL EVO, above, with a carbon fibre frame and wheels, and starts with the rather less exotic Turbo Creo SL Comp E5 with an aluminium frame and Shimano GRX components.

• Read our review of the Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo SL

The Range Adventure from Kinesis UK is an e-bike featuring the Fazua Evation motor. Designed to be versatile and capable of adventures with a light motor and big range, it also has an easily-removable battery that allows unassisted riding. Loads of mounts and and impressive range make it an excellent bikepacker or commuter, though the front needs bigger rubber to tame the harshness.

• Read our review of the Kinesis Range

Also take a look at

We haven't had a chance to test these bikes yet, but they're among the most interesting gravel e-bikes out there right now and could be well worth a look if you are in the market for a gravel e-bike.

With its Lefty front suspension and Kingpin rear shock absorption, the Topstone Lefty is already one of the most intriguing gravel bikes for 2021, even before you consider adding electric assistance. This version's Bosch Performance Line CX motor and battery promise ample oomph for help on hills and Cannondale claims a maximum range of 110 miles for big days out. The wireless electronic SRAM AXS shifting, with that huge 10-50 X01 Eagle cassette is like the icing on the cake.

If the price tag has you going " You could get a car for that! " there are Topstone Neo versions from £4,000.

• Find out more at www.cannondale.com

Not the prettiest gravel e-bike you can buy, but its Yamaha motor should provide plenty of oomph and reliable Shimano GRX components handle the standard bike stuff. The stock tyres are 45mm wide, unusually fat for off-the-peg spec, and that's got to be a good thing.

• Find out more from www.giant-bicycles.com

New to the Merida range is the eSILEX, the brands e-gravel bike. Using a Mahle motor, it looks like a small neat package, and not much like an e-bike! The bike comes in two specs, choose from either the eSILEX 600+ with 650B wheels and a Shimano GRX 1x11 or the 700c eSILEX 400 with a 2x GRX drivetrain. Both have a 250wH battery and both motors put out 40NM of torque. For more details of these bikes and other new Merida road going e-bike, head over to ebiketips.

• Find out more at www.merida-bikes.com

What other e-gravel bikes have you seen that you'd like us to cover and review? All suggestions welcome, leave them in the comments below!

You might also like:

• The best gravel and adventure bikes you can buy for under £2,000
• The best titanium gravel and adventure bikes you can buy
• The best money-no-object gravel and adventure bikes we've tested

Author block

Previously Editor here at off-road.cc, Rachael is happiest on two wheels. Partial to a race or two Rachael also likes getting out into the hills with a big bunch of mates. In the past Rachael has written for publications such as, Enduro Mountain Bike Magazine, Mountain Biking UK, Bike Radar, New Zealand Mountain Biker and was also the online editor for Spoke magazine in New Zealand too. For as long as she's been riding, she has been equally happy getting stuck into a kit review as she is creating stories or doing the site admin. When she's not busy with all the above she's roasting coffee or coaching mountain biking in the Forest of Dean. 

Cairn call it the 2021 version, but as far as I can make out it's on pre-order for third week in December. What's going on there?

Cairn E-Adventure?

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2023 Trek Domane+ e-road bike review: Ultra-quiet, ultra-stealthy

Flagship model weighs just 12.21 kg, and us-spec bikes get a genuinely useful 45 km/h cutoff from the new tq mid-drive motor..

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Trek has today announced the third generation of its Domane+ e-assist road bike, and it’s quite the change from the one that came before. There’s a new motor from German company TQ, a brand-new carbon fiber frame with more advanced carbon fiber content and construction, more tire clearance, and in general, a sleeker and lighter total package that looks and feels more like a “regular” road bike.

It sounds like quite the complete package on paper, and it mostly is in reality – with some caveats, of course. 

The lightning pace of e-bike motor development 

Trek clearly isn’t shy about switching motor suppliers. Each generation of the Domane+ has used a different brand of motor: Bosch on the first generation one, Fazua on the second iteration, and now TQ on this latest third-generation model. 

Why the switch, you wonder? Because it seems like quite the advancement in a number of key areas.

First and foremost, the TQ HPR-50 motor is legitimately tiny, so much so that in profile, you almost wouldn’t guess at all that the Domane+ is an e-bike. Unlike the previous Bosch and Fazua units, the TQ is hidden completely inside a painted-to-match shroud at the bottom bracket with little on the outside to give anything away. Of course, a closer look reveals clues such as the cooling port on the underside of the cover, but even the battery is fully integrated inside the down tube.

Trek is also touting the HPR-50’s unusually quiet operation, which comes about thanks to a unique interior configuration that does away with the usual array of reduction gears and/or belts, and is claimed to reduce internal friction, too. Trek’s official press materials also make mention of the lower Q-factor as compared to the Fazua unit, but don’t get too excited; it’s only down 2 mm in total, and the 163 mm figure is still about 12 mm wider than what you get with Shimano GRX, or 17 mm wider than most dedicated road cranks. 

Be that as it may, the specs of the TQ HPR-50 motor are impressive. The official maximum power output is 300 W (or 50 Nm of torque), and it’s powered by a 360 Wh Li-ion battery in the down tube that Trek claims is good for “up to” 145 km (90 miles) in Eco mode. An optional range extender battery tucks into a water bottle cage for another 160 Wh, and the system can even run on just the range extender battery alone should you want to fly with your new Domane+ and need to tuck in under typical airline battery size restrictions.

Three levels of e-assist are available, each of which can be customized using the Trek Central smartphone app. Switching between the three assist levels is literally at your fingertips thanks to convenient remote buttons positioned next to the brake lever hoods, while the various mode screens on the high-resolution LCD panel on the top tube are accessed directly on that panel. Among the available screen pages are windows for remaining battery life (expressed numerically as both a percentage and time to empty, and visually with bars), current power output, speed, and distance – and when you’re charging the system, the display even gives you a precise countdown to when the battery is full. 

Frame design implications

The bigger benefit of switching to the TQ HPR-50 motor is arguably how it affects the latest Domane+’s frame design. Trek sought to have this version look as much like a non-powered bike as possible, and aside from some generally inflated proportions, that goal seems to have been met.

The motor’s smaller form factor makes for a more normal-looking bottom bracket area, and although the down tube is notably bulbous given the internally housed battery, the whole frame looks surprisingly proportional. The Q-factor may not have changed much, but the more typical chainline has allowed Trek to switch to a standard 142 mm-wide rear hub in place of the “Road Boost” 148 mm one on the previous-generation Domane+, which is a great move for wheel compatibility.

The 2023 Domane+ marks the first time Trek has used its top-end OCLV 800 carbon fiber content. Combined with the integrated down tube battery – meaning there’s no need for a large hatch – Trek claims to have lopped 450 g from the previous Domane+ chassis. Claimed weight for an unpainted 56 cm frame is around 1,250 g. Adding to that is 1,850 g for the motor, 1,835 g for the 360-Wh battery, plus a few more grams for mounting hardware.

That claimed frame weight includes the latest version of Trek’s IsoSpeed pivoting seat cluster concept. This incarnation isn’t adjustable, but it does use a conventional (albeit proprietary) telescoping carbon fiber seatpost instead of the integrated seatmast of previous IsoSpeed-equipped bikes. 

All in, my 52 cm flagship sample with a SRAM Red eTap AXS wireless electronic 1×12 groupset and Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37V carbon clinchers tips the scales at a comparatively svelte 12.21 kg (26.92 lb).

Save for a 10 mm increase in chainstay length – a consequence of the TQ HPR-50’s motor casing size – frame geometry is the same as the non-powered Domane, down to the millimeter. Stack and reach figures are more upright and relaxed as compared to the Madone or Emonda, but both are still pretty sporty overall, and trail figures in the low-60s across the board are intended to provide fairly nimble handling manners. 

Despite those virtually identical dimensions, the Domane+ is approved for tires up to 40 mm-wide, whereas the non-powered Domane tops out at 35 mm. Keep in mind those are Trek’s official ratings, which account for a minimum of 6 mm of space all around. Actual maximum tire sizes will almost certainly be bigger, though that’ll depend on your comfort level for potential frame rub. 

Either way, adding fenders to the hidden front and rear mounts will drop that maximum tire size by 5 mm. 

Naturally, cabling is fully hidden, although the manner in which Trek has gone about it for the new Domane+ isn’t nearly as maddening as it could have been. Lines are run externally on the handlebar before being routing alongside the underside of (not through) the stem and then into ports in the dedicated upper headset cover. Keeping things visually tidy are a cosmetic cover bolted to the bottom of the stem and profiled headset spacers that are also split for easier bar height adjustment. 

Models, availability, and pricing

Trek will offer the new Domane+ in six different build kits, all using the same frame and motor package. There are only three price points, though, with each one offering a SRAM and Shimano variant. Interestingly, all SRAM-equipped bikes will come with 1×12 drivetrains and 40 mm-wide Bontrager gravel tires, while Shimano bikes are set up with 2×12 drivetrains and more tarmac-oriented 32 mm-wide slicks. As usual for Trek’s premium models, Project One custom builds are available in most models, although whichever way you slice it, the prices are awfully high.

Topping the list is the Domane+ SLR 9 eTap P1 (US$13,000 / AU$n/a / £12,900 / €14,500), built with a SRAM Red eTap AXS 1×12 electronic groupset, 25 mm-wide Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37V carbon clinchers, and 40 mm-wide Bontrager GR1 Team Issue gravel tires. Claimed weight is 12.15 kg (26.79 lb).

Sitting alongside that is the Domane+ SLR 9 P1 (US$13,000 / AU$n/a / £12,500 / €14,000), equipped with a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2×12 electronic groupset, 21 mm-wide Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 carbon clinchers, and 32 mm-wide Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite slicks. Claimed weight is 11.75 kg (25.90 lb).

The middle child is the Domane+ SLR 7 eTap P1 (US$10,000 / AU$n/a / £9,750 / €11,000) with a SRAM Force eTap AXS 1×12 electronic groupset, 25 mm-wide Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon clinchers, and 40 mm-wide Bontrager GR1 Team Issue gravel tires. Claimed weight is 12.50 kg (27.56 lb).

Alternatively, the Domane+ SLR 7 P1 (US$10,000 / AU$n/a / £9,450 / €10,600) comes with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 2×12 electronic groupset and the same wheel-and-tire package. Claimed weight is 12.20 kg (26.90 lb).

There’s also a slightly less expensive non-Project One Domane+ SLR 7 (US$9,500 / AU$14,500 / £8,900 / €10,000).

Looking for the fancy TQ motor on a “budget”? The Domane+ SLR 6 eTap P1 (US$9,000 / AU$n/a / £8,900 / €10,000) is equipped with SRAM’s Rival eTap AXS 1×12 electronic groupset, 25 mm-wide Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon clinchers, and 40 mm-wide Bontrager GR1 Team Issue gravel tires. Claimed weight is 12.60 kg (27.78 lb).

If you prefer Shimano, there’s the Domane+ SLR 6 P1 (US$9,000 / AU$n/a / £8,890 / €9,600) with the same wheel-and-tire package, but Shimano’s latest 105 Di2 2×12 electronic groupset. Claimed weight is 12.40 kg (27.34 lb).

Finally, there’s the non-P1 Domane+ SLR 6 (US$8,500 / AU$13,000 / £8,340 / €9,000).

All of the new Domane+ models are supposedly available for ordering and/or purchase starting today.

Like an ever-present hand on your back

I should first point out in this review that your own experience on the new Domane+ will vary greatly depending on where you are. In the US, the TQ HPR-50 motor is allowed to operate at full power up to 45 km/h (28 mph). However, the cutoff in Europe is just 25 km/h, while most other countries will be at various points in between. I did this test in the United States, so take my commentary with a grain of salt if you live in a different region. 

It’s also important to remember that there are essentially two major categories these days: so-called full-power ones such as what you normally see from brands like Bosch and Shimano, and lightweight models such as this new Domane+. Full-power ones are usually rated for around 250 W or so of power (and around 85 Nm of torque), but keep in mind that’s a nominal figure. Peak outputs are usually much, much higher – often more than 800 W. 

But like other e-bikes in this “lightweight” category, the output of the TQ HPR-50 motor is far more modest. It’s rated at 300 W, but that’s the most you’ll ever get out of it (give or take a few watts). Likewise, maximum torque is capped at 50 Nm. The benefit of that reduced output is a huge weight advantage for the motor and battery itself, plus everything else on the bike can be made lighter as well.

That all said, while I know opinions are definitely mixed out there with respect to e-road bikes, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have one heck of a good time testing this thing.

Those full-power e-bikes are undoubtedly fun (so much power!), but the experience can also be so far removed from purely human-powered pedaling that it can almost seem like something other than bike riding. But this Domane+? It’s more like you’ve always got a hand on your back, or the feeling you get when you’re having a really, really (really) good day. 

Trek intends for the Domane+ to feel like a regular road bike, and for the most part, I’m inclined to agree. Power from the TQ motor doesn’t come suddenly like a kick, but more like a building wave. It’s surprisingly subtle, so much so that when you rise out of the saddle to sprint, it almost seems like nothing’s happening – but then you look at your speed and your times, and it’s pretty clear that isn’t the case.

The way that power comes on is interesting, though. It’s not simply a direct proportion of your own output, but a more complex calculation that also takes other factors into account like speed and cadence. From what I can tell, it’s almost like the system has two goals.

One is helping you maintain your speed. For example, when casually cruising at 150 W (and with the highest-power setting selected), there are times the system is putting out 200 W or more. At other times, it’s kicking out almost nothing. But in either case, how much power the system produces depends on how much help it thinks you need, and it does an uncannily good job of figuring that out. 

It’s also pretty impressive when flirting with that 45 km/h cutoff. One of the main drags heading back into town is mostly flat, but with some small rollers and often just enough of a tailwind that you can really build a head of steam. The Domane+ was more than happy to give me a nudge to get me to that magical 45 km/h mark, and then just barely enough power to let me stay just shy of that figure so as to not trigger the cutoff. And when I did cross that line, the cutoff is remarkably gentle, so much so that I kept peeking at the top tube display to see if the system really wasn’t doing anything.  

It’s when climbing that the TQ HPR-50 comes into its own. There, the motor doesn’t seem to just want you to maintain your speed; it wants you to feel like a superhero (at least in full-power mode). Needless to say, the feeling of climbing like that is addictive, but it also highlights the power limitations of the system. Say you’re climbing steady at 200 W and the system is kicking out another 300 W. But if you put down more than that, it’s still topped out at 300 W. Granted, that’s still an awful lot more than I can maintain on my own, but proportionally speaking, it’s more noticeable that the system is cutting power than when you’re hitting the speed limit. 

But it’s still fun.

Unfortunately, there’s another limit to that fun, and Trek’s range claims strike me as a bit ambitious (which isn’t surprising). Granted, range claims are always more than a little fuzzy, and the mountainous terrain of my local stomping grounds certainly has a lot to do with that. One ride in particular covered just 38 km (23.5 miles), but almost 800 m (2,600 ft) of elevation gain – all at maximum power assist (have I mentioned how much fun this bike is?). But when I got back home, the battery capacity was down to a middling 27%. Granted, I could have done that same ride on a lower power setting, but where’s the joy in that?

Here’s where that lightweight vs. full-power thing comes in again. While lightweight models like this Domane+ indeed feel more like non-powered bikes most of the time, there’s no substitute for watt-hours. To put that into perspective, I played around with a Canyon Grail:On gravel e-bike a couple of years ago, which is equipped with a full-power Bosch system and a much bigger battery. One ride I did on that bike covered more than 47 km (29.5 miles) with just shy of 1,200 m (3850 ft) of elevation gain – and there was enough juice left at the end that I almost could have done that ride twice. 

Granted, that bike was more of a bruiser than this Domane+, which does really feel a lot like a good, non-powered road bike in many respects. While it’s fun to blast around in full-power mode, kicking things down a notch or so dramatically extends battery life. There’s some noticeable friction in the TQ motor when pedaling without power at all – more from the bearing seals than parasitic mechanical losses, from what I can tell – but it’s not bad at all, and it certainly pales in comparison to what the motor is putting out.

Aside for the extra weight, the Domane+ genuinely feels pretty normal – certainly enough so that you don’t feel like you have to be in full-power mode all the time. And just as promised, the TQ HPR-50 motor is remarkably quiet so you’re not always audibly reminded what you’re riding, either. There is a whir that grows proportionally louder with pedaling cadence, but even at its loudest, you can barely make it out from the hum of your tires. At higher speeds, it’s drowned out entirely by wind noise. It’s easy to forget about it.

About that speed cutoff

As I mentioned earlier, your experience on an e-road bike will vary greatly depending on where you’re riding it (or perhaps more specifically, where you’ve purchased it). Although I found the Domane+ to be incredibly entertaining, it would have been very different had the motor cut out at 25 km/h as it would in Europe. There, the Domane+ would still be a blast when climbing, or perhaps more as a dedicated light-duty gravel rig with those 40 mm-wide tires. However, I’m not sure how much fun it’d be otherwise (and I know CyclingTips senior tech editor Dave Rome agrees on this one ).

Kudos to Trek and TQ for so thoroughly engineering the motor assist cutoff when you do bump up against that mandated speed limit. Unlike many other e-bikes I’ve ridden, the power drops off gently and seamlessly, rather than feeling so abrupt that you wonder if a wire has suddenly come loose. 

But even then, the 25 km/h cutoff that much of the world would see on this thing also severely cuts into its utility. It’s virtually guaranteed that someone riding a Domane+ wouldn’t be able to enjoy a bunch ride with friends since they’d essentially be dragging an ineffective anchor all the time, and even more gradual climbs would likely be frustrating as the motor continually cuts in and out. It’d still be a boon for longer climbs if you’re ok with taking it a bit slower, and certainly on steeper ones. But aside from that, I’d urge anyone considering their first e-road bike purchase to seriously ponder the effects of that speed limit. 

What about the non-motorized bits?

Handling mostly feels like the regular Domane (and you can expect a review of the new non-powered Domane SLR from me shortly, too), although there are some caveats. I find it interesting that Trek equips the Domane+ models with such a broad spread in tire sizes, as it does affect the steering. I first tried my test bike with the stock 40 mm-wide Bontrager GR1 Team Issue gravel tires, and it was… ok. The steering felt heavy off-center, and the bike wasn’t nearly as eager to initiate turns as I would have expected. But when I switched to 35 mm-wide Schwalbe G-One RS tires, the handling instantly became much more natural, easily diving into turns and flowing through corners as it should. 

Switching tires also highlighted another downside. Although the stock Bontrager gravel tires are quite grippy on hardpack and tarmac, they’re also surprisingly slow-rolling. With those Schwalbes installed, the bike felt much faster and alive (and I’m sure there’s a positive impact on battery range, too). 

Ride quality improved with the tire change, too, but it still couldn’t completely mask the imbalance between the front and rear ends. Trek’s IsoSpeed feature continues to work brilliantly, offering an incredibly smooth and compliant feel that (at least for me) never feels overly bouncing or intrusive. But even with the bigger Bontragers fitted, the front end is dramatically stiffer. Even medium-sized impacts jar your hands, and trying to attack washboard sections of packed dirt is absolutely brutal. My guess is the massively oversized down tube has a lot to do with this, which is something I’ve noticed on other e-bikes with similar proportions. 

There are some other quirks, too.

One of the TQ display screens is supposed to separately show your output and that of the motor. The motor figure seems believable enough, but the display of your output seems dramatically low. Granted, I didn’t verify this with a separate power meter, but I know what 200 W feels like, and when I see 150 W on the display, something seems off.

Aside from the tires, I don’t have much to complain about regarding the spec. The 10-44T cassette and 42T chainring offer plenty of range, and shift quality is very good. The jumps between sprockets are still a little bigger than I’d prefer for group road rides, but it’s fine when out solo. And kudos to TQ for powering the rear derailleur directly by the main system battery. It’s clean and convenient, and one less battery to worry about (although that also means if the system is totally, completely dead, you now can’t shift, either). 

The Bontrager finishing kit is generally excellent. The snub-nosed Verse Pro saddle is comfy, the Aeolus RSL 37V wide-format carbon wheels are fantastic, and kudos to whoever at Trek specified this wonderfully grippy and squishy bar tape. But the handlebar underneath that tape? I’m sure someone likes it, but it’s definitely not my cup of tea. The short reach and deep drop are an odd combo, and I was never able to find a remotely comfortable position for my hands in the drops. Thankfully, Trek’s solution for concealed cabling allows you to use any bar with a 31.8 mm clamp diameter.

Super fun, but keep the limitations in mind

Trek’s move to the TQ motor platform is interesting, if for no other reason than its longstanding relationships with other (and much better established) motor suppliers. However, the company clearly sees advantages in what the TQ HPR-50 provides, and after riding it myself, it’s hard to argue with Trek’s decision: it looks better, it’s quieter, and while TQ’s long-term reliability still needs to be proven, the simpler mechanical layout at least bodes well since there’s less to go wrong in there.

As promised, the Domane+ does feel a lot like a regular road bike in a lot of ways, and it’s undeniably fun to ride. But as I mentioned earlier, the experience will vary greatly with where you’re riding it. Although I found the bike incredibly entertaining, it would have been very different had the motor cut out at 25 km/h as it would in Europe. There, the Domane+ would still be a blast when climbing, but I’m not sure how much fun it’d be otherwise.

Either way, those looking for the more visceral thrills of a full-powered e-road bike won’t be blown away by the TQ motor’s modest specifications, but if you’re after more of a traditional feel with a little bit of a boost – and live in the right country – this seems like a bike well worth considering. 

More information can be found at www.trekbikes.com .

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\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/16-attention-grabbing-bikes-sea-otter-classic\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"gallery: 16 attention grabbing bikes from the sea otter classic\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/16-attention-grabbing-bikes-sea-otter-classic\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"gallery: 16 attention grabbing bikes from the sea otter classic\"}}\u0027>\n gallery: 16 attention grabbing bikes from the sea otter classic\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"sea otter randoms: riser handlebars, nifty racks, and tubes aren\u2019t dead","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/sea-otter-randoms-riser-handlebars-nifty-racks-and-tubes-arent-dead\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/sea-otter-randoms-riser-handlebars-nifty-racks-and-tubes-arent-dead\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"sea otter randoms: riser handlebars, nifty racks, and tubes aren\u2019t dead\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/sea-otter-randoms-riser-handlebars-nifty-racks-and-tubes-arent-dead\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"sea otter randoms: riser handlebars, nifty racks, and tubes aren\u2019t dead\"}}\u0027>\n sea otter randoms: riser handlebars, nifty racks, and tubes aren\u2019t dead\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"carapaz roars to stage win in tour de romandie as race leader ayuso blows","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/richard-carapaz-roars-to-stage-win-in-tour-de-romandie-as-race-leader-juan-ayuso-blows\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/richard-carapaz-roars-to-stage-win-in-tour-de-romandie-as-race-leader-juan-ayuso-blows\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"carapaz roars to stage win in tour de romandie as race leader ayuso blows\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/richard-carapaz-roars-to-stage-win-in-tour-de-romandie-as-race-leader-juan-ayuso-blows\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"carapaz roars to stage win in tour de romandie as race leader ayuso blows\"}}\u0027>\n carapaz roars to stage win in tour de romandie as race leader ayuso blows\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"xpedo\u2019s new power meter pedals are ready for the spotlight","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/xpedo-new-power-sonik-omni-and-thrust-omni-meter-pedals-sea-otter-classic\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/xpedo-new-power-sonik-omni-and-thrust-omni-meter-pedals-sea-otter-classic\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"xpedo\u2019s new power meter pedals are ready for the spotlight\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/xpedo-new-power-sonik-omni-and-thrust-omni-meter-pedals-sea-otter-classic\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"xpedo\u2019s new power meter pedals are ready for the spotlight\"}}\u0027>\n xpedo\u2019s new power meter pedals are ready for the spotlight\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"mathieu van der poel realistic about quest for monument sweep: \u2018even with roubaix legs i cannot follow poga\u010dar\u2019","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/mathieu-van-der-poel-realistic-about-quest-for-fourth-monument-even-with-roubaix-legs-i-cannot-follow-pogacar-here\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/mathieu-van-der-poel-realistic-about-quest-for-fourth-monument-even-with-roubaix-legs-i-cannot-follow-pogacar-here\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"mathieu van der poel realistic about quest for monument sweep: \u2018even with roubaix legs i cannot follow poga\u010dar\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/mathieu-van-der-poel-realistic-about-quest-for-fourth-monument-even-with-roubaix-legs-i-cannot-follow-pogacar-here\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"mathieu van der poel realistic about quest for monument sweep: \u2018even with roubaix legs i cannot follow poga\u010dar\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n mathieu van der poel realistic about quest for monument sweep: \u2018even with roubaix legs i cannot follow poga\u010dar\u2019\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"highbar wants to revolutionize your helmet straps","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/highbar-wants-to-revolutionize-your-helmet-straps\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/highbar-wants-to-revolutionize-your-helmet-straps\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"highbar wants to revolutionize your helmet straps\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/highbar-wants-to-revolutionize-your-helmet-straps\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"highbar wants to revolutionize your helmet straps\"}}\u0027>\n highbar wants to revolutionize your helmet straps\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"8 new shoes from giro, q36.5, shimano, fizik, lake, and crankbrothers","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/8-new-shoes-from-giro-q36-5-shimano-fizik-lake-and-crankbrothers\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/8-new-shoes-from-giro-q36-5-shimano-fizik-lake-and-crankbrothers\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"8 new shoes from giro, q36.5, shimano, fizik, lake, and crankbrothers\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/8-new-shoes-from-giro-q36-5-shimano-fizik-lake-and-crankbrothers\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"8 new shoes from giro, q36.5, shimano, fizik, lake, and crankbrothers\"}}\u0027>\n 8 new shoes from giro, q36.5, shimano, fizik, lake, and crankbrothers\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"the cadex race integrated bar is as light as it is good looking","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/cadex-race-integrated-bar-first-look\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/cadex-race-integrated-bar-first-look\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the cadex race integrated bar is as light as it is good looking\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/cadex-race-integrated-bar-first-look\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the cadex race integrated bar is as light as it is good looking\"}}\u0027>\n the cadex race integrated bar is as light as it is good looking\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"the ritchey montebello brings steel goodness to all-road","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/ritchey-montebello-brings-steel-goodness-to-all-road\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/ritchey-montebello-brings-steel-goodness-to-all-road\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the ritchey montebello brings steel goodness to all-road\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/ritchey-montebello-brings-steel-goodness-to-all-road\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the ritchey montebello brings steel goodness to all-road\"}}\u0027>\n the ritchey montebello brings steel goodness to all-road\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"the thesis n1 wants to be your sole drop bar bike for everything","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/thesis-n1-do-everything-drop-bar-bike\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/thesis-n1-do-everything-drop-bar-bike\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the thesis n1 wants to be your sole drop bar bike for everything\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/thesis-n1-do-everything-drop-bar-bike\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the thesis n1 wants to be your sole drop bar bike for everything\"}}\u0027>\n the thesis n1 wants to be your sole drop bar bike for everything\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"time to plan your next trip: 5 companies with new bike bags at sea otter","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/new-bike-bags-at-this-years-sea-otter\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/new-bike-bags-at-this-years-sea-otter\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"time to plan your next trip: 5 companies with new bike bags at sea otter\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/new-bike-bags-at-this-years-sea-otter\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"time to plan your next trip: 5 companies with new bike bags at sea otter\"}}\u0027>\n time to plan your next trip: 5 companies with new bike bags at sea otter\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"ride the rockies canceled for 2024, future uncertain","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/ride-the-rockies-canceled-due-to-low-registration-future-uncertain\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/ride-the-rockies-canceled-due-to-low-registration-future-uncertain\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"ride the rockies canceled for 2024, future uncertain\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/ride-the-rockies-canceled-due-to-low-registration-future-uncertain\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"ride the rockies canceled for 2024, future uncertain\"}}\u0027>\n ride the rockies canceled for 2024, future uncertain\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "}]' > >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>advertise >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>privacy policy >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>contact 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Reviews, Ride Experiences, Calendar, Resources & More!

All-New 2023 TREK Domane PLUS E-Bike: Gravel Use & More?

“Trek recently released the all-new Domane+ SLR, a natural-feeling performance e-road bike with an unprecedented weight-to-speed ratio. Weighing in at just around 11.8 kg with a 28 mph (25 km/h in Europe) max assist, the Domane+ SLR is an electric road bike unlike any that have come before.” – https://TrekBikes.com

2023 Trek Domane Plus SLR Video

Alternative Video Link for those reading via email subscription .

In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist runs through many of the standout features of the all-new Trek Domane Plus, as a preview to a coming long-term review. Several variants of the Domane are on offer, this be the Domane Plus SLR 9 eTap (Red) in 50cm, we have a 54cm sample inbound a little later.

Love or hate them, E-Bikes are here to stay, and they have many uses:

• Enable a friend / partner who doesn’t ride as much to join their friends / partners who possess a higher level of fitness.
• Athlete Recovery – The intended use of this review sample of the Domane Plus. In the company of the currently recovering from surgery Lady Gravel Cyclist, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew will be taking a road trip into New England and beyond. The Domane Plus will help LGC reclaim fitness, and likely hurt JOM considerably more than usual, every time the road tilts upward.
• Gravel Use? Yep, this bike will fit 700c x 40mm tyres no worries at all.
• Motorpacing? Yep! LGC will be dragging JOM about the place at some point, as he attempts to garner some higher-end fitness.

A huge thank you to Trek Bicycles for kindly supplying this bike to aid in LGC’s recovery from injury.

Continued from Above:

“Domane+ SLR 9 is a category-redefining, high-speed assist carbon e-road bike that doesn’t look, fit, or feel like a standard e-bike. It’s built on an 800 Series OCLV Carbon frame that hides a compact and refined motor to elevate your ride with natural-feeling assist. The motor quietly blends in with the elements, all but disappearing under you on peaceful solo spins and club rides, so you stay more connected to the experience while enjoying extra power for crushing climbs and long, epic adventures. Adding the cherry on top, it’s equipped with the industry’s most premium parts, like SRAM’s best wireless electronic drivetrain— RED eTap AXS .”

Gravel Ready

“Domane+ SLR eTap comes with 40mm gravel tires and a gravel-specific SRAM XPLR drivetrain so you can easily, comfortably, and reliably venture onto gravel roads.”

Compact, Quiet & Mighty E-System

“The TQ harmonic pin ring motor is super efficient with an amazing range-to-weight-to-speed ratio. It’s ultra-compact, whisper-quiet, and offers an unbelievably natural-feeling assist up to 28 mph.”

Ultra Lightweight

“Domane+ SLR is our lightest e-bike ever, weighing only ~26 pounds thanks to our best and lightest 800 Series OCLV Carbon and a smart frame designed to shave weight.”

Designed to go the Distance

“An integrated 360Wh battery is hidden in the downtube and offers an impressive range of around 60 miles in Eco mode.”

Optional Range Extender

“Explore farther with an optional 160Wh Range Extender that gives you an extended total range of around 90 miles in Eco mode. Want even more miles? The Trek Connect App lets you customize your assist to extend your range even more.”

Road-Smoothing Rear Isospeed

“ Newly refined IsoSpeed comfort technology shaves weight and soaks up fatiguing bumps in the road so you can ride stronger for longer.”

Real Road Feel

“A road-specific tune, road bike Q factor, and intuitive mode change buttons on the hoods make Domane+ SLR feel and handle like a traditional bike with the added benefits of electric.”

Additional Photos

Support Gravel Cyclist: Buy Me a Coffee – https://www.buymeacoffee.com/gravelcyclist OR Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/gravelcyclist

Links of Interest:

• Trek Bicycle – https://trekbikes.com
• All-New 2023 Trek Domane: Gravel Bike AND Endurance Road?
• SRAM XPLR Groupset Review: 1x Specific for Gravel Cycling
• Gravel Cyclist’s Route Library

Don’t forget to Like the Gravel Cyclist Facebook page , follow G.C. on Instagram , and subscribe to our Youtube Channel . We are also on Twitter !

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The 6 Best Gravel Bikes for Touring, Commuting, and Casual Trail Rides

Glide over rocks and roots with one of these powerful and speedy bicycles made to handle gravel.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

Finding the right gravel bike means grabbing a versatile beast that’s good for various kinds of riding. If you’re looking for a gravel bike for commuting, touring, road riding, and bikepacking, these are the best on the market.

Need more wheels? Check out our picks for the best bikes , electric scooters for adults , and e-bikes .

The Best Gravel Bikes

Best Overall

Cannondale topstone carbon 4 gravel bike.

Most Affordable

Surly preamble gravel bike.

Best for Beginners

Specialized diverge e5 gravel bike.

Best for Touring

Trek checkpoint sl 5 gravel bike.

Best E-Bike

Ride1up roadster v2 gravel bike.

REI Co-op Cycles ADV 2.2 Gravel Bike

What to consider.

Road bikes have skinny tires built for pavement, while mountain bikes have wider ones for rough terrain. Gravel bikes sit somewhere between the two, meaning they can handle the best of both worlds.

Tire size is told in two measurements: The first number indicates wheel diameter and the second, tire thickness. The diameter of most gravel bike wheels is 700c (the “c” means nothing here; it’s from an old French naming system) or 27.5 inches, though that varies a bit based on the tire’s tread pattern and type. Widths for gravel bike tires generally fall between 30 and 50 millimeters. (So, a gravel bike product listing may state that the bike has 700cx41mm tires, which means the tires are 27.5 inches in diameter and 41 mm in thickness.)

The wider the tire, the more stable and supportive your ride will be. Opt for wider tires if you’re taking a gravel bike on the trails or hauling cargo while bikepacking. If your gravel bike will double as a commuter, reach for one with thinner tires that can handle occasional off-roading.

Suspension is for smoothing out bumpy rides. Some gravel bikes stabilize the rider with frame-flexing technology, while others have front suspension, softening the impact of bumps and preventing you from accidentally jerking your handlebars. While grabbing a bicycle with many shock-absorbing mechanisms can provide a smoother ride, remember that these features add weight and may needlessly run up maintenance costs. A gravel bike with no suspension handles rough terrain just fine, so only opt for a suspension pick if you really want the extra stability over bumps.

Mount and Accessories

Your gravel bike can act as your mule on long rides, helping to haul cargo and carry extra accessories, but you need mounting points on your bike to do so. Many gravel bikes have built-in mounts for customizing your cargo-carrying ability. This is useful for long-distance travel and bike tours where hauling extra food, water, and camping gear is essential. We recommend saddle bags and backpacks for those on short commutes and trail rides. In any case, don’t forget a water bottle cage.

Gravel bikes occasionally come with fender mounts, which are coverings that go over your tires to block rain, moisture, and mud from hitting your legs. Fenders, also known as mud guards, are an excellent investment for those planning to bike in unpredictable weather or sloshy terrain.

How We Evaluated

To find the best gravel bikes, we consulted our review archives from Bicycling , and talked with deputy editor Tara Seplavy for recs on the best gravel bikes we’ve tested in our labs over the years. We also referenced cycling publications like Cycling Weekly , Bike Radar , and Cyclingnews . In addition to critical reviews and competitive testing, we also read through customer reviews to see what users had to say about our picks.

The Cannondale Topstone Carbon 4 is a well-rounded gravel bike that can handle a rough trail as easily as a smoothly paved commute.

Its carbon frame makes the bike light and nimble, while the proprietary Kingpin thru-axel (the wheel’s attachment system) suspension allows the bike’s rear to flex and soften the blows of cobblestone, gravel, and uneven paths.

This bike has multiple mounts for racks and bottles, plus six millimeters of clearance for fenders. Its dropped chain-stay design—which allows for more chain slack between the pedals and rear wheel—accommodates tires sizes up to 45mm in width. It has plenty of power for climbing steep hills and it’s a solid price for its package.

The Preamble is Surly’s budget gravel bike made of hefty steel, kitted out with only the features that matter most. This barebones philosophy of the Preamble’s build helps slim down an otherwise heavy material while cutting costs, with prices starting at $899.

The bike comes in sizes XS to XL, fitting riders from 5 feet tall up to 6 foot 7. It has a maximum tire clearance of 650b (the standard tire size for smaller bikes) x 41 mm tires for the smaller sizes and 700c x 41 mm tires for the larger sizes, with plenty room for mudguards. The bike is also available in flat and drop bar configurations to fit your preferences.

The bare minimum components also means this bike may be more effective as a commuter than a touring bike. Although there are rack mounts in the front and rear of the frame, some reviewers say the Preamble is best suited for light backpacking trips and small adventures where you don’t need to overload the ride.

The aluminum-framed Diverge E5 from Specialized is an excellent bike if you’re new to the gravel world. The bike features a huge tire clearance, handling sizes up to 700x47mm or 650b x 53mm, for smaller frames. It has plenty of mounting points for bags, accessories, racks, and fenders. It also doesn’t have any integrated parts, which means you can take care of maintenance at home, without the use of professional tools.

Bicycling tester Dan Chabanov says it’s one of the most versatile bikes on the market, adopting a sportier or more rugged feel with a simple swap of the tires. It can also fit a wide range of bodies with seven different sizes available.

While it’s not as super loaded as the pricier options on this list, the Diverge E5 is a beginner-friendly pitch to cycling due to its versatility, ride quality, and price.

Trek’s Checkpoint series carries some of the company’s most popular gravel rides, and its SL, or super light, model is a solid entry for bikepacking or touring. This carbon-frame bicycle has several mounts for racks, cages, and mud guards, and even has internal storage in its downtube—the front part of the bike's frame closest to your shins—for safekeeping small items.

The proprietary suspension technology helps stabilize the bike over gravel and terrain, smoothing rough rides. It’s also got enough clearance to support large tires up to 700x45mm.

This bike is one of the more comfortable options we recommend, and comfort is vital when you’re spending a long time on a bike saddle.

City dwellers and light trail shredders should consider the Roadster v2 to power through their commutes. This Roadster v2 is a lightweight e-bike with a concealed battery, a quiet motor, and an aluminum frame. It has a 350-watt geared hub motor and can reach 24 miles per hour at top speed. It also has pedal assist to help climb, with one San Francisco-based user saying it has the power to push them up most of the city’s hills with no issues.

This top-rated product is best for casual users who seek an e-bike that doesn’t look like one. Don’t expect this to take you far, though—the battery life range varies between 20 and 30 miles, making this a better pick for commuters than for adventurers. It’s also heavy, which could be a pain for those frequently using stairs for their living or office spaces.

If you’re a newbie to the gravel world and want peace of mind with that hefty price tag, the ADV 2.2 is a low-risk purchase with tons of positive reviews and generous customer support. Made under REI’s in-house bike label, Co-op Cycles, this bike comes with a one-year adjustment period to ensure you love what you’re riding. REI Co-op members also get access to free flat tire repairs as needed.

Straightforward, comfortable, and beginner-friendly, the ADV 2.2 has 20 gears for uphill traction and runs very smooth on the trail. Customers recommend it for REI’s generous return policy, tune-up services, and reliability. Some don’t like the bike’s mechanical disc brakes, which are weaker than hydraulic ones, but they’re cheaper to upkeep.

Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.

As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.

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A roundup of the best electric bikes from all disciplines of pedal-assisted cycling

Best electric bikes under £1,000 / $1,000

Best electric bikes under £2,000 / $2,000, best electric commuter bikes, best electric road bikes, best electric gravel bikes, how to choose the best electric bike for you.

The best electric bikes cover a bewildering range of different styles and prices. If you're not looking to spend too much, we've found a selection of the best electric bikes under £1,000 / $1,000 , and the best electric bike under $2,000 / £2,000 , but you can pay over £10,000 / $10,000 for the best lightweight electric bikes which can weigh little more than a normal drop bar race bike.

As well as drop bar electric bikes, there's a wide range of flat bar hybrid electric bikes, designed for commuting and leisure use, while for a trip to work via public transport or if space is limited, riders might be best served by the best folding electric bikes .

You'll find our picks of the best electric bikes by price point and by type below, or head to the bottom of the page for our buyer's guide to how to choose the best electric bike for your needs.

Best electric bikes available today

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

First of all, we've broken down our choice of the best electric bikes by price. But electric bikes come in a variety of different types. Just like pedal-powered bikes, you can find e-bikes designed for commuting, for performance road use and for gravel biking, so we've got our picks in these categories too.

If you're looking for the best electric mountain bikes , check out our sister site Bike Perfect for all things MTB.

Rad Power Bikes RadMission 1

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The RadMission Electric Metro bike is an e-hybrid designed for getting around town, to work, and taking on leisure rides at the weekend. With mounts galore for all the accessories you can think of - mudguards/fenders, a rear pannier rack, bottle cage and a basket, you can customise this bike to suit your needs.

With an internal hub motor and single-speed gearing, the RadMission is relatively low-maintenance, with fewer drivetrain components exposed to the elements. Having a single gearing reduces the complexity for those who aren't used to using them, and the grip-twist throttle (making this a US Class 2 e-bike, see below for more on this) will make it easy to get up hills when you need to.

It's US only though.

Sixthreezero EVRYjourney

Different people have different needs. If you live somewhere where the regulations allow for a Class-III bike then this might be worth considering. When you've got to mix with vehicle traffic the max 28mph might feel safer. If that all sounds like it's speaking to your needs and you want the style of a beach cruiser then Sixthreezero has a bike for you. The Sixthreezero EVRYjourney 500W is a 7-speed bike with twist grip shifting and mechanical disc brakes. The battery is removable for charging and if you don't want to pedal at all you can use full-electric power up to 20mph.  

Pure Flux One Electric Hybrid Bike

The Pure Flux One is an electric hybrid bike that looks like a regular bike frame with a hidden motor in the back wheel and a battery that sits where a bottle cage would normally be, helping it to blend in. If you don't want to ride something that stands out as an electric bike, this could be the one for you.

Thanks to the Gates belt drive in place of the usual metal chain, there's no oil or lubricant to worry about when you're tinkering, meaning you won't get your hands (or clothes) dirty.

Finally, at 18kg, the Pure Flux One is extremely lightweight for an e-bike at this price point, and represents excellent value for money. It's only sold in the UK though.

Carrera Crosscity folding bike

If you have limited space for storing bikes in your office or need to take your bike on a train at any point, then this bike is an ideal choice for you. When you consider that this has a motor and a host of great features, the value is incredible.

The rear hub motor has a range of up to 30 miles and can push you up to speeds of 25km/h, which should make light work of any commute. The discreetly hidden battery has a recharge time of six hours, which will take longer than most here, but you can still fully charge it at the office before heading home again. Plus, it even has a USB port that can be used to power lights or charge your phone. The motor is controlled by a mini LED display on the handlebars which allows you to choose from three assistance levels. 

Elops 120 E Step Over Classic

This traditionally styled electric bike from Decathlon comes with a whole host of features that make it perfect for getting about town on. First and foremost, it comes with a removable battery that can power you for between 20 and 50km depending on how much assistance you choose to have. This is all controlled by a simple console on the bars which also shows you the remaining battery life. The power is intelligently pedal-assisted, so it’ll kick in naturally when you start to cycle and switch off when you come to a halt. There’s even a walk mode to help you push your bike when you need to do so. 

It comes with six gears to keep you rolling both on the flat and uphill, and front and rear lights and mudguards already installed to keep you riding during the winter months. To finish it off, 45mm tyres and a wide saddle mean you’ll be as comfortable as possible when cycling.

Decathlon doesn't sell the Elops 120 in the US, but it's available Europe-wide.

Rockrider E-ST 100 Electric Mountain Bike

Another Europe-only option from Decathlon, the Rockrider E-ST100 is a well-equipped trail mountain bike with 100mm of front suspension travel in a Suntour fork and 2.2-inch all-terrain tyres. It comes complete with 720mm wide bars for close control on the bike, and 180mm disc brakes for impressive stopping power. Although it doesn’t come with tubeless tyres fitted, the wheels are tubeless compatible; a perfect upgrade to make should you wish to do so. 

Alongside the eight-speed gears, electrical power is delivered via a pedal assist of up to 250w of power helping you to get to the top of trails with ease. The motor has three power modes and if there is a bit of trail you can’t pedal up, the walk-assist feature makes sure you can walk the bike uphill with ease. The average battery life of 2.25 hours means should get plenty of time out on the trails.

Schwinn EC1

The Schwinn EC1 is a bike that will give you the joy of riding a classic cruiser but with little of the effort normally involved. Whilst the bike might not have any top-of-the-range components, it does have a 250W electric motor and offers fantastic value for money. 

The bike will assist you up to 20mph in its top power mode, but if you use the motor in its eco mode, you’ll be able to get almost 40 miles of assisted riding. The bike comes with wide tyres for a plush ride on the road, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, they should handle some loose ground, should you wish to head down the bike path.

Co-op Cycles CTY e1.1 Electric Bike

Over the last few years, REI has been making some of the best bikes in their categories under the Co-op brand name. The bikes have a reputation for being better than their price and the CTY e1.1 follows the pattern. It's a Class-I bike without a throttle and powered by a Bafang rear hub motor. The battery is removable for charging and shifting through the seven gears uses Shimano components.

The CTY e1.1 is marked as REI members only, but membership only adds £30 to the price.  

Aventon Level Commuter

Most low-cost electric bikes fall into a range of a few styles. The Aventon Level is for the commuter, meaning it's a do-it-all kind of city bike. Being a class III bike, it will feel comfortable mixing with traffic if you ride at rush hour and there's a throttle  when you need it. 

The included fenders are quality alloy pieces and the frame has a lifetime guarantee. There's even a dealer network if you want to see how the bike feels before having one sent your direction. 

Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4

Rad Power bikes is a go-to name in the marketplace. If you are looking for a low price and high quality, they are tough to beat. The Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 is the bike that makes it possible to haul two kids and a load of groceries all while staying within budget. 

Total payload capacity comes in at 350lbs and the rear rack can take 120lbs. Other cargo centric features include a sturdy double-sided kickstand and a low standover height. The long slender rear rack does lend itself to passengers over cargo but pick up a few accessories and you can carry as much as a car.  

Electra Townie Go! 7D Electric Cruiser Bike

Trek is one of the largest bike brands in the world. It is well known, has a large dealer network, and is easy to deal with. If you like the idea of sticking with a trusted brand name like Trek then it makes sense to take a look at the electric bikes it produces. Electra is the brand name that covers the most stylish cruiser electric bikes Trek has available. 

The Townie Go! 7D is a low-cost class I bike that might be mistaken for a standard pedal bike. It looks great and makes it easy to enjoy a day on the boardwalk.

Raleigh Array

The Raleigh Array makes for a great entry-level e-bike, thanks to its simple and user-friendly build, as well as its affordable price tag. Available in three different frame shapes - a low step-through, a staggered top tube, or a horizontal top tube - there's something to suit most people's abilities and preferences.

Off the shelf it's ready to roll straight into its commuting and carrying duties, thanks to the inclusion of front and rear mudguards, a rear pannier rack, a kickstand and integrated front and rear lights. Just throw on your helmet and go.

Plus if you want a bike that looks good, it's hard to deny the fun and retro style of this bike from Raleigh, with its classic tan-coloured tyres and matching saddle and grips. 

Meanwhile the Suntour e25 Hub Drive motor system at its core offers three different assist levels, combined with seven gears to help you conquer your local landscape.

Eovolt City Four

Leaving the car at home to commute by bike is great for your health and for the environment, however it's not always practical for those who live too far away to make it feasible. Combining cycling with catching a bus or train certainly makes it more achievable, but doing so with a full-sized bike can be incredibly frustrating (or even impossible) thanks to some train companies' policies.

That's where a folding e-bike really gets to shine. You have all the benefits of riding a pedal-assisted bike to work, and you can also fold it down in mere seconds to hop on a train before finishing your journey on two wheels. Eovolt's folding mechanism is said to be so fast and user-friendly, you can fold it down in 10 seconds.

The City Four is ready for your commute, with a full set of mudguards, a rear rack and integrated front and rear lights. Its 16 inch wheels are shod with chunky, puncture-resistant tyres to help you tackle potholed streets, while the brand's proprietary motor offers five levels of assistance and up to 50km range.

Specialized Turbo Vado SL

Our expert review:

With an upright riding position, robust alloy frame, integrated lights and a lightweight design, the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 is a great option for the everyday commuter and urban cyclist running errands by bike. The drive system is the brand's own and sees a 320Wh battery integrated into the frame. 

The mid-drive motor system makes the bike a 1x design but that only simplifies shifting, and coming with the 11-speed 11-42 cassette it can mountain goat up many a city climb. Rolling on 700c wheels, the 38mm Specialized Pathfinder Sport tyres will take the sting out of kerbs and potholes and when you need to drop the anchors, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and 160mm rotors will stop you on a dime. 

Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625

Available in standard, dropped top tube, and step through versions, the Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro is a commuter bike built for riders of all shapes and sizes. Using Bosch’s fourth-generation GX drive unit and Cube’s Modular Battery system, the Kathmandu hides the battery behind an easy-access cover on the down tube, which not only protects it from the elements but also leaves space should you want to slot in a bigger battery. 

Instead of the typical bolt-on racks you find on most commuter bikes; Cube has opted to make the Integrated Carrier 2.0 over the rear wheel a permanent fixture of the bike. This provides a more stable platform for whatever you may be carrying, and makes for a clean, integrated look. 

At the front, the bike sees a tapered head tube and 100mm SR Suntour fork. The cables are routed internally, and shifting duties are looked after by a Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain. 

Brompton Electric

Whether you live in a small apartment, use multiple forms of transport on your commute, or your destination doesn’t have secure bike storage, a folding bike might just be your best option. Brompton has long been the gold standard in folding bikes, and its electric version takes the origami bike you know and love, and adds pedal assist. The bike still gets a choice of handlebars, six-speed wide range gearing, and even the rear damper to improve ride comfort. 

It uses a 250-watt front hub-based motor and a handlebar-mounted 300Wh removable battery pack, that Brompton says has enough juice for between 30km and 70km, and takes four hours to recharge. What’s most surprising is Brompton says the bike only weighs 17.4kg, which is on par with some non-pedal assist folders

Have a read of our Brompton Electric C-Line review to find out more.

Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo

The Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo SL looks almost identical to a standard road bike, and thanks to the nifty SL1.1 drive system it isn't all that much heavier. Specialized worked with Brose to design its own motor, which is claimed to weigh just 1.96kg and produce 240 watts of assistance. Integrated into the downtube is a 320Wh battery, which Specialized says weighs 1.8kg. There's a 60Wh range extender available that fits into a bottle cage should you be headed out for an epic adventure. 

Specialized has integrated its e-bike system with its Mission Control App, which allows you to run diagnostics and customize how much pedal assist is on offer.

The S-Works Turbo Creo SL is the brand's top-tier model and sees a top spec Fact11r carbon frame and the Future Shock 2.0 with tunable dampening. The frame uses thru-axles front and rear and is kitted out with a SRAM Red eTap AXS drivetrain with a 10-44T cassette.

Trek Domane + LT

The Trek Domane LT platform takes almost everything we love about Trek’s endurance road bike and gives you a bit of extra oomph to get you up any climb. The frame is made from 500 Series OCLV carbon, features the brand’s IsoSpeed decoupler, clearance for up to 38c tyres, and sees a nearly identical geometry to the non-assisted version. 

Using a Fauza drive system, the motor can output 250W and is powered by a 250Wh removable battery stored in the downtube, which means you don’t have to charge your entire bike, but also that you can ride the bike without the battery if you want.

The Domane + LT sees almost all the bells and whistles the non-pedal-assist version offers including the dual IsoSpeed decouplers, although it doesn't get the downtube storage as that is where the battery is located. 

Bianchi E-Impulso

The Bianchi e-Impulso takes advantage of the Mahle ebikemotion drive system and is one of the most stealthy-looking electric bikes on the market. The power button on the top tube gives the game away; the 250Wh battery is hidden inside the downtube, and the rear hub-based motor provides up to 40Nm of torque at full bore. 

The aluminium frame is mated with a carbon fork, while the bike sees an 11-speed Ultegra drivetrain, Vision Velomann tubeless-ready wheels finished in 32mm Vittoria rubber, and Velomann finishing kit. 

It's a road bike at heart, but Bianchi also makes the bike with a gravel-friendly build that will tackle the rough stuff. 

Cannondale Topstone Neo Lefty 3

Cannondale's Topstone Neo is a spiritual descendant on steroids of the venerable Slate. Based on the chassis of the carbon Topstone Lefty, the 30mm KingPin pivot based rear suspension is matched with the Lefty Oliver single stanchion fork, offering 30mm of air-spring suspension. The Lefty fork is a bit of an engineering marvel, and is one of the stiffest forks on the market, and sees hydraulic damping and lockout. Suspension on a gravel bike always induces eye-rolls from drop bar purists, but the fact is it adds considerable improvements to both comfort and grip. 

In the middle of the triangles is Bosch’s Performance Line Speed motor and removable 500Wh battery. With up to 250 watts of assistance and 85Nm of torque on tap, the Bosch drive unit will help you crawl up that impossibly steep fire road, while a bar-mounted Purion display keeps all the vitals at your fingertips. 

Ribble CGR AL e

Our favourite thing about Ribble is the way it sells its bikes. Its Bikebuilder platform allows you to customise every component from drivetrain to wheels, tyres and touchpoints. The CGR AL e is the brand's alloy e-gravel platform. The alloy frame will take both 700x35c and 650bx2in wheels and tyres with mudguards, and sees rack and fender mounts too.

Taking advantage of the Mahle ebikemotion system, the motor is rear hub-based, and the 250Wh battery is integrated into the downtube. This system is lightweight and doesn't change the frame's silhouette, but most of all is friction-free when the motor is not in use. The Ribble CGR AL e is also one of the most affordable e-gravel bikes, with stock builds including a SRAM Apex version and a less expensive Shimano Tiagra build, although here the rear derailleur is not clutched. 

Canyon Grail:ON

With room for 50mm tyres, the eclectic hover bar, and a Bosch Performance Line CX motor, the Canyon Grail:ON e-gravel bike is anything but vanilla. Based on the ever-successful Grail, the geometry has been tweaked ever so slightly for a more upright riding position. While Canyon’s other drop bar e-bikes utilised the sleeker-looking Fauza system, the brand says it opted for the Bosch motors for the additional torque on offer, which is what you need to get up and over those steep techy features. 

With the new geometry, the wheelbase is a tad longer to increase stability and make room for mudguards and the balloon-like 50mm tyres. The Grail:ON CF7 sits in the middle of the pricing spectrum and comes equipped with a Shimano GRX drivetrain and an FSA carbon crankset with a 44t chainring at the front and 11-42 cassette out the back.

As you'll see from our picks above, there are many different types of electric bike and a whole range of prices from the inexpensive to the very pricy, so there are a range of questions to consider when looking for the best electric bike for your needs, that will help to narrow down your search. We'll go through them.

What kind of riding do I want to use my e-bike for?

The first thing to narrow down is the tyre of riding you expect to do on your electric bike.  Are you predominantly riding it on road? Is that for recreation or commuting? Do you want a bike with drop bars or flat bars?

That's going to dictate whether you need an electric road bike or an electric hybrid bike.

If you're more interested in riding off-road, the same questions apply and will decide if you'll be better off with an electric gravel bike or an electric mountain bike. E-MTBs tend to have burlier tyres and suspension too, so they're more competent on more technical terrain. To muddy the waters, many electric hybrid bikes have wheels and tyres that make them suitable for gentler off-road use as well as on tarmac.

How will I use and store my electric bike?

How far are you going to want to ride your e-bike? If you're just using it for commuting the distance might be lower than if you're planning on recreational use. Sometimes a lower priced electric bike will have a lower capacity battery with more limited range, so it's worth considering if the claimed range will meet your needs. 

In general, electric bikes are quite heavy, so if you're going to have to carry your e-bike up stairs or onto public transport, it's worth looking for a lighter weight model. Public transport options for non-folding bikes may be limited to specific hours when it's less crowded, so you might want to consider a folding electric bike.

Do you have electric power where you're going to store your e-bike? If not, you'll need to be able to remove your battery easily and take it somewhere to charge it. Conversely, you don't want it to be too easy to remove your battery if you're going to leave your e-bike in a public place. Batteries are pricy to replace if they're stolen and some e-bikes have locks on their removable batteries.

What are the regulations regarding e-bikes?

Regardless of whether your electric bike has a Shimano, Bosch, Fazua, or any other drive system, it will be limited to comply with regional laws and restrictions. This will affect the maximum wattage, pedal-assist speed, and the need for licensing and insurance.

These vary depending on whereabouts in the world you reside and ride your bike, so here are the key things you need to know about regional restrictions in the UK, the US and Australia:

In the UK, eBikes are classed as regular non-pedal assist bikes provided the motor cuts out a 25kph, does not generate more than 250 watts of assistance, and does not kick in until the bike is already in motion. Riders must also be at least 14 years old. If your bike meets these criteria, you can legally ride it anywhere a bike can be ridden. 

If your eBike doesn’t meet these standards, it will need to be registered and insured as a motor vehicle, and you will need a license and a helmet.

Australians love simplicity and that is why eBikes are split into throttle operated and non-throttle operated. Throttle operated eBikes must be limited to 200 watts and 25kph, while pedal assist can provide up to 250 watts of assistance but is limited to the same speed limit. In keeping with this simplicity, anything that doesn’t abide by the above is considered a motorbike by law, and must be licensed and insured. 

The US is one of the more difficult countries to navigate e-bike regulations because the rules will vary depending on what state you live in, and even then, the laws are written in legalese that just about requires a member of your local bar association to translate.

According to federal legislation enacted by congress in 2002, an eBike is defined as, “A two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph.”

Unfortunately, state laws surrounding eBikes often supersede this legislation. Currently, 33 states have statutes that define an eBike in some manner while the rest lack a specific definition, and may lump them in with another vehicle class. To make things even more confusing, in states like Mississippi there is no mention of eBikes in the wording of the laws, but a general opinion issued by the Attorney General says an electric bicycle should be classified as a regular bike. Thirteen states have taken up the three-tiered system outlined by The Bicycle Product Suppliers Association which divides electric bikes up based on their maximum assisted speed:

• Class 1: the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedalling and cuts out a 20mph
• Class 2: the motor can contribute regardless of pedalling but is governed to 20mph
• Class 3: the motor provides assistance when the rider is pedalling but cuts out at 28mph and must be equipped with a speedometer.

Regardless of class, the motor can only generate a maximum of 750 watts, and the class must be labelled clearly. 

In the 17 states that lump eBikes in with other classes of vehicles, licensing and registration may be required to operate an eBike. 

If your head is spinning trying to keep these rules straight, our friends over at People for Bikes have a handy state by state guide.  

Which e-bike motor and battery do I need?

The  best e-bike motors  can be located in several areas of the bike, depending on which brand and model you opt for, and generally consist of a front-drive, mid-drive or rear-drive motor system, located in the front hub, bottom bracket and rear hub respectively.

While any of the three options will serve you fine, the motor system location will often have an impact on the handling of your bike, so it's worth considering whether or not you would have a preference. 

Generally, a mid-drive motor system is the best of the three, as it spreads the weight more evenly throughout the bike. Since the motor and battery are the heaviest parts, it's better to have that heft closer to the ground and between the wheels, so as not to throw off your centre of gravity. A rear hub motor is generally preferable to a front hub motor too, as you'll be sitting over it to give it traction and it's unlikely to affect steering.

Battery capacity is described in Wh (watt-hours). The larger the number, the further your battery will take you on a single charge, and the heavier it will be. Some motor systems let you purchase a separate range extender battery which plugs into the main battery, increasing range, in some cases doubling it.

What's torque and how much do I need?

With most electric bike motors being limited to 250 watts output, it's their torque figures that are more significant in comparing electric bikes. That's a measure of how much push the motor will give you as you ride. 

In general, electric bikes start at around 40Nm torque. That's enough to give you a light push and help you up hills, but you'll need to put in quite a bit of your own effort. Electric bikes with this range of torque also tend to have smaller batteries, because they're not providing as much assistance, so they'll usually be lighter than an electric bike with a more torquey motor.

Many city hybrid electric bikes have a motor with around 60Nm torque output. That gives you more help with starts and when carrying loads, but results in a heavier bike and needs a larger battery.

The highest torque electric motors can provide up to 95Nm and are usually reserved for electric mountain bikes and some electric gravel bikes, where you need the turning power to keep you moving up steep gradients. They're also found on electric cargo bikes and some electric city bikes, where the extra torque helps with stops and starts when loaded. These motors are usually paired with even larger batteries and add even more weight.

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Mildred joined as Reviews Writer for Cyclingnews and BikePerfect in December 2020. She loves all forms of cycling from long-distance audax to daily errand-running by bike, and does almost everything on two wheels, including moving house, and started out her cycling career working in a bike shop. For the past five years she's volunteered at The Bristol Bike Project as a mechanic and session coordinator, and now sits on its board of directors.

Since then she's gone on to write for a multitude of cycling publications, including Bikeradar, Cycling Plus, Singletrack, Red Bull, Cycling UK and Total Women's Cycling. She's dedicated to providing more coverage of women's specific cycling tech, elevating under-represented voices in the sport, and making cycling more accessible overall. 

Height: 156cm (5'2")

Weight: 75kg

Rides: Stayer Groadinger UG, Triban RC520 Women's Disc, Genesis Flyer, Marin Larkspur, Cotic BFe 26, Clandestine custom bike

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Canyon Grizl:On

Lectric One eBike

Rad Power Rad Wagon 5

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Xtracycle RFA

Ride1Up Prodigy V2

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Brompton C-Line Electric 12-Speed

Trek Wahoo Path

Aventon Ramblas

Santa Cruz 5010

Specialized Rockhopper Elite 29

Yeti ASR T5 Ultimate XX SL

Norco Sight C1 MX

Santa Cruz Heckler SL GX AXS Carbon C

Canyon Lux Trail CF 9

Pivot Shuttle AM Team XX Eagle Transmission

Transition Repeater PT X0 AXS

Specialized S-Works Epic 8

Evil Offering LS X0 AXS Transmission

As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.  

A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling , Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race. 

Test Editor Dan Chabanov got his start in cycling as a New York City bike messenger but quickly found his way into road and cyclocross racing, competing in professional cyclocross races from 2009 to 2019 and winning a Master’s National Championship title in 2018. Prior to joining Bicycling in 2021, Dan worked as part of the race organization for the Red Hook Crit, as a coach with EnduranceWERX, as well as a freelance writer and photographer. 

.css-1t6om3g:before{width:1.75rem;height:1.75rem;margin:0 0.625rem -0.125rem 0;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-background-size:1.25rem;background-size:1.25rem;background-color:#F8D811;color:#000;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-position:center;background-position:center;}.loaded .css-1t6om3g:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/bicycling/static/images/chevron-design-element.c42d609.svg);} Gravel Bikes

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Review: Trek Fetch+ 2

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One of the things that can be intimidating about buying a cargo ebike is how unfamiliar they feel. Whether a bike is designed with weird geometry and wheel sizes or odd features for heavy hauling, every ride can feel unfamiliar.

For traditional cyclists who want to haul a grocery store trip’s worth of groceries home but don’t want to mess with technology they’re unfamiliar with, the Trek Fetch+ 2 is a decent option. It’s more expensive than some of our favorite alternatives, but it has an easy-to-ride step-through design, well-made components, and great plastic buckets (and other accessories) for storage.

There are bikes with more advanced features for the money, but even after I spent a summer riding the Fetch+ 2, it barely needed a tune-up. For a modern cargo ebike with a classic cargo bike maintenance schedule, it might be worth spending a bit more cash.

On the Road

The Fetch+ 2 is the smaller of Trek’s two latest cargo ebikes, which includes the box-fronted Fetch+ 4 ($8,500) , which is more oriented toward toting around dogs and children in between groceries and beer.

The Fetch+ 2 instead is a more traditional step-through cargo bike that employs a myriad of attachments, most notably two plastic panniers that hang off an extended rack on the rear. You can get a padded seat cover for the rear to let friends hold on and ride, or mount a couple kids’ seats behind you, but I’d still probably use this bike more for errands than transporting little ones.

As an objet d’art , the bike is simple and unassuming, which is ideal for a bike this expensive. The battery is integrated into the frame, but a sizable bulge means nobody will fail to notice it's an ebike. You can get it in three colors. I liked the black of our review unit, but the bright blue would probably be my choice if I was buying one.

While much of the bike will be familiar to anyone who has ever seen or contemplated a cargo bike, Trek really gets the geometry and style of this bike correct as far as making it very usable for many tasks. Even the dual-sided kickstand pops up and down with remarkable ease (shockingly rare on other large ebikes I've used). I particularly enjoyed using the rear panniers for hauling flats of berries and other easily squished items that tend to rattle around in softer panniers.

The panniers fit a ton of stuff; I was able to get four full-size grocery bags spread between the two black plastic totes. I like that they had little plugs in the bottom that you could feasibly use a plastic bag to cover and then fill them with ice and drinks.

I spent a couple months using the Fetch+ 2 as my primary bike, and came away much more impressed than anticipated, given the specs and the price.

On paper, this is an expensive ebike to have pretty standard mid-drive cargo bike specs. The 85 Nm Bosch motor and 500-wH battery are good for 20-plus miles a day loaded down in any city, but they’re not better than models like the larger Xtracycle Stoker, which has the same torque and a 630-wH battery for $4,999. The Trek also doesn’t have a carbon belt drive and variable transmission, which we consider the best (and easiest to maintain) shifting mechanism for cargo bikes.

The more traditional chain-and-gears drivetrain and no suspension make this a less comfortable and more difficult-to-maintain bike than favorites like the Tern GSD ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ), which costs about the same. I have to say, I was expecting the difference in riding experience to be more severe. The fatter-than-usual 20 x 2.35-inch tires of the Trek absorbed potholes better than other suspensionless bikes. It also stopped just as well as its competitors, thanks to hydraulic disc brakes.

Mid-drive cargo bikes are much better than their rear-hub counterparts, especially when toting larger items or smaller humans, because they allow you to get more torque to the wheels, and provide a more traditional riding experience. I never found myself lacking for power, though I did crunch through the gears a bit when starting on a hill.

The Fetch+ 2 rides really well, with a solid frame and no creaks or sketchiness of any kind (as picked up from my local Trek dealer, another plus of ordering from the brand), and I really liked how bright the built-in lights were when riding home from soccer games and band practices at night. The fat wheels were easy to turn, giving this a turning radius similar to a non-extended ebike when I was making U-turns in the city. It also has a built-in phone mount with a wireless charger, which makes it really nice for using a map app to cruise to unfamiliar places.

It’s not a fun bike to ride in the traditional sense; it’s not the fastest or the most comfortable, but it is satisfyingly robust and confidence-inducing. In my months of riding, I never had a single issue with the bike. That’s unusual given the state of some of the roads I often took the Fetch+ 2 on the side of, and a testament to Trek's great build quality.

If I was a longtime Trek owner and interested in getting into cargo ebikes, I’d certainly give this line a look, with the understanding that I might find something I like better from Tern, Xtracycle, or another brand for the same price—or something from Rad Power Bikes or another more affordable direct-to-consumer manufacturer for less. It’s a well-made bike that does what it claims to do, but it’s on the spendy side.

It is a bit hard to come by, at least in bike shops around my hometown of Portland, Oregon. If you’re interested in this one for your treks around town, I’d make sure to call ahead for a test ride. If you want a familiar-feeling bike with all the frills of electrification, it’s worth a spin.

Why there’s literally never been a better time to buy an electric bike

It’s right there in the title. Having followed the electric bicycle industry for 15 years and running, I can pretty much guarantee you that there has never been a better time than right now to buy an e-bike. Here are the top three reasons why.

E-bike prices are at all-time lows

It’s true, essentially every single electric bike brand in North America (and many in Europe) have some amazing deals right now. Companies are slashing prices right and left , creating some incredible opportunities for riders.

There are several underlying reasons for the drop in prices, but most of them relate to overstock situations caused by pandemic ordering sprees. When e-bikes turned into one of the surprise winners of the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the major e-bike companies rushed to build more bikes. At the same time, new e-bike brands sprung up to sink their own shovel into the gold rush. It took a while for that manufacturing to spool up, but it resulted in record amounts of new e-bikes heading our way.

Sales are still decently strong but certainly have dipped from the e-bike rush in the year or two following the pandemic. Now, those companies’ warehouses are all overstocked as they compete with each other and all of the new little import companies to get those existing e-bikes into customers’ hands. That’s resulted in some killer deals floating around right now.

For example, you can still get a Brose-powered mid-drive e-bike for just $1,995 with the Ride1Up Prodigy. That’s a German-made mid-drive motor with other quality parts sprinkled around the bike for good measure, wrapped up in a package that costs the same as what many basic hub motor e-bikes used to cost just a few years ago (and at a fraction of what the other Brose-powered e-bikes used to cost). For a more minimalist ride, the company’s lightweight, single-speed Roadster V2 e-bike is now priced  at just $895 , while its Gates belt drive and gravel-focused cousin, the Roadster V2 Gravel, comes in  at an incredibly reasonable $1,295 .

Other companies have some impressive deals as well. Aventon is giving out a free second battery with most of its models, including its $1,799 abound electric cargo bike . Speaking of cargo e-bikes, Lectric’s XPedition is still an amazing deal at just $1,475 for an unbelievable amount of utility and value – plus that price includes a pile of free accessories. Rad has lowered its folding RadExpand 5 down to just $1,299 , which matches the new sale price of another fun minimalist e-bike, the $1,299 Juiced RipRacer .

Basically, everyone’s prices are as low or lower than they’ve nearly ever been, and it’s a great time to take advantage of those deals.

More incentives are stacking up

Another great reason to buy an e-bike now is that there’s never been more local and state-level incentives. Cities, counties, and state governments around the US are rolling out new incentive programs that can take hundreds or even thousands of dollars off the price of a new electric bike.

As more of the US awakens to the benefits of electric bikes, from reducing city traffic to reducing healthcare costs and improving quality of life, cities have been creating evermore incentives to make these e-bikes more affordable.

Famous programs like Denver’s e-bike rebate have gotten a lot of press, but hundreds of smaller programs are spread around the US. With a little luck, your city or state might have its own e-bike rebate program you can take advantage of to combine with current sale prices to snag an absolutely killer deal.

E-bikes are increasingly common commuter tools

E-bikes were once the travel choice of early adopters, eschewing their cars for a quirky new alternative. But that was years ago, and these days they’ve become so normal that many cities have begun investing much more heavily in cycling infrastructure to keep up with the booming number of e-bike riders.

This isn’t true across the board (please spare me the “not in my city!” comments below this article), but on average, more bike lanes are being added than ever before.

North America isn’t going to mimic the Netherlands anytime soon, and cars will still likely be the dominant form of transportation in the US for decades to come. But the ratio is shifting as the United States slowly moves towards the standards of developed countries in regards to cycling infrastructure and safety.

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Micah Toll is a personal electric vehicle enthusiast, battery nerd, and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling books DIY Lithium Batteries , DIY Solar Power,   The Ultimate DIY Ebike Guide  and The Electric Bike Manifesto .

The e-bikes that make up Micah’s current daily drivers are the $999 Lectric XP 2.0 , the $1,095 Ride1Up Roadster V2 , the $1,199 Rad Power Bikes RadMission , and the $3,299 Priority Current . But it’s a pretty evolving list these days.

You can send Micah tips at [email protected], or find him on Twitter , Instagram , or TikTok .

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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