The best electric gravel bikes offer 💝you all the fun of gravel riding but with some extra assistance to make tackling off-road terrain that bit easier.
The 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best gravel bikes allow you to get off the beaten track and explore new terrain. But riding off-road can be a lot harder work than on the tarmac. Climbs are often steeperꦆ and trickier, with loose surfaces lowering traction so that out-of-saddle efforts are not practicable.
That's where electric gravel bikes come in. The motor provides enough extra assistance to allow you to tackle rides with less effort, making it possible to ride further and faster and also to tackle꧙ climbs that would have you walking without the added assistance.
The 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best electric bikes provide similar help on the road, but pairing the motor wi﷽th a gravel bike configuration is a winning combination to take you to new places.
Here is our pick of the best electric gravel bikes currently available, or head lower down the page for our buyer's guide 🦂to how to choose the best electric gravel bike for your needs.
Best electric gravel bikes
(Image credit: Cannondale)
1. Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 1
Best electric gravel bike for in-built suspension
Reasons to buy
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Dual suspension
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Bosch Performance Line CX motor
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SRAM Force mullet build
Reasons to avoid
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Lefty front hub limits wheel compatibility
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 in the seat stay-seat tube junction. Cannondale calls the whole system the Kin♈gpin rear suspension system and promises up to 30mm of movement at the saddle.
In the front is a revised version of the gravel Lefty single-leg suspension fork first introduced on the Slate gravel bike. There's 30mm of air-sprung suspension movement from the Lefty Oliver. The look is polarising but it's a system tuned for the needs of gravel riding🉐 and it works. Bear in mind that the high front end will drop a little once the suspension sag is set correctly and you're riding the bike.
The chosen power unit for the Cannondale Neo Carbon Lefty 1 is a high torque 250w Bosch Performance Line CX system. It's designed to work well even at low cadence and provide a sporty riding feel aꦐnd is paired with a SRAM Force/X01 Eagle mullet drivetra꧟in for serious off-road ability.
(Image credit: Merida)
2. Merida ESilex + 600
Best all-rounder electric gravel bike
Reasons to buy
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Almost invisible motor integration
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A comfortable ride with vibration damping
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Great all-rounder
Reasons to avoid
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Not the most powerful for steep and demanding terrain
If your idea o🤡f the best electric gravel bike is one that you can use on almost all occasions, from weekend bike-packing rides to urban commuting, then the Merida eSilex+ 600 could be exactly what you're looking for.
Powered by an eBikemotion X35 motor with 250Wh battery capacity, the eSilex delivers a seriously composed and comfortable ride, complemented by compact geometry and a relaxed riding position. Its aluminium frame boasts thin tubing that doesn't resonate in the same way that chunky carbon frames can, making it a much quieter and more pleasant affair to ride with the motor in ಌfull support mode.
With mounts galore for accessories, it's the kind of e-gravel bike that can wear all ♕manner of hats w𒅌hen you need it to.
(Image credit: Specialized)
3. Specialized Turbo Creo SL Expert EVO
Best electric gravel bike for those who enjoy mixing up the terrain on their rides
Reasons to buy
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Future shock front suspension
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Built-in power meter
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Long quoted range
Reasons to avoid
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Non-removable battery
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Low maximum torque motor
Specialized names♏ its e-bike gravel models by adding Evo to the road-focused models. The actuaꦿl design of the two models is similar and the geometry between the two bikes is exactly the same.
Added to the gravel-focused models you'll find a different wheel and tyre package with wide🥀r rubber, flared handlebars and a dropper post with 50mm of travel. If you want a bike that can move between paved and off-road paths then the Specialized is a great choice.
The custom-designed motor is not a high-torque system but is rather designed for handling steep technical trails and obstacles. There's only 35Nm of torque on demand but if you're frugal, you can expect a quoted range of 80 miles (128km), which you can add around 40 per cent to by fitting a range extender bottle♑ cage battery.
(Image credit: Canyon)
4. Canyon Grail:ON CF 8 eTap
Best electric gravel bike for high torque for the hills
Reasons to buy
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Innovative suspension handlebar
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12-speed gearing
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Big tyre clearance
Reasons to avoid
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Overly relaxed geometry
The Grail:ON CF 8 eTap is another polarizing bike. The frame utilises a unique double handlebar setup referred to as the double-decker hover bar. Instead of going down the route of suspension, with all its potential tradeoffs, Canyon chose to g𒈔o with a passive system.&💃nbsp;
The intent is still increased comfort through increased front-end com♓pliance but it's lighter and simpler. The double bar also gives an upright riding position that suits long days covering rough ground, without the bike having a long headtube. Like the Lefty fork, it wor✅ks well but its looks are polarizing.
In terms of assistance, Canyon has used a more mountain bike-focused system from Bosch called the Performan♔ce Line CX (Gen4), which delivers 85Nm of torque. The system has a focus on the smooth handling of roots, steps and stones, even in low cadence and high torque uphill situations.
(Image credit: Giant)
5. Giant Revolt E+ Pro
Best electric gravel bike for reliability
Reasons to buy
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Sensor-driven natural pedal assist
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Available range extender battery
Reasons to avoid
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Heavy motor and battery
The Giant Revolt e+ Pro has been built around making the riding feel natural and that's why it's so interesting. It utilises a Yamaha-developed motor that Giant has then custom🍨ised by tun♈ing the software to increase the available pedal assistance and torque output.
Torque, cadence, slopeꦛ and speed are all evaluated to understand how to ramp up assistance in a way that feels natural. Climbing a steep hill or riding acrossꦗ town is easily controlled with no intrusive surging in power and the like.
The road bike-like geometry also gꦺives the bike a racy nature and once up to speed, it's relatively easy to maintain momentum and zip to and from home.
(Image credit: Vitus)
6. Vitus E Substance Carbon E Adventure Bike
Best electric gravel bike for spec/price balance
Reasons to buy
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SRAM Apex 1 gearing
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Great value for money
Reasons to avoid
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Power may not stand up to steep climbs
The Vitus E Substance Carbon E Adventure Bike doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but it offers an excellent all-around package at a competitive price point. Powered by a Fazua motor with a 250Wh battery and 40Nm of maximum torque, you can achieve around 400 watts of peak power in its full power mode. Don't be fooled, however, into thinking that you're getting a free ride. The Fazua motor is designed to complement your workout, not dep🌺rive you of one.
The bike comes equipped with SRAM Apex 1 gearing with a 1x setup combined with a 10-42 11-speed🌺 cassette. The 38t chainring shoulꦉd make climbing easier while rolling along on gravel-specific 650b wheels wrapped in 47mm wide WTB Venture TCS tyres.
(Image credit: Alchemy)
7. Alchemy E-Ronin GRX Disc
Best boutique electric gravel bike
Reasons to buy
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The motor and battery can be removed as a single unit
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Custom Geometry and paint for no extra cost
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Four drivetrain options
Reasons to avoid
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Boutique price tag
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Not available in sizes under 52cm
If you like the sound of a hand-made carbon bike from the USA th🌌en Alchemy is the answer. Since 2008 Alchemy has been putting out work like no other. All the manufacturing for every bike happens under the roof of its Denver, Colorado-based headquarters. In-house manufacturing means customers can choose custom paint. Other perks include a crash replacement discount, a two-week money-back guarantee, free shipping and a lifetime war🀅ranty.
There are two base colour options and four choices of drivetrain: Shimano GRX, Shimano GRX di2, SRAM Force AXS and SRAM Red AXS. Al𝓀so included are HED wheels, and Zipp cockpit, and no matter which build you choose you’ll find a Fazua Evation motor system and clearance for up to 45mm with 700c or 2.1in with 650b.
(Image credit: Boardman)
8. Boardman ADV 8.9e
Best electric gravel bike for affordability
Reasons to buy
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Well suited to being the only bike you own
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Carbon fork
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Great value
Reasons to avoid
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UK only model
At under £3,000, the Fazua-powered Boardman ADV 8.9e isn't exactly what you'd call a budget offering but it's th🀅e most affordable model on the market.
The frame uses aluminium as a nod to keeping the price contained but B💮oardman has still managed to include a carbon fork. The running gear consists of a Sram Apex 1x11 groupset with hydraulic disc brakes, a Boardman alloy cockpit and wheels, and a Fizik saddle.
The 38mm tyres ꦆmight be better suited to cyclo-cross than gravel but they do a good enough job ironing out trail buzz and supplying grip. As an everyday commuter, the Boardman ADV 8.9e makes for a very compelling case as to why it should be considered as your next N+1 purchase.
(Image credit: Ribble)
9. Ribble CGR AL e
Best electric gravel bike for versatility
Reasons to buy
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Hard to tell if it’s an e-bike
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Rack and fender mounts
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Available on Cycle to Work
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Carbon Fork
Reasons to avoid
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Non-removable battery
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Low max torque
The Ribble CGR AL e is one of the cheapest electric grave bikes on the market. There are a variety of levels available and they start well below £3,000 for a Shimano Tiagra version. As with all Ribble bikes, you ca𒁏n easily up-spec using its Bike Builder app to choose from a range of different components.
Ribble also sells the Gravel AL e, if you want more tyre clearance and a more gravelly geometry and spec with Shimano GRX 1x and 2x g♏roupset options.
Whatever configurat🤪ion ends up fitting your budget the Ribble CGR Al e uses the Ebikemotion X35 drive system. While the Ribble bike is a budget option this same system shows up on bikes at all price ranges and includes the same integrated downtube battery and rear hub motor as in the Ribble CGR AL e.
(Image credit: Basso)
10. Basso Bikes Volta
Best electric gravel bike for flashy Italian looks
Reasons to buy
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Low-weight motor and bike
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Long range
Reasons to avoid
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Slightly less torque than Bosch motors
With the Basso Volta the idea was to take the muscle-powered Palta and add more versatility. The hand-built carbon frame gets a new layup and internal structure but retains a similar geometry. Keeping the same geometry ensures similar levels of ride feel and the motor adds a helping hand when you nee🧜d it.
Keeping the bike light was a priority for Basso 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 torque is a bit lower than the Bosch equivalent but, at 16.5kg for the ♔whole system, it's light enough to pedal without assistance.
(Image credit: Look)
11. Look e-765 Gravel
Best electric gravel bike for riding with or without the motor
Reasons to buy
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The motor and battery can be removed as a single unit
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Looks like the non-electric version
Reasons to avoid
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Slightly less gravel-oriented than some options
The Look e-765 Gravel is a capable e-bike with up to 400W of pedal assist, although geometry and tyre clearance are a little less than some electric gravel bikes. There's a quality app available for monitoring anything you can think of. Through the app, any batteꦓry 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 pedal-powered bike you can remove the entire drive system, as 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 is only a small weight penalty and the now-em🃏pty cavity is perfect for whatever you want to carry.
What to look for when buying an⛄ electrꦫic gravel bike
What type of riding is the electric gravel bike designed for?
Broa🍸dly, there are low assist motors like the Mahle ebikemotion system and highꦇer assistance models like those from Bosch.
The former w🐻ill help you o🎀ut on less aggressive gravel rides and will keep the bike's weight down, and so provide more agile handling. You'll have to do more of the work to keep yourself moving though.
Then there are the high assistance models, which provide higher torque. They'll get you up and over tricky terrain more easily and with less effort on your part. But they'll be significantly heavier and n𓆏eed larger batteries, which can affect the bike's handling.
It's worthಞ considering the type of gravel riding that most interests you and the terrain you like to ride, as well as how much support you want, and shortlisting electric gravel bikes that suit that need.
When comparing electric-assist bikes there's a whole lot of numbers that get lobbed about. The 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 and what you want to know is how far you can go. Read our guide to the 澳洲幸运5开奖官网在线查询开奖结果:best e-bike motors for more ꦉguidance on motor systems and their 💯attributes.
How far you can go is the hardest spec to figure out and is 🅺highly dependent on you, the conditions and how you ride.
The heavier the rider and bike 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 gravel-specific tyres on your bike and knobby tyres have higher rolling resistance, which means more power. If you were riding a non-electric bike these are all the same factors that would determine how much effort you needed to put in on a given ride.
Many e-bike systems allow you to fit a range extender bat🧸tery, which usually sits in a bottle cage, if you do want to increase t▨he available range.
How much work does the rider do?
Going hand in hand with the range discussion is the question of how much work you have to🐠 do vs the bike's motor. 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 offers a variety of settings to make that easy.
What might not be so obvious is what the ranges actually mean. A quoted assistance range might show a number i🐽n watts, a support ratio percentage, or a speed. The simplest quoted max is the speed number. You can always go faster than the 🌞max speed listed, but the motor will no longer assist. The point where that transition happens depends on local laws rather than the actual motor.
While speed depends on regulations the other quoted numbers have to do with the limitations of the motor. Weight and size are the biggest obstacles to how powerful a motor will be. It's a balancing act where manufacturers try to get the most power in the smallest space. What a given manufacturer was able to achi𒁃eve will dictate how much support is available at the top end. From there the user can turn down the support and ga൩in battery life.
The numbers that show what you get at the various levels are max watts and support ratio percentage. A low mode might of𒉰fer a 50 per cent support ratio percentage with a max of 250w. Meaning however many watts you put into the pedals, the motor will add an additional 50 per cent until the max of 250 watts is reached. As the speed regulation is always in effect, the max speed is also always there.
Paul has been on two wheels since he was in his teens and he's spent much of th𒅌e time since writing about bikes and the associated tech. He's a road cyclist at heart but his adventurous curiosity means Paul has been riding gravel since well before it was cool, adapting his cyclo-cross bike to ride all-day off-road epics and putting road kit to the ultimate test along the way. Paul has contributed to Cyclingnews' tech coverage for a few years, helping to maintain the freshness of our buying guides and deals content, as well as writing a number of our voucher code pages.
