Are you ready to take your biking experience to the next level? If so, then you need an electric gravel bike. A new generation of e-bikes that allow you to ride further and faster than ever before. Whether you’re looking for an easy way to commute or an off-road adventure on hills and trails, electric gravel bikes offer unparalleled excitement with their powerful motors, adjustable assistance settings, and long battery life. Let’s delve into the top five best electric gravel bike models on the market today. From entry level electrics up to some serious high end rides, explore which is best suited for your needs!
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Can you ride an ebike on gravel?
In a word – absolutely! Ebikes are capable of riding everywhere that normal bikes can. Still, your ability to handle the bike on rugged terrain like gravel depends on a number of factors.
Most bikes will be able to perform decently on gravel, but there’s no substitute for the right build. Gravel bikes are designed to be sleek and lightweight. With slim yet grippy tires for the uneven features of off-road riding. The best electric gravel bikes are ones that have been built from the ground up for that purpose.
What should you look for in an electric gravel bike?
The primary considerations for choosing an E-gravel bike are largely the same as what you’ll be looking for in a regular gravel bike. With some additional points to ponder around the electronics.
Gravel riding lends itself to long, intense rides, and the weight of the bike can make the difference between a joyride and a slog, even with the additional power of the motor. A wide gear range and quality components will give you the ability to tackle a diverse set of terrains. Plus, the confidence that your bike will handle the toughest of trails.
While gravel bikes aren’t known for their suspension, some flex in the frame or a quality front suspension will ease the bumps in the road and save your rear end some pain. There’s a limit though- too much suspension will rob you of precious energy on those longer rides.
When it comes to the motor and battery, the endurance side of gravel riding holds new meaning. E-bike companies that make gravel models often have to make compromises in order to deliver on a classic gravel experience. A classic example of this is lowering the overall battery capacity in order to save on weight. These companies will usually throttle the motor output in order to make that smaller capacity stretch farther. Others will sell an additional battery that fits in the water bottle holder on your downtube. This gets around the capacity issues by letting you decide if you want the extra range (and weight).
The motor output of the best electric gravel bikes varies considerably. The best fit for each rider comes down to their experience level and how much they’re looking to push themselves. Many high-end E-gravel bikes are designed with the seasoned rider in mind, with the assumption that they’re interested in feeling the effort of their rides. The level of assistance that works best for you will depend on how much weight you’re ok with carrying. In addition, how much boost you think you’ll need on most rides.
5 Best Electric Gravel Bikes for 2023
These options represent some of the best electric gravel bikes currently on the market for gravel riders looking to add some electricity to their current setup. All of these bikes bring quality components, killer motor systems, and the best materials to their bikes.
| Electric Gravel Bike Model | Specialized Turbo Creo SL | Canyon Grail:On | Bianchi E-ArcadeX | Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty | Trek Domane+ LT |
| Groupset | Shimano GRX 11-Speed | Shimano Deore XT 11-Speed | Campagnolo Ekar 13-Speed | Shimano GRX 11-Speed | Shimano Ultegra 11-Speed |
| Motor/battery | Specialized SL 1.1 Motor, SL 1.1 Battery(35Nm max torque, 320 Wh Battery, optional range extender)Assistance up to 28 MPH | Bosch Performance Line Speed Motor, Bosch Powertube battery (85 Nm max torque, 500Wh battery)Assistance up to 28 MPH | Bosch Performance Line CX Motor, Bosch Powertube battery (85Nm max torque, 500Wh battery)Assistance up to 20 MPH | Bosch Performance Line Speed Motor, Bosch Powertube battery (85 Nm max torque, 500Wh battery)Assistance up to 28 MPH | Fazua Evation Drivepack(55Nm max torque, 250Wh battery)Assistance up to 20MPH Removable |
| Frame | Aluminum w/ carbon fork, or full carbon | Full Carbon | Full Carbon | Full Carbon | Full Carbon |
| Suspension | FutureShock handlebar suspension | None | 40mm travel suspension seatpost | Lefty Oliver 30mm fork, Kingpin rear suspension | Isospeed Front and Rear Decouplers |
1. Specialized Turbo Creo SL
The Specialized Turbo Creo SL was designed to maximize endurance while encouraging riders to lean into their own effort. The Creo SL uses Specialized’s SL 1.1 motor, which is designed to double your pedal power while keeping battery use to a minimum. The SL 1.1 motor has a maximum output of 30Nm of torque. This is significantly less power than most E-bike motors. That lower motor output allowed Specialized to slim the motor down to just 1.95 kilograms, and lets the 320 Wh battery provide 80 miles of range. Even at a lower max output, this motor will assist you up to 28 mph. A must for keeping up with your seasoned group riders.
The integrated Turbo Connect Display is minimal, allowing for a seamless look to the bike and letting you control your assistance level and see battery capacity with the touch of a button. The Mission Control app lets you connect your smartphone to the bike. This allows for precise tracking of stats, integration with your favorite health app, and dynamic control of your motor assistance and max output. The bike is perfectly rideable without any of those features. But the level of embedded control that’s unlocked by the Mission Control app is truly impressive.
Specialized is known for their dedication to excellence in bike creation, and the Creo SL follows that tradition. The base model comes equipped with a Shimano GRX 11-Speed rear derailleur, and Specialized’s FutureShock front fork, giving you plenty of gear range for tough inclines with taking the oomph out of the rugged roads. Going up the price ladder, great upgrades like a carbon frame and wheels, integrated dropper seatposts, and a top-of-the-line SRAM XX1 groupset make it all too easy to justify spending a bit more. With most 2022 models sold out, expect even better things as Specialized revamps the Creo SL for 2023.
2. Canyon Grail:On
Canyon’s best electric gravel bike entry is a hard-running, speed-oriented bike that will guarantee a fun adventure with no limits. The Grail:On uses Bosch’s Gen 4 Performance Line Speed motor. Which delivers a sturdy 85 Nm of torque for the toughest of inclines. The 500 Wh Powertube integrated battery will allow for long rides on lower settings, with the power to pack a punch when you need it. With generous assistance up to 28 mph, you can stay at the front of the group ride without breaking a sweat.
The Grail:On delivers on great quality components without breaking the bank. A carbon frame and front fork mean that the bike is able to weigh in at a modest 16.60 kg, without compromising on the battery or motor capacity. An 11-speed Shimano Deore XT cassette works in combination with a Shimano GRX rear derailleur to provide seamless shifting- with the Performance Line Speed motor helping out, you’ll never find a hill you can’t conquer.
While the bike doesn’t have any built-in suspension, Canyon’s proprietary Gravelcockpit features a two-layered handlebar, providing increased damping and comfort on the top level and maximum stiffness in the drop bar for increased control. The Grail:On is a great choice for those who are looking to access a top-level E-gravel setup at a solid price. If you’ve been looking for a bike that will let you eat up the trail without destroying your legs, look no further.
3. Bianchi E-ArcadeX
Bainchi, the Italian cycling powerhouse, has put together an incredible build with their E-ArcadeX. Delivering a race-quality bike that will serve equally well on the trail as it will as a daily commuter. The E-ArcadeX uses Bosch’s Performance Line CX motor, which delivers 85 Nm of torque up to 20mph, and gives you access to Bosch’s Tour+ mode, a dynamic motor setting that lets you control how much effort you want to put out while maximizing battery range. The 500Wh battery will give you plenty of range for longer rides, and is surprisingly light at 2.8kg.
Bianchi has truly created a bike that’s ready to compete at the highest levels. A carbon frame and front fork deliver a light and sturdy ride, while still taking the edge off of uneven terrains. The E-ArcadeX uses the Campagnolo Ekar groupset, racing-level components that maximize power, durability, and ease of shifting. The impressive 13-speed cassette provides enough gear range to handle steep inclines on its own, so even if you’re out of battery you’ll be able to make it home easily. A 40mm travel suspension seatpost will keep your rear end comfortable on long rides on rugged terrain.
Bianchi wasn’t afraid to break the mold with the E-ArcadeX- this model is designed very differently than most gravel bikes, and some may be turned off by the chunkier appearance. Still, the thought and care that went into this design is clearly up to par with the rest of Bianchi’s trailblazing bikes, and the E-ArcadeX definitely deserves a seat at the table of the best E-gravel models out there.
4. Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty
Cannondale’s Topstone Neo line is a dedicated E-gravel lineup, and the Lefty is at the head of the pack. This bike is suited to those who want a minimal look, but maximum power and comfort. The Lefty is supported by Bosch’s Performance Line Speed motor and a 500Wh battery, giving you up to 78 miles of range on low assist levels, and enough boost to climb mountains when necessary. A full carbon frame and Shimano GRX groupset combine to provide a light ride that will perform seamlessly under the toughest conditions.
Unique among the other bikes on this list, the Lefty is a dual-suspension bike, with a 30mm travel Lefty Oliver fork (hence the name) and Cannondale’s proprietary Kingpin rear suspension. The Kingpin Suspension was created specifically for their new gravel bikes as a way to provide increased comfort and bump absorption without relying on mountain-bike-style rear suspension systems. The Kingpin works by using a special thru-axle on the seat stays that allows the rear of the carbon frame to flex to its full potential. This allows for dynamic absorption of bumps throughout the frame, instead of the minimal absorption of a suspension seatpost. This is an exciting new design, so expect to see this being adopted by other bike companies.
It’s worth giving an honorable mention to another bike in the Topstone Neo lineup, the SL 2. There’s not a lot of room for entry-level bikes on a “best of” list like this, but the SL 2 provides a gravel-specific E-bike setup at a cost that makes sense for those with less experience in E-gravel riding.
5. Trek Domane+ LT
Rounding out this list of the best electric gravel bikes is Trek’s Domane+ LT. Designed to give you the classic gravel experience with the right level of boost when you need it. The Domane+ LT is powered by the Fazua Evation motor system, which delivers 55Nm of torque up to 20mph. A slim, 250Wh battery complements the motor, with the whole motor system weighing in at just 4.9kg. The entire motor system is also removable, allowing you to shave significant weight off of your ride and convert to an acoustic setup at a moment’s notice.
The Domane+ LT is meant to ride like a quality acoustic gravel bike, and Trek has included all the necessary components to back this up. Trek bolstered the already absorbent full-carbon frame with its Isospeed front and rear decouplers. This technology allows the frame to flex more fully when it hits bumps, without impacting your ride feel. The Isospeed effectively cuts off the flex of the frame from your seatpost and handlebars. It is adjustable depending on how smooth or firm you want your ride experience. With an 11-speed Shimano Ultegra groupset rounding out the expert-level setup, the Domane+ LT is ready for anything.
The Domane+ LT line includes four different models, with the top end carrying incredible features like Shimano’s wireless electronic drivetrain, the Dura-ace Di2. Other than swapping out the tires for something a little more off-road ready, this model line is ready to help you tackle the toughest rides with a smooth and natural feel.
Choosing the Best Electric Gravel Bike for You
There are many factors that go into finding the best electric gravel bike for you, and this list doesn’t represent just how many unique and wonderful E-gravel bikes are out there. It’s important to know yourself as a rider when you’re looking for any E-bike- how much assistance do you need? What sort of terrains will you be riding? Are you looking for a natural riding experience with some help, or are you happy to let the motor carry you? Before you invest in the latest and greatest, make sure you know what will truly serve your needs.
The bikes on this list possess a few key factors- top-quality components, superior design, and motors that truly elevate your ride experience. Even within this list, though, there’s considerable variation. Different brands are optimizing their bikes for different riders, so take your time and explore everything that’s out there. If the internet isn’t giving you a clear answer, go to your local bike shop and try some out! When you’re finally riding the right bike for you, it will be clear that you’ve found your new daily driver.