E-gravel bikes: 4 models with Bosch SX motor and 2 with Mahle motor on test
Georg Bleicher
· 21.10.2024
These are the e-gravel bikes tested
The drop bar, also known as racing handlebars, has its appeal: the aerodynamic riding position makes life easier at speed - and not just in headwinds. Above all, however, the handlebars create a variety of grip positions and thus help to avoid tension on long distances and to have the right "grip" for different areas of use. But why have these road bikes with slightly profiled, slightly wider tyres been in vogue for years and are now also conquering the e-bike sector?
For many people who have no experience with it, the drop bar is often a source of uncertainty. There are many arguments in favour of the gravel bike itself, above all the wide range of applications and the possibility of riding on where the asphalt gives way to the forest floor - which always promises us a touch of adventure. And anyone who hasn't experienced the feeling of sweeping along a gravel track with a slightly studded, securely gripping tyre should simply give it a try.
There's one more important reason for going electric: graveling over hill and dale requires more power than riding on the road, and why shouldn't you have assistance when doing so - or on commuter routes, for which the bikes are also suitable?
Load list: This is how much the gravel bikes with motor weigh
- Desiknio Endorphin Drop: 12.9 kg
- Advanced Bikes Offroad Pro Gravel: 14.6 kg
- Urwahn Waldwiesel: 16.0 kg
- Centurion Crossfire R2000 D: 16.1 kg
- Moustache Dimanche 29.4: 18.3 kg
- Bulls Grinder Evo SX: 18.9 kg
Six e-gravel bikes, two motors
At first glance, our candidates are very similar, and it also looks as if the E-gravel bike manufacturers have only focused on the Bosch SX motor Four of the six test candidates opted for the small mid-motor from the market leader, while the other two brands, Desiknio and Urwahn, used what the manufacturer claims is the lightest x20 system from automotive supplier Mahle. Two motor systems that are aimed at two different types of rider, as you quickly realise: those who prefer a very harmonious continuous support system that also offers a lot of power on the climbs are better off with the Bosch SX.
The other type likes to ride longer flat sections without assistance and allows themselves the extra boost when their stamina wanes or when the terrain becomes technically more difficult or steeper. The Mahle X20 motor weighs only around 1.4 kilograms, making it lighter than a Rohloff hub gear. In total, the system weighs 3.2 kilograms. Our Desiknio Endorphin with pedals comes to just 13 kilograms. On flat terrain, the bike really does roll like an organic bike - at worst, sensitive riders will criticise the slightly heavier rear end compared to the organic Graveler.
With the Bosch SX system, the main weight is in the centre of the bike (bottom bracket and down tube), the motor weight adds up to around 4.5 kilograms with a 400 watt-hour battery from Stuttgart - but that also means around 160 watt-hours more capacity than with the Mahle drives. The Advanced with Bosch As the second lightweight with a good 14 kilos, it is also occasionally fun without a motor, but it does not deliver the agility of the Desiknio.
Unequal drive systems on the e-gravel bikes
The harmony between motor and human that the Bosch drive creates, especially when pedalling or climbing, cannot be achieved by the rear-wheel drive. Its low weight and the smooth running of the bike without assistance - and the very quiet riding noise - are more in its favour. Nevertheless, anyone who has ever gravelled through the forest will initially be irritated by the whispering of the drive and the flow through the gravel paths does not feel quite as harmonious as on a 9-kilo bike under its own power. However, it is conceivable that the gravel beginner feels differently and enjoys the flow much more than the gravel oldie, especially in hilly sections.
In addition, the design of the Bosch motors means that even sensitive riders can hardly manage a silent gear change - especially not under load. That's a shame. Both systems are "smart", although the market leader currently offers a much wider range of customisability, adjustability and connectivity.
Mahle is likely to make some further developments in the near future; the main priority at the moment is the customisability of the individual support levels. It would be desirable for the Mahle motor to be able to access the drive control from the handlebars. The button on the top tube is impractical, especially when you're travelling fast on a tricky section. Mahle could upgrade here. Incidentally, none of these drives can recuperate, i.e. "refuel" when braking.
E-gravel bikes: the overrated gear ratio
The pros still pedal easily at 70 kilometres per hour - this requires a long, high gear. If you don't race, you rarely get into a situation with such high speeds, and if you do, it's only downhill. It's better to concentrate on your safety than on getting even faster. The fact is that the smallest sprocket or sprockets are used, but usually at a very low cadence. In terms of joint health and efficiency, it should be 65 to 80 revolutions per minute. So here's a tip: make sure that you have enough small gears (large sprockets for derailleur gears).
A gear reduction - the largest sprocket is larger than the chainring - should be possible. And even if it's not extremely steep: if you help well uphill, you save power. With our Bosch SX models, the motor power available increases with the cadence! So: put in smaller gears and off you go! Apart from the Centurion and the Urwahn Graveler - which is also maintenance-free with its wide Pinion gearbox - we would like to see the shifting group one step higher in each case. The difference is usually hardly noticeable when the bike is new, but it is clear that higher-quality groupsets are more robust and shift precisely for longer. And on an e-gravel bike, the gearing is changed frequently.
The gear range of our test models
A gear reduction (= the large sprocket is larger than the ring gear) is important for steep inclines. In the fast range, gears are usually too long and can only be used for fast downhill rides. The Pinion gear system on the Urwahn offers a very wide internal gear ratio.
- Advanced Offroad Pro Gravel: Chainring 40, sprocket 11 to 44
- Bulls Grinder Evo: Chainring 42, sprocket 11 to 42
- Centurion Crossfire: Chainring 42, sprocket 11 to 51
- Desiknio Endorphin: Chainring 40, sprocket 11 to 34
- Moustache Dimanche: Chainring 44, sprocket 11 to 50
- Urwahn Waldwiesel: Pulleys 39, 32 (Pinion gearbox)
Gravelling with luggage
On a long tour without a pannier rack? You can, but it's a bit more complicated than on a trekking bike. So why not a rack? Luggage on the rear wheel makes the bike rear-heavy, making handling much more difficult, especially on uneven terrain and gravel. In addition, a rigid carrier on an unsprung bike is not conducive to carrying luggage on difficult terrain. For this reason, bags were initially developed to be strapped on and now many have also been developed to be screwed onto the eyelets on the frame and forks. These bags distribute the weight relatively evenly over the whole bike. This makes packing and unpacking much more time-consuming than with classic panniers, but makes a big difference to handling.
Neatly packed e-gravel bikes offer almost the same riding fun and handling as bikes without luggage, but you should be more limited when packing than with panniers - and it also helps to have a system for assigning a piece of luggage to a bag. We show examples of bikepacking bags from three manufacturers: Ortlieb's small AccessoryPack for handlebar mounting (can also be strapped to a front roller), Vaude's Trailguide handlebar bag, and Decathlon provided us with the waterproof "arse rocket" ADVT 900 with a corresponding mount for the photos.
Mountain bike or gravel bike?
Of course, it's not just the riding position and handlebar position that are different compared to trekking or mountain bikes: the classic gravel bike has no suspension fork or rear suspension, a gravel bike is already equipped like ours. Moustache test wheelThe Graveler, i.e. with suspension support and adjustable stem, is maximally comfort-orientated. Jumps, very rough roots or steps are the limit for the Graveler.
For many, making full use of a gravel bike means gliding along on a more or less flat gravel or dirt track, crossing a muddy section at speed and swinging through the bends. Side trips on MTB trails, as long as they are not too technical, are also possible depending on the gravel bike character. The flow and the ease that is possible with the motor, even on climbs, is the real attraction of the bike for many. The weight of the bike is particularly noticeable when it comes to tight bends or slightly technical terrain.
For our test of E-gravel bikes, this means that regardless of the handling characteristics of the individual bikes, the lower the weight, the greater the fun factor. As far as typical sporty gravel biking is concerned, the Desiknio is clearly the first choice, and the less lively Advanced, also with a fine carbon frame, is hot on its heels. Even though they have no other everyday equipment, several bikes are fitted with lighting elements. The Bulls shines with its own impressive creation on both axle mounts, others have almost invisible, but extremely effective lamps and rear lights on the wheel - which, as on the Centurion with the fine Supernova Mini-3 light are also clearly reflected in the purchase prices.
Does it make sense? As long as they are unbreakable and unobtrusive in terms of weight, as on our E-gravel bikes, yes. Why carry plug-in lights when I can always have very high-quality lights with me, powered by the battery and weighing very little extra? Another important question is: Do I have to do without the handlebar roller for a light below the handlebars? Or is there another way of attaching the light to the bike in question?
Racing handlebars: yes or no?
In the past, a trekking bike without any road equipment was also called a crosser or, with treadless tyres, a fitness bike. It had narrow, straight handlebars and looked like an MTB with studded racing tyres. The fact that the gravel handlebar has now become established as a variation of the racing handlebar is probably due to its many possibilities and the sporty, aerodynamic riding position that results from this handlebar.
If you have never ridden a drop bar before, it will take some time to get used to it - at first, the unfamiliar position can make you feel less confident. This is mostly a matter of getting used to. The more stretched seating position and the changed steering behaviour need to be "trained". If you get problems with your wrists, neck or shoulders on longer rides, you should have your riding position checked by an experienced dealer or bike fitter. Sometimes it simply takes time for the muscles to get used to the changed riding position and adapt accordingly - especially for people over the age of 40.
Conclusion on the e-gravel bikes in the test
If you love the light-footed flow on gravel and want to have as little weight as possible under your bum, the Mahle-equipped Desiknio is the perfect choice. The Urwahn is not quite as light-footed - but it has that very special flair of true exclusivity, comfort and low maintenance.
If you're coming from an MTB background and want to ride comfortably on rough terrain, the Moustache is a good partner, although you'll have to accept a little more weight. The Centurion offers a very balanced chassis - with a high bikepacking affinity - and the ergonomically sporty, very light Advanced, which only just falls short of the roll characteristics of the Desiknio without support. The brand new Bulls brings up the rear in terms of weight, but with its wide tyres and many adapter options, it is a robust bikepacking bike and at least the cheapest bike in the test.
All of our e-gravel bikes can be fitted with mudguards and racks, and some are even available in road versions, making them suitable for city and everyday use. An important side issue: the kickstand. Many people don't want to do without it in everyday life, and not every bike can be fitted with one. Please note: However, we have based the suitability for everyday use in the graphics on the actual equipment of the bikes.
You can see for yourself: Apart from two different motor characteristics, the bikes are close in terms of quality; the scores are also determined by factors that are not important for everyone off-road - such as comfort. Our tip therefore: Decide above all according to the main use of the bike and its fun factor. You are guaranteed to be able to determine this very well during an extensive test ride.
Price overview of our test candidates
- Centurion Crossfire: 4149 Euro
- Bulls Grinder: 4199 Euro
- Advanced: 4999 Euro
- Moustache Dimanche: 4699 Euro
- Desiknio Endorphin: 5995 Euro
- Urwahn Waldwiesel: 6448 Euro
E-gravel bikes in comparison
Not listed: "Service" category - 5 per cent share. All manufacturers offer 5 or 6-year warranties on frames or frames and forks (exception: Bulls, two-year warranty). In this sports bike test, we shifted our weighting towards riding and gave less weight to factors such as loading and parking and, for example, comfort. There was also only a slight plus for a lighting system. The ratings are therefore not comparable with the other MYBIKE schemes.
*The range information refers to the medium support mode with an active riding style.
