E-gravel bikes put to the test: Riding over gravel with motorised power – a comparison of 5 e-gravel bikes

​Epic day rides lasting until sunset, multi-day bikepacking adventures with campfires by the tent, spectacular views from the ridgelines of high mountains: Anyone who follows the relevant social media channels might find themselves envying the experiences of other gravel bike enthusiasts day after day.

But freedom on two wheels is usually hard-won. Nobody who works full-time, is bringing up young children or, for other reasons, is unable to get on their bike several times a week, can simply pull off a three-figure kilometre total or a crossing of the Alps at the drop of a hat. For long tours and significant elevation gain, well-trained legs are an essential prerequisite – and, as we all know, you can’t simply buy them.

For a large proportion of followers, the images on the screen therefore usually remain exactly what they are intended to evoke in viewers: a dream. But times are changing, and with new technological developments, even dreams that were previously out of reach are coming ever closer.

The 5 e-gravel bikes in our individual test

• Cannondale Synapse Neo Allroad 1 >> available here
• ​Cube Nuroad Hybrid C:62 SLT 400X >> available here
• ​Scott Solace Gravel eRIDE 10 >> available here
• ​Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo 2
• ​Storck e:Grix Pro

E-gravel bikes are taking the market by storm

In recent years, a whole range of new gravel bikes have come onto the market; equipped with a built-in electric motor and battery, they are designed to help make the dreams described at the start a reality, even for people who are less fit.

For a long time, electric motors and road bike handlebars were a rather difficult pairing, mainly due to the legally mandated speed limit of 25 km/h, but also because of the heavy weight and a clunky, unsporty appearance. Most attempts to establish the road bike as a pedelec were scrapped after just a few years on the market.

But things might turn out differently with gravel bikes. Almost every major manufacturer now has a gravel bike in its range as an e-bike, and there are many indications that they are more than just a passing fad.

>> Exotic gravel bikes: Key information on e-gravel bikes + an overview of 6 models

Various drive concepts

This trend is driven by several parallel developments: Firstly, the boom in lightweight e-mountain bikes is helping to ensure that the drive systems are becoming increasingly smaller, lighter and more powerful. The industry giant Bosch, for example, has developed the new SX – a lighter and more compact drive unit designed specifically for sporty bikes.

Newcomers such as the German manufacturer TQ are also enjoying worldwide success with their extremely compact yet powerful motors. The days when a pedelec weighed at least 20 kilograms are now a thing of the past, and the systems can also be integrated much more seamlessly into the bike’s design without compromising the sporty silhouette too much.

A second reason for its wider acceptance is that the gravel bike is no longer seen purely as a piece of sports equipment, but is increasingly regarded as a bike for leisure, touring and everyday use. Today, road-style handlebars appeal to a much wider audience, amongst whom motorised assistance is less frowned upon than it is amongst die-hard sports enthusiasts.

​>> Unusual bikes: 6 city bikes with different characters put to the test

For many, the gravel bike is, in terms of how it is used, the successor to the classic trekking bike; and anyone who has to carry their bike up the cellar stairs every day will find that, quite literally, the only bikes light enough to carry are those with drop handlebars.

Last but not least, the motor simply makes more sense on a gravel bike than on a road bike: the overall speed is lower. Even competitive gravel cyclists tend to ride at speeds where the motor is useful. They spend less time at speeds where the bike simply becomes a very heavy, unassisted road bike. Used correctly, the motor gives the gravel bike a boost when things get particularly tough: on steep climbs, in deep sand or when you’re running out of steam.

Conclusion: There’s no such thing as an all-rounder

Anyone currently considering an electric gravel bike should not, however, simply rush out and buy one, but rather look into the subject in a bit more depth. As our test rides with five different bikes revealed, the manufacturers’ designs differ significantly and cater to very different needs.

This applies not only to the bikes themselves, which can vary in terms of features, riding position and handling just as much as the sheer endless variety of non-motorised options. Whether the bike is to be used for travelling with luggage, as an everyday vehicle with lights and mudguards, or simply for day trips, plays a significant role, as not all bikes are equally well suited to every purpose.

The various drive systems also have their pros and cons: in terms of riding dynamics, there is a world of difference between Mahle’s minimalist rear-wheel hub motor – with its gentle assistance and small battery – and Bosch’s extremely powerful, yet significantly heavier, system. This also applies to appearance and handling: despite the lighter and more elegantly integrated technology, the true nature of some bikes is still clearly evident.

Furthermore, a gravel bike weighing 14 kilograms and without motor assistance simply doesn’t ride as ‘naturally’ as the manufacturer might promise in its advertising: They are different types of bikes, as you can tell from the fact that going up a size with tyres (Scott) or brake discs (Cube) on these bikes suddenly seems a very well-thought-out choice.

The latest technical developments may well make e-gravel bikes more practical and useful than they were a few years ago. However, they are still a long way from riding as nimbly as bikes without a motor. But we’re still allowed to dream, aren’t we?

​​>> Speed gravel bikes – fast on gravel: 6 particularly noteworthy bikes – in our view

​​>> Would you prefer something lighter or more powerful? A comparison of 8 e-bike motors

An overview of the drive concepts

​The drive system defines the character and capabilities of the bike – and these can vary considerably. An overview of the leading manufacturers and their motors.

​Mahle X20: 250 watts/23 Newton metres

The X35 rear-wheel motor, developed in Spain, dominated the market for electric road bikes for years. The newer X20 (pictured) is smaller and lighter. It offers sufficient torque for gravel riding, which is said to be on a par with that of the leading mid-drive motors. Bike weights as low as eleven kilograms are possible. There are three assistance levels, with a fourth that can be programmed via an app. The slim battery (usually 242 Wh) is a bit on the small side for long mountain rides. Brands: Bianchi, Merida, Orbea, Rose, Storck, Simplon

​TQ HPR 60: 350 watts/60 newton-metres

The company from Seefeld near Munich achieved a breakthrough in the bike market with its HPR 50 bottom-bracket motor: small, light and powerful, yet extremely quiet and offering a natural riding experience. The brand-new HPR 60 is not yet fitted to many bikes; it offers slightly more power and torque and is less prone to overheating. It is usually combined with a 320Wh battery, offering a good balance between weight and range. Brands: BMC, Scott, Trek

​Specialized SL 1.2: 320 watts/50 Newton metres

When Specialised unveiled the current generation of the Turbo Creo two years ago, the US brand also introduced a new mid-drive motor. The Specialised 1.2 SL is also found in the Californian brand’s mountain and trekking bikes, but not in models from other manufacturers. Its strengths include a very smooth ride and low noise levels; unlike many others, overheating issues on long, steep climbs are not a concern. The 320 Wh battery is about average for gravel bikes.

​Bosch Performance Line SX: 600 watts/55 Newton-metres

The most powerful of the so-called ‘light’ motors: the market leader’s performance figures are impressive, and not just on paper. With Turbo mode, you hardly need to pedal at all, even on steep climbs. Combined with the large 400Wh battery, this makes even the longest rides possible. The downsides are a clearly audible riding noise and the rather high weight: you can expect the complete bike to weigh at least 13 kilos. Brands: Bulls, Cannondale, Canyon, Corratec, Cube, KTM