Adding the word 'electric' to anything in the drop bar world is usually met with great disapproval. However, it shouldn't be. The best electric gravel bikes can open up a lot of new possibilities. Not just in the terrain you can tackle but in the distance and the kit you can carry along for the ride.
The best gravel bikes are constantly being touted as the best 'do-it-all' bikes, so it's no surprise that they feature among the best electric bikes as well.
Many of the best gravel e-bikes now feature suspension, again opening up even more all-terrain capability and confidence-inspiring stability. Given the additional assistance making the weight of these bikes irrelevant, the best electric gravel bikes are a serious proposition.
In this guide, we have selected our top-rated electric gravel bikes on the market right now. We've tested them across a range of riding conditions, assessing their performance in terms of both ride quality and factors specific to electric bikes, such as range and charging time. Our best overall goes to the Specialised Turbo Creo 2. Having tested multiple versions of this platform over the last few years, the Cycling Weekly team voted unanimously in favour of this versatile and outstanding bike.
If you're after something a little more affordable or even without a motor, you might find our guide to the best budget gravel bikes useful.
A transformative bike that features one of the best motor packages on the market. Its versatility and off-road prowess stand leaps and bounds above the rest.
The BMC URS fitted with the TQ motor is a real game changer for gravel e-bikes, but it truly excels when pushed into more challenging, unknown territory.
No matter the time of day or type of ride, the Whyte RHeO is ready to ride and will likely be unfazed by any terrain or topography you point it towards.
The Ribble CGR AL e is a versatile e-gravel bike that excels both on and off-road. Its Mahle hub offers smooth assistance, making it a capable, comfortable all-rounder at a very reasonable price.
We have tested several versions of the Turbo Creo over the years, including the cheapest SL Comp Carbon and the range-topping S-Works. Every time, it scores very highly, including this most recent review from James, seeing the Expert Carbon scoring 4.5 stars out of a possible 5.
What can I say about the Specialized Creo SL Expert Carbon? It impressed me. This gravel e-bike immediately instilled confidence, which is heavily weighted towards Specialized's brilliant SL 1.2 motor. It has a remarkably natural power delivery and impressive range, eliminating battery anxiety without feeling sluggish or draggy in any way. On the climbs, it's transformative, making them effortlessly manageable; however, I struggled to see the need for the turbo mode when Sport was perfectly adequate.
The third-generation Future Shock Suspension was also a game changer, smoothing rough terrain. When you combine that with the redesigned frame, which now accommodates much larger tyres (up to 29 x 2.2 or 55mm), slacker geometry and extended wheelbase, I think this already great bike has really taken a step forward
My only real issue is for better control; I'd like to have seen Specialized specify a more flared handlebar. However, in the grand scheme of things, I realise thats a pretty minor detail to many.
Combining suspension with the TQ motor is a game-changer
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It turns climbing into a lot of fun
Reasons to avoid
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Swiss design comes with Swiss prices, the URS AMP LT is not cheap
For the URS launch, I was lucky enough to be invited to ride around 100km of the best gravel and mixed terrain in the Swiss Jura mountains, close to BMC's HQ. The route was incredibly varied, from sweeping gravel tracks through alpine meadows to tight, rocky singletrack, sometimes requiring a bit of hike-a-bike. Despite the challenges, the constant sound of cowbells made the experience idyllic.
Riding all four URS bikes in the range, including both electric and acoustic. The base model felt tight and controlled, its slacker headtube providing impressive stability on downhills. It was fast, accurate, and remarkably stable. Adding suspension, particularly the MTT fork, transformed the ride. The URS LT was an eye-opener; I found myself effortlessly floating over rocky sections that had previously seemed terrifying, yet without any perceived loss in stiffness on faster gravel or tarmac. I even hit speeds up to 68 kph, and the notoriously bumpy cow-hoof-pocked meadows became bearable with the suspension.
The TQ motor on the URS AMP LT was the real game-changer, though. It made steep, loose ascents feasible and turned long, mild climbs into pleasurable experiences by generating cooling airflow. The motor's smooth, silent, and natural feel never intruded on the ride. I foresee a surge in interest in electric gravel bikes, as their speeds align well with off-road riding. The URS is an excellent gravel bike, but it truly excels when pushed into more challenging, unknown territory.
Get more insight from Simons gravel riding in the Jura Mountains and riding the refreshed BMC URS range.
250Wh battery provides limited range if using in hills (and cooler temperatures)
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Cabling could do with a re-design at the frontend
I have ridden many e-bikes over the years, but the Whyte RHeO 3 took me by surprise with its versatility and agility, excelling in both urban environments and off-road trails. After a number of urban rides, I challenged the RHeO to take on more varied terrains. From tarmac to challenging trails, the wide range of gearing from Shimano Cue's groupset, in combination with the Kynamic rear hub motor, proved very effective in keeping you moving. While its focus is more on offering a great car alternative for daily commutes, I truly appreciated its integrated features, such as lights and mudguards, when I got off-road in the shade of the trees and on damp surfaces.
As I mentioned, I was particularly impressed by how nimble the bike felt, allowing me to navigate tight turns with ease. Its lightweight design, helped by its small and compact battery, significantly contributed to its effortless handling.
For anyone seeking a lightweight e-bike that truly performs off-road without feeling cumbersome, the Whyte Rheo 3 was a revelation. It genuinely felt like a bike that could handle anything I threw at it, making my rides enjoyable and confidence-inspiring.
My inaugural ride on the Scott Solace Gravel eRide 10 involved a diverse mix of gravel and wooded singletrack in the Swiss Jura mountains. Despite being a drop-bar rigid gravel bike, I found it to handle this mixed terrain impeccably well. It is incredibly surefooted, with ideal geometry that allowed me to confidently plant weight over the front wheel on loose terrain, aided, of course, by the excellent 50mm Schwalbe G-One Overland tyres, which is subsequently one of our best gravel bike tyres.
Just like on the BMC URS AMP LT, the specification of the TQ HPR50 motor was a revelation. Its smooth, natural power application meant no sudden boosts, just effortless assistance. This allowed me to enjoy my longest ride in ages, cruising at a decent pace despite my limited fitness.
A second, much faster outing transformed the bike into an "absolute hooligan." I left the power on the highest assistance mode and hooned around the trails, feeling like an obsolete pro. The motor completely ironed out the terrain; singletrack climbs became as thrilling as descents. The bike’s pinpoint accuracy and surefootedness at high speeds were remarkable, tackling anything I threw at it. This gravel e-bike excels on challenging, technical climbs, even when riders are fatigued, opening up new possibilities for any kind of rider ability.
Frame/Fork: 6061-T6 Aluminium frame, CGR AL e Disc carbon fork
Groupset: SRAM Apex 1 HRD 1x11 speed
Tyres: WTB Horizon Road Plus TCS 650b x 47c
Weight: 13.6kg (30lb) - medium
Reasons to buy
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Clean aesthetics
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Highly versatile
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Ebikemotion motor is smooth and unobtrusive
Reasons to avoid
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40Nm hub based motor doesn’t deliver quite the same effortless power as an 80nm mid motor system
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 / 60 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.
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.
For more details on all the products we test here at Cycling Weekly, visit our How We Test page.
How to choose the best electric gravel bike
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 gravel e-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
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 tyres 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.
Frequently asked questions about e-gravel bikes
Is an electric gravel bike worth it?
Perhaps I am biased, as not only do I own one, but I also designed them for several years, and I think they are great.
However, I do have sound reasoning for this.
Of the electrified drop-bar categories, electric gravel bikes make the most sense. Given the slightly slower speeds at which they are typically ridden, riders are more likely to remain under the speed limit for the motor. Additionally, the overall amount of time spent off-road means that you can tackle larger terrains.
I'd even go as far as saying that, with the right tyre, one of the best gravel electric bikes is a better choice than most of the electric hardtails on the market. Offering a much more efficient and versatile platform, it provides a more comfortable ride thanks to its generally less bulky frame design.
Electric gravel bikes are undoubtedly a lot of fun. They perform all the same functions as the best electric bikes, such as increasing your range and reducing strain. Additionally, they make what can sometimes be slightly dull or laborious terrain more enjoyable, like wet mud or long, tedious climbs.
Can e-bikes go on gravel?
Absolutely, any e-bike supplied by a reputable manufacturer will be rated to ride on gravel tracks and trails. Almost certainly they will feature high IP ratings. IP ratings are the standard to which the motors, batteries and electronic circuits are protected from water, dust and dirt ingress.
Can you go uphill on an electric bike without pedaling?
This largely depends on where you live and the classification of your e-bike.
In the UK and EU, this is essentially a flat-out no. Although there are still a number of twist or button-operated e-bikes on the market, these should, by law, require you to pedal to activate the assistance. If you encounter anyone with a twist-and-go e-bike, like a moped, this is illegal, and they should have passed the relevant licence criteria and met the required safety standards.
However, in the USA, this is a very different matter. Given the vast distances and greater space on the roads, there are options for what we call 'twist and go' electric bikes. However, this is regulated state by state and even county by county, so check the classifications in your area before making a purchase. For much of the country, there is a three-class system, with throttles allowed in class 2 and 3 bikes.
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