Electric Road Bikes for Speed

Electric Road Bikes: A Skeptic’s Honest Assessment

E-road bike opinions have gotten complicated with all the debates and use cases flying around. As someone who was dismissive at first — “that’s cheating” was my initial reaction — I learned everything there is to know after riding one on a hilly route with a friend who’d had knee surgery. Today, I’ll share what changed my perspective.

What They Actually Are

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Road bikes with a motor assisting your pedaling. You still pedal — motor just multiplies your effort. Most top out at 20 or 28 mph assistance depending on class. Beyond that speed, motor cuts out.

Good ones look almost like regular road bikes now. Motors and batteries have gotten smaller and more integrated.

Who Actually Benefits

Coming back from injuries: Rebuilding fitness with assistance is easier on healing bodies. My friend rode through knee rehab maintaining his base while recovering.

Significant fitness gaps: That’s what makes e-bikes endearing to us mixed-ability riders. Couples or friends with different fitness levels can actually ride together. Stronger rider goes natural, other gets assist. Everyone finishes together.

Commuters on hilly routes: Arriving not drenched in sweat has value. Makes bike commuting practical for more people.

Older cyclists: Extended cycling years with e-assist. Riders in their 70s still enjoying long rides and group events.

What to Look For

Motor Placement

Hub motors are simpler and cheaper. Mid-drive motors feel more natural and handle hills better. Most quality e-road bikes use mid-drive.

Battery Range

Real-world range varies based on assist level, hills, wind, rider weight. Manufacturer claims optimistic. Figure 30-60 miles with moderate use.

Weight

25-40 pounds versus 15-20 for regular road bikes. Matters when battery dies or carrying it upstairs.

Integration

Better bikes hide motor and battery well. Look like bikes, not machines. Cheap ones have bulky batteries strapped to frame.

The Good Stuff

Hills become manageable. Headwinds don’t crush you. Ride faster with less effort when wanted. Group rides become accessible even if less fit. Genuinely opens cycling to more people.

The Trade-offs

Cost: Good ones start around $3,000, refined ones $6,000-10,000.

Complexity: Motors, batteries, electronics can fail. More components, more potential issues.

Weight: Lugging e-bike up stairs or onto car rack significantly harder.

Range anxiety: You watch the battery. Running out far from home means pedaling heavy bike with no assist.

Models Worth Considering

Specialized Turbo Creo sets the benchmark — light, well-integrated, rides beautifully. Trek Domane+ offers comfort plus assist. Orbea Gain hides its motor so well people don’t realize it’s electric. Giant Road E+ offers more power and range at reasonable price.

My Take

E-road bikes aren’t replacing traditional bikes for serious training. They’re different tool for different purposes. For commuting, riding with less-fit partners, or extending riding years as you age, they make sense.

Test ride before buying. Be honest about what you need it for. If fit and training seriously, probably don’t need one. If assist would help you ride more, worth considering.

I still ride my regular road bike most of the time. But I no longer roll my eyes at e-bikes.