Electric Gravel Bikes Reviewed

Electric Gravel Bikes: Who They’re Actually For

E-gravel bikes have gotten complicated with all the motor systems and marketing noise flying around. As someone who was skeptical until I rode one on a bikepacking trip with a friend who’s 20 years older than me, I learned everything there is to know about who actually benefits from these machines.

We covered the same ground, had the same experience, arrived at camp at the same time. Perspective changed.

What Makes Them Different

Take a gravel bike – drop bars, wide tire clearance, geometry built for long days on mixed surfaces. Add a motor and battery. The motor assists your pedaling, typically up to 20mph, then cuts out.

You’re still pedaling. You’re still working. The motor just multiplies your effort. Think of it as having stronger legs, not a motorcycle.

Who Benefits Most

Probably should have led with this section, honestly.

Riders with fitness mismatches: Couples or friends where one person is significantly stronger. The e-bike levels things out so you can actually ride together.

Older cyclists: Joints don’t recover like they used to, but the desire to ride hasn’t diminished. E-assist makes long gravel rides achievable again.

Commuters with hills: Arrive at work without being drenched in sweat. The assist handles the hard parts.

Bikepackers: Loaded bikes are heavy. E-assist means you can carry more gear or cover more distance per day.

Recovery from injury: Building back fitness gradually while still enjoying real rides.

The Specs That Matter

Motor position: Mid-drive motors (at the bottom bracket) feel more natural than hub motors. They let you use gears effectively and handle better.

Battery size: Measured in watt-hours. 250Wh gets you maybe 30-40 miles with moderate assist. 500Wh doubles that. Range depends heavily on terrain and assist level.

Weight: E-gravel bikes typically weigh 30-40 pounds. Heavier than regular gravel bikes but lighter than e-mountain bikes. Still manageable if you need to lift it.

Integration: Better bikes hide the battery in the frame. Looks cleaner, protects the battery, improves handling. Cheaper bikes have external batteries that affect aesthetics and balance.

The Honest Downsides

Cost. Good e-gravel bikes start around $4000 and go up fast. The technology is expensive.

Complexity. More things to break. Battery management, motor service, electronic displays. Your local shop might not be equipped to work on them.

Range anxiety. Running out of battery 30 miles from home means pedaling a very heavy bike. Plan accordingly.

Purist judgment. Some cyclists will make comments. If that bothers you, factor it in.

Bikes Worth Considering

Specialized Turbo Creo: The benchmark. Light motor, sleek integration, rides like a real bike. Expensive.

Giant Revolt E+: More affordable, still capable. Giant’s SyncDrive motor is proven.

Cannondale Topstone Neo: Interesting with the Lefty suspension fork. Good for rougher terrain.

Canyon Grail:ON: Direct sales value. Solid spec for the price.

My Take

That’s what makes e-gravel bikes endearing to us cyclists who want to keep riding with friends and family regardless of fitness gaps. E-gravel bikes aren’t replacing traditional bikes for me. But they’ve expanded who I can ride with and what trips make sense.

If you’re fit and your riding partners are fit and you have nothing limiting your abilities – you probably don’t need one. Traditional gravel bikes are lighter, cheaper, and simpler.

But if any of those conditions don’t apply, e-gravel bikes open doors that otherwise stay closed. That’s worth something.