E-gravel bikes: The most important information and 6 gravel exotics at a glance

Although the fusion of gravel and e-bike is still relatively new, there is already an astonishing variety of drive concepts. It is rare for a particular motor to be used in more than three models on the market, let alone with the same shifting concept. In this class, Bosch and Shimano are not necessarily the dominant market leaders, as they tend to favour smooth and unobtrusive assistance. It could even be that the direct motor in the rear wheel is experiencing a small renaissance due to its design advantages.

E-gravel bikes are not E-MTBs. It's not about riding a heavy full-suspension bike up a slope and then enjoying the descent. Nor are they intended to take over most of the acceleration, as is the case in stop-and-go traffic in the city. But above all, it should not take the pedalling work out of the rider's hands - it remains a piece of sports equipment.

These bikes should remain as close as possible to conventional, non-motorised gravel bikes and hardly differ in terms of handling, appearance and possible terrain. However, the additional motor support extends the range and offers more options for route planning. The motor enables the rider to cover more metres in altitude than would be possible with their own fitness. It also mitigates inclines and other obstacles and takes the physical strain off the rider thanks to the electric battery.

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E-gravel bikes: a different kind of pedelec

Nowadays, the drive and battery are fully integrated into sporty bikes. Even experienced cyclists have to look twice to recognise an e-gravel bike, while laypeople can only guess by the sound of the motor. To keep the overall weight low and ensure a good centre of gravity close to the ground, the battery and motor are designed to be as compact and light as possible. Compared to SUVs or everyday pedelecs, these motors may offer less torque and battery capacity, but you can still ride an e-gravel bike and use the drive just as intuitively as on a city or trekking bike.

The lightweights on the flat move so smoothly that even in the lowest support level they remain constantly below the speed limit of around 26 km/h, at which the drive of a pedelec would deactivate. In full throttle or turbo mode, the constant switching on and off of the motor can lead to an unrhythmic ride. With less assistance, however, you glide effortlessly through the countryside and can enjoy this in peace and quiet with minimal background noise. Only when the terrain becomes more challenging or steep climbs are imminent does it make sense to increase the level of assistance.

This is also the main reason why most models operate their drives via switches on the handlebars. These switches are positioned so that they can be reached from any hand position and are not attached to a central computer. This eliminates the need for an additional device on the handlebars, as the activation and charging display are integrated into small elements in the frame.

Apart from a sportier look without controls on the handlebars, this leaves enough space for lights or navigation devices, which also makes the e-gravel bike attractive as a commuter vehicle. A small addendum: Although e-gravel bikes are not designed for road use, they are subject to the rules for pedelecs. Deactivating the motor above 25 km/h is therefore mandatory even without traffic equipment!

Which motor drives e-gravel bikes?

Front motors are not found on current e-gravel bikes, and that is a good thing, as they would cause poor traction and increased weight on the steering axle. Instead, most models are powered by a motor on the bottom bracket. This ensures good balance and centre of gravity. In addition, reduction motors, which transmit their power via small internal gears, consume slightly less power. Furthermore, the entire drive unit, including the cable harness, can be concealed in the frame. In addition to the new weight-reduced version of the Bosch motor called SX, TQ and Fazua play a particularly important role in this area.

The first motor sits directly around the bottom bracket axle and is very light and compact. The Bavarians at Fazua have stowed the bar motor, the battery and the controller in a block in the down tube, with the drive gear acting directly on the bottom bracket. This motor is slightly louder than the TQ motor, but offers more torque. These two points are the advantages of rear wheel motors. As they have no gears or points of contact with the drive axle, they are virtually silent - a real advantage for an intensive outdoor experience. In addition, they transmit their entire torque to the rear wheel without a gear reduction, which also protects wearing parts such as the chain and sprockets.

In addition to the weight distribution and slightly higher power consumption, the rear motor also has the disadvantage that the removal and installation of the rear wheel can be cumbersome, depending on the type. It can be difficult to fit the axle mount, the brake calliper and the electrical plug connection at the same time. The manufacturers Mahle and Bafang offer the most rear wheel motors on the market. The handlebar and wheel specialist FSA also offers a compact hub motor. Some bicycle brands such as Specialized and Giant now produce their own motors.

6 E-gravel bikes at a glance

Bulls Grinder Evo 550

• Price: 3599 Euro
• Weight: 17.9 kilos

The fully-fledged E-Gravel is now available at a reduced price, making it a real bargain. Although the mix of gears and brakes is perhaps not quite up to date, the first-class tyres and proven rear motor make up for this. Compared to its Mahle counterpart, it is somewhat heavier and has less torque than a TQ or Steps motor. Nevertheless, the Grinder with its lower level of assistance in combination with the large battery promises many brisk kilometres without much effort. The relaxed riding position perfectly matches the calm riding style.

• Variants: 4 frame heights
• Stack/Reach: k. A.
• Drive: GRX RD-RX812 / -600 1x11
• Motor / battery: Bosch Performance Line SX mid-motor, 30 Nm / FIT Supertube frame-integrated 520 Wh
• Brakes: Shimano BR RX400

Canyon Grizl:ON CF 9

• Price: 6999 Euro
• Weight: 15.55 kilos

The Flammneu is the motorised version of the Canyon Grizl and is already almost sold out. According to Canyon, it is the most versatile e-bike in their history, which is realistic given the high-quality front light and LED rear lights integrated into the dropouts. The model is also available as a commuter or trail specialist. The powerful Bosch SX shows its strengths at traffic light starts and on steep climbs. The Rockshox Rudy suspension fork is particularly suitable for demanding applications. The robust appearance of the e-gravel bike awakens a thirst for adventure rather than a desire for cycle paths.

• Variants: 4 models, from 4999 euros
• Stack/Reach: 1,516
• Drive: Sram Force XPLR AXS, 1x12
• Motor / battery: Bosch Performance SX mid-motor, 55 Nm / Bosch Compact Tube, 400 Wh (+250 Wh optional)
• Brakes: Sram Force ETap AXS

S-Works Turbo Creo 2

• Price: 13,000 euros
• Weight: 12.96 kilos

This top-of-the-range adventure bike offers tyres with a width of up to 56 mm. The self-developed centre motor with a maximum output of 320 watts is perfectly integrated into the bike. The Future Shock suspension under the stem enables the bike to hold its own on a variety of terrain. According to the manufacturer, up to 190 kilometres are possible with assistance. The geometry of the bike and the slightly upturned handlebars ensure a pleasant riding experience, but the price is still a real house number. Technology fans will appreciate the many setup options for the drive via mobile phone.

• Variants: 3 models, from 6000 euros
• Stack/Reach: 1,554
• Drive: Sram XX1 Eagle AXS, 1x12
• Motor / battery: New Specialized 1.2 SL Custom Lightweight Motor, 50 Nm / SL1-320, integrated, 320 Wh
• Brakes: Sram Red eTAP AXS

Cervelo Rouvida Gravel

• Price: 10,699 Euro
• Weight: n.a.

The Cervek. A.ouvida was launched in early 2024 as a gravel and road version, although they are the same bike. By replacing all four axle mounts, the front wheel is raised slightly for the road version and the rear wheel is lowered - a reverse-rotated position, so to speak. With different tyres (up to a width of 43 mm) or a second set of wheels, it can be converted into a reasonably comfortable gravel bike. The powerful Fazua Ride 60 bar motor from Bavaria delivers up to 450 watts and 60 Nm to the crankshaft. It may not be the quietest motor, but it is the most inconspicuous. We hardly noticed its additional weight in the down tube on other e-bikes.

• Variants: 3 models, from 6799 euros
• Stack/Reach: 1.51 (Road) 1.55 (Grav.)
• Drive: Sram Force XPLR AXS, 1x12
• Motor / battery: Fazua Ride 60 mid-motor 60 Nm / Bosch Compact Tube, integrated, 430 Wh
• Brakes: Sram Force ETap AXS

Stevens E-Getaway gravel bike

• Price: 6399 Euro
• Weight: 12.9 kilos

The Stevens E-Getaway impresses in its price class with a newly designed carbon frame and the lightweight TQ-HPR50 mid-motor, which reduces the weight to under 13 kilos. Compared to Bosch or Steps drives, the TQ drive is similarly quiet, compact and light. The geometry of the frame indicates that the bike is not designed for leisurely rides, but for sporting activities. However, the stem and handlebars seem to contribute to the fact that the bike can also be used for more relaxed rides. For longer tours, TQ offers an optional additional battery that can be mounted on the bottle cage and provides an additional 160 Wh capacity.

• Variants: 4 sizes
• Stack/Reach: 1,482
• Drive: Shimano GRX 822/820 1x12
• Motor / battery: TQ-HPR50 Light Assist mid-motor, 50 Nm / TQ HPR-BAT01, integrated, 360 Wh (+160 Wh optional)
• Brakes: Shimano BR-RX 820

Scott Solace Gravel eRide 10

• Price: 9999 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 12.56 kilos

The Scott Solace could also be categorised as an aero bike. With its short head tube, aerodynamic cockpit and flat fork, it has a race-specific silhouette. The Zipp 303 carbon wheels ensure high speeds and give the bike a classy look. Riders feel like they are on a racing machine. It might be difficult to stay under 25 km/h on a flat road with the E-gravel bike, so the support of the TQ motor and the battery power is easily sufficient for many for climbs or headwinds. With an additional battery like the Stevens, the Scott Solace can become a fast, luxury-class endurance athlete.

• Variants: 5 models, from 5999 euros
• Stack/Reach: 1,461
• Drive: Sram Force eTap AXS 1x12
• Motor / battery: TQ-HPR50 Light Assist mid-motor, 50 Nm / TQ HPR-BAT01, integrated, 360 Wh (+160 Wh optional)
• Brakes: Sram Force eTap AXS

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The 6 e-gravel bikes in detail

Without letting go: Motor control on the handlebars

If you want to give commands to the motor of the touring pedelec, you have to release your thumb from the grip and search for the button. This can be difficult, especially when things get bumpy and you have different grip positions on the drop bar handlebars. That's why most models, such as the Cervelo, have placed the motor controls in such a way that you can always access them easily without having to let go of the handlebar.

Unobtrusive: integration of the motor

Depending on the type of motor system, the charging port and the control buttons are often the only visible features of the drive. On the Cervelo Rouvia with its Fazua drive, the motor and battery are located as a single unit in the down tube, which means that the cross-section is barely thicker than on a conventional gravel bike without a motor. The charging area (the black square), the control buttons on the handlebars and the main switch on the top tube are positioned so that no cables are visible!

Powerful: TQ motor

Both the Stevens and the Scott are powered by a TQ motor, which is unjustly rarely seen. This has an impressive output of up to 300 watts and a torque of 50 Nm. What is particularly important with the E-Gravel, however, is that the HPR50 drive is very quiet and, at just 1850 grams, is supposedly the lightest in its class. Compared to Bosch and the like, it offers even more advantages: The pedals are hardly any further apart than without the motor and there is even an extra battery that fits in the bottle cage (pictured).

Minimalist: integrated displays

Pedelecs used to be easily recognisable thanks to large computers on the handlebars. Today's generation of sporty e-bikes, on the other hand, are much more discreet in this respect. On models such as the Stevens, the command centre is often reduced to the essentials, with switches on the handlebars and a minimalist "inlay". Here you will only find a main switch, a display for the charge level and the support levels - more would only be annoying in rough terrain.

Direct drive: Rear engine

Bulls has a rear motor, which is becoming increasingly rare. The Bafang drive is smaller than most gear hubs, weighs only two kilograms and has an output of 250 watts and 30 Nm. Although the power values are comparatively low, they are more noticeable than expected due to the direct drive to the hub. These motors are also very quiet. However, the extra kilo of weight does unbalance the rear wheel somewhat.