Image source: Canyon.com
Gravel bikes are one of the most versatile bikes around, perfect for fast everyday commuting, performance training, or bikepacking.
Add an electric motor and you get one of the most capable, long-range vehicles around – an electric gravel bike. The best electric gravel bikes are quickly becoming popular amongst riders from all age groups, young and old alike.
Everybody enjoys these trendy bikes that can take you further with less stress as you choose your pedal assist to help you conquer previously exhausting elements. With the look of a road bike and the performance of an off-road bike, the best gravel ebikes shine through any time of the year.
Gravel bikes are one of the most versatile bikes around. You can ride one for fast everyday commutes, use it for performance training, and bikepacking. Add an electric motor and you’ll get one of the most capable and long-range commuters around – an electric gravel bike.
What to expect from a good quality e-gravel bike?
The best gravel e-bikes typically have a mid-drive motor (although good-quality hub motors are also available) and a lightweight carbon fork and frame.
They allow you to reach higher speeds more confidently knowing that the power of hydraulic disc brakes have your back. The frame geometry and drop bars up front give you an aerodynamic position while maintaining a comfortable posture so can tackle any terrain.
- Read more: 10 Best Mid-Drive Ebike Models We Recommend
Always look for tubeless-ready wheels (TLR) with extra grip on the side of the ridges so that you get extra bend around sharp curves. Good quality e-gravel bikes should be around 40 lbs (18kg) in weight with a battery that slips out the side for charging and standard tire clearance for 700c and 650b wheels.
The 8 Best Electric Gravel Bikes in 2024
- Trek Domane+ SLR 6 AXS
- Ride1UP Roadster v3
- Salsa Tributary Apex 1
- Santa Cruz Bicycles Skitch
- Cannondale Adventure Neo AllRoad
- Ride1UP CF Racer1
- Salsa Confluence
- Cervelo Rouvida
#1 Trek Domane+ SLR 6 AXS
Best high-speed carbon gravel bike
MSRP: $9,000
- Motor – TQ-HPR50, 50 Nm, 250W
- Battery Capacity – 360 Wh
- Drivetrain – SRAM Rival eTap AXS, 12 speed
- Weight – 27.78 lb
- Pedal Assist Range – Up to 60 miles
The Domane+ SLR 6 AXS is a Trek electric gravel bike designed to thrive through the elements, especially up hills.
With a powerful TQ-HPR50 50 Nm motor offering class 3 speeds and a 360 Wh battery nestled stylishly in its lightweight carbon frame, the Domane+ SLR 6 is the ultimate gravel warrior for long-distance rides.
As a class 3 eBike, it has a pedal-assist speed of up to 28 mph (45 kph) and a range of up to 60 miles. The bike comes with 700c x 40 mm tubeless-ready tires, assisting in bump absorption and making your whole cycling experience smoother and more fun. In addition, the carbon frame comes with Trek’s IsoSpeed rear system that further lowers vibrations.
The SRAM Rival eTap AXS, 12-speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes are as good as they come and only contribute to an already powerful setup that makes the Trek Domane+ SLR 6 AXS one of our top electric gravel bikes to ride.
It’s also one of the lightest electric bikes you can get, with a weight of just 27.78 lb.
#2 Ride1UP Roadster v3
Best Flat-Bar Electric Gravel Bike
MSRP: $1,295
- 500W geared hub motor, 50 Nm
- 360Wh battery
- Single-speed Gates belt drive or 10-speed Shimano Deore
- Tektro hydraulic disc brakes
The Ride1UP Roadster v3 is one of the best electric gravel bikes with a flat bar, manufactured by a company that’s becoming a leader in the direct-to-consumer market.
The Roadster v3 boasts a single-speed Gates carbon belt drivetrain that requires minimal maintenance—ideal for dusty gravel rides. You can also choose the traditional Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain, as both options cost the same. On top of that, it features Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and proper gravel 700C x 45 mm Schwalbe G-One tires.
The Roadster v3 is powered by a 500W geared hub motor with 50 Nm of torque and a 360 Wh battery, which are not the most powerful on this list. However, they will help you have a more comfortable ride and battle inclines and headwinds.
This ebike is also very affordable at just $1,295, so we recommend it to casual gravel riders who still not ready to commit by spending thousands on a drop-bar gravel ebike.
#3 Salsa Tributary Apex 1
Best Class 3 Electric Gravel Bike
MSRP: $5,999
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line Speed, 28mph
- Battery: 625 Wh PowerTube
- Aluminum frame
- SRAM Apex Eagle 12-speed drivetrain
- SRAM Apex Eagle hydraulic disc brakes
The Salsa Tributary Apex 1 is a 29″ gravel e-bike built for exploring rough gravel and dirt roads and bikepacking.
The Bosch Performance Line Speed mid-drive motor allows a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph and, combined with a 625 Wh battery, provides plenty of range for a day on the trails.
A RockShox 35 Gold suspension fork with 120 mm of travel helps absorb most vibrations or bumps you encounter, and tire clearance of up to 2.8″ front and 2.6″ rear means you can customize this bike for varied terrains.
The 12-speed SRAM Apex Eagle drivetrain provides flawless shifting and has a solid gearing range. Finally, the hydraulic disc brakes don’t disappoint and are a brilliant addition to the overall product.
#4 Santa Cruz Bicycles Skitch
Lightest Electronics and Build
MSRP: $6,299
With its impressive e-bike technology, the Santa Cruz Bicycles Skitch satisfies every desire of most gravel riders. The Skitch is not cheap, but it delivers excellent features for the money, including hydraulic disc brakes, SRAM Apex Eagle 12-speed groupset, and more.
The price also indicates that you are getting high-quality components. It showcases several advantages like the durable carbon fiber frame paired with a lightweight carbon fork, as well as the gravel-specific geometry.
The bike has also been fitted with a Fazua Ride 60 motor that will assist you up to 28 mph, as well as a 430 Wh battery that can provide hours of assistance on rough gravel roads.
SRAM Apex 2-piston hydraulic disc brakes also ensure higher-ranking modulation and responsiveness to any quick-changing braking on any terrain.
The Santa Cruz Skitch electric gravel bike also leaves the factory with 45 mm wide Schwalbe G-One tires that are perfect for versatile riding on gravel or paved roads.
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#5 Cannondale Adventure Neo Allroad
Best Gravel Ebike for Commuting
MSRP: $1,675
- Aluminum frame and fork
- Bafang G020 hub motor, 250W
- microShift 7-speed drivetrain
- 180 mm mechanical disc brakes
- Kenda Booster 27.5″ x 2.6″ tires
The Cannondale Adventure Neo AllRoad is one of our favorite electric gravel bikes due to its affordable price tag and the fact it’s made by Cannondale, one of the world’s best bike brands.
While this isn’t a classic drop-bar gravel ebike, the lightweight aluminum frame and fork on this bike deliver a sturdy ride quality with the ideal comfort for beginners. You get 27.5″ x 2.6″ tires, making the Adventure Neo Allroad suitable for heavy off-road riding.
Cannondale opted for an industry-leading Bafang rear hub motor and battery, coupled with a microShift 7-speed drivetrain and mechanical disc brakes for reliable stopping power.
Don’t look past this sleek gravel ebike if you want tried and tested performance from Cannondale at a reasonable price.
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#6 Ride1UP CF Racer1
An affordable gravel machine
MSRP: $2,295
- 250W, 42 Nm rear hub motor
- 252 Wh battery
- Carbon frame and fork
- SRAM Rival 1 11-speed rear derailleur
- Continental Terra Trail 700x40c tires
The Ride1UP CF Racer1 is the most affordable quality carbon gravel ebike you can get right now. It’s pretty incredible what Ride1UP managed to squeeze into a $2,295 price tag.
The 250W/42Nm rear hub motor and 252 Wh battery give you the extra push you need to conquer a climb, allowing a max assisted speed of 20 mph (32 km/h).
The battery offers a range of 16-40 miles and you can keep track of all of your riding statistics on a color display mounted on the handlebar.
The Ride1UP CF Racer1 offers excellent value for the money. It boasts reliable components like SRAM Rival 1 11-speed rear derailleur, Continental Terra Trail tires, and SRAM Rival hydraulic disk brakes.
All in all, the CF Racer1 won’t let you down, as Ride1UP is known for some of the best-value bikes on the market.
#7 Salsa Confluence
Best Gravel Ebike for Bikepacking
MSRP: $2,999
- Motor: Mahle ebikemotion X35+ 250W, 40Nm
- Battery: 250Wh
- Charge time: 3h
- SRAM Apex 1×11 speed
- Teravail Washburn, 700c x 42 mm tires
- Weight: N/A
The Salsa Confluence is a brand new ebike from the adventure-focused brand. It comes fitted with a lightweight ebikemotion X35+ motor, giving 40Nm of torque and a 20 mph top speed.
It also features a high-quality gravel-ready 1×11-speed SRAM Apex drivetrain, allowing you to shift gears smoothly and precisely even while riding in very harsh gravel conditions.
The 250 Wh battery charges in around 3h, making it great for those time-effective commutes. You also get a carbon fork for comfort and a definite performance factor.
The huge 42 mm Teravail Washburn tires are just the right width to balance speed and off-roading capabilities.
Finally, the Salsa Confluence comes with a bunch of mounting points on the frame and fork, allowing you to attach racks and frame bags, which makes it ideal for long bikepacking trips.
#8 Cervelo Rouvida
Best electric road/gravel bike
MSRP: $6,200
- Motor: Fazua Ride 60, 60Nm
- Battery: 430Wh
- Shimano GRX, RX822, 12 speed
- WTB Vulpine, 700 x 40c tires
- Shimano GRX, RX610 hydraulic disc brakes
The Cervelo Rouvida is on top of our list if you are looking for performance, serving the best deal for a battery-powered bike.
Cervelo is one of the most popular bike brands for performance cyclists, but their ebikes are impressive as well.
The Rouvida is showcasing a Fazua Ride 60, 60 Nm drive unit and a 430Wh battery, offering a max assisted speed of 28mph.
It comes with a 12-speed Shimano GRX RX822 drivetrain settled in a premium carbon frame and fork designed to roll smoothly on pavement or gravel.
The hydraulic disk brakes and 40mm tires allow for tackling off-road terrain and mixed conditions.
Things to Keep in Mind
Electric Road vs Electric Gravel Bike
The main difference between lightweight electric bikes for road and e-gravel bikes is that the gravel bike is built to conquer more extreme terrains.
Both can be cycled through cities and back roads with their battery-powered pedal assist, but the specifically modified gravel monster is for those who want to endure more extreme performances whilst having the added comfort to do so.
Gravel e-Bikes are becoming more popular as they give the cyclist the option and freedom to choose their terrain.
Gravel eBike vs Touring eBike
Although they are both all terrain electric bikes, gravel-specific ebikes are designed more for performance to withstand and absorb hard knocks, whereas touring ebikes are for long-distance trekking.
Weight plays a huge factor over long distances, which makes gravel ebikes attractive, but the comfort factor and wider variety of gears are what counts in touring ebikes.
While most best touring bikes are made from steel, such as the ones by Surly Bikes Brand, popular electric gravel bikes are made from aluminum and carbon, which makes them lighter but less practical.
Are Gravel E-Bikes Legal To Drive On the Streets?
Gravel eBikes are legal to drive, as they fall into two e-bike classes – Class 1 and Class 3.
- Class 1 eBike – Speed limited to 20mph, pedal-assistance. Motor wattage is limited to 750W.
- Class 2 eBike – Speed limited to 20mph, throttle (and optional pedal assistance). Motor wattage is limited to 750W.
- Class 3 eBike – Speed limited to 28mph, pedal-assist (and an optional throttle). Motor wattage limited to 750W
- Class 4 eBike (Not legal to ride on the street) – Speed limit 28mph and over, pedal & throttle assist. Motor wattage 750W and over.