Finding the best road eBike is difficult as the market is highly competitive and many of the bikes come with a hefty price tag.
The best electric road bikes will have some standard features. These characteristics include a light base weight, a stiff and responsive frame, big battery capacity for long-range rides, smooth power transfer, and a durable wheelset.
In addition, cyclists that ride in areas with lots of rain or ridiculously steep climbs will need powerful hydraulic disc brakes and high wattage from their motor.
In this article, we will look at eight of the best electric road bikes on the market in 2024. These models are categorized as mid to top-end, with prices starting from $4500 up to $15,000.
Best Electric Road Bikes of 2024
- Ride1UP CF Racer1
- Salsa Confluence
- Cervelo Rouvida
- Trek Domane+ Al 5
- Santa Cruz Bicycles Skitch
- Cannondale Synapse Neo
- Trek Domane+ SLR 6
- Ride1UP Roadster v2
1. Ride1UP CF Racer1
MSRP: $2,295
- Carbon Frame and fork
- SRAM Rival 1 11-speed drivetrain
- SRAM Rival Hydraulic Brakes
- Schwalbe E-One 700x32c
- Weight: 28.6 lbs
The popular budget-friendly e-bike brand has created an exceptional piece of engineering with excellent ride quality called the Ride1UP CF Racer1.
Thanks to its powerful electronics and high max speed, this ebike is considered a Class 3 speed pedelec. What’s incredible about it is the low price tag of just $2,295, so it’s hard to believe that this is a full-carbon road ebike.
Electronics
- Class 3 eBike – 28 mph
- 250W, 42 Nm
- 252 Wh Battery
The electronics used include a 250W rear hub motor with 42 Nm of torque and a modest 252 Wh battery. This motor provides incredibly smooth power matching that ensures riding the Ride1UP CF Racer1 feels like riding a normal bike.
Lastly, the SRAM Rival 1 drivetrain delivers crisp shifting accuracy, reliability, and efficiency. You also have SRAM Rival hydraulic disc brakes, 32 mm tires, and performance geometry to boost comfort.
2. Salsa Confluence
MSRP: $2,999
- Frame – 6061-T6 aluminum alloy
- Motor – 250W MAHLE X35+
- Drivetrain – SRAM Apex 1 x 11
- Brakes – Tektro Mechanical disc brakes
- Wheels – WTB ST i23
- Tires – Teravail Washburn, 700c x 42 mm
The Salsa Confluence is a Class 1 electric all-road bike that perfectly balances innovative modern technology with the exceptional engineering of the world-class off-road brand.
This high-end gravel-friendly bike will make you feel like a pro thanks to the lightweight aluminum frame, a responsive carbon fork, and powerful Mahle electronics.
The drivetrain on this bike is an 11-speed SRAM Apex. This groupset combines perfectly with a 250W motor and a 250 Wh battery to deliver full days of pedal assistance.
Lastly, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, 42 mm Teravail Washburn tires, and stable geometry give this bike a comfortable and controlled ride feel.
3. Cervelo Rouvida
MSRP: $6,200
- Carbon frame
- Shimano GRX, RX822, 12 speed
- Shimano GRX, RX610 Hydraulic Brakes
- WTB Vulpine 40mm tires
Cervelo Rouvida is an electric all-road bike with a stylish design and comfortable endurance geometry. It’s a seriously lightweight electric bike, weighing just 27 lb.
This bike performs best on long rides where comfort is a priority. The relaxed geometry and a shock-absorbing carbon fiber frame ensure a premium ride quality. In addition, the Cervelo Rouvida has sleek internal cable routing and versatile 34-43 mm tire clearance.
Namely, the Rouvida has interchangeable dropouts that let you transform it from a gravel bike into a road bike and vice versa.
Electronics
- Class 3 eBike – 28 mph
- 250W Fazua Ride 60
- Fazua 430 Wh
- Torque: 60 Nm
The Fazua Ride 60 motor provides up to 28 mph of pedal-assistance, making climbs seem effortless, while a 430 Wh battery and 12-Speed Shimano drivetrain keep you going for mile after mile.
Finally, Shimano GRX hydraulic disc brakes provide responsive stopping power for excellent control, whereas the Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 Tubeless Ready rims and WTB Vulpine 40mm tires add more to the smooth ride quality.
4. Trek Domane+ AL 5
MSRP: $3,500
- Aluminum frame and carbon fork
- Shimano 105 groupset
- Shimano 105 Hydraulic Brakes
- 700c x 32 mm Bontrager tires
Trek is one of cycling’s most prestigious brands and their Domane+ AL 5 ebike gives you the ability to ride like a pro.
This bike features the same design and clean lines as the regular Trek Domane bikes and uses such stylishly and stealthily integrated electronics that you barely even know it’s a motorized road bike.
Electronics
- Class 1 eBike – 20 mph
- 250W Rear-Hub Motor
- 250 Wh Battery
Beginning with an aluminum frame, the Domane+ AL 5 has incredible handling and a smooth feel. The drivetrain used is a Shimano 105 1×12-speed drivetrain which integrates perfectly with the Hydrive motor and battery.
In addition, you have a 250W rear hub motor and a 250 Wh battery. This pair lasts up to 60 miles with max-assisted speeds of 20 mph.
You also get multi-surface 32 mm wide Bontrager tires and Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brakes, so this bike is more than ready for all-road adventures.
5. Santa Cruz Bicycles Skitch
MSRP: $6,299
- Carbon
- SRAM Apex Eagle 12-speed
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- Schwalbe G-One 700c x 45 mm tires
- WTB EZR i23p 700c Rims
Santa Cruz Bicycles Skitch is an electric road/gravel bicycle that comes with elite-level components and powerful electronics on a sleek carbon fiber frame.
For power, you have a Fazua Ride 60 e-bike system. This pair includes a 250W/60Nm mid-drive motor and a 430 Wh battery to provide max speeds of 28 mph for long-range rides.
Electronics
- Class 3 eBike – 28 mph
- 250W Motor
- 430 Wh Battery
- Torque: 60 nm
The most impressive features of this bike are the electronic drivetrain and the lightweight carbon fiber frameset and build kit. In addition, this bike comes with massive Schwalbe G-One 700c x 45 mm tires that are ready for any gravel conditions.
Finally, powerful hydraulic disc brakes and a SRAM Apex 12-speed drivetrain ensure excellent control and performance in varied riding conditions.
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6. Cannondale Synapse Neo
MSRP: $8,500
- Carbon frame
- 12-speed Shimano Ultegra Di2
- Shimano Ultegra hydraulic brakes
- Vittoria Corsa, 700x30c
- Wheels: HollowGram R 45, Carbon,
The Cannondale Synapse Neo Carbon is a unique electric road bike worth mentioning. This bike has lots of innovative technology and high-quality components, allowing it to perform above its price tag.
This bike flourishes in tough conditions thanks to its lightweight Bosch Performance Line Sprint 250W mid-drive motor. Headwinds and steep hills are nullified thanks to 85Nm of torque and a 400 Wh battery.
In addition, the Synapse Neo has a reliable Shimano Ultegra Di2 1×12-speed drivetrain, which helps you get farther then you could ever dream of before.
Electronics
- Class 3 e-bike – 28 mph
- 250W Bosch Performance Line Sprint motor
- 400 Wh battery
- Torque: 85 Nm
- Range: N/A
- Charge Time: N/A
The lightweight carbon frame is coupled with stiff fork that increases comfort and speed. The Cannondale Synapse is one of the most popular endurance road bikes around, so if you’re interested in long rides, make sure to consider its electric counterpart.
7. Trek Domane+ SLR 6
MSRP: $8,500
- Carbon frame and fork
- Shimano 105 Di2 gearing
- Shimano 105 Hydraulic Brakes
- 700 x 32c Bontrager Tires
- Weight: 27.34 lbs
Trek’s Domane+ SLR 6 electric racing bike is an exceptional piece of engineering that looks exactly like a regular road bike.
This bike completely disguises the battery in a regular-sized down tube and houses the motor in the bottom bracket to keep the frame proportional. The frame itself is made from lightweight carbon fiber and has efficient aerodynamic geometry. Thanks to premium electronics, the total base weight is only 27 lb.
Electronics
- Class 3 eBike – 28 mph
- TQ mid-drive motor
- 360 Wh Battery
- Range: 60 mi
The motor is a TQ mid-drive model, and the battery has 360 Wh, which, when combined with the 2×12-speed Shimano 105 Di2, delivers long ranges of up to 60 miles. In addition, you can choose from several levels of pedal assistance to extend the battery’s life and fine-tune the assistance.
The Shimano 105 set up on this bike is incredibly sharp, reliable, and versatile. Powerful 105 hydraulic disc brakes are necessary to handle the extra power away from the motor and battery.
Finally, wider 32 mm Bontrager tires, Bontrager wheels, and the carbon fiber build contribute to smooth and comfortable riding over long distances.
8. Ride1UP Roadster v2
MSRP: $1,095
- Aluminum frame and fork
- Single-speed Gates drive belt
- Rim brakes
- 700c x 28 mm tires
The Ride1UP Roadster v2 electric road bike makes you feel like you can do anything. This falt-bar electric bike is made for road or urban cycling enthusiasts who want the natural riding experience with minimal assistance.
The Roadster v2 has a lightweight aluminum frameset with internal cable routing and fully integrated electronics.
Electronics
- Class 3 eBike – 24 mph
- 350W geared rear hub motor
- 250 Wh battery
- Torque: 40 Nm
For power, you have a smooth 350W geared rear hub motor coupled with a 250 Wh battery to match. When used with the Gates belt-driven single-speed drivetrain, riders can expect long days in the saddle without breaking a sweat. On top of that, the belt-drive requires minimal maintenance, which will save you time and money.
Other notable features of this bike include the lightweight rim brakes and 700c tires that are suitable for fast city rides. These components, along with a stable and comfortable geometry design, help provide a comfortable ride matter the length.
How to choose an electric road bike?
Choosing an electric road bike depends mostly on your budget, where and when you’ll be riding, and the distances you hope to travel.
Wheel Sizes
In general, the diameter of road bike wheels is 700. The width of your wheels will determine how stable your bike is, the amount of traction you get on the road, and the speed of your tires. Once you pass 30c you see an increase in stability and traction with a reduction in speed.
700x28c – 700x37c
Frame
All of the bikes in this electric road bike review use carbon fiber as the frame material. Carbon is the lightest, strongest, stiffest, and, therefore, the most effective material for speed. Additionally, carbon reduces road vibrations quite nicely. Well-built aluminum frames can also perform quite well, especially when compared to cheap carbon fiber bikes.
Many bike brands like Trek (IsoSpeed) or Cannondale use other frame technology to increase comfort, reduce vibration fatigue, and improve the overall handling and ride quality.
Gearing
The most common gearing for electric road bikes is 2×11-speed or 1×11/12-speed. For e-bikes, the gear range and ratios do not impact ride quality as much as they do with regular bikes because you have the added power from the motor.
However, for those who like to ride without the help of pedal assistance, choosing a bike with a broader gear range (2×11-speed) or one with larger ratios will give you a better chance of finding the perfect gear.
Brakes
All of the bikes in this electric road bike review come with hydraulic disc brakes, which will deliver similar stopping power.
However, the higher quality ones (Ultegra, Dura-Ace, SRAM Rival 1) will last longer and be more durable under stress, such as having the ability to dissipate heat better.
Motor
Most e-road bikes have a similar-sized 250W motor. This size motor provides the perfect balance of wattage and weight for this style of bike. Ebikemotion is the most common brand found because they are very lightweight and efficient.
Additionally, most electric road bike motors are placed in the rear wheel hub to eliminate resistance when pedal assistance is not in use. If this is not important to you, a mid-drive motor is more efficient and lighter.
Battery
As with the motor, most of the bikes in this review use Ebikemotion 248Wh batteries for their low weight and small size for integration. This type of battery provides around 50 to 60 miles of range, depending on the specific bike.
The top-end electric road bikes may have a bigger battery. In addition, you can also choose a bike that has a range extender.
FAQs
Why get an electric road bike after all?
The benefits of an electric road bike are twofold.
Firstly, they enhance many aspects of cycling that we love, including the ability to enjoy the outdoors, ride long distances to faraway places, ride with friends, and do all of this without worrying about your fitness or ability to keep up.
E-bikes also limit the negative aspects of cycling. These may be wicked headwinds that make you want to turn around or stomach-turning climbs. Additionally, they give you the ability to keep up on days where you’re not feeling so good, and they remove the barriers to cycling, which many of us will experience, like old age or loss of fitness.
How fast do e road bikes go?
Class 1 models have a 20mph pedal-assist max speed. Class 3 bikes (speed pedelecs) have a 28mph max assisted speed. All the bikes in this review are considered Class 1.
Is it worth buying an electric road bike?
In our opinion, buying an electric road bike is an exciting and worthwhile purchase for many people. That said, it depends on your needs, how long and where you ride, and your budget.
As mentioned above, these bikes can take the discomfort out of riding and enhance everything we love. If that sounds good to you too, we hope you find the perfect bike for the job.