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Epic day tours into the sunset, day-long bikepacking adventures with campfires by the tent, spectacular views from the ridges of high mountains: anyone who follows the relevant social media channels could become envious of the experiences of other gravel bike enthusiasts on a daily basis.
But freedom on two wheels is usually hard-won. No one who works full-time, raises small children or is unable to get on their bike several times a week for other reasons can just shake a three-digit kilometre performance or a crossing of the Alps out of their sleeve. For long tours and many metres in altitude, well-trained legs are essential for survival and, as we all know, you can't just buy them.
For a large proportion of followers, the impressions on the screen therefore usually remain what they are supposed to be for the viewer: a dream. But times are changing, and new technical developments are bringing previously unattainable dreams ever closer.
The 5 e-gravel bikes in the individual test
E-gravel bikes are becoming increasingly common
In recent years, a whole series of new gravel bikes have come onto the market, which are designed to help make the dreams described at the beginning of this article possible for people who are less fit.
For a long time, electric motors and road bike handlebars were a rather difficult liaison, mainly due to the legally prescribed assistance limit of up to 25 km/h, but also due to the high weight and clunky, unsportsmanlike appearance. Most attempts to establish the road bike in the form of a pedelec were cancelled after just a few years on the market.
But things could be different with gravel bikes. Almost every major manufacturer now has an off-road racer as a pedelec in its range and there is much to suggest that they are more than just a fad.
Various drive concepts tested
The trend is based on several parallel developments: Firstly, the boom in lightweight e-mountainbikes is contributing to the fact that drives are becoming increasingly smaller, lighter and more powerful. Industry giant Bosch, for example, has developed the new SX, a lighter and more compact unit specifically for sporty bikes.
Newcomers such as the German manufacturer TQ are also enjoying worldwide success with extremely compact but powerful motors. The days when a pedelec weighed at least 20 kilograms are now a thing of the past and the systems can also be integrated much better visually without compromising the sporty silhouette too much.
A second reason for the greater acceptance is that gravel bikes are no longer perceived as pure sports equipment, but increasingly as leisure, touring and everyday bikes. Today, the racing handlebar appeals to a much broader audience, for whom motorised assistance is less frowned upon than it is for genuine athletes.
For many, the gravel bike is the successor to the classic trekking bike in terms of usage behaviour, and those who have to tackle the cellar stairs every day on their bike will almost only find portable weights in the category with racing handlebars.
Last but not least, the motor simply makes more sense on a gravel bike than on a road bike on a country road: the overall speed level is lower. Sporty gravel bikers also move more in the area where the motor is useful. They spend less time at speeds where the bike becomes nothing more than a very heavy, unassisted racing bike. When used correctly, the motor pushes the gravel bike when things get particularly tough: On steep climbs, in deep sand or when the grains run out.
Conclusion: There is no such thing as an all-rounder
If you're considering an electrified gravel bike, you shouldn't just go ahead and buy one, but delve a little deeper into the subject. As our test rides with five different bikes showed, the concepts of the suppliers differ significantly and cater to very different requirements.
This applies not only to the bikes themselves, which can vary as much in terms of equipment, seating position and riding behaviour as the sheer endless variety without a motor. Whether the bike is to be used for travelling with luggage, as an everyday vehicle with lights and mudguards or just for day trips plays an important role, as not all bikes are suitable for everything.
The respective drives also have their advantages and disadvantages: The minimalist rear hub motor from Mahle with gentle support and a small battery and the extremely powerful, yet significantly heavier system from Bosch are worlds apart in terms of riding dynamics. This also applies to appearance and handling: Despite the lighter and more elegantly integrated technology, you can still clearly see the nature of some bikes.
Also, a gravel bike weighing 14 kilograms and without motor assistance simply doesn't ride as "naturally" as the manufacturer might promise in the advertising: these are different vehicles, which is also noticeable in the fact that a larger tyre (Scott) or brake disc (Cube) on these bikes suddenly seems very well thought out.
The latest technical developments may make e-gravel bikes more sensible and usable than they were a few years ago. However, they are still nowhere near as light-footed as bikes without a motor. But we can still dream.
E-bike motors for road bikes and gravel bikes at a glance
The drive unit characterises the character and capabilities of the bike - and these can vary greatly. An overview of the most popular manufacturers and their motors.
Mahle X20: 250 watts/23 newton metres
The X35 rear-wheel motor developed in Spain has characterised the market for electrified racing bikes for years. The newer X20 (pictured) is smaller and lighter. It offers sufficient torque for gravel use, which should be on a par with the leading mid-mounted motors. Wheel weights of eleven kilograms are possible. Three support levels, a fourth can be programmed via app. The slim battery (usually 242 Wh) is not enough for long mountain tours. Brands: Bianchi, Merida, Orbea, Rose, Storck, Simplon
TQ HPR 60: 350 watts/60 newton metres
The company from Seefeld near Munich achieved a breakthrough on the bike market with the HPR 50 bottom bracket motor: small, light and powerful, yet extremely quiet and with a natural riding feel. The brand new HPR 60 is not yet installed in many bikes, it offers slightly more power and torque and is less susceptible to heat. Usually combined with a 320Wh battery as a good compromise between weight and range. Brands: BMC, Scott, Trek
Specialized SL 1.2: 320 watts/50 newton metres
When Specialized presented the current generation of the Turbo Creo two years ago, the US brand also launched a new mid-motor. The Specialized 1.2 SL can also be found in mountain and trekking bikes from the Californians, but not on third-party manufacturers. Its strengths are the very harmonious ride feel and the low noise level, and unlike many others, overheating problems on long, steep climbs are not an issue. The 320 Wh battery is mid-range for gravel bikes.
Bosch Performance Line SX: 600 watts/55 newton metres
The most powerful of the so-called light engines: the performance data of the market leader is not just a force to be reckoned with on paper. With the turbo mode, hardly any power is required even on steep climbs. Together with the large 400 Wh battery, even the longest tours are possible. The disadvantages are a clearly audible riding noise and the rather high weight: you have to reckon with at least 13 kilos for the complete bike. Brands: Bulls, Cannondale, Canyon, Corratec, Cube, KTM
Jens Klötzer
Editor
