Electric gravel bikes: Everything you need to know

If you’re in the market for a new electric bike, you’ll have noticed that the number of options available online continues to grow. From hybrid bikes to mountain bikes, many of the models you’ll recognise now can be bought in electric form or even converted yourself.

Electric gravel bikes can be a great option for people who want the boost of an electric motor and want to cycle on a mixture of terrain. This blog will cover what exactly an electric gravel bike is, its benefits and features, and the best electric gravel bikes currently on the market.

What is an electric gravel bike?

An electric gravel bike has all the best features of a gravel bike, with the addition of an electric motor to help you with those more challenging rides.

Electric gravel bikes are typically considered somewhere between road bikes and mountain bikes in terms of how they’re best used. They can handle various terrains, making them perfect for both road cycling and light off-roading.

Electric gravel bikes can have a slightly higher price point than hybrid bikes but come with a wider range of uses. While you may be able to find some electric gravel bikes for under £1,000, prices at the higher end can spiral up to £7,000+.

Related: Electric gravel bikes vs traditional mountain bikes

The benefits of an electric gravel bike

There are several advantages to using an electric gravel bike, but there are three benefits, in particular, that make electric gravel bikes stand out from the crowd:

1.      Go further on your tougher or longer rides

With the pedal assist from the electric motor attached to your electric gravel bike, you’ll be able to go faster for longer as it requires less physical output from you. This also makes electric gravel bikes applicable to a wider range of cycling abilities so that anyone can get the most out of their rides.

2.      Take on mixed terrain with ease

With larger tyres and a relaxed frame, electric gravel bikes are perfect for trails, towpaths, and road cycling. The motor used for the bike is often optimised for mixed terrain, too. This makes them a very versatile bike, so you can take on a trail at the weekend with your friends and then ride the same bike for your morning commute on Monday.

3.      All the benefits of an e-bike, but lighter

Electric gravel bikes are frequently considered the lightest category of electric bikes, making them easier to transport from place to place. They also look a lot more like a regular bike than some e-bikes you’ll see on the market, which may appeal if you don’t like the usual e-bike appearance.

The best electric gravel bikes: Our top five

With how versatile electric gravel bikes are, the best gravel bike for you really depends on what you’ll be using it for and where you’ll be riding it. However, we’ve done our best to put together a varied list of the top five electric gravel bikes, so there should be a bike to suit everyone in this list.

1.      GT eGrade Amp

RRP: £2,600

The first thing you’ll likely notice about the GT eGrade Amp is the “triple triangle” structure of the bike frame. A classic feature of GT’s gravel bikes, the triple triangle seatstays provide additional flex and comfort to the bike. The frame is made from aluminium with a carbon fork, which helps absorb some of the shock when riding on tougher terrain. Multiple mounting options for your bags, mudgards, and luggage racks make this bike a great choice for long-distance cyclists.

Key Features:

Frame: All new grade alloy 700c
Fork: GT Grade E-Carbon
Motor: Ebikemotion X35 250W
Tyres: WTB resolute TCS 700x42c
Drivetrain: Shimano GRX800/600 1×11
Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 Hydro Disc, 160/160mm RT56 Rotors
Headset: 1.5″ Lower to 1-1/8″ Upper w/ Reducer, 25mm Alloy Top Cap

2.      Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 1

RRP: £8000

With Kingpin rear suspension and a 30-millimetre travel Lefty Oliver fork, the Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 1 provides you with a comfortable ride even on the rougher gravel rides. The Lefty Oliver makes this bike stand out as there’s only one stanchion to the left of the front wheel rather than the conventional two. This electric gravel bike also comes with a lockout for the suspension, so you can quickly switch between added suspension for gravel to reduced suspension for cycling on the road.

Key Features:

Frame: Topstone Carbon
Fork: Lefty Oliver, 30mm travel
Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX 250W
Tyres: WTB Raddler TCS Light 700x44c
Drivetrain: SRAM Force 1×12
Brakes: SRAM Force eTap AXS hydraulic disc, 160/160mm CenterLine rotors
Headset:  1-1/8″ – 1-1/2″ Integrated Carbon

3.      Kinesis Range Adventure ebike

RRP: £3,900

The lightweight Kinesis Range Adventure ebike features striking ‘galactic’ paintwork and great bikepacking features for longer adventures. The battery and motor are also easy to remove if you want to ride without assistance. When you want to use the motor, the touch-sensitive button to dial up and down the pedal-assist feature makes it a breeze. You can even put the touch-sensitive button into rain mode so that rain droplets don’t affect the controls.

Key Features:

Frame: Kinesis RANGE lightweight 6061 Hydroformed Aluminium Frame
Fork: Kinesis RANGE Carbon Fork
Motor: Fazua Ride 50 with 58 Nm Torque
Tyres: Maxxis Rambler 700x45c
Drivetrain: SRAM Apex 1×11
Brakes: SRAM Apex Hydraulic 160mm Rotors Front and Rear
Headset: FSA no.42 Cartridge Bearing

4.      Van Rysel E-GRVL AF HD

RRP: £2,500

You may not have heard of Van Rysel, but you will have heard of Decathlon. Van Rysel is Decathlon’s bike brand, and their electric gravel and road bikes are at the more affordable end of the electric gravel bike spectrum. The assistance controls sit right on the handlebar, which makes adding or removing the assistance from the motor while you ride easy. You’ll even find the bike has a built-in BC900 bike computer with GPS to help you track your rides!

Key Features:

Frame: 6061 T6 aluminium
Fork: Full carbon fork
Motor: Mahle X35 Drive Unit 40 Nm Torque
Tyres: Hutchinson Touareg 700x45c
Drivetrain: SRAM Apex 1×11
Brakes: SRAM Apex hydraulic and 160/160 mm discs

5.      Specialized Turbo Creo SL Carbon Comp Evo

RRP: £6,250

The Specialised Turbo Creo has Future Shock 2.0 suspension with adjustable compression to help you tackle varied terrain with a quiet but powerful motor. This electric gravel bike also has a built-in power meter, and you can connect to Specialized’s Mission Control App, where you can check and change your bike and motor settings, cycling stats, and more.

Key Features:

Frame: Specialized FACT 11r Carbon Fiber
Fork: Rigid Carbon Fiber
Motor: Specialized SL 1.1
Tyres: Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss 700x38c
Drivetrain: Shimano GRX812/810 1×11
Brakes: Shimano 105, Hydraulic disc
Headset: Tapered 1-1/ 8″ to 1-1/ 2″ Cartridge Bearing

Electric bike laws in the UK

To ensure you’re compliant with the UK’s electric bike laws, you should ensure that anyone riding your electric gravel bike is over 14. Electric bikes don’t require a licence and don’t need to be registered as long as they:

have pedals that drive the bike forward
show either their power output or the motor manufacturer
show either the voltage of the battery or the bike’s maximum speed
have a maximum power output of 250 watts from the electric motor
don’t have an electric motor that can continue to propel the bike when it’s travelling faster than 15.5mph

If your electric bike provides more power or goes faster than the speed limit above using the motor, you can still ride it within the UK, but it will be classed as a speed pedelec. For a speed pedelec, you must have a UK government-approved manufacturer. You’ll also need to register and tax the bike, have a licence, and wear a crash helmet while cycling. For full information on electric bike laws in the UK, please visit the Government website.

Electric gravel bikes have a range of benefits and can be a versatile choice for avid gravel riders and commuters. Electric gravel bikes are a big investment, whichever you choose. Insuring your bike and its accessories through Cycleplan can help to protect against damage, theft, and loss.

You can also get Public Liability cover through Cycleplan, which can help cover the costs involved should you be deemed liable for injury to another person or damage to third-party property while using your bike.

Find out more about how Cycleplan can help, or get a quick online quote today.

Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.