Electric Gravel Bikes for 2023 that don't look like E-Bikes!

[@imac1957]

I bought a Merida eSilex 400 recently, and it has transformed my life. It also has the Mahle drive system, and the frame is identical to the Merida Gravel bike. It is the same weight as my old Cannondale Touring bike, but when I drop below 25kph a beautiful breeze picks up behind me and helps me along. The bike can ride without support just like my Cannondale, and is a lovely bike without support, but with a new hip and an old knee this 66 yo was struggling to do my favourite rides around the neighbourhood as I can't stand in the pedals anymore. I have ridden the ebike every day since I bought it, and can now enjoy all the rides I used to do - but with that little bit of help up the steeper slopes. For the most part I only need level one of the three support levels, and it is nice to know there is serious torque if I need it to get home if I cook out. I can feel the change in my body (and mind) now that I can go out and do 30-40km rides whenever I want to.

[@TysRides]

This is the perfect example of why these bikes are awesome. Thank you for sharing!

[@vincekerrigan8300]

With you completely - good luck. With no significant health problems, other than extreme old age, I was later going electric, converting my road bike to an e-bike when I hit 90 last year - good decision, complete new lease of riding life.

[@MemoryDrawingsBand]

I just bought the LeMond Prolog AR, an all-carbon gravel bike that comes with 43mm tires with room for about 45-46mm tires. It doesn't look like an ebike, either, and has cool tiny headlight and tail lights in the rear stays. It uses the Mahle rear hub with is controllable with an app that works on the Apple Watch. You don't get the torque you get from the mid-motor Bosch, but it feels completely normal with no battery on, so it's not limited in range if the battery dies. Really loving it so far...

[@kentrost7282]

I have never posted before but my experience might be of interest. Just purchased an Argon18 Subito ebike this year. I typically ride 50-80 km on a ride on my hybrid. Did a 108km ride and and still had lots of energy and used 50% of the battery. I usually get 125 to 175km on one charge as I do not even use the e often. Bike weighs 26 lbs which is same weight as my hybrid. The bike has the Mahle 35 system. I am 68 yr old guy and it certainly lets me ride with any of my stronger riding buddies with no hesitation. The bike comes in both a road setup and a gravel setup. Lots of enjoyment!

[@TysRides]

I really appreciate this response! I'm thinking about making a part two of this video and will put that bike on the list. Sounds like a cool bike. Thank you!

[@alansmith3978]

I am an 83 year old who after purchasing a Scot RC 30 now feel I am 53 year old is it a miracle?

[@berniekeene868]

I like the Pinion gearbox and a Gates carbon belt drive. Practically zero maintenance. They have an MGU system that pairs an electric motor with the gearbox. It is on a lot of mountain bikes now. I am waiting for a gravel bike with this drivetrain.

[@oldnslowpopi]

mahle X35 Is a great rear hub drive motor. I've ridden over 7200 miles on my Orbea Gain with 0 issues..

[@g.fortin3228]

I think the cadence spacing of the grx 2x for some mixed road use is a plus and i'd prefer that drivetrain unless i did only gravel and not much pavement mixed in..can't get much gravel where i live unless you mix in pavement. great options there for different uses though !

[@TysRides]

For sure. I have 2x GRX on my gravel bike which I also use for pavement and love it.

[@Hamsong]

I know it probably came out after this video, but I love my LeMond Prolog AR, the lightest gravel ebike currently for sale at 28lbs. Mahle rear hub, hidden battery in down tube, and carob frame, bars, stem, seatppost. Mahle has less torque than mid drive systems, but it’s a completely normal bike if the battery dies.

[@TysRides]

Interesting! I'm going to check that bike out.

[@Techwonderland]

I’m psyched to see how far the technology has come - so it doesn’t look like an e-bike. I’m in my 50’s.. and glad to know maybe in 10-20 years when I’m ready for a e-bike 😂 they’ll be completely unnoticeable.

[@TysRides]

Ha absolutely! And these are cool because it seems they just give a boost. Not as much power as some of the mid drive bikes out there but enough to give a little help on hills and what not.

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

MAHLE X35 systems are great! My wife has three of 'em and I just caved-in and bought one (used) myself. Bianchi's E-Impulso Allroad, sadly now discontinued.

[@StellaHulliet]

Comment 1:Hey there! I just stumbled upon a new project called Freebeat Morph 2-in-1 eBike, and it seems pretty impressive. I checked out their article, and it mentions that the bike can be charged when you apply the indoor mode. That's definitely a unique feature! It's great to see companies thinking about sustainability and finding ways to utilize the energy generated during indoor rides. I'm curious to try out the Morph eBike and see how it performs on different terrains. Keep up the great content!Reply:Hey, glad you found this new project too! The indoor recharge feature of the Morph eBike caught my attention as well. It's a smart way to make the most of your indoor training. The eBike seems to have a powerful motor and impressive torque, which should make conquering different terrains a breeze. I'm also excited about its puncture-resistant fat tires and IPX5 Waterproof finish. It's great to have a bike that can handle any weather condition. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and happy riding with your MAHLE X35 systems!

[@juancarlosc.c.8565]

I'm happy with my Specialized Turbo Creo is fantastic, id like to have more time to spend riding on it.

[@jeffb8331]

Lemond all road prolog looks great and only 28 lbs is very surprising. The reviews I’ve seen indicate it rides very close to a normal bike with the assist off. $6000 currently which is expected with carbon and quality GRX components. Nice to see some other options however. I wonder if any of the bikes you mentioned are close to the 28 lb weight of this bike. My wife’s trek e-bike weighs 46 and it feels like it weighs 46.

[@spscorse]

How does a Yamaha Wabash RT compare to these bikes Thanks

[@TysRides]

@@spscorse I don't know anything about that bike.

[@skasterenvan3480]

Does anybodey know how to update the firmware from this Mahle X20 ? As in Europe these bikes can only do max 15mph instead of the 20mph in USA. 15mph /25 km/h is just to slow for a race bike. Thanks Stefan

[@stevenreeves4766]

Rear hub electric bikes are much cheaper than the center crank motors but the are not as good as they do not apply power linearly across all gears as the center mount does, and the center mount keeps the additional weight down low and more balanced.

[@dcrunicycles]

thank you from truckee california,

[@larrylem3582]

Scott Addict eRide uses a Mahle X20 rear hub motor. It would be good to check that out.

[@jeroenjansen2709]

A test drove a Terra Traveller today. Rearhub and very powerful and I was flying up the steep incluines. It kicks in quite abruptly but it doesn't put strain on the chain and cassette. Does anyone know this bike?

[@vaughanbbrean71]

Just bought a Specialized Creo 1 at a discount of £2000!!!! the Creo 2 is now out and the previous model is apparently old news so and I paid £2200, it really is a great bike, so if you want one, they are now a far more reasonable price.....go on, just do it 🤠

[@polyrhythmia]

Ebikes make much more sense than electric cars.

[@kiethpederson7558]

Right , don’t have rewire ya whole house

[@mahmoodlebanon]

Yes

[@vulcan4d]

Yup!

[@ericschneider7648]

They both make sense. I don’t know anyone who has regretted buying an electric car and the technology is evolving quickly. But yes, e-bikes are awesome.

[@clay___doh]

Riding horses makes much more sense than riding dragons

[@ProfessorOzone]

Holy crap! How about my bike, the Velotric T1 ST and my friend's bike the FLX Babymaker 2. They look as little like e-bikes as most of these options and they don't cost more than my car.

[@captaincoyote1792]

Damn. Now I’m tempted! I want one…I want one…I want--enough of my mid-60s but acting immature and petulant! I really like the fact that they don’t look like “e-bikes”, but I do wish they’d make one with more cargo “bosses”….particularly on the top tube and the fork. All my riding now is on my Chumba Stella ti, for “distance, off road, multi-day” bikepacking….to access “off the path” fly fishing spots in New England. But….I’m really ignorant when it comes to e-bikes. Can you still ride it after the power is gone….I guess I always thought that pedaling restored some power. And obviously, to restore power, you need an outlet…and, and…enough of showing my stupidity. Great video, amigo….you always do a great job, with enthusiasm and knowledge. Thank you.

[@TysRides]

I really appreciate it! So, I think the benefit with these is they are light enough to still feel somewhat like a regular bike when the power is off or runs out. And yes, you can pedal them with no power. Another cool thing is, I think they just give somewhat of a boost without giving too much power. The Cannondale comes with a lot of mounts.

[@jeroenjansen2709]

I just want to know where the motor is

[@TysRides]

@@jeroenjansen2709 they are in the rear wheel. Like the area where the hub is.

[@dominirican7403]

Ride1up cf carbon fiber bike is the best one out of all of these. 2.4K. No markup because they are direct to consumer. I do admit it has a cadence sensor instead of a torque sensor. But it’s a better bang for your buck type of bike

[@MorganBrown]

Looking for on of these for my wife, hoping we can ride together more. Thinking the Cannondale may be the one.

[@TysRides]

All of these seme like pretty good quality. Might come down to what you can get your hands on.

[@ervin9805]

has this list changed since 2024?

[@TysRides]

@ervin9805 I'm not sure if all of the bikes are exactly the same, but I'm pretty sure each company does still offer a variation of these bikes.

[@peffancekk]

Do you know Megamo Kansas e-gravel? Beatiful ❤❤❤

[@bennetthasty7886]

Hey TY not sure if you know Ribble but Ribble as a lot of award winning e-bikes at good prices I believe they are customer direct like Canyon

[@TysRides]

Yes! They were actually on my list, but as I researched more, I don't think they are available in the US. At least they won't ship the e-bikes to the US.

[@bennetthasty7886]

@@TysRides cool I didn’t know that

[@4961Studebaker]

Interesting ,the ever changing evolution of battery and motor tech. Thanks!

[@kentrost7282]

I have never posted before but my experience might be of interest. Just purchased an Argon18 Subito ebike this year. I typically ride 50-80 km on a ride on my hybrid. Did a 108km ride and and still had lots of energy and used 50% of the battery. I usually get 125 to 175km on one charge as I do not even use the e often. Bike weighs 26 lbs which is same weight as my hybrid. The bike has the Mahle 35 system. I am 68 yr old guy and it certainly lets me ride with any of my stronger riding buddies with no hesitation. The bike comes in both a road setup and a gravel setup. Lots of enjoyment!

[@bennetthasty7886]

@@kentrost7282 thanks that’s awesome 😎

[@sfdint]

You need to add the Salsa Confluence to this list.

[@TysRides]

I will have to check it out. Honestly, I wasn't aware of that one.

[@vulcan4d]

We need more light weight (45lbs or less), non bulky gravel ebike's. New ones are coming that look like ebikes, mid drive and have hidden wires at reasonable prices.

[@rookie7413]

Tour de France race promoters have also admitted to using e-bikes on long flat stages for the illusion of these guys going fast. It is done to get people to tune in and watch on TV. Fast is fun.

[@viesitis]

What about French Origine?

[@Chris66able]

Some great bikes here, but I wouldn't have a Cannondale even if it was free !

[@TysRides]

I've got a 2013 caad10. Bought it used and it has been a great bike for me.

[@Chris66able]

@@TysRides I bought a brandnew Cannondale Topstone carbon gravel bike. It was a nightmare, the only thing worse was Cannondale customer service.

[@hornet224]

If it does not have a torque sensor, it should get one.

[@84imreplica]

I really like the Scott Solace gravel bike and almost ordered one, but I couldn't get past the Gravel eRide 20's paint scheme. The off-white paint, with black speckles looks, in my view, terrible. I'm now waiting to see if my Scott dealer can order me an eRide 20 road bike, in a much preferable dark green colour.

[@TysRides]

I kinda like the off white, personally. But that bike just looks so good regardless of color. Really slick looking machine.

[@whitelotus_zero]

It looks like the future. Love it 💜

[@johnsun2416]

insane prices

[@TysRides]

Yes lol

[@rosnysnyro5937]

Orbea?? Une marque peu recommandable.

[@kiethpederson7558]

So many nice bikes, sucks im not Tom Brady so I’ll be going to Walmart

[@TysRides]

You and me both brother!

[@kiethpederson7558]

Cheapest I’ve found is a tenways

[@TysRides]

@kiethpederson7558 Velotric makes some decent e-bikes at a good price. I actually reviewed a few. Entry level components but pretty cool bikes.

[@kiethpederson7558]

@@TysRides thanks I’ll take a look

[@anphy93]

Where is the Origine Help ?? the best e-gravel that doesn't look like an e-bike.

[@erinkourelis7430]

My friend put this bike together for his son and before I knew it he was done kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L When the son came to put it together he was surprised to see it was already done. All he had to do was take the bike to get air and be on his way. My friend did not have any major problems putting this bike together; small issue was putting one of the brakes on straight; however when the son got home he was able to fix it. The bike rides well gears move correctly; good bike for the price. Wrote review after the son took the bike. Sorry.

[@key2adventure]

All well beyond my bike budget 😒

[@howlinhauler]

I'll buy an Egravel bike when they are titanium and full of mount points. Carbon for gravel bike is just market garbage.

[@TysRides]

I got a carbon gravel bike and it has brought me a ton of joy. It's a blast to ride. I agree, I'd rather have titanium, but titanium is very expensive and out of my budget.

[@BostjanMesic]

Why is that so? @howlinhauler

[@wrongsend7106]

That’s what u heard ?

[@TysRides]

Yes, that is what I have heard from ppl who have ridden e-bikes and have more experience than me. I have since ridden a few e-bikes that were sent to me to test that have hub motors, but I still have very limited experience.

[@peter.w.e.6429]

8 minutes...no mention at all on how any of them perform..cmon!!

[@TysRides]

I haven't ridden any of them. How am I supposed to tell you how they perform? I was simply talking about specs and relaying the info listed on their websites.

[@burleigh604]

only interested in mid hub drive e gravel bikes

[@TysRides]

@@burleigh604 they are probably better and more realistic feeling from what I've heard.

[@burleigh604]

@TysRides not many out there compared to emtb but hopefully that will change in the next couple of years. See a lot of hub drive gravel bikes at a decent price like the Ribble. Let's hope there's a decent mid drive around 2.5k

[@michaeldesilvio221]

They're overpriced. It's a better option for me to buy an affordable kit and put it on one of my favorite old ten speed bicycles.

[@ONEILL0099]

Losers in my neighborhood use Strava on e bikes and post KOM’s zero integrity

[@TysRides]

That's a damn shame. I'm all for e-bikes, but the ppl using them on Strava need to tag their rides as "e-bike ride". I believe there is a way to do that. I don't have many KOMs, but the ones I do have, I've earned. Would piss me off if someone on an e-bike stole them.

[@mikebeattie976]

I have a Orbea gain and a Specialized turbo creo, I prefer the Specialized creo to the gain , I think the battery life is better

[@pierrex3226]

You can report the koms to Strava for takedown

[@colincampbell4261]

Just means tiny batteries with low capacity and poor range.

[@DSP16569]

The Gravel - Bikes have the Motor to support you up-hill. In flat areas even untrained riders will be mostly faster than the max. supported speed. There are many tests from europe for this kind of bikes (here this eGravel-bikes are available since years) - and the prizes are way lower here (e.g. a ROSE BackRoad AL+ eGravel for about 3.500€ )