Best electric road bikes: Go farther, faster

The best electric road bikes can almost go unnoticed these days, so discreet do they now look. They utilise a lot of the same components regular road bikes do, like the best road bike wheels and best road bike tyres most of which are rated for e-bike use these days.

Electric bikes in general are incredibly popular and a huge part of the cycling market. They can make cycling more accessible to a wider range of riders over different applications and terrains and are just downright fun to use. 

The best electric bikes can be used over a range of uses, including e-bike commuting and gravel riding. We will be taking a look a the best electric road bikes here, a category that has come a long way, with the best models being very close to the best road bikes in terms of ride quality and looks whilst offering heaps of extra power when needed.

E-bikes are now nearly universally accepted, the 'cheating' argument has fallen by the wayside as people have acknowledged how useful and varied e-bike uses can be. Whether that be aiding sustainable travel or helping groups of riders with varying fitness ride together. 

We've gathered the best electric road bikes into this list, helping you analyse specifications and tech to help you make a more informed buying decision. If you still need a little more help, head to the bottom of the page to see our buying guide pointers. 

Quick list

Lightweight spec options

The Trek Domane+ SLR is the newest e-road bike from the US-based brand. Available in six different spec options but all based around a superlight weight Trek OCLV 800 carbon frame, this is the lightest e-road bike trek has ever produced.

The Domane+ SLR is aimed at performance road riders who want a little extra zip, it has a discreet motor and battery from German specialist TQ which offers a super smooth and quiet e-riding experience. The Domane+ SLR is lighter than the Trek Domane LT and has a non-removable battery whereas the LT's is removable 

You get a neatly integrated LCD display in the top tube, mode toggle buttons custom built into the shifters, and the lights and eTap charging can be wired in to run from the battery to simplify things. If you want a high-end lightweight electric road bike, the Domane + SLR is one we'd be happy to recommend. 

Budget option

Claimed to weigh 11kg, the Ribble Endurance SL e is one of the lightest e-road bikes currently available and, visually, the frame is almost identical to its non-assisted sibling, including the aggressive geometry.

Using the Mahle Ebikemotion system, the Endurance SL e doesn't get a control unit, instead opting for a button on the top tube that cycles through the three levels of assistance. Hidden inside the downtube is a Panasonic 250Wh battery, which is connected to a rear hub-based motor said to provide 40Nm of torque. There is an accompanying app, too, which will provide additional information such as remaining battery life.

As Ribble is consumer-direct, the pricing is competitive with the Tiagra build starting at £2,799, and the 105 build starting at £3,299 — every component can be upgraded through the brand's 'BikeBuilder' program. 

Italian pedigree

Using the C64 as the backbone, Colnago has adapted its carbon racer into a pedal-assist roadie. Claimed to tip the scales at 12kg including the battery, Colnago says the rear hub-based motor only adds 3.7kg and it's capable of delivering 250 watts of assistance.

With the battery housed in the downtube, the E64 doesn't get a built-in head unit; instead, there is a button on the top tube that controls the electronics. The battery is stored in the downtube and is not removable, but Colnago says there is an auxiliary battery on the horizon which can be stored in one of the bottle cages to add range.

Although the E64 appears to be a carbon-lugged frame, it's a visual illusion with these details being added in the paint shop. The bike comes with a Shimano Ultegra drivetrain, Deda finishing kit and Mavic Aksium Elite EVO UST wheels.

E-Endurance bike

With the IsoSpeed decoupler in the seat tube and room in the frame for 38c tyres, Trek's Domane+ LT is probably the best electric road bike for comfort. 

It comes with a 250W motor and 250Wh battery, so in terms of power and range, it's on a par with many of the 'secret e-bikes' featured here, however, instead of having a battery permanently hidden inside the down tube, the Domane+ uses a removable battery. Batteries do degrade over time, so the option to replace them will be positive when it comes to long-term ownership or resale value. 

The Domane+ LT features all the niceties of the pedal-powered Domane, including fender mounts, Blendr accessories, and endurance geometry. The carbon frame is fitted with a Shimano Ultegra 2x11 groupset, with a 50/34 chainset and 11-34 cassette.

Removeable battery

On the surface, the Nytro looks like any other Pinarello frame, complete with a wavy fork and aero tubing but hidden in the downtube are a Fazua drive unit and battery. The Nytro is claimed to have up to 250w of power and 55Nm of torque, and the battery can be dropped out of the downtube to make it just a normal road bike, weighing in at around 9kg without the battery.

The frame uses the brand's F10 frameset as a starting point and adds a bit of length to the wheelbase and height to the head tube. Rest assured, Pinarello hasn't forgotten to give the Nytro its trademark asymmetric tube treatment.

Built with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 11-speed drivetrain, the bike gets hydraulic disc brakes and rolls on Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels. It also comes with a Pinarello-sized price tag.

On and off road use

Specialized launched the Creo 2 in September 2023, replacing the original model with a new design, which has a lighter frame, a more powerful, quieter motor and incorporates the Future Shock 3 also found on the latest Specialized Roubaix SL8.

The new model adds to the Creo's off-road credentials while soft-pedalling on the road, with a revised geometry, wider tyres and even a dropper post. US riders get motor support up to 28mph.

We've had our first ride on the Creo 2 at the launch event. This was mainly off-road, which emphasises the Creo 2's new direction over the original Turbo Creo, which looked to straddle both road and off-road. If you want to enjoy gravel too this could be the bike for you. 

Aero advantage

The SuperSix EVO Neo has the aero frame shape of the non-assisted bike but adds a Mahle ebikemotion X35 motor, which offers 250w of assistance and up to 40Nm of torque. 

According to Cannondale, the 250Wh internal battery will take you around 75km on a single charge. The bike comes with 28mm slick Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres, and the frame features an integrated seat binder combined with a 27 KNØT seat post, designed to work together to absorb road bumps. The frame also features SAVE micro-suspension to smooth out most rides for added comfort.

It includes a robust  Shimano 105 R7000 hydraulic groupset, with 2x11 gearing. Up front, the FSA crank features 50/34 chainrings, paired with an 11-34 cassette at the rear, offering a massive range of gears.

As part of Cannondale's e-bike range, the SuperSix Evo Neo 3 benefits from the brand's integrated wheel sensor, which delivers accurate speed, route and distance information, registers your bike, reminds you when you need service, and more.

Powerful motor

There's no denying that the Revolt E+ carries more of an electric bike aesthetic than some others here, but within its oversized down tube comes a large battery and a motor with a lot of torque. 

Powering it is the Shimano EP8-powered SyncDrive Pro pedal-assist system, which promises smooth acceleration (thanks to its 85Nm of maximum torque). Meanwhile, the Shimano GRX Di2 1x11 electronic groupset and 40mm tyres make it all ready if you plan to mix things up a bit. There are also mounts for mudguards and racks.

The system is simple to use, and the motor comes with a SmartAssist mode that automatically adapts to your cadence and ride style, tuning the amount of assistance to the levels you actually need. This means you don't need to think about anything and can just get pedalling, leaving the motor to do its thing for you.

Integrated lights

Orbea was one of the first brands to integrate the Mahle ebikemotion motor system into its road bikes and the Gain remains one of the most stylish electric bike implementations. The latest models use the more compact X20 system, for an even lower profile hub motor, which also produces more torque than the original X35.

Orbea includes a front light, which is integrated into the out-front computer mount. The Gain is supplied with a Mahle computer, which allows you to control the output from the motor system and check its status, without needing to use the top tube button. There's also a rear light on the saddle clamp, with both front and rear lights being powered by the 353Wh internal battery.

With a Shimano 105 11-speed groupset, there's plenty of gear range, although this does feel a little under specced for the Gain M30's price.

How to choose

Your riding demands will dictate which e-road bike is best for you. Hopefully, this guide should have given you an idea of what's out there. Next, you should consider how you may want to use your e-bike: are you commuting to work, adventuring and discovering new terrain or simply adding a new bike to your fleet? Your requirements will dictate weight, gearing, range, price point etc. Test ride a bike if you can and chat with manufacturers or stores about which e-bike is best for you. 

Regional restrictions

Most e-bikes use one of three e-bike systems, however, depending on where you live, the level of assistance as well as whether you need a licence and insurance will vary. Here's a breakdown of all the e-bike restrictions in place in the UK, US and Australia.

1. The UK

The UK adopted a lot of the EU's regulations regarding e-bikes but with Brexit, it's hard to say if that may change.

All of the bikes featured here fall under 'The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EPAC) Amendment Regulations' mandates; electric assistance can only provide 250 watts of aid and must cut out at 25kph. It also stipulates the rider must be in motion for the motor to kick in and be at least 14 years old.

Electric bikes (and riders) that meet these standards have the same legal standing as regular bicycles and are allowed on roads and bike paths.

In Europe, a new class of speed-pedelecs or s-pedelecs is gaining popularity. These are capable of providing assistance up to 45kph. You still need to pedal for the motor to kick in, however, under UK and EU law these are considered two-wheel mopeds and require insurance, a legally certified helmet and a qualifying driver's license.

2. The US

In the US, rules for e-bikes vary from state to state; 30 states classify e-bikes as ordinary bicycles, while the remaining 20 label e-bikes as mopeds, scooters or something else altogether.

Federal law defines an electric bicycle as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of fewer than 750 watts, whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20mph.'

It's worth noting this statute defines the maximum assisted speed of the bike when being only powered by the motor, not when it's being pedalled. To make things more confusing, state regulations can supersede the federal statute.

The Bicycle Product Suppliers Association has proposed a three-class system which divides electric bikes up based on their maximum assisted speed:

Class 1: the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedalling and cuts out a 20mph

Class 2: the motor can contribute regardless of pedalling but is governed to 20mph

Class 3: the motor provides assistance when the rider is pedalling but cuts out at 28mph and must be equipped with a speedometer.

For all three classes, the motor can only put out a max of 750 watts, and the class needs to be clearly labelled. This system also defines where the bikes can be ridden; classes 1 and 2 are permitted anywhere bikes are allowed, while class 3 can be ridden on roads and bike lanes but not multi-use paths, and may be subject to minimum user age and helmet requirements.

So far, 22 states have legislation creating a class system and our friends over at People for Bikes has put together a full state-by-state run down.

3. Australia

In Australia, e-bikes are split into throttle-operated and pedal-assist. Both systems must be limited to 25kph, and the throttle-operated motors can only output 200 watts while pedal assist is legal up to 250 watts. Anything that exceeds these figures is considered a motorbike and must be licensed and insured.