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 2021. These models are categorized as mid to top-end, with prices starting from $4500 up to $15,000.
Best Electric Road Bikes of 2022
1. Look – E 765 Optimum Disc 105
2. Orbea – Gain M20i
3. Alchemy Bikes – eRonin
4. Bianchi – Impulso
5. Bianchi – Aria Ultegra Di2
6. Diamondback – Current
7. Pivot – eVault
8. Cannondale – Topstone Neo Carbon 3 Lefty
Look E 765 Optimum Disc 105
MSRP: $6,200
- Carbon frame
- 2×11 Shimano 105
- Shimano 105 Hydraulic Brakes
- 700x32c Hutchinson Sector 32 (Max Clearance 42mm)
- Weight: 30 lbs
Look’s E 765 Optimum Disc 105 is an e-road bike with a stylish design and comfortable endurance geometry.
This bike performs best on long rides where comfort is a priority. Relaxed geometry, 3D Wave Technology in the seat stays, which gives 15% more flexibility, and a shock-absorbing carbon fiber frame ensures a premium ride quality. In addition, the E 765 has sleek internal cable routing and versatile 42mm tire clearance.
Electronics
- Class 1 eBike – 20mph
- 250W Mid-Drive Motor
- 252Wh Fazua Evation Battery
- Torque: 55nm
- Range: 53 mi
- Charge Time: 2 Hours
The Fazua Evation motor provides up to smooth 20mph of pedal assistance, making climbs seem effortless, while a removable battery and 2×11-Speed Shimano 105 drivetrain keep you going for mile after mile.
Finally, Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brakes provide responsive stopping power for excellent control, whereas Shimano WH RS171 rims and Hutchinson Sector 32c tires add more to the smooth ride quality.
Orbea Gain M20i 2020
MSRP: $3,200
- Frame – Carbon
- Motor – Mahle Ebikemotion X35
- Drivetrain – Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8050
- Brakes – Shimano Ultegra
- Wheels – Mavic Aksium Elite Disc
- Tires – Mavic Yksion Pro 700×28
- Weight – 28lb Approx.
The Orbea Gain M20i is a Class 1 electric road bike that perfectly balances innovative modern technology with the exceptional engineering of the world-class brand.
This high-end racing bike will make you feel like a pro thanks to the exceptionally light base weight of just 28lbs, a responsive carbon fiber frame, and lightweight Mahle electronics.
The drivetrain on this bike is a 2×11-speed Shimano Ultegra Di2. This groupset combines perfectly with a 250W mid-drive motor and 250Wh battery to deliver full days of pedal assistance.
Lastly, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, 28mm Mavic Yksion Pro tires, and racey geometry give this bike a fast and controlled ride feel.
Alchemy Bikes eRonin
MSRP: from $10,999
- Carbon
- 11-speed Shimano XT or 12-speed SRAM (X01, Force XPLR, XX1)
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Teravail Teravail Cannonball 42c
- Industry Nine UL250 TRA Carbon Hydra/Alchemy Carbon wheels
Alchemy Bikes’ eRonin electric road/gravel bicycle comes with elite-level components and powerful electronics on a sleek carbon fiber frame.
For power, you have an a Fazue Evation e-bike system. This pair includes a 250W/60Nm mid-drive motor and a 250Wh battery to provide max speeds of 20mph for long-range rides.
Electronics
- Class 1 eBike – 20mph
- 250W Motor
- 250Wh Battery
- Torque: 60nm
The most impressive features of this bike are the electronic drivetrain and the lightweight carbon fiber frameset and build kit. In addition, this bike has versatile tire clearance of up to 45c on 700c rims or 2.1″ on 650b ones.
Finally, Teravail Teravail Cannonball 42c tires and powerful hydraulic disc brakes ensure excellent control and comfort in varied riding conditions.
Bianchi Impulso
MSRP: $4,950
- Carbon frame and fork
- 1×11 Shimano GRX600
- Shimano GRX Hydraulic Brakes
- 700c x 35mm Kenda Flintridge tires
- Velomann GD24 disc Wheelset
- 5-year frame warranty
Bianchi is one of cycling’s most prestigious brands in their Impulso ebike gives you the ability to ride like a pro.
This bike features the same design and clean lines as the World Tour-winning Bianchi bikes and uses such stylishly and stealthily integrated electronics that you barely even know it’s a motorized road bike.
Electronics
- Class 1 eBike – 20mph
- 250W Rear-Hub Motor
- 250Wh Ebikemotion Battery
- Torque: 40nm
- Range: 60mi
- Charge Time: 4 Hours
Beginning with a Carbon frame, the Impulso has incredible handling and a smooth feel. The drivetrain used is a Shimano GRX600 1×11-speed drivetrain which integrates perfectly with the Ebikemotion motor and battery.
In addition, you have a 250W rear hub motor and a 250Wh battery. This pair lasts up to 60 miles with max-assisted speeds of 20mph.
You also get multi-surface 35mm wide Kenda Flintridge tires and Shimano GRX hydraulic disc brakes, so this bike is more than ready for all-road adventures.
Bianchi Aria Ultegra Di2
MSRP: $7,700
- Carbon
- 2×11 Shimano Ultegra Di2
- Shimano Ultegra R8070 Hydraulic Brakes
- 700x28c Vittoria Rubino IV
- Weight: 26 lbs
Bianchi’s Aria Ultegra Di2 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 size down tube and houses the motor in the rear hub 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 26lbs.
Electronics
- Class 1 eBike – 20mph
- 250W Rear-Hub Motor
- 248Wh Ebikemotion Battery
- Torque: 40nm
- Range: 50-60mi
- Charge Time: 4 Hours
The motor is a 250W/40Nm Ebikemotion model, and the battery has 248W, which, when combined with the 2×11-speed Shimano Ultegra Di2, delivers long ranges of 50 to 60 miles. In addition, you can choose from three levels of pedal assistance which you can configure through the Ebikemotion app.
The Shimano Ultegra set up on this bike is incredibly sharp, reliable, and versatile. Powerful Ultegra hydraulic disc brakes are necessary to handle the extra power away from the motor and battery.
Finally, wider 28mm Vittoria Rubino IV tires, Vision Trimax wheels, and the carbon fiber build contribute to smooth and comfortable riding over long distances.
Diamondback Current
MSRP: $4,100
- Aluminum
- 11-speed Shimano GRX 810
- Shimano GRX 810 Hydraulic Brakes
- Maxxis Rambler 40mm tires (Max Clearance 46mm)
- Weight: 46.8 lbs
The Diamondback Current electric road bike makes you feel like you can do anything. This long-distance electric bike is made for road on gravel enthusiasts who want the assurance and freedom of powerful electronics.
The Current has a durable aluminum frame with internal cable routing and lots of mounts if you want to turn the bike into a bikepacking machine.
Electronics
- Class 3 eBike – 28mph
- 350W Bosch Performance Line Speed Gen 4
- Bosch PowerTube 500Wh
- Torque: 85nm
For power, you have a smooth Bosch Performance Line Speed Gen 4 350W motor and their 500Wh battery to match. When used with the Shimano GRX 810 drivetrain, riders can expect long days of range. In addition, if you don’t need extra power on a given day, you can save the battery weight by removing it.
Other notable features of this bike include the powerful hydraulic disc brakes and wide Maxxis Rambler 40mm tires with additional clearance up to 46mm. These components, along with a stable and comfortable geometry design, help provide a comfortable ride matter the length.
Pivot eVault
MSRP: $9,999
- Carbon Frame
- Shimano GRX Di2
- Shimano GRX 810 Hydraulic Brakes
- 700x32c Maxxis Re-Fuse tires
- Weight: 30 lbs
The Pivot eVault electric road bike is one of the best we’ve seen. The famous bike brand delivers an exceptional piece of engineering with the most delightful ride quality a road bike aficionado could ask for.
Thanks to its powerful electronics and high max speed, the eVault is considered a Class 3 speed pedelec.
This bike is built using a carbon frame with the most advanced carbon manufacturing processes. In addition, you have a carbon fork to help dampen any road vibrations, helping you stay fresh for longer.
Electronics
- Class 3 eBike – 28mph
- 250W Mid-Drive Motor
- 250Wh Battery
The electronics used include a premium Fazua Evation mid-drive motor and 250Wh battery. This motor provides incredibly smooth power matching that ensures riding Pivot eVault feels like riding a normal bike.
Lastly, the Shimano GRX Di2 drivetrain delivers elite-level shifting accuracy, reliability, and efficiency. You also have Shimano GRX hydraulic disc brakes, 32mm tires, and and an upright geometry to boost comfort.
Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 3 Lefty
MSRP: $6,350
- Carbon frame
- 11-speed Shimano GRX 600/810
- Shimano GRX Hydraulic Brakes
- WTB Resolute 650b x 42 tires
- Weight: 39 lbs 11 oz.
Although not technically a road bike, Cannondale’s Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 3 is a unique electric gravel 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 powerful Bosch electronics. Headwinds and steep hills are nullified thanks to 75Nm of torque and a 500Wh battery. In addition, the Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty has a reliable Shimano GRX 600/810 11-speed drivetrain, which helps you get up to 76 miles of range on a single 3.5-hour charge.
Electronics
- Class 3 eBike – 28mph
- 250W Bosch Performance Line Speed
- 500Wh battery
- Torque: 75nm
- Range: 76 mi
- Charge Time: 3.5 hours
The lightweight carbon frame is coupled with a Lefty 50mm fork and 50mm rear suspension that increases comfort and control off-road. Again, the Topstone is actually a gravel bike, but it is fast enough on smooth paved roads as well.
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 like may have a bigger battery. In addition, you can also choose a bike that has a range extender like the Gain by Orbea.
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.
