The Best Electric Road Bikes
Electric road bikes have taken the world of cycling by storm, making the sport more accessible and fun for all. With sleek designs and state of the art technology, these bikes deliver the look and feel of your favourite non-electric road bike, but with a powerful twist that gives you the power to ride further, faster.
The Evolution of Electric Road Bikes
Electric bikes are constantly developing, and electric road bikes are no different in that regard. At their inception, they were clunky and cumbersome - a far cry from the featherweight machines at the cutting edge of the sport. Now, you would struggle to spot them within the chaingang, with their integrated motors and batteries blending in with modern, aerodynamic tube profiles found on many models.
Who Are Electric Road Bikes For?
Responsive and fun to ride, these bikes are suitable for any rider. Improvements to the range and power of electric road bikes have widened their appeal, alongside game-changing weight reductions that allow the handling to mimic the ride characteristics of class-leading endurance and race bikes.
So, whether you are a weekend warrior in need of a boost to keep up with the pack or a studious racer seeking a training tool for recovery days, electric road bikes fill a unique niche and offer a host of advantages.
Akin to their analogue equivalents, electric road bikes follow a similar design brief, aiming to be lightweight, responsive and comfortable, all while facing the additional design caveats of integrating a motor and battery. This directive is one that brands have taken in their stride, with the resulting bikes delivering an intoxicating ride experience.
Read on to find our picks of the very best electric road bikes available.
Sigma Sports Picks For The Best Electric Road Bike
As the perfect starting point for anyone looking for their first electric road bike, the Orbea Gain D50 blends a high-quality hydroformed frameset with the proven Ebikemotion X35 Plus motor system.
Although powerful enough to take the sting out of steep climbs, the motor delivers natural assistance that leaves you feeling strong, rather than commanding the ride. A full-carbon fork takes the sting out of rough roads, pairing well with the wide and compliant 30c tyres. The 8-speed drivetrain is highly durable, a trait mirrored by the strong wheelset and no-nonsense mechanical disc brakes, ensuring more time on the road and less time in the workshop.
Specification
Frame: Orbea Gain Hydro 6061, hydroformed aluminium
Motor: Ebikemotion X35 Plus motor, 250W / 40Nm
Battery: Ebikemotion 248Wh battery, integrated
Display/Remote: Orbea OC monochrome ANT+ LEV
Groupset: Shimano Claris ST-R2000, 8-speed
Weight: N/A
Highlights
- Accessible price-point
- Lightweight and durable 6061 aluminium frame
- Full-carbon fork damps vibration to reduce fatigue
- Integrated lights offer a degree of visibility for low-light riding
- Low-profile Ebikemotion motor system adds subtle, natural assistance
Focusing on endurance and comfort, the Orbea Gain M30F features a compliant carbon frameset and flat handlebar to deliver a relaxed, upright ride position and traditional controls.
With their performance focus and aerodynamic intentions, drop handlebars are not suitable for every cyclist, requiring a degree of flexibility that some do not possess. This model blends the performance of a carbon road bike with a comfortable and familiar ride position, making it the perfect choice for riders looking to amplify their road riding experience.
The specification ticks all the boxes for a modern electric road bike, featuring an 11-speed Shimano 105 R7000 groupset and fast-rolling Fulcrum E-Racing 900 wheels. Front and rear integrated lights run off the downtube-integrated 248Wh battery, which supplies up to 45 miles of range, depending on usage and riding conditions.
Specification
Frame: Orbea Gain Carbon OMR, monocoque structure
Motor: Ebikemotion X35 Plus motor, 250W / 40Nm
Battery: Ebikemotion 248Wh battery, integrated
Display/Remote: Ebikemotion Pulsar One monochrome ANT+ LEV
Groupset: Shimano 105 R7000, 11-speed
Weight: N/A
Highlights
- Lightweight and comfortable OMR carbon frame
- Flat handlebar combines a familiar ride position with road bike performance
- Full-carbon OMR fork damps vibration to reduce fatigue
- Ideal for fast commutes and leisure rides
- Low-profile Ebikemotion motor system adds subtle, natural assistance
With a range of up to 80 miles and a glistening product specification, the Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo SL pulls no punches when it comes to outright speed.
A moniker associated with the pinnacle of cycling, S-Works designates peak performance, leading the lineup within any given product family. With the Turbo Creo SL, Specialized focus on handling as a priority, keeping the ride quality engaging whilst offering a powerful electric bike experience. The Future Shock 2.0 fork features 20mm of suspension, designed to take the sting out of rough roads, potholes and speed bumps, and in turn suspending the ride without sacrificing control.
A 320Wh battery provides ample power for longer rides, and for all-day adventures, an optional range extender is included. The carbon Roval Terra CLX 700c wheelset is ultralight, ideal for rapid acceleration, and the fully wireless SRAM AXS drivetrain ensures a sleek, cable-free aesthetic.
Specification
Frame: Specialized FACT 11r carbon
Motor: Specialized SL 1.1, custom lightweight motor
Battery: Specialized 320Wh SL1-320, integrated
Display/Remote: Specialized TCU
Groupset: SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS, 12-speed, fully wireless
Weight: N/A
Highlights
- State of the art 11m carbon frame uses market-leading production techniques
- Compatible with the Specialized Mission Control application
- Specialized Future Shock 2.0 limits fatigue on rough roads
- Optional range extender battery
- Low-profile Specialized SL 1.1 motor with integrated powermeter
A force to be reckoned with, the Bianchi Aria E-Road retains all the race pedigree for which the brand is known but couples it with a svelte, stealthily packaged Ebikemotion X35 Plus rear hub motor and 250W Panasonic battery.
The frame construction is lightweight and stiff carbon fibre, which bolsters the torsional rigidity for rapid acceleration off the line. Wind tunnel approved, the sleek frame shaves vital seconds off your rides, slicing through the air even when riding above the assistance limit.
Balancing performance with longevity, a Shimano Ultegra groupset issues proven gear-changing performance with crisp shifts across the 11-speed range, and lightweight, robust Vision Trimax wheels keep the ride reactive. Powerful hydraulic disc brakes offer ample stopping power, even when riding on wet roads, while the iWoc ONE control unit is integrated into the top tube for rapid power mode selection.
Specification
Frame: Bianchi Aria E-Road carbon
Motor: Ebikemotion X35 Plus motor, 250W / 40Nm
Battery: Panasonic 36V 250Wh, integrated
Display/Remote: Ebikemotion iWoc One
Groupset: Shimano Ultegra R8000, 11-speed
Weight: 11.9kg (size 55)
Highlights
- Superlight carbon frame prioritises aero-performance
- Recharges from flat in just four hours
- 250Wh Panasonic battery is integrated neatly into the downtube
- Shimano Ultegra R8000 11-speed drivetrain delivers crisp, reliable shifting
- Race-inspired geometry
The Bianchi Impulso E-Road is a savvy choice for riders wanting an electric bike to do it all. Whether long endurance ride or fast-paced commute, it delivers punchy assistance without detracting from the cycling experience.
With its pin-point handling and lightweight feel, it retains the classic Bianchi ride character that has earned the brand its loyal following over the years.
The Ebikemotion hub motor works in tandem with your legs to take the sting out of any climb, with its 40Nm of torque and range of assistance modes boosting your riding potential. A Shimano Ultegra drivetrain provides proven 11-speed shifting performance, while the powerful hydraulic disc brakes instil confidence on steep descents, even in adverse weather conditions.
Specification
Frame: Bianchi Impulso E-Road, triple hydroformed
Motor: Ebikemotion X35 Plus motor, 250W / 40Nm
Battery: Ebikemotion 248Wh, integrated
Display/Remote: Ebikemotion iWoc One
Groupset: Shimano Ultegra R8000, 11-speed
Weight: N/A
Highlights
- Triple hydroformed frame reduces weight and delivers bombproof reliability
- 248Wh Ebikemotion battery is integrated into the frame
- Shimano Ultegra R8000 11-speed drivetrain delivers crisp, reliable shifting
- Relaxed geometry provides lasting comfort
- Powerful hydraulic disc brakes offer excellent stopping power, even in wet conditions
Engineered for authenticity, the Trek Domane+ ALR provides an exhilarating ride experience that mirrors that of your favourite non-electric road bike.
The Fazua Evation motor delivers powerful assistance, gliding up hills and dissipating headwinds - all with zero motor drag when you push above the limit. The Fazua drivepack can even be removed from the bike to reduce the weight, allowing it to be ridden as a non-electric, analogue road bike.
The Shimano 105 is a dependable drivetrain choice, providing responsive 11-speed performance and lasting durability to limit service intervals. A tubeless-ready Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25 wheelset allows for a simple conversion, while the Fazua Evation touch remote makes selecting your assistance level a breeze, even on the fly.
Specification
Frame: Trek 300 Series Alpha Aluminium
Motor: Fazua Evation motor system, 250W / 55Nm
Battery: Fazua Evation 250Wh
Display/Remote: Fazua Evation touch remote
Groupset: Shimano 105 R7000, 11-speed
Weight: 15.21kg (size medium)
Highlights
- 300 Series Alpha Aluminium frameset is lightweight and reliable
- The 250Wh Fazua Evation battery is neatly integrated and easy to remove
- Shimano 105 R7000 11-speed drivetrain
- The powerful Fazua Evation motor offers 55Nm of torque
- Powerful hydraulic disc brakes
With wide, grippy tyres and a reliable single-ring drivetrain, the Orbea Gain D30 1X adds all-new potential to your rides, opening up singletrack, bridleways and gravel tracks for exploration.
The Ebikemotion X35 Plus motor system is the new standard for electric road bike performance, offering 40Nm of intuitive assistance to zip through mud, grime and deliver the strength required of even the steepest gradients.
The 1x chainring is paired with a wide-range 11-40t cassette, guaranteeing a suitable ratio for any topography and removing the need for a front derailleur. A full-carbon fork effectively damps vibration to limit fatigue, ideal for long rides on chattery terrain. The integration of the motor system is sleek, with the hydroformed aluminium frame concealing this bike’s true capability.
Specification
Frame: Orbea Gain Hydro 6061, hydroformed aluminium
Motor: Ebikemotion X35 Plus motor, 250W / 40Nm
Battery: Ebikemotion 248Wh battery, integrated
Display/Remote: Ebikemotion iWoc ONE
Groupset: Shimano GRX, 11-speed
Weight: N/A
Highlights
- The durable hydroformed aluminium frameset is adventure-ready
- The Ebikemotion 248Wh battery is hidden within the downtube
- A Shimano GRX 11-speed groupset is purpose-built for gravel rides and exploration
- Integrated Ebikemotion X35 plus motor
Regardless of your budget, needs and intentions, there is sure to be an electric road bike out there that fits the bill. This list outlines some of the finest models available, but our extensive selection doesn’t stop there. Browse our wide range of electric road bikes and find your perfect ride today.