E-Gravel Bike…Looking for Advice

[Cybersnow]

My current type 2 stepthrough E-Bike is too heavy and is not much fun to ride. Since we do most of our riding on dirt and gravel roads, oh and a lot of poorly maintained asphalt roads, i am thinking of going to more of a gravel bike set up. I first thought of a full suspension mtb but now I am thinking that is definitely a bit of overkill. Any suggestions or recommendations?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Can you still buy a Specialized Vado SL (unequipped)? I mean Gen 1. I can tell you how fantastic that e-bike is as a flat handlebar gravel e-bike.

An e-MTB is a big NO for the discipline. I will elaborate when back from my ride!

 

[jabberwocky]

Do you want flat bars or drops? I'm assuming flat bars since you were looking at emtbs? What sort of assist are you looking for? A lot of the traditional e-gravels are much more to the e-road side of the spectrum (small low assist motor and small battery but a very light bike). Are you good doing a lot of the pedaling yourself, or do you want more assist?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Cybersnow:

Gravel bikes are defined by these criteria:

• They need to be fast on asphalt, gravel, and in the forest
• They need to be lightweight because there are numerous situations during which you would need to lift and carry the bike
• They need to be able to ride for long distances.

e-MTB meets none of these criteria:

• It is designed to be ridden off-road, at best in the mountains, at best on technical singletrack, strongly uphill and strongly downhill
• An e-MTB is sluggish like snail on paved roads and is too slow on gravel
• The e-MTB weight is the farthest from gravel cycling requirements. It is too heavy
• The e-MTB is made to complete several climbs uphill and then bombing gnarly descents in a day but not for a long ride such as over 100 km.

Having said above, the e-bike that is the ultimate gravel thing is Specialized Creo 2 (carbon or alloy), a drop bar gravel e-bike. It is fast, it is improbably lightweight, can travel for long distances (Range Extender batteries) and has multiple bosses for bike-packing equipment. It also has a wide clearance for wide gravel tyres.

I said I converted my Gen 1 Vado SL into a flat handlebar gravel machine, and completed as many as three gravel races on it.

Finishing a 263 km gravel race on a Vado SL.

 

[Cybersnow]

Do you want flat bars or drops? I'm assuming flat bars since you were looking at emtbs? What sort of assist are you looking for? A lot of the traditional e-gravels are much more to the e-road side of the spectrum (small low assist motor and small battery but a very light bike). Are you good doing a lot of the pedaling yourself, or do you want more assist?

I can live with either. About 10 years ago I had a decent gavel bike with drop bars and rode it for almost 4 years until my son asked to ride it (now it is his bike). I am looking for at least a 750 watt/85Nm power source and enough (easily swapped out) battery to get me at least 50 miles.

 

[Cybersnow]

@Cybersnow:

Gravel bikes are defined by these criteria:

• They need to be fast on asphalt, gravel, and in the forest
• They need to be lightweight because there are numerous situations during which you would need to lift and carry the bike
• They need to be able to ride for long distances.

e-MTB meets none of these criteria:

• It is designed to be ridden off-road, at best in the mountains, at best on technical singletrack, strongly uphill and strongly downhill
• An e-MTB is sluggish like snail on paved roads and is too slow on gravel
• The e-MTB weight is the farthest from gravel cycling requirements. It is too heavy
• The e-MTB is made to complete several climbs uphill and then bombing gnarly descents in a day but not for a long ride such as over 100 km.

Having said above, the e-bike that is the ultimate gravel thing is Specialized Creo 2 (carbon or alloy), a drop bar gravel e-bike. It is fast, it is improbably lightweight, can travel for long distances (Range Extender batteries) and has multiple bosses for bike-packing equipment. It also has a wide clearance for wide gravel tyres.

I said I converted my Gen 1 Vado SL into a flat handlebar gravel machine, and completed as many as three gravel races on it.

View attachment 194051
Finishing a 263 km gravel race on a Vado SL.

You have defined what I am looking for. I will go look at and find a Specialized Creo 2 to test. A friend of mine just purchased a Salsa Tributary (I think that is the model). What motor and drive set should I be looking for?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

What motor and drive set should I be looking for?

Different gravel e-bikes are equipped differently. For instance Creo 2 has a SL 1.2 motor and a 320 Wh internal battery that can be supplemented with 160 Wh Range Extenders. Another renowned gravel e-bike is Canyon Grizl:ON (there is an EBR thread on that!) I looked at the Salsa Tributary and decided it was a way too heavy e-bike for the "gravel" definition (it is my own view).

All good gravel e-bikes have a 1x drivetrain and it usually is 12-speed one, Shimano or SRAM.

 

[jabberwocky]

You have defined what I am looking for. I will go look at and find a Specialized Creo 2 to test. A friend of mine just purchased a Salsa Tributary (I think that is the model). What motor and drive set should I be looking for?

The Creo and Tributary are basically opposite ends of the e-gravel space. Creo is very much the lightweight racy bike for someone who wants something as close to a non electric gravel as they can get. The Tributary is closer to an emtb, much more relaxed geometry, more powerful motor and larger battery, but considerably heavier.

Theres a lot more options in the flat bar world, just because the bikes seem to have a wider market appeal. And really you can quite easily ride a hardtail MTB on gravel as long as you aren't worried about being as efficient as possible.

 

[Cybersnow]

Specialized Vado does not advertise the SL1 Gen1, they do offer a broad range of current Vado models, but I honestly am not literate enough in E-Bike motors, etc. to see which one is best for my needs.

 

[DaveMatthews]

What dealers are close to you, and what do they carry? Most brands have a gravel type offering...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Are you in Canada or U.S. Cybersnow?

 

[Cybersnow]

What dealers are close to you, and what do they carry? Most brands have a gravel type offering...

I live in a very small town in the mountains of Idaho. There are three bike repair shops in town and two of them sell bikes. None of them have a very big selection, but I will take some time tomorrow to visit them and find out which linesof bikes they carry and if any of them have e gravel bikes. The closest city from me is a 2.5 hour drive and is Boise Idaho. Given that a trip to Boise and a visit to a large number of bike shops requires a 5 hour round trip, I really need to be to the point of looking at only 2-3 bikes and prepared to buy one.

 

[DaveMatthews]

I live in a very small town in the mountains of Idaho. There are three bike repair shops in town and two of them sell bikes. None of them have a very big selection, but I will take some time tomorrow to visit them and find out which linesof bikes they carry and if any of them have e gravel bikes. The closest city from me is a 2.5 hour drive and is Boise Idaho. Given that a trip to Boise and a visit to a large number of bike shops requires a 5 hour round trip, I really need to be to the point of looking at only 2-3 bikes and prepared to buy one.

Sounds good. Just wanted to make sure you check out any/all viable options. There's a lot out there these days.
Happy hunting!

 

[Cybersnow]

Are you in Canada or U.S. Cybersnow?

US, but a very small town in the middle of the mountains (1650 meters). After 36 years in the military, it is quiet and the people are friendly. Just what I need at 79 years old.

 

[stompandgo]

Cannondale Synapse Neo Allroad. It's "only" 55Nm assist but 600 peak watts. If you really want 85Nm, those motors are at least 2 pounds (1kg) heavier, at least with Bosch. The Performance Sprint motor is a high cadence, progressive assist motor meant for aggressive riding and racing. You can ride it like a kitty cat, but when it's time to go, it goes.

 

[Cybersnow]

At 79 years old not looking for a full race bike, thanks! Rather looking for a 45-55 lb e gravel bike capable of pulling a trailer with 2 small dogs up a 15 degree hill without getting a hear attack. I love bike riding and don’t intend to quit as my age numbers continue to climb.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I was getting worried... The monthly " need ebike advise" thread was running late.
Is this reiteration 10 or 12?

 

[stompandgo]

Cannondale Adventure Neo Allroad Speed

 

[Cybersnow]

Looking for off road power and 44-55 lb bike.

 

[Cybersnow]

I was getting worried... The monthly " need ebike advise" thread was running late.
Is this reiteration 10 or 12?

Still trying to figure it out. Tired of wasting money on a stable ofve-bikes in the barn that aren’t getting ridden. Thinking about donating them.