Here is all you need to know about Road E-Bikes and what our top recommendations are in the category!
The majority of cyclists prefer to stick to the roads that cover our cities and countryside, sometimes venturing off onto the gravel and other pavements but for the most part it is smooth (relatively speaking) winding tarmac for the win. Road cycling is naturally less technically challenging than mountain biking and it is easier to cover greater distances on smoother surfaces, though that doesn’t mean it is always easy pedalling.
Cover image credit: Merida
For many riders, if not all, the enjoyment of being outside and exploring on two wheels is enhanced by the support of a pedal-assist motor! We have been doing a comprehensive series of articles on understanding E-bikes, starting with a broad overview of these motorised machines and then digging into the details of each specific category across mountain bikes and now road bikes.
In this article we’ll discuss the nuances of road cycling-specific E-Bikes that are worth considering and then share some of our top recommended buys in the category. We’ll begin with the motor and battery situation.
Motors of Road E-Bikes
Road E-Bikes tend to have either a mid-drive motor (located in the bottom bracket area of the frame) or a rear-drive (located in the rear hub). Rear drive hubs can help maintain the sleek aesthetic of the traditional road bike and tend to deliver power very smoothly though they do limit your options for wheel upgrades.
The mid-drive motors can be more powerful which is important if you intend to do a lot of hill climbing and potentially tackling gravel roads with your machine. Most road E-Bikes prioritise a natural ride feel over high motor support in which case the choice between rear and mid-drive motors is more of an aesthetic preference.
The typical range of torque and power output you can expect on road E-Bikes is from 35 Nm and 200 W on the lower end up to 75 Nm and 350 W on the upper end. Motors with more power output will be more power-hungry and so having an appropriate-sized battery is important.
Battery size
Battery sizes for road E-Bikes will tend to hang around the 250 Wh mark. This is much smaller than that of E-MTBs as the motors aren’t typically working as hard. Bigger batteries will push over the 300 Wh threshold and anything under 200 Wh would be considered quite small.
The larger batteries are heavier. While this may be of concern to some, given the bike is already heavier than normal, we wouldn’t be too concerned about that extra weight but rather welcome the increased range. Most models will also be compatible with a range extender that fits into a bottle cage and adds another 150 Wh or so to your overall capacity.
Some bikes can even run purely off of the range extender if you need to remove your battery for air travel. This is something worth noting if you plan to do much flying with your bike. Removable batteries themselves are a bonus as well for charging flexibility. Taking things up another level, Fazua’s Evation system even allows you to remove the motor and battery completely and leave you with a somewhat traditional road bike platform, now that is cool!
Suspension systems
Suspension systems may seem out of place in a conversation about tarmac-going bikes but not all tar roads are buttery smooth like the Swiss mountain passes of our dreams. In the pursuit of a more comfortable ride experience on the tarmac, some manufacturers have engineered some compliance or even some sort of suspension into the frames of their road E-Bikes.
In the South African context, this is a big win. Our roads are not known for their immaculate surfaces and thus things such as bigger volume tires (more on those in a sec), compliant frames, and ‘suspension’ systems can go a long way to making the ride more pleasant.
To be clear, these systems are not essential. They are value adds that will increase the price of the bike (and hopefully the ride experience) but if you can afford it and desire a more supple ride, it is a worthwhile investment. This is especially true given that the heavier weight of the E-Bikes can contribute towards a harsher ride relative to what you get on bikes two or more kilograms lighter.
Carbon vs Alloy frames
This is a decision point on just about any bicycle these days, motorised or analogue. Carbon fibre is typically lighter, easier on the eyes, as well as more expensive. Aluminium is also very popular and is less expensive though a touch heavier than carbon fibre. For the purpose of a road cycling E-Bike, aluminium is perfectly fine. The weight penalty is more than covered by the motor’s contributions.
Integration of other electronic systems
These are more bonus features that are not considered essentials. The more innovative manufacturers out there have used the battery present in the downtube of the E-Bike to integrate things such as headlights and electronic shifting, seeking to enhance the ride experience. These are nice-to-haves but are by no means dealbreakers if not present.
What is worth paying attention to is how easy your potential E-Bike’s system is to manage in terms of motor tuning and displaying ride data. Good on-bike displays are digital and able to easily indicate to you what power mode you are in and what your estimated range/battery life is. The best ones will also offer metrics such as speed, power output, distance (and more) and can connect to your cycling computer or smartphone for a more immersive experience.
A test ride (which we always recommend) will also let you figure out how easy it is to control the bike’s motor system while riding. Not all E-bikes have well designed displays and control units so some research and a test ride can save a lot of frustration down the line.
Components to pay attention to
The many components that make up the bike all have their say in the performance and ride experience but some carry more weight than others. These are the ones you want to pay attention to:
Tires
Tires are likely the most influential component of a bike. All the feedback you get from the road has to go through the tires (if you’re getting feedback that isn’t going through your tires, you’re probably having a crash).
Tire casing, width, and tread are the big factors to consider. Tougher casings won’t roll as easily though they will be more puncture resistant on bad roads. Wider tires (30-32C) allow for lower pressures and more compliance with roads that are on the rougher side which means less rolling resistance. They aren’t quite as lively as narrow tires (25C and narrower) but that is probably best for novice riders and weekend warriors. Wider tires make more sense on E-Bikes because, as we mentioned, the heavier weight can make for a harsher ride that the bigger air volume tires will help to dampen.
Slick treaded tires are typically faster, but they offer less grip. They are more ideal for smooth roads and dry conditions and can even be dangerous in wet conditions. Tires with some treading can offer more grip than slick tires, but they are slower rolling. They are a better choice for wet conditions or rough roads, but they are not as fast as slick tires on smooth roads and dry conditions.
Tire clearance
While we are talking about tires, it is important to discuss tire clearance. This is of importance if you plan to try on some wider tires than what comes stock on your E-Bike. It isn’t uncommon for road E-Bikes to be marketed as “all road” or even as “gravel ready” bikes whose off-road ability can be transformed with some wider tires. If it is your intention to pop some wider tires on your bike, be sure to take a look at the fork and frame clearance ratings to see how wide you can go.
Brakes
Disk brakes have become increasingly popular on road bikes and road E-Bikes as well. These braking systems are a little heavier but they offer better stopping power and don’t risk overheating your tires to the point of blowing them off the rim.
For E-bikes, disk brakes make sense as the heavier machines require better stopping power. 160mm rotors would be recommended if you plan to tackle lots of steep climbs and descents.
Drivetrain
Drivetrains are important but not hugely so. For E-Bike usage, we would prioritise a durable option which is usually the middle range from each manufacturer. That being said, road cycling drivetrains do tend towards lasting well and the added power from the motor won’t dramatically accelerate wear. More expensive options are typically lighter but don’t necessarily offer that much greater performance.
Drivetrains with a single front chainring (1X) are simpler to operate and a little lighter than the 2X (double chainring) versions though they have limited range. If hills are your thing, a 2X drivetrain could be a priority.
Electronic shifting is also a great feature but its absence shouldn’t be a deal breaker in our opinion.
Our top E-Bike recommendations for road cycling
Below you will find some of our top recommendations for E-Bikes that will open up the road ahead for you! There is a limited range of road E-Bikes available here in South Africa so getting in touch with a local bike shop and seeing what they can organise would be worthwhile. You want to know that there is local support for your bike of choice in the event of any issues with the motor and battery system.
Specialized Turbo Creo SL
Material: Carbon / Alloy
Tire Clearance: 47C
Brakes: Disk
Motor Specs: Specialized 1.2 SL ( 50 Nm / 250 W )
Battery Size: 320 Wh (non-removable) (160 Wh extender compatible)
Features: FutureShock headset, dropper post, cargo mounts
Price: R79 000 – R240 000
The Specialized Creo is praised for having a very natural ride feel. The power delivery is seamless and the latest models that will be arriving locally for 2024 are notably more powerful than their predecessors. The Creo 2 models are “all road” focussed with wide tires, FutureShock technology and even dropper seatposts! If you’re looking for a more ‘pure’ road bike the previous model year Creo may be more up your alley.
The new 1.2 SL motor is one of the quietest you’ll find and offers a relatively narrow Q-factor of 169mm. App integration and the built in display are top class. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better finished package than Specialized’s E-bikes.
Pros: All Road capable, quiet motor, natural ride feel, well refined design
Cons: Gravel spec might not be your cup of tea, more expensive than others
Bianchi Aria E-Road
Material: Carbon
Tire Clearance: 30C
Brakes: disk
Motor Specs: Mahle X35 ( 30 Nm / 250W )
Battery Size: 250 Wh
Features: Art on wheels,
Price: R100 000 Approx.
Bianchi is a synonym for beauty. The Italian manufacturer has been making bikes longer than anyone else and their machines are just exquisite. The Aria E-Road will likely fool you that it’s a traditional road bike with the discreet Mahle hub motor and 250 Wh battery. If you’re looking for a real road bike with some extra assistance on the climbs, this is your ticket.
Looks aside, the 28C tires are on the speedy side of things and the spec clearly says “let’s go fast”. This is not a bike with gravel jaunts in mind, it longs for tarmac and will eat it up! The rise is known to be a bit more twitchy than most and the geometry is stretched out so not likely the best buy for the less skilled rider.
Pros: Beautiful, fast, great motor, great system integration
Cons: not versatile, harsher ride on rough roads
Storck E:NARIO
Material: Carbon
Tire Clearance: n/a
Brakes: disk
Motor Specs: Fazua Evation ( 40 Nm / 250 W)
Battery Size: 250 Wh (removable)
Features: Removable motor and battery
Price: R120 000 approx.
Storck is popular locally for their gravel and road bikes but their E:Nario road E-Bike is also a machine worth looking into. The carbon frame is certainly premium and the spec backs it up.
The ride might be a little harsh on the 25mm tires but if you’re dropping out the Fazua Evation motor and battery, then you have yourself a pretty racey traditional road bike just like that! The duality of this system is a real win as you essentially get 2 bikes for the price of 1. We couldn’t find a specific frame clearance number for tires but have seen models with gravel tires on so there does appear to be room for some wider rubber as well.
Pros: Fazua Motor system, premium frame and spec
Cons: 25mm tires
Merida eScultura
Material: Alloy
Tire Clearance: 45C
Brakes: Disk
Motor Specs: Mahle X35 ( 30 Nm / 250W )
Battery Size: 250 Wh (208 Wh extender compatible)
Features: Hub motor
Price: R60 000 approx.
The Merida eScultura is a plain and simple road E-Bike. Cut the bells and whistles, this bike is just about delivering a fun ride at a good price point. 32C tires will give you a comfy ride though wheel upgrade options are a little tricky with the hub motor.
The Mahle X35 hub drive motor is well acclaimed for its power delivery and keeps the aesthetic of the bike very traditional. Merida knows what they are doing when it comes to bicycles and you can expect a very easy-to-live-with machine from them.
Pros: simple and effective design, hub-drive motor, 32C tires
Cons: Limited spec options
Where to next?
Well it’s test ride time if you’ve spotted something you fancy! We would always recommend getting in touch with a local dealer or a mate with the bike you’re keen on so that you can swing a leg over and see if it suits your body and riding style.
You can find the rest of this article series here on understanding E-Bikes where we cover E-MTBs as well, if you’re looking to go off the beaten track.
