The best electric road bikes 2024

©BH Bikes

The best electric road bikes are, unsurprisingly, marketed by the most prestigious brands: Trek, Scott, Cannondale, Giant, BMC, Cube... Big names in the world of cycling whose star models shine on the roads of the Tour de France every summer.

Because electric bikes aren't necessarily just for riding or going to work. These manufacturers have gradually developed electric sports bikes, and in particular high-performance, lightweight electric racing bikes. These technological gems, often made of carbon, are ideal for beginners or for getting back into cycling after a long break. They combine comfort, aesthetics and sportiness.

Who are these lightweight, powerful electric bikes designed for? How do I choose an electric road bike? What are the best models? We answer all your questions!

You've been taken in by the passion of cycling (we understand!), but for the moment your legs just can't keep up? No problem, the electric-assist road bike is just the thing. To gradually get used to the higher gears of racing models and the more forward-leaning position, it can be very useful to get a little electric help.

And if you want to join a group that's already formed and get started, an electric road bike is a good solution. You won't have to suffer every time the slope gets a little steep or the ride exceeds 50 km.

You'll be able to stay in the wheels, without tiring yourself out too much, just long enough to get into the rhythm and work on your endurance.

Please note, however, that like all electric-assist bikes, these models provide you with assistance up to a speed of 25 km/h. Above that speed, you'll have to push hard with your thighs. But on a flat, rolling section, you'll quickly reach that speed on a road bike. And given the contribution of electrical components, the extra weight can be a handicap in these conditions.

Getting back on the bike after a long period

Whether due to a fall or a health problem of some kind, you may have been forced to take a long break from your favorite sport. The electric racing bike is just the thing to help you get back into the swing of things.

Is it finally time to retire, and are you itching to get out on the bike? It's also a good way for senior citizens to (re)start cycling after 60, while easing the physical strain.

Whether due to a fall or a health problem of some kind, you may have been forced to take a long break from your favorite sport. The electric racing bike is just the thing to help you get back into the swing of things.

Is it finally time to retire, and are you itching to get out on the bike? It's also a good way for senior citizens to (re)start cycling after 60, while easing the physical strain.

But electric-assist road bikes aren't just for beginners or those just getting back into cycling!

It's also a very popular solution for those looking to extend their outings a little. With assistance on the trickiest sections, you save precious watts for longer rides.

And for those who dream of climbing the legendary Grande Boucle passes such as Alpe d'Huez, Mont Ventoux and Galibier, it's not uncommon to come across electric bikes on the demanding slopes of these landmarks. And there's nothing to be ashamed of! With average gradients of around 10% for more than 10 or 15 km, these passes are impossible to climb for the vast majority of cyclists.

Either way, your secret will go unnoticed: the battery and motor are completely invisible! In fact, a motor is hidden either in the rear hub or in the crankset, while the battery is directly integrated into the downtube for greater aerodynamics. The battery can be removed, but this function makes the bike heavier.

Choosing the right bike means above all choosing the right size bike. This is determined by your height in centimetres.

Two systems coexist in this field. One is similar to that of clothing sizes (S/M/L/XL), the other is specific to bicycles, since it concerns the length of the seat tube.

Below are the recommended sizes according to the cyclist:

< 170 cm : S - 48 to 51 ;

< 182 cm : M - 52 to 55 ;

< 190 cm : L - 56 to 58 ;

Beyond: XL - 58 and +.

Even if the electric bike is your size, you'll need to adjust it carefully to avoid long-term pain.

Not all electric-assist road bikes are designed for exactly the same use. Some will be highly aerodynamic for even greater performance. For others, the geometry of the frame will favor comfort.

A performance-oriented power-assisted bike is recommended for those who want to make short, intensive outings. Conversely, an endurance bike will enable you to ride for longer periods, as it will better absorb the roughness of the road and offer a slightly straighter pedaling position due to a lower seatpost.

Good to know: road bikes are also available in trail versions, thanks to adapted tires and more robust transmissions. This type of bike is known as an electric gravel bike, meaning it can be ridden on gravel without the need for a MTB.

Let's face it, electric-assist road bikes don't boast the most impressive electric-assist figures. Yet their performance is comparable to that of the best electric bikes. Strange, isn't it? Here are some explanations...

We sometimes come across electric bikes with 400 to 650 Wh batteries, whereas most road bikes are around 250 Wh. This figure may seem low, since it's estimated that this is the capacity needed to cover around 70 km. An autonomy similar to that of city bikes, but extremely variable depending on a number of factors.

The main explanation is that electric road bikes are relatively light, weighing between 11 and 17 kg. They therefore consume less energy. What's more, they are designed to limit wind resistance, with a more aerodynamic riding position, which again generates less wasted energy. In addition, their thinner tires are less prone to rubbing against the asphalt, with a consequent gain in performance. Finally, as we said earlier, the 25 km/h limit for electric assistance is easily exceeded on the flat, so road travel is partly a matter of muscle power.

In other words, the battery capacity is lower, but they more than make up for it with their more sophisticated structures. If you'd like to delve deeper into the vast subject of electric bike autonomy.

In terms of power, the motor torque is claimed to average between 35 and 55 Nm, comparable to that found on conventional EAB models. Given the efficiency of an electric road bike, and the muscular input, high torque is not necessary.

However, as we have already seen, electric bikes are available with a central or rear motor. At the bottom bracket (center), this is the preserve of Bosch electric motors, known for their high torque, reliability and better weight balance. At the rear hub, you'll generally find electric road bikes with TQ or Mahle motors, with reduced weights and sizes.

What are the best electric-assist racing bikes in 2024? In this section, we offer you our top 5, according to your profile and at a wide range of prices.

The easiest way to get started without emptying your bank account is with an entry-level model. The Nakamura E-Century 500 is perfect for this, with its unbeatable price/quality ratio.

With a generous battery capacity and an aluminum frame with comfort geometry, this bike is ideal for long rides. It will provide you with assistance for a long time, while the Bosch motor is quite torquey on big climbs. This hybrid bike with comfort geometry will spare your lumbar vertebrae, also featuring a carbon fork.

Scott's reputation is well established in the best MTB electrics, as well as in road bikes, equipping professional teams for the Tour de France. So it's hardly surprising to see the Swiss firm offering electric road bike models.

The Cannondale Synapse Neo is in a completely different league. Here, the geometry is less conventional, with a longer stack - remote crankset-potential - to offer a less aerodynamic but still comfortable riding position.

When it comes to the big names in road cycling, Trek is never far away. So it's no surprise to find among the best models on the market an electric version of the famous Domane racing model.

With only 11 kg (!) on the scales thanks to its carbon frame (as well as its fork and other components), the Trek Domane+ is one of the world's lightest electric bikes in its LT version!

Who said EAB was synonymous with effortless riding? These bikes prove that you can combine electric assistance and sporty use for an excellent riding experience!