E-Road Bikes for the Speed Rush

Markus Storck has always been obsessed with achieving the technical maximum in his bikes. The result has always been one of the lightest, stiffest and most comfortable road bikes. Storck also sets standards in the segment of e-road bikes and shows what is technically up to date. Powerful Fazua-Evation drive, aerodynamic carbon frame or fully integrated cables ensure a fast and visually elegant road bike that feels anything but sluggish even at speeds of over 25 km/h - when the motor no longer supports. And those who need a "real" road bike feeling can simply remove the mid-motor from the down tube and almost forget that they are actually riding an e-bike.

Scott's Addict has long been one of the bikes that make a splash in the pro peloton - with a perfect mix of lightness and speed, and a geometry that's still suitable for long hours in the saddle. Scott engineers didn't just want to make the Addict simpler, they wanted to make it better when they added a drivetrain - and thus expanded the bike's range of use. The Addict eRide weighs less than eleven kilos and looks just as stylish as the professional road bike. It is powered by the rear hub motor X35+ from Mahle, which provides up to 250 extra watts. However, no one is likely to let their legs dangle with this e-racing bike - because its character is simply too sporty for that. Much too sporty.

A Cannondale has always been a statement. And it's always been pumped full of high-tech. This is also true for the Super Six Evo Neo 1. From a purely visual point of view, the bike looks like a pure road rocket and not even remotely like an e-bike. Only a glance at the Mahle drive discreetly integrated into the rear hub gives it away - and of course the weight. At 11.5 kilograms, the Super Six Evo Neo 1 is not much heavier than an entry-level aluminium road bike without a motor was a few years ago. The equipment: The finest. Carbon wheels and Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2 drivetrain. The price: almost five figures. The Super Six Evo Neo is also available in two less expensive versions. However, this only makes a half-hearted statement.

A road bike with Shimano's Steps 6100 drivetrain and an enduring 504 watt-hour battery: this gives the BMC Alpenchallenge a comparatively massive appearance. The Swiss manufacturer has given the bike a super-light carbon frame and a unique look with a lot of attention to detail and completely internally routed cables. Nevertheless, you can tell at first glance that the e-road bike is not only powered by muscle power. On the other hand, the drive of the 16-kilogram bike ensures that no alpine pass is too long and no climb is too steep - the BMC doesn't run out of juice for quite a long time.

Simplon manufactures fine bikes full of engineering in Austria near Lake Constance. But what also makes the brand stand out is its modular system, which allows every bike to be built according to the customer's wishes. However, all E-race bikes are powered by the same motor: Mahle provides up to 250 extra watts with a torque of 40 Nm at the rear hub, while the control unit sits elegantly and inconspicuously in the top tube. The bike weighs just 11 kilos in its top configuration and feels like an agile and extremely sporty racing bike, even if the motor assistance switches off at speeds of over 25 km/h. The battery can be recharged for more range. For more range, the battery capacity can be increased to up to 670 watt hours with two additional elements - with the extra weight, you can then also tackle serious alpine stages.

With a fat wallet, e-road cyclists have almost free choice on the market. However, if you don't necessarily want to invest as much money as in a small car, you'll have to take a closer look. The Endurance:ON AL 7 from Canyon, for example, costs less than 3000 euros. With an aluminium frame, carbon fork, Shimano's GRX Gravel components and Fazua drivetrain, it weighs just under 15 kilos. Anyone who knows the comparison to a super-light carbon frame will also notice the differences - especially when the motor assistance switches off at high speeds. But that doesn't change the fact that the Canyon e-road bike is a real hit - and not just from a financial perspective.

The Ferrari of e-race bikes comes from California. Specialized recognized the potential of e-bikes early on. When many still doubted what sense motors would make in road bikes, the engineers in the USA were already implementing their visions. The S-Works Turbo Creo SL therefore sets standards in all respects. Its own drivetrain, one of the best carbon frames on the market, individually adjustable steering and the "Future Shock 2.0" suspension at the front - the list for technology gourmets is long. But there are also many thoughtful details that set Specialized apart from the crowd: For example, the Shimano XTR mountain bike rear derailleur provides a huge range of gearing. The Turbo Creo is an e-road bike like a dream. But because of the exorbitant price for most probably only one to dream.

When it comes to the combination of technical innovation and an attractive price-performance ratio, there's no getting around Cube. The manufacturer, which is one of the largest in Germany, also has models in its range for which you have to dig deep into your pocket and also offers its Agree Hybrid C:62 e-road bike with features that cost 8000 euros. In contrast, you only have to pay half that for the Race version of the e-road bike. The carbon frame houses a Fazua mid-motor drive. Shimano's 105 groupset is two leagues below the top Dura Ace components in terms of weight and finish, but in terms of functionality and reliability it is beyond reproach. And by the way: With an e-bike, it's not primarily a matter of haggling over every gram of the components.