Touring e-bikes: 7 best of 2023 for travelling

Which e-bike for bicycle touring?

If in recent years electric bikes represent the first item in the sales of many companies, the touring bicycle sector has already entered the world of electric bikes since long time with the trekking models, perfect for commuting but also suitable for travel. Today, specialization has reached such levels that we are able to distinguish a tourism electric bike from a city e-bike. 

In this list we will try to offer bicycles that are suitable for the most common cyclists, not for extreme cycle travelers or cyclists who aim for athletic performance. In fact, the market has split up and specialized a lot in recent years: gravel and bikepacking have expanded the user base and consequently also the type of use of the vehicle.

For this reason, before doing an overview of the models that I suggest, it is good to contextualize my choice and explain why I have included extremely versatile bikes among the cycle touring ebikes, leaving the discussion of more specific bikes such as e-gravel or e-mtb to future articles.

Touring electric bikes? How to choose?

With this premise, it is easy to understand that among the ebikes that I will indicate below, there may not be the best electric bike for traveling that you would choose: the list is designed for an average cycle tourist who loves travelling. relax on cycle paths or itineraries free from traffic, which sometimes also have dirt sections. They are not bikes designed for those who want to cover hundreds of kilometers and thousands of meters in altitude a day even if, if necessary, they do not disdain being put to the whip.

In this list, I have tried to include electric touring bikes which, in my opinion, are as multifunctional and multidisciplinary as possible. They are bikes suitable for long distances and which privilege comfort and reliability over performance, but they are well suited to everyday pedaling, even in city traffic. Steel, unlike classic touring bikes, is missing on electric bikes and therefore those listed have aluminum frames and are mounted with solid but high-performance components, aligned with the needs of an e-biker.

Enough talking, let's see the best electric touring bikes of this year

Brinke Overland (XT and Di2)

These are the electric touring bikes that we used last year for our first trips with a motor. There are two setups: XT and Di2 depending on the gearbox and Shimano engine fitted: the first is a little sportier and more performing while the second is more comfortable and, with automatic gearbox, also suitable for city stop&go.

The Overland put up a generous 630Wh Shimano E8036 battery combined with different motors depending on the set-up (the E7000 on the XT, more agile and performing, the E6100 on the Di2, more durable and comfortable). The aluminum frame with internal cable routing is available in the Sport version with horizontal tube and the Comfort version with low top tube, for easier access to the saddle. The wheels are 27.5" and as standard they are fitted with generous 2.25" tires also suitable for tackling simple dirt roads. The fork has 75mm of travel to improve comfort on bumpy terrain and the stem is adjustable. The XT version has a wider gear range and a shorter metric development on the more agile gear, also suitable for some challenging climbs, while the Di2 is more suitable for the plains or not too harsh hills.

Equipped with luggage rack, lights and mudguards as standard, the cost varies between €3,699 (XT) and €3,850 (Di2)

For more info visit the Brinke website

Canyon Pathlite:ON 7 SUV

The German bike brand has stood out in recent years for having managed to keep up with the times both in the gravel and bicycle touring sectors. The new Pathlite: ON 7 SUV is a concentrate of technology and quality for those who love to travel in comfort. The Bosch motor with super large 750 Wh PowerTube battery guarantees considerable autonomy. Also on the Canyon, as on Brinke, the wheels are 27.5" with 2.25" tires to pedal almost anywhere, while the fork has 100mm travel, more that sufficient for a touring bike. The Shimano Deore XT 12-speed gearbox is suitable for most routes while the telescopic seat post (questionable choice), the Supernova lights, mudguards and luggage rack complete the setup.

Ultimately, as always for Canyon, a bike that lacks nothing to start at a super attractive price for the category: €4199.

For more info visit the Canyon website

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Haibike Trekking 11 High

One of the earliest brands in the e-bikes market, Haibike with its Trekking 11 High ranks among the best electric touring bikes. Complete and multifunctional, it can be suitable for both long journeys and medium-short range excursions. The Bosch motor, like on the Canyon, has 85 Nm of torque with a 750 Wh battery which guarantee good performance and sufficient duration for one or two demanding stages. Equipped with a 100mm fork and Shimano Deore XT drivetrain, it mounts 27.5" wheels with 2.35" tires. Also in this case standard are the luggage rack, mudguards and battery-powered front and rear lights. There are few additional eyelets, but this is a prerogative of almost all touring ebikes.

Again, a travel bike for the most demanding. The price is a little higher than the others seen so far: €5199.

For more info visit the Haibike website

Riese&Müller Supercharger

The Riese&Muller is a bit like the Rolls Roice of touring ebikes. The Supercharger is an extremely customizable product that can be adapted to the needs of each of us. It has a Dual battery system that can reach 1250 Wh with the batteries perfectly integrated into the frame, the various optional displays integrate perfectly into the adjustable handlebar stem and internal cable routing keeps the front end clean. The basic GT Touring model mounts a Shimano XT 11-speed gearbox, 27.5"x2.35" wheels and 100mm fork. The equipment is completed by the integrated luggage rack, the mudguards and the lights. On the higher models (GT Vario, Rolhoff...) it is possible to choose the hub gear with belt transmission which increases the life and reliability of the system but also the price. Among the options there is also a front "pizza rack" luggage rack with bag.

The price is adjusted with the high technology and quality: starting from €6,309 up to around €10,000 for the model with Rolhoff and accessories.

For more info visit the R&M website

Cube Kathmandu Hybrid ABS 750

Derived from the popular classic travel bike that is so loved by german cycling tourists, the Kathmandu Hybrid ABS 750 features the now well-known 85 Nm Bosch motor and 750 WH battery. The Magura disc brakes integrate with Bosch's ABS anti-lock system while the boost hubs ensure greater stiffness and handling. The frame is available in three different versions: the classic one with horizontal tube, the one with trapezoidal tube and low top tube. The integrated luggage rack certainly allows for greater peace of mind and reliability even if it reduces versatility (it cannot be removed to travel lighter, for example).

The groupset is a Shimano Deore with a 10-51 sprocket set for a really wide gear range. The fork is 100mm while the stem is adjustable. Among the models listed here, it is the first to mount 29"x2.2" wheels with tubeless ready rims. The seatpost is telescopic and the stand, lights, mudguards and bell complete the set-up.

The list price is interesting: €4749.

For more info visit the Cube website

Scott Axis e-Ride Evo Tour

Scott is also entering the world of touring ebikes with this Axis which promises to be a rather versatile bike. The engine is once again Bosch with a 750 Wh battery while in this case the fork is the most generous on the list with 120mm of travel. The rest of the components are a little lower than the others on the list but still have an excellent range of ratios, boost hubs and 29" wheels. The semi-integrated headset with internal cable passage makes the handlebar free and clean, thus allowing for simpler assembly any bikepacking handlebar bags. Also in this case the set-up is completed by the standard luggage rack, mudguards and lights.

The list price is 4599 €.

For more info visit the Scott site

Fantic Living

Just as we opened with an Italian bike, we close. Fantic has carved out a more than decent space for itself in the crowded world of electric bikes, thanks above all to an aggressive pricing policy and entry level products. In this case, however, Fantic Living presents itself as a product of excellent quality, maintaining a super attractive price. The engine in this case is a Yamaha with 75 Nm of torque with a 630 Wh battery which highlights how this bike is designed more for those who love travel and excursions that are not too demanding and long.

Very curious is the asymmetrical rear triangle which allows you to mount a belt without the need to have a discontinuity in the frame. The gearbox is a SRAM  SX Eagle, the hubs are boost and the standard accessories are luggage rack, mudguards, lights and padlock while the fork has a travel of 100mm and the wheels are 29".

The price is attractive: €3590.

For more info visit the Fantic website

In my opinion, these are the best electric touring bikes of 2023 but the list could be considerably extended given that the market offers lots of new things every year.

And you? Which ebike do you dream of or which bike would you like to spend your days on the road with? Let us know in the comments below!