01.02.2024 | Reading time - 37 min(s)

Best Electric Touring Bike

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Thinking about bicycle touring or carrying a lot of luggage on your bike but don't fancy all the extra effort required to carry it? An e bike might be the answer. An e bike takes the effort out of carrying luggage by providing significant power assistance and will have a large battery capacity for all-day or multi-day cycle touring. The 2024 bikes are looking even slicker and better than ever.

Quick Navigation

Electric Bikes Battery Capacity - discussing the importance of a battery with a good range for electric touring bikes
Top Bikes for Battery Size - some of the best electric bikes that have the biggest batteries
Motor Power Assistance - a look at the importance of the power of the motor and how this affects the ride.
Luggage Options - touring bikes are required to be able to carry lots of luggage for long days or multi-day riding.
Comfortable Ride Quality - for long days, it pays to be as comfortable as possible especially when you are on the bike for extended periods.
Other Electric Bikes - a description of the other electric bikes available aside from electric touring bikes.
Best Electric Bikes - a pick of the best of the other types of electric bikes available from electric road bikes to electric mountain bikes.

One of the other characteristics of an e bike is the ability to carry a lot of luggage to be self-sustaining for days on end so we will take a look at some of the best electric touring bikes for this purpose.

In the first part of this article, we will have a closer look at some of the main considerations when buying electric touring bikes. Namely, we will look at the battery capacity, motor power, luggage options and lots more and then go on to list some of the best electric touring bikes available and then in the second part, we will look at other types of electric bikes.

First, let's have a look at what key factors that make an electric touring bikes fit for purpose. Namely:-

Battery capacity
Motor power assistance
Luggage options
Comfortable ride quality
Reliable Stopping Power

We always have a selection of E bike sale clearance bikes for a great deal on electric bikes.

Electric touring bikes battery capacity

The batteries on any electric bike will be measured in Wh (Watt hours) and the larger this number, the more battery range you will get. Some of the lighter electric e bike's battery can have 320Wh of electric bike range while some of the more substantial electric touring bikes will have two batteries giving up to 1250Wh for electric assistance for much longer.

The exact range you get will very much depend on how you use the bike as using a higher assistance mode will, of course, use more battery and if you cycle more hills it will drain the battery quicker, but a rough guide to how far an electric bike will go is that 100Wh equates to approximately 10 miles of range.

If you are thinking about purchasing an e bike then we would recommend at least 625Wh to give you extended rides and a full day of cycling - just make sure you are able to charge your bike overnight.

Top bikes for battery size

Tern GSD S10 LX Electric Cargo Bike

The Tern GSD S10 LX is a full cargo bike that comes equipped with a 500Wh battery. The reason this bike gets into our "top bikes for battery size" section is that the GSD range all have the capability to accept another 500Wh Bosch battery making this machine able to accept up to 1000W/h making the bike suitable for all day cycling.

Specialized Turbo Tero X 5.0 29 2023 Electric Bike

The Specialized Turbo Tero X 5.0 is the perfect e bike touring hybrid for when you are planning on taking on some rough off-road sections in perfect comfort supplied by full suspension - front and rear. This electric bike features in this section as it comes supplied with a 710Wh battery for increased range and efficient performance.

Kalkhoff Endeavour 7.B Advance+ (750Wh) 2022 Step Through Electric Bike

An incredibly comfortable and capable electric bike that can be loaded up with luggage for touring or daily commutes. Supplied with a whopping 750Wh integrated battery for all-day range and the powerful and reliable Bosch Performance Line CX 85Nm motor for getting you up hills with much less effort. A kalkhoff bike perfect for commuting and leisure.

Gazelle Ultimate C5 HMB 2023 (625Wh) Low-Step Electric Bike

As we recommended earlier, a 625Wh is probably the minimum battery size you would want for electric touring bikes and that's exactly what you get with the Gazelle Ultimate C5 HMB. You also get the ultra reliable Bosch Performance Line motor (75Nm) and plenty of space for luggage on the rear rack and the potential to put on a bar bag too for extra capacity. A truly excellent electric Gazelle bike.

Motor Power assistance

With electric touring bikes, you will be loading the bike up with much more luggage so this, along with a heavier bike means you could be pushing a fair bit of weight up hill. This is where the motor power assist comes in. Not all motors are made equal and some are more powerful than others. The number we are looking for here is the torque - measured in Newton Metres (Nm) - and the higher the torque, the easier the motor will accelerate and get you and your luggage, up hills. On some of the lighter weight electric bikes, these motors will be 35 Nm while some of the most powerful will top out at 90Nm.

Our recommendation here would be dependant on how much, or how little, work you want to put in uphill - if you literally want to spin your legs up the hill with minimum effort then opt for 85-90 Nm of torque such as the Bosch Performance Line CX motor which provides ample power up to 85Nm of torque for even the sttepest hills or the Specialized 2.2 Motor that comes bikes such as the Specialized Turbo Como 5.0 IGH that delivers up to 90 Nm of torque.

Another recommendation here is to go for a bottom bracket motor as you will very unlikely get enough power from a rear hub motor or front hub motor.

Luggage Options

Another major factor in choosing an e bike is that it can accept extra luggage capacity. The best electric bike for you will depend on the type of cycle touring you will be doing. The minimum you would usually require is a rear pannier rack (most electric bikes either come with a rack or are rear rack compatible) for a couple of pannier bags and/or a rack top bag but you get some electric cargo bikes that can take 75kg on the rear cargo bed if you are wanting to go away for multi-day trips.

If you don't need a full cargo bike but still want the extra luggage then choosing a bike that can take a handlebar bag or a frame bag can be a great way to fit on more luggage.

Top Luggage Options

Restrap Bar Bag

The Restrap Bar Bag is an ideal and hassle free luggage solution for bikepacking, touring or commuting on road, gravel and mountain bikes. With no rack, mounts or tools required, the bag attaches to any bike in seconds.

Ortlieb Back Roller Free QL2.1 Single Pannier

Through the use of robust polyester fabric, this Ortlieb Back Roller waterproof rear pannier becomes a long-lasting companion while maintaining the same timeless tarpaulin look and thanks to the hermetic roll-top closure, food and gear travels safely and protected from the elements.

Giant Transit MIK Trunk Bag

With a key-secured but east to remove MIK mounting that locks to the rack as well as water-repellent fabric, an included rain cover and deep, easy to access main and side pockets, the Giant Transit MIK Trunk Bag is perfect for urban commuting and light touring" MIK Rack System

COMFORTABLE RIDE QUALITY

If you are spending a long time on a bicycle, you need that bike to be comfortable for the duration of your ride and this is especially important for touring bikes as you are sometimes riding many days in a row. It is vitally important to opt for the correct frame size in the first place but once you have the frame size sorted, there are a number of components to add to this comfort. These can be:-

Front and/or rear suspension - front suspension forks will smooth out the road or gravel to take pressure off of your hands, arms and shoulders and for rear suspension, this reduces the juddering and impacts of the back end.
Suspension seatpost - in terms of rear end comfort, a suspension seatpost will reduce the impacts and juddering caused by going over rough or uneven surfaces.
Ergonomic handlebar grips - The diffference with ergonomic grips is that they are shaped to be wider and spread the contact of your hands on the grip to a larger area thus reducing the force on your hands. Can make a big difference on longer rides.
Wide tyres - Wide tyres are more comfortable due to having more air between you and the road. Another tip for more comfort is to run your tyre pressures a little lower as this can improve comfort too (please just be careful not to run them too low and risk pinch punctures)
Position - The position you are in on the bike will have a great bearing on how comfortable you are for the duration of your cycle. Many of the best electric bikes will be adjustable so you can fine tune the seating position for different riding styles.

Providing Reliable stopping power

Hydraulic disc brakes are a must on E touring bikes due to carrying more luggage and combined with the weight of the bike, stopping when going downhill with extra weight is of ultimate importance. Add rain or damp conditions into the mix and it just gets harder. When deciding on an e touring bike, be sure to assess whether the brakes will suit your style of riding.

OTHER ELECTRIC BIKES

Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative was one of the first UK bicycle retailers to supply electric bikes and that means we've racked up years of experience and expertise. E-bikes can be a big investment, so it's important to be confident in your purchase and finding the best electric bike and frame size for you. There are now nearly as many e-bike types are there are bikes: electric hybrid bikes, electric folding bikes, electric mountain bikes and cargo electric bikes. This handy guide gives you our ten best electric bikes, although we should say that all our e-bikes have been carefully selected, and what we would consider a ‘great buy'.

We always have a selection of E bike sale clearance bikes for a great deal on electric bikes.

Our other guides – Should I buy an Electric Bike and Guide to electric bikes have more information on each type.

ELECTRIC BIKE TYPE OVERVIEW

Electric hybrid bikes - best for a mix of on and off-road riding with light gravel and forest tracks being a breeze. Electric hybrid bike can be found in either full power assistance options or a super lightweight option with reduced power assistance and a smaller battery.
Electric touring bikes - generally come with more options for storage but depending on the amount of luggage you need to carry, electric hybrid bikes can sometimes fit the bill. The best e touring bike, therefore, will be the one that fits the amount of touring you will be doing. Both the Electric Hybrid and Electric touring bikes can accept a child seat for bike
Electric Mountain bikes - offering you help on the uphill portion and offering excellent handling on the downhills. Also available as a super lightweight bike for enhanced handling but with slightly less power and battery.
Electric Cargo Bikes - designed with extra space for luggage or passengers on the front or the rear. Can be used on the school run or on the weekly shop. Most people replace their car with these styles of bicycle.

See all Electric Bikes See all Womens Electric Bike

See all Mens E Bikes

BEST ELECTRIC BIKES

SPECIALIZED TURBO VADO SL

It’s a great electric bike because

First and foremost - Specialized Turbo Vado SL are very lightweight bikes (approx 16kg) considering they have a battery and electric motor and gives you up to 35n/m of torque for a bit of help up the hills or into a stiff headwind. High quality components such as hydraulic disc brakes and quality SRAM 11-speed gearing for smoothness and reliability. The battery capacity is 320w/h with the possibility of adding a range extender for an extra 160w/h for up to 50 miles of range. Kitted out with mudguards, rear rack, kickstand and integrated lights for a bike that is ready to go. An amazing Specialized e bike.

Gazelle Chamonix C7 HMS E bike (500 WH)

Gazelle Chamonix C5 HMS.jpg

It's a great electric bike because

Gazelle have ensured that the Chamonix C7 HMS 500Wh electric touring hybrid bike has an upright riding position is as comfortable as possible. Wide tyres, ergonomically shaped handlebar grips and suspension fork for optimal comfort. A unique adjustable handlebar stem with integrated cables ensures the correct and most comfortable sitting posture for every rider.

Internal hub gears mean less cleaning and maintenance and powerful hydraulic disc brakes make stopping easy considering the extra weight of the bike. A motor power assistance of 50n/m will give you a boost when you need it. This model also comes with a 500wh or a 630wh for a battery range of approximately 50 miles (500wh) or 65 miles (630wh)

Shop Hybrid Electric Bikes

Riese & Muller Culture Mixte Touring 400wh 2024 Electric Bike

Riese & Muller Culture Mixte Touring.jpg

IT'S A GREAT ELECTRIC BIKE BECAUSE

A modern look and natural riding experience: meet the Culture Mixte Touring. Its pastel colour frame with its striking bend in the lowered top tube is guaranteed to immediately grab attention in and around town. Sustainability was a real priority in its frame construction.

Its raised headset with curved handlebars provides for excellent comfort - so now you can leisurely cycle around town for hours on the Culture Mixte. And do so with a clear conscience: about 50% of the frame is made of recycled aluminium.

You'll also be cruising around the streets in style with its lightweight and efficient Bosch Performance Line SX motor and 400 Wh battery. Just take the Culture Mixte home to charge it - it's guaranteed to look good there too.

Brompton Electric

It's a great electric bike because

It a folding e bike! It is notoriously difficult to make a folding electric bike and still ensure that it folds down to a manageable size but Brompton Electric have managed.

What makes this one of the best examples of a folding electric bike is that the UK's best-loved folding bikes brand takes everything that makes their folding bikes popular and basically adds a motor and battery to turn it into one of the best folding electric bike that you can buy.

You can find a Brompton bike store in Canonmills, Edinburgh; Bruntsfield, Edinburgh, Leeds and Aberdeen.

With the same lightweight, super-slick folding mechanism, this e-bike can be packed up and put in your boot, the train, the tube, the bus. You can maintain 15 miles an hour with ease and with a range of between 20-45 miles it is the perfect example of practicality, ease of transport and assistance. As far as folding electric bikes go, this range is hard to beat. Brompton also have a wide range of spare parts and Brompton accessories UK

See all our Electric Brompton for sale

Tern GSD S00 Electric Cargo Bike

It's a great electric bike because

It's the new great innovation in electric bikes. A solution for businesses and families that cut pollution, journey time, and parking charges. The Tern GSD S00 can be loaded in a variety of ways, and has enough space to carry two children to school. If you're a city-centre business and need a last-mile delivery solution, look no further. The powerful motor makes the 200 kg load feel like nothing at all. One you try it, you'll be smitten.

Powered by the exceptional Bosch Smart System Cargo Line motor for plenty of power assistance even when you are loaded to the gunnels and are carrying extra weight. The 500w/h battery will give you approximately 50 miles (but this depends on how much you load onto the bike) but you can also add a second battery to increase this range even further.

Giant Electric Bikes for Sale

E bikes Q & A

We had a look on the web for some of the most popular questions about e bikes which we will answer in the below section.

How Do E Bikes Work?

In a nutshell; e bikes come with a battery that supplies a motor wiith power. When you start pedalling, a sensor picks this up and provides an extra boost of varying levels dependent on which assistance mode you are in.

Can e bike batteries be repaired?

We are going to defer to internationally renowned Bosch here, one of the largest and most reputable e bicycle battery manufacturers:

"For safety reasons, faulty, old or "worn out" batteries cannot be repaired or refreshed. Lithium-ion batteries are complex, finely tuned systems with a high energy content. Correct function and optimum interaction with the Battery Management System can no longer be guaranteed if a battery is repaired. In addition, when the battery is re-assembled, the housing seal can no longer be assured."

Can E Bikes Get Wet

All of the e bikes we sell can be ridden in the rain as the batteries and motors are sealed to be able to deal with this. It is not recommended to ride e bikes through streams or submerge the battery and/or motor as this will likely result in irreperable damage.

Can E Bikes Go Uphill?

This is a big YES. In fact, it's one of the main reasons lots of people purchase e bikes. For mountain biking in particular, it allows mountain bikers more energy to enjoy the downhills.

For steeper hills, a more powerful motor with higher torque would be a worthwhile investment.

Can E Bike Batteries Catch Fire?

The answer here is Yes but it is extremely unlikely if you choose a reputable manufacturer such as Bosch, Shimano, Brose, Yamaha (on Liv and Giant bikes) or Fazua and use the official charger supplied. We only choose to stock e bikes that come with the most reputable and reliable batteries in the industry and every e bike we sell comes with the official charger.

Author

Ross Howieson

Content Creator

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Best Electric Touring Bike

Electric touring bikes battery capacity

Top bikes for battery size

Tern GSD S10 LX Electric Cargo Bike

Specialized Turbo Tero X 5.0 29 2023 Electric Bike

Kalkhoff Endeavour 7.B Advance+ (750Wh) 2022 Step Through Electric Bike

Gazelle Ultimate C5 HMB 2023 (625Wh) Low-Step Electric Bike

Motor Power assistance

Luggage Options

Top Luggage Options

Restrap Bar Bag

Ortlieb Back Roller Free QL2.1 Single Pannier

Giant Transit MIK Trunk Bag

COMFORTABLE RIDE QUALITY

Providing Reliable stopping power

OTHER ELECTRIC BIKES

ELECTRIC BIKE TYPE OVERVIEW

BEST ELECTRIC BIKES

SPECIALIZED TURBO VADO SL

It’s a great electric bike because

Gazelle Chamonix C7 HMS E bike (500 WH)

It's a great electric bike because

Riese & Muller Culture Mixte Touring 400wh 2024 Electric Bike

IT'S A GREAT ELECTRIC BIKE BECAUSE

Brompton Electric

It's a great electric bike because

Tern GSD S00 Electric Cargo Bike

It's a great electric bike because

E bikes Q & A

How Do E Bikes Work?

Can e bike batteries be repaired?

Can E Bikes Get Wet

Can E Bikes Go Uphill?