That being said, it's just a fantastic training ride partner. It's not the most agile bike you'll ever ride, but with a shorter stem/smaller bars combo (which you can choose if you purchase on the website) I think it would feel more than race-ready (if you could race an e-bike). I've not ridden a non-electric Ribble, let alone this frame, but even with a motor weighing down the back end, it was a pretty confidence-inspiring ride. The bars on my bike were a little wider than I’m used to, but I appreciated the ergonomics of the drop with it being quite shallow so I could sit comfortably on the drops. The frame is a racing frame, and comes with the Configure Level 5 Carbon Integrated Road Bar and Stem – aka, it’s fancy and it’s aerodynamic. This isn't a critique of Ribble or Mahle, but more the fact that with current legislation electric road bike popularity is likely to be less so than if e-bike motors were allowed to assist just a little bit faster. Luckily, the drag from the motor when it's not in use isn't that noticeable, but compared to a non-electric road bike it just feels ever so slightly more sluggish. When I rode over to the flatter side of Yorkshire, for example, I spent the entire ride above the threshold for assistance. The other point with electric road bikes is that they, like all electric bikes in the UK are required to use motors that are limited to assisting to 15.5mph, which, for many is more than attainable on the flat.

I did find that the motor began to struggle a bit on steeper inclines, but if you're planning on riding up 30% inclines, for example, then a mid-drive unit would likely suit your riding far better. I managed about 50 miles per charge, but that's based on quite hilly terrain and some less-than-favourable weather conditions. It's lightweight (3.5kg) and can be easily integrated into a frame, and it really does take the sting out of hills.įor most people, if you don't live in the Alps, the battery range should suffice nicely. For general road bike riding, it's smooth, and it's easy to see why so many brands choose it. I've provided plenty of words on the Mahle Smartbike Systems X35+ power system, but never in an electric road bike. Paired with the Mahle Smartbike Systems X35+ rear hub motor, it's a familiar sleek sight, with it hidden so well you'll be hard-pressed to find people that realise it's an electric bike upon first glance. The Ribble Endurance SL e takes the popular Endurance SL road bike frame and slaps a motor and battery in it to make it even more appealing. Move Electric rating: four stars out of five

Endurance bike