What Is the Best E-Bike for Touring in Comfort and Style?
June 6, 2023
At Ride1Up, we know that choosing just one touring-style e-bike from all the choices of electric bike models can be tough!
If you’re after the best electric touring-style bike for a variety of terrains and need an e-bike with serious tires built for various terrains, an electric motor with Class 3 capabilities, and an upright seating style for comfort after a long day in the saddle, the Turris is a contender.
However, picking a great e-bike isn’t necessarily one-size-fits-all, and if your priority is style, the moto-inspired Revv 1 is a superb choice for adrenaline-fuelled adventures, as is the Rift, a rugged all-terrain bike fitted with quad piston brakes and Kenda Krusade fat tires that make it perfect for off-road adventures without compromise.
In this guide, we’ll share some advice about the elements and features of an electric touring-style bike to help you narrow down your options and pick the right model for you.
Guide to Electric Touring-Style Bikes
Seasoned touring bike riders ready to switch to an electric model to enhance their range or improve the touring experience often have plenty of questions, so if you’re wondering where to find power when e-bike touring, rest assured that you’re not alone!
Our e-bikes are ultra-modern, high-spec electric bikes fitted with motors that provide assistance as you pedal, which means a steep hill, mountain peak, or strong headwind is easier to tackle. Likewise, an e-bike can assist with maintaining higher speeds for longer, which is ideal for road-based touring.
Pedal-assist features provide a boost of power while you are pedaling, whereas a throttle works without you needing to pedal at the same time, conserving energy on longer tours or more physically challenging routes. The Turris, our flagship touring-style e-bike, has a robust 750-watt motor, as well as both pedal assist and twenty-MPH left-side thumb throttle, and a comfortable ergo gel saddle. So, on style, performance, and comfort, it ticks all the boxes.
Why Try an Electric Touring-Style Bike?
Many riders choose an electric touring-style bike because it allows them to travel faster and further without exceeding their endurance threshold, meaning that touring trips can be as long as they like without the risk of running out of steam. Most touring bike riders add significant mileage to their maximum daily distance by swapping a conventional bike with an electric alternative, which is ideal if you are short on time but don’t want to limit your touring.
E-bikes are also great for people who love touring but don’t want to arrive at their destination overly fatigued. They can challenge themselves to adventurous and complex routes or ride with a group and ensure they can keep pace with faster and more capable riders.
What to Look for in an E-Bike Styled for Touring
The range is one of the fundamental aspects of a touring-style e-bike because this indicates the maximum distance you can cover before the battery needs to be recharged. However, the range isn’t an exact science, as it will depend on the weight of the rider, the surface of the road, headwinds, tire pressure, and the use of pedal-assist or throttle.
As a rough guide, the Turris has a range of twenty-five to forty-five miles, the all-terrain Rift has a range of forty-five to sixty miles, and the thrilling Revv 1 has a range of thirty to sixty miles–depending on the variables we’ve outlined above. Touring might look different depending on what you plan to tackle. If you tend to ride on flat, consistent roads in good condition and in calm weather conditions, you’ll maintain a steady speed for longer than if you’re reliant on higher levels of assistance and frequently tackling steep hills and rocky terrain.
A Ride1Up, we focus on affordability, practicality, and comfort, so if you tend to experience strains and stress in your back and shoulders, it’s also worth choosing a touring-style e-bike with a gel saddle or step-through frame options that are designed for prolonged use with an upright seating position. Sitting with a straighter posture, rather than leaning over the handlebars, can prevent lower back pain and is advisable for city touring or even commuting, where the riding position supports a neutral spine.