European e-gravel riders get another few affordable options with GT’s new lightweight alloy Grade Power series gravel e-bikes. Starting with their popular, budget-friendly aluminum Grade gravel bike which got a big tire overhaul two summers ago, now GT has dropped a small battery into the downtube and added a light ebikemotion hub motor out back. The result is a stealthy, affordable, and lightweight e-bike that costs less than most carbon gravel bikes, and will help extend your mixed-surface adventure rides.
GT Grade Power series lightweight alloy gravel e-bikes
These new e-Grades are the latest pair the versatility of a modern gravel bike with the ride-extending capabilities of a lightweight e-bike. And GT both takes advantage of their floating triple triangle design to smooth your ride, and builds in adaptability from dropper posts to full-coverage fenders.
Is this the perfect e-bike for you?
This really may just be the best application for e-bikes. It’s not intended to boost your top speed (their pedal-assist support is still limited to 25km/hr), but will help you get up that next climb, whether it is easing your bike commute to work or adding range to your legs on a gravel adventure.
Much like fellow US-based Dorel/CSG sibling Cannondale brought the same lightweight e-gravel update to their new Topstone Neo SL earlier this week, the new GT e-Grades are limited to Europe & the UK for the time being. And there’s no indication yet, if or when they will see broader global availability. American readers might take solace in the fact that promo video was shot hunting tacos & gravel peaks in the states, so maybe they’ll be coming soon?
e-Bike details
The Grade Power series also share the exact same the Mahle ebikemotion X35+ pedal-assist powertrain as the Topstone Neo SL. That gives the e-Grade a removable 250Wh battery inside the downtube, a charging port just above the bottom bracket, and an ebikemotion X35+ 250W hub inside the rear wheel. The single color-coded LED button on the toptube controls pedal-assist levels, and Bluetooth connectivity sends data and allows customization via the ebikemotion mobile app.
GT doesn’t mention battery range, but Cannondale’s 75km/47mi claim for their very similar setup should give you an idea. Curiously, GT now confirms the Grade Powers ARE are NOT compatible with ebikemotion’s ~600€ extra 208Wh Range Extender external battery, the standard charging port location seems to suggest it is just up to the buyer to purchase separately?
Tech details & geometry
The three GT Grade Power Amp, Bolt & Current all share the same triple triangle 6061 aluminum frame with extended floating seatstays, plus the same full-carbon 1.5″ tapered steerer fork.
The frame gets seven sets of cage/carrier mounts, plus fender mounts, and the fork includes fender and low-rider rack mounts. The alloy frame uses a standard BSA threaded bottom bracket, modular internal cable routing, and can fit a stealth 27.2mm dropper post when set up with a 1x drivetrain.
Both ends get flat mount disc brakes, while the fork gets a Speed Release 12mm thru-axle and the rear hub motor bolts-on to QR drops removable with either an 8mm hex or 17mm wrench. Like the Topstone Neo SL (that appears to share the same fork), the Grade Power e-bike are officially limited to max 700x40mm tire clearance.
The GT Grade Power series e-bikes come in four sizes with fits that essentially mimic the alloy Grade bikes, but with slacker, longer & more stable geometry that leans more towards endurance riding.
GT Grade Power series – Pricing, options & availability
The new GT Grade Power series includes three e-bike models: the GT Grade Amp & Bolt dropbar gravel e-bike, and a flat bar GT Grade Current urban commuter e-bike. All three share the same frameset & X35+ powertrain, and can easily transition from city streets to off-road adventures.
The £2900 / 3200€ GT e-Grade Amp gets a Shimano GRX 1x 11-speed drivetrain with 40 x 11-42T gearing, 42mm tubeless-ready WTB Resolute tires, and a 16° flared alloy drop bar – in satin Bronze tan.
The £2700 / 2800€ GT e-Grade Bolt gets a Shimano GRX 2x 10-speed with 46/30 x 11-34T gearing, 40mm tubeless-ready WTB Nano Comp tires, and the same 16° flared alloy drop bar – in gloss Dark Teal blue.
The £2300 / 2400€ commuter version GT e-Grade Current gets a MicroShift 1×10 40 x 11-48T drivetrain, 40mm WTB Nano tires, and a 700mm wide flat bar – in satin Gunmetal gray.
All three are available to order now in GT bike shops throughout the EU & UK.