Best Electric Hybrid Bikes under £3000 – Top 10 in 2023

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In this article I will be looking at a selection of the best electric hybrid bikes available for under £3000 in 2023. The list below includes a good mixture of hybrid e-bikes in the £2000-£3000 price bracket. In this price range you can expect an e-bike with a premium-brand motor, decent battery, excellent build quality, and 2-year warranty. All the models in this article are from well-know brands and use up-to-date e-bike technology.

Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any real innovation or new technology in the sub-£3000 price bracket this year. All the new tech seems to have been reserved for the more expensive models. It’s likely this new technology will eventually trickle down in the next couple of years.

The 10 Best Hybrid E-Bikes under £3000

What is an Electric Hybrid Bike?

Hybrid electric bikes bridge the gap between a full-on mountain bike and road bike – they offer the best of both worlds without the extremes. Electric mountain bikes are very capable off-road but are very heavy and can feel a bit cumbersome out on the road, e-road bikes are fast and light on the road, but aren’t designed to soak up poorly surfaced country lanes and forest trails.

Versatility is the key with hybrid e-bikes, they are the kind of bike you can happily ride on tarmac or if you fancy going into the country to do some exploring you can ride on forest trails, single track and canal tow paths.  Hybrid’s are also suitable for riding through the winter.

One of the main features of hybrid electric bikes is a more relaxed frame geometry combined with higher volume tyres and front suspension (on some models). The front suspension does add a bit of weight and in my experience you can ride a rigid fork hybrid off-road without any issues.

Most modern hybrid electric bikes use similar electric motors and batteries found on their mountain bike counterparts – these motors are usually softer in their power delivery and optimised for efficiency.

Because of their inherent versatility and comfort, electric hybrid bikes are usually the first choice for commuters. They fit the bill perfectly and are tough enough to handle the rigours of daily riding in all weather. Read my article featuring some of the best electric bikes for commuting.

Commonly used Electric Motors

Because hybrid e-bikes aren’t usually ridden in the same demanding manner as mountain bikes, the electric motors used are designed to be more efficient and produce slightly lower torque figures. This doesn’t mean they’re lacking power – I know from personal experience that the difference is marginal at best. All the bikes here use either the Bosch mid-drive, Shimano Steps or x35 ebikemotion rear hub motor.

Bosch

The Bosch electric bike motor is a mid-drive, meaning it’s located centrally (in the crank) and produces power that is delivered to the rear wheel via the chain. This design not only drastically improves efficiency but also means a higher torque output – very useful for climbing steep hills.

Shimano Steps

Shimano’s e-bike motor is also a crank or mid-drive motor – it works in a very similar way to the Bosch. My previous e-bike used the Shimano Steps E6100 motor, which is featured on a few of the bikes below. It’s incredibly efficient while producing a significant level of assist even in the lowest power setting.

The Shimano Steps motor can be configured using the partner e-Tube smartphone app, there is also the e-Ride app for tracking rides and uploading to platforms like Strava. This app also supports a navigation feature. The display can also be connected via ANT+ to an external bicycle computer (compatible Garmin models).

X35 Ebikemotion

The x35 ebikemotion system is designed to be incredibly lightweight and integrated, producing a finished e-bike that looks and rides like a regular bike. Because this system uses a small rear hub motor, there is a trade-off in performance and battery range. This is mitigated by the very light weight of the bike. The X35 is designed to compliment your riding ability, rather than dominate it. It’s commonly found on lightweight electric bikes, e-road bikes and electric gravel bikes.

This system doesn’t usually come with a display, but instead a single button that controls power assist and displays battery range with a three colour LED. There is a simple partner app available that will connect your smartphone with the system and display all the info you will need plus a navigation feature.

Battery Types and Range

Both Bosch and Shimano typically offer batteries in three sizes: 400Wh, 500Wh and 625Wh – these batteries will give the rider a potential range of anything up to around 100 miles. I used to get close to 100 miles range out of the Vitus Mach E, but I only ever used ‘eco’ mode. Battery range is very dependant on rider weight, tyre pressure wind direction and terrain ridden on. Bosch have produced a very helpful range calculator.

The X35 ebikemotion system uses a much smaller 250Wh battery – the reason for this is neat integration into the bikes frame and to help keep the overall weight down. It’s still possible to squeeze 50-60 miles out of a charge, but these bikes are designed more to be ridden as a regular bike with the assist only helping when the rider needs it.

Ribble AL e Hybrid

The Ribble AL e hybrid is an excellent choice for those looking for the best of both worlds. I spent a lot of time riding one of these last year, and the great thing about the Ribble is you can have a regular bike and e-bike all rolled in to one! Weighing in at around 14kg, the AL e isn’t much heavier than a regular hybrid bike and it’s just as easy to ride without the assist.

I would say that the AL e is aimed more at the rider who already has a degree of fitness or someone who lives in a relatively flat area. The small rear hub motor provides a useful boost when climbing moderate hills, but it lacks the outright grunt of a mid-drive when climbing long, steep hills and you will still need to put in a fair bit of effort.

This bike comes equipped with mudguards, rack and Schwalbe Marathon puncture resistant tyres. Shimano hydraulic brakes provide assured stopping power and gearing is SRAM 11-speed with a wide range cassette and 42t single chainring up front.

I have had the pleasure of long-term testing the Ribble AL e – Read the full review here.

Buy Now: Ribble AL e Hybrid – Fully Loaded Edition £2399

Cube Touring Hybrid One 500 (2022 model)

The Cube Touring Hybrid One 500 is another excellent electric hybrid bike. In my opinion it’s probably one of the best value bikes in its class and currently retails for just under £2500. A premium brand, Bosch-powered e-bike doesn’t get much cheaper and there have been no compromises on build quality and components.

Check out 5 of the best car racks for electric bikes

This bike uses Shimano 9-speed gearing and is fully equipped for daily commuting or a spot of long-distance touring. You simply will not find a better equipped e-bike at this price – it has mudguards, rack, lights and kickstand. The icing on the cake is the excellent 3rd Generation Bosch Active Plus motor and 500Wh battery, which will give a real-world range of 50-70 miles on a single charge.

Cube have been producing great e-bikes now for a few years and their experience shows. The Touring Hybrid One not only looks great, but performs great as well – highly recommended!

Cube Touring Hybrid One 500 – On Sale at £2199

Cube Touring Hybrid One 400 – On Sale at £2099

Vitus Mach E Urban 2022

The Vitus Mach E Urban is sold exclusively through Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles and uses the excellent Shimano Steps E6100 motor with a 504Wh battery – the Mach E is based on its non-assisted stablemate and the overall build quality is excellent.

A smooth welded 6061 alloy frame with relaxed geometry makes the Mach E a really versatile mile muncher. I’ve used to ride 70 miles in one go on mine, through very hilly Cornish countryside and it’s incredibly comfortable.

Although it doesn’t come fitted with a rack or mudguards, these can be easily added if required. Gearing is provided by dependable Shimano 9-speed components and the flat-mount Shimano hydraulic brakes do a very good job of stopping. The V-Tire G-Sport all terrain tyres are high volume 700x40c and do a great job of taking the sting out of potholes. I owned one of these for a year and covered nearly 2000 miles on it without any issues – Read my Vitus Mach E review here.

If you’re after a hybrid electric bike that doesn’t weigh a ton (17.8kg) and can be ridden off-road, the Vitus Mach E is a great buy.

Currently on Sale at £1729: Vitus Mach E Urban Hybrid Electric Bike (2022 version)

Also available from Wiggle

Decathlon Riverside 540e Hybrid E-Bike

When I originally looked at the Decathlon Riverside 540e, it seemed a tad overpriced at £2495. Since then, the price has come down substantially, and at its current sale price of £1999.99, it’s a very good buy.

Featuring the same Shimano Steps E6100 as the Vitus Mach E, performance is going to be strong, especially for hill climbing. The battery is 418Wh and should give a comfortable range of 50 miles when ridden sensibly. In addition, the 540e benefits from a high quality Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain, which gives a good range of gears and nice shifting.

Up front, there’s a Suntour NCX SF17 suspension fork with 63mm of travel, making the Decathlon ideal for commuting or riding on canal towpaths or even light forest trails. The brakes are also good quality hydraulic Tektro TDK with 160mm discs. The tough, double-walled rims are fitted with the excellent Vittoria Terrano Dry gravel tyre, which is a great all-rounder and resistant to puncturing.

Available from Decathlon UK

Merida ESpresso 300 EQ SE 2023

The latest Merida ESpresso 300 EQ SE is another excellent value hybrid e-bike that comes with everything you’ll need for long days in the saddle. The ESpresso also uses the Shimano Steps E5000 motor with a 418Wh battery – this motor produces slightly less torque than the E6100 unit but benefits from increased efficiency.

Gearing is Shimano 9-speed with hydraulic brakes, there are also tough hybrid-specific rims with puncture resistant Continental touring tyres. Brakes are excellent Shimano MT200 hydraulic and up front, there’s a Suntour NEX suspension fork, for when the road gets rough.

Merida produce some quality bikes and theESpresso 300 is no exception, the 418Wh battery should give a potential range of between 50-70 miles.

Available from Tredz: Merida eSpresso 300EQ SE Electric Hybrid Bike (2023 model)

Trek FX+ 2 Electric Hybrid Bike 🆕

New for 2023, the Trek FX+ 2 hybrid electric bike is one of the lighter options available at 18kg. It features the Hyena HyDrive rear hub  motor with internal 250Wh battery, and optional external range extender. Assisted range in the medium power setting is going to be in the region of 30 miles, but more would be possible if you didn’t rely on the assist as much.

The FX+ 2 is barely indistinguishable from its non-assisted counterpart, and is going to be an ideal option for commuters or weekend leisure rides. It features some nice components as well, including Bontrager 700 x 40c tyres, Shimano Altus 9-speed gearing with Promax DSK-927 hydraulic brakes. Plus, there’s all the accessories you’ll need. including mudguards, pannier rack, lights and kickstand.

All in all, the Trek FX+ 2 is going to be a great option, if you’re looking for something a bit lighter that can be easily ridden without the assist.

Visit Trek for more information

Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0

I first had a ride on the Specialized Vado SL 4.0 last year and was immediately impressed. It’s a fantastic bike and really light and nimble – the excellent SL 1.1 mid-drive motor is also used on their  Turbo Creo SL Comp electric road bike. This is a bike that makes you smile every time you ride it, the assist is so smooth and rewarding it really makes you feel superhuman!

The frame geometry is designed for fun and despite its rigid fork the Vado SL is really capable when riding on rougher terrain. I seriously thought about buying one of these last year, but my budget didn’t quite stretch at the time. The Specialized Vao SL 4.0 is also on my list of the best lightweight electric bikes.

This e-bike really made an impression on me last year, and if you’re looking for a lightweight electric hybrid bike with decent battery range and a cracking motor, the Vado SL 4.0 is a hard to beat.

Available now – On Sale at £2999

Available direct from Specialized (USA)

Scott Sub Active ERIDE 2022 – Electric Hybrid Bike

Scott are another brand who’ve been churning out decent e-bikes for a good few years now. The Scott Sub Active eRIDE is a great all-rounder. The frame has a comparatively low stand-over height and the bike benefits from all the desired accessories like lights, mudguards and pannier rack. Plus, there’s durable Schwalbe Energizer Plus tyres and Suntour NEX-E25 63mm front suspension fork.

Gearing is Shimano Alivio 9-speed and brakes are MT200. Power is provided by Bosch’s Active Line motor which doesn’t produce quite as much torque as other models but is incredibly efficient – the 400Wh battery should give a potential range of 50-60 miles if ridden sensibly.  At its current discounted price, the Scott Sub Active is incredibly good value for money and well worth considering.

Scott Sub Active eRide (2022) – On Sale at £2204

Giant Roam E+ GTS Electric Hybrid Bike

No article about hybrid e-bikes would be complete without a Giant and their excellent Sync-Drive motor. The Giant Roam E+ GTS is a versatile hybrid electric bike, and borrows heavily from their regular Roam range of hybrids.

The Sync-Drive motor is made by Yamaha in collaboration with Giant and it is a powerhouse of a unit. These motors are renowned for their long-term reliability and strong performance. An EnergyPak 500Wh battery provides a potential range of around 80 miles – more can be achieved if you’re really frugal with the e-assist.

Gearing is Shimano Alivio 9-speed with an 11-36 cassette and 42t chainring. The rims are Giant GX03 with Crosscut 700x45c gravel tyres (which are tubeless ready). In addition, there’s Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic brakes for good stopping power, and a Suntour 63mm travel Suspension fork.

I think for the price, the Giant Roam E+ GTS is excellent value, the deal clincher with this bike is the silky smooth motor which really does reward the rider with an excellent level of assist when climbing steep hills – one of my favourites.

 Available now – Giant Roam E+ GTS £2499

Raleigh Motus Grand Tour Electric Hybrid Bike

Raleigh are probably one of the best known of iconic British brands. More recently, they’ve expanded their electric bike range to include some very good machines. The Raleigh Motus Grand Tour is one such bike, and features a good spec for the price.

Featuring the excellent Bosch Active Line Plus with 500Wh battery, the Motus has a potential range of up to 100 miles, with a realistic range of 50 miles easily achievable.

Gearing is 9-speed Shimano Alivio and the brakes are Tektro T285, and there’s an RST front suspension fork to iron out the bumps. In addition, the Motus has mudguards, lights, pannier rack and kickstand. It’s a good all-round package, with great motor and battery range.

Available from Sigma Sports at the discounted price of £2295

Conclusion

So there you have it, some of the best electric hybrid bikes available for under £3000. But is there a clear winner?

If having all the accessories is a big factor then you simply can’t beat the Cube Touring Hybrid One 500 for value and all-round ability. The model featured above is from 2022, but a new model should be available soon.

Coming in close behind the Cube is the Giant Roam E+ GTS and the Vitus Mach E Urban. I absolutely loved my Mach E, and regret selling it. The Shimano Steps E6100 motor is a gem, and it’s very reliable – rode for days on end in heavy downpours without issue.  The Giant Roam E+ GTS has a fantastic motor as well and is a good solid workhorse capable of tackling mixed terrain.

For a light weight option, the Ribble AL e is unbeatable – It’s a fun bike to ride. There’s not many e-bikes you can comfortably lift with one arm! This is even lighter than some regular bikes, and you really notice the weight when riding it. With some of the heavier electric bikes, running out of battery will mean you’re pedalling a 25kg bike without assist – not so with the Ribble, you can just ride it home like a regular bike.

The newest e-bike here is the Trek FX+ 2 and although it’s a great looking bike from one of the top brands, it’s a good few kg heavier than the Ribble.

Decathlon’s Riverside 540e was overpriced when first released, but is now good value for money and well worth considering. The same is true for the Scott Sub Active, initially quite expensive, but now a bargain.

I also think the Raleigh Motus Grand Tour is worth a look, with the Bosch motor and 500Wh battery, it’s going to be a great long-distance mile muncher! The Merida ESpresso 300 EQ SE is another good quality hybrid e-bike, that’s going to be good for leisure riding or commuting.

My favourite would still be the Specialized Vado SL 4.0 – it remains unchanged for 2023, but I’m hard pushed to find fault with it. It’s lightweight, fun to ride and the motor is fantastic.

I hope you found this article useful. If you have any questions or comments regarding any of the bikes featured here, please feel free to leave a comment below. I usually reply within 24 hrs. I will keep an eye out for new releases this year and update this article accordingly. Thanks for reading.