A gravel bike that lets you go further. The eSilex 400 pairs a sophisticated aluminium frame with MAHLE's ebikemotion X30 rear hub motor, so there is quiet, natural-feeling assistance when you want it and a bike that still rides like a bike when you don't.

The X30 drive unit puts out 40Nm through the rear hub, drawing on a 237Wh battery fully integrated into the down tube. System weight stays low and there is almost no drag from the motor when it isn't engaged, which matters on a gravel bike that spends as much time rolling along as it does climbing. Support levels are handled by a single iWoc button on the top tube, and the app lets you tune how the assistance feels as well as looking back over your rides.

Shimano's GRX400 2 x 10 groupset gives a wide, usefully spaced spread of gears for mixed terrain, with hydraulic disc brakes for consistent stopping on loose or wet ground. A MAT carbon fork takes the edge off rough surfaces, and 45mm Schwalbe G-One Comp tyres on tubeless-ready rims give plenty of grip and volume, with clearance for up to 47mm at the front.

The practical details are well thought through. There are mounts for mudguards and a rack, a tidy hidden kickstand mount, and cables run internally through a dedicated headset cap to keep the cockpit clean. That makes it as capable on a commute or a loaded overnighter as it is on a Sunday gravel loop.

Features

• MAHLE ebikemotion X30 rear hub motor with 40Nm of assistance
• 237Wh battery fully integrated into the down tube
• iWoc top tube control button, with app tuning and post-ride analysis
• Low system weight and minimal motor drag when riding unassisted
• Shimano GRX400 2 x 10 gravel drivetrain with hydraulic disc brakes
• MAT carbon fork with clearance for 47mm tyres
• Tubeless-ready Merida Comp SL II wheels on 45mm Schwalbe G-One Comp tyres
• Mudguard, rack and hidden kickstand mounts
• Internal cable routing through a dedicated headset cap