The power of shove

Yes, more e-bikes! And this discreetly stylish pair might just be the best electrically assisted steeds we’ve tested yet…

Lemond Prolog What’s the story?

In some circles e-bikes are still ‘cheating’, so we might have expected a certain Mr Armstrong to be the first former pro to put his name behind motor assistance… but multiple Tour de France winner and world road race champion Greg Lemond has well and truly beaten him to the start line. The Prolog is an all-carbon, race-inspired commute-crushing machine that doesn’t really look like it has a motor attached or a battery embedded within it at all.

Is it any good?

The Mahle M1 motor has appeared in a few of the e-bikes we’ve tested recently; but while they’re all pretty similar, this one seems to be programmed slightly better. Power delivery is incredibly smooth – we had to check it was actually on a couple of times – but it definitely helps out when the road starts to point upwards.

The full carbon frame and fork with integrated handlebars, battery and lights give the Prolog a sleek look – and no doubt add to the hefty price – while the 38mm Panaracer tyres and 11-speed Shimano GRX groupset complement the frame nicely. The use of carbon wherever possible keeps the weight right down and means it rides as well as it looks, filtering through the traffic or sneaking off onto a well-groomed gravel track with ease.

Price £4350 / stuff.tv/prolog

Tech Carbon frame ● Integrated LEDS

● 45-mile range ● 250W motor ● 11.8kg Stuff says ★★★★★

Pricey, but if you want gears and lightness it’s worth the extra money over the Cowboy

Cowboy 4 ST What’s the story?

We’ve been big fans of the Cowboy 3 for some time, and this is the Belgian maker’s latest model. It claims 50% more torque than its predecessor, but the slinky profile and simple interface with GPS remain… and now there’s a step-through version, the 4 ST. Every part has been designed in Belgium, with hydraulic disc brakes, a carbon belt instead of a chain, chunky tyres and curvy handlebars with a phone bracket in the middle.

Is it any good?

Thankfully the minimalist design isn’t just style over substance: this Cowboy is a silky-smooth ride that’s intuitive from the get-go. There’s no way of adjusting the assistance level – just start pedalling and the bike will adjust the extra power it contributes based on your efforts – but that’s what makes it a total blast to cruise around the city on.

It’s comfortable even for extended jaunts, with a range of a little over 40 miles. The puncture-resistant tyres come in handy when cycling over rough terrain, and the integrated mudguards will keep your backside clean. This is not exactly a light bike but it is manageable, while the battery slots into the frame neatly and is easily removed so you can carry the two components separately.

Price £2290 / stuff.tv/cowboy4st

Tech Aluminium frame ● Integrated LEDS ● 43-mile range ● 250W motor ● 19.2kg Stuff says ★★★★★

Hits the spot for smoothly integrated electric power at an affordable price point

1 Whee add it all

You can easily push the Prolog’s price over £7k with a range of tempting upgrades, from electronic shifting (£750) to carbon wheels (£1650).

2 Get grips on yourself

We aren’t massive fans of this bike’s slightly bulbous grips, but they’d be an easy and cheap swap if you didn’t get along with them.

3 Smog days are over

The Cowboy app’s GPS will guide you to your destination along the quickest and least polluted route. It also shows you where your bike is.

4 I know you got stole

You’ll be alerted if someone tries to nab your bike and will be able to track it, while the £10 monthly theft insurance comes with zero excess.