New E-Gravel Bike Coming In May

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While larger electric vehicles for personal transportation tend to get the most attention, it may be e-bikes for some folks where there is more interest and lower resistance, because there is less online misinformation and disinformation about them. Everyone knows what a bike is and has ridden one, at least most of us. I actually once had a co-worker who said she had never ridden a bike because her family didn’t have money when she was growing up for anything extra. Nonetheless, she knew what a bike is and the form factor is familiar even to her.

Electric cars tend to throw some people who seem bewildered or dismiss them as too different. E-bikes can be seen being ridden just about anywhere by people who are smiling and chatting or quietly tooling along minding their own matters.

A new e-gravel bike will be available for pre-orders from PAPRIKA 53 on May 3. The company’s founder, Susie Liu, answered some questions about it for CleanTechnica.

What is an e-gravel bike?

An e-gravel bike is a gravel bike with electric assist, built for long distances on unpaved terrain: gravel roads, rough tarmac, hardpack, and everything in between. It’s what you ride when you want to go far, without the bulk of a mountain bike or the limitations of a road setup.

Geometry and bar style vary (some are drop-bar, some flat), but the defining traits are range, traction, and the ability to carry gear—typically with wide tires and frame mounts for bags or extra water, built for long days and changing conditions.

As gravel has evolved from a niche into cycling’s fastest-growing category, so too are rider demands. Gravel is no longer just a detour down a smooth dirt road with minimal gear. Today’s gravel cyclists are going further, climbing more, loading up, and choosing routes that demand more from the machine.

Most e-gravel bikes today still lean light (think low torque, commuter-level motors), and were built for that older definition of gravel. We built the PAPRIKA 53 Model 25 GT for that new breed of rider — not to make gravel more “accessible,” but to make sure the bike keeps up when the ambition gets bigger.

How is it technologically advanced?

The Model 25 GT is the first e-gravel bike that runs on DJI’s Avinox system — originally built for high-performance e-mountain bikes. Packing that motor into a clean and minimal gravel build was an engineering challenge in itself. Here’s what that system delivers:

• 120Nm peak torque (Boost Mode only, short bursts)
• 105Nm continuous torque
• 850W peak sustained power (up to 1,000W in Boost Mode)
• 600Wh internal battery (up to ~130 km range, assist mode and terrain-dependent)
• Five assist modes: Auto, Eco, Trail, Turbo, Boost
• Embedded OLED color display (top tube) for assist control, battery status, and over a selection of 40+ ride parameters

But beyond the motor, the system architecture is where it sets itself apart. The 25 GT features a fully wireless electronic setup:

• SRAM X01 Eagle AXS wireless shifting
• Reverb AXS wireless dropper post
• No external drivetrain or seatpost cabling

While you will find other bikes with these wireless components, it’s rare to see both on an e-gravel bike, and even rarer to see an e-gravel bike that doesn’t use separate batteries to power them. On the Model 25 GT, both the derailleur and the dropper are powered directly by the main Avinox battery. That means one charge cycle powers the entire system, with no risk of forgetting to charge a critical part before a ride.

The cockpit is clean and deliberately straightforward. We avoided fully integrated headset routing to keep servicing simple. Brake hoses remain external for practical reasons — but all electronic systems are cable-free.

It’s not just high-spec — it’s high-integration. Built to reduce friction, not add more tech for its own sake.

Weight: 16.9 kg

Cost: To be revealed May 3

Warranty:

• 2 years on all proprietary PAPRIKA 53 components (e.g. frame, handlebar)
• An additional 4 years of coverage for the original purchaser on all proprietary PAPRIKA 53 components
• Secondhand owners are covered for the remainder of the original 2-year warranty period
• 2 years on DJI system (motor, battery, display) per DJI policy
• Other components (e.g. SRAM, RockShox) follow their respective manufacturer warranties.

Top speed and cruising speed?

Motor assist cuts off at 25 km/h (15.5 mph), in accordance with global e-bike regulations. Any firmware tampering voids all warranties and support.

Is it fully suspended?

No, it uses front suspension only — we spec’d the RockShox Rudy Ultimate fork (40mm travel) to smooth out vibration and chatter over long distances without compromising the weight or responsiveness that gravel riders care about.

Frame material?

The frame is made from Toray T700 carbon fiber — light, stiff, and impact-resistant. It’s the same grade of carbon used in performance-level road and mountain bikes.

Where can it be purchased?

The bike will be sold via our official website and through a select group of exclusive dealers. Full distribution details will be announced on May 3.

Does it have gears, or is it single-speed when pedaled?

It has a full 12-speed drivetrain, giving riders a wide gear range for climbs, descents, and long-distance pacing.

Key components:

• Drivetrain: SRAM X01 Eagle AXS (wireless electronic shifting)
• Cassette: SRAM PG-1230 Eagle, 11–50T
• Crankset: P53 SL Carbon 170mm w/ SRAM Eagle e-MTB 38T

This setup gives riders precision control and mechanical efficiency, with the benefit of completely wireless shifting.

Does it have regenerative braking?

No, though who knows what’ll happen in future models.