Ari Shafer HP: A 28-Pound E-Gravel Bike That Actually Rides Like a Bike
Ari's Shafer HP e-gravel bike weighs 28 lbs with the TQ-HPR60 motor. Subtle assist, 60mm tire clearance, and builds from $4,899. Here's who it fits.
28 pounds for a gravel e-bike with a 360Wh battery. That number alone makes the Ari Shafer HP worth a closer look, especially if you've written off e-gravel bikes as too heavy to feel like actual bicycles.
Ari built the Shafer HP on its existing third-generation Shafer platform, swapping in the TQ-HPR60 motor—a 4.2-pound unit that sits concentric to the crank spindle and barely changes the frame's silhouette. The geometry stays identical to the standard Shafer, which matters if you already know you like how that bike handles on mixed terrain. Tire clearance goes up to 60mm (or 2.25" if you're running mountain bike rubber), and dropper posts work without modification. For a dad trying to keep one bike that does weekend gravel rides, Tuesday night group rides, and the occasional trail detour with the kids, that versatility is the point.
The TQ motor delivers 60Nm of torque and 350W peak power—roughly half what you'd get from a Bosch or Shimano EP8 system. That's intentional. The assist feels subtle, more like a tailwind than a motor, which keeps the ride quality closer to an acoustic bike. Zone 2 training with a motor might sound like cheating, but if it means you actually get out for 90 minutes instead of skipping the ride entirely because you're short on time, the math works in your favor.
Range is the obvious constraint. The 360Wh internal battery will cover maybe 40–60 miles depending on terrain and assist level. For anything longer, you'll need the optional 160Wh range extender, which eats one of your three bottle cage mounts. If you're planning big bikepacking days, that tradeoff gets tight—water versus watts. Shorter mixed-terrain loops or commute-plus-gravel-ride combos? Probably fine.
Pricing starts at $4,899 for the Sport build with Shimano Cues, climbing to $9,899 for the Team spec with SRAM Red XPLR AXS and Zipp 303 S wheels. The $5,999 Elite build with Rival XPLR AXS hits a reasonable middle ground if you want wireless shifting without the flagship tax. Who shouldn't bother? Riders who want full-power assist for steep mountain climbs, or anyone who needs 80+ miles of range without carrying extra batteries. For everyone else—especially time-crunched cyclists who need one bike that rides light but offers a boost when life gets in the way—this is a sharper option than most e-gravel bikes at this weight.
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