Product news: Riese & Müller now has a whopping 25 years of experience in the bicycle market. The current portfolio relies entirely on the e-bike card - the success proves the company based in Weiterstadt near Darmstadt right. We take a look at the Riese & Müller E-Bikes 2018 and present some highlights.
Riese & Müller E-Bikes 2018: Delite 25 – the crème de la crème
The Delite is one of the longest-serving e-bikes in the Riese & Müller portfolio. It is therefore not too surprising that this model is given an anniversary model for the 25th company birthday. It is based on the well-known Delite and also brings its technology and comfort with it: Of course, this includes the full suspension called Control Technology, which has now almost become part of the company philosophy and with which even the worst bike path loses its terror.
For the Delite 25, all the “equipment guns” were brought up in order to build an e-bike, as the two company founders Markus Riese and Heiko Müller would like it to be. The result is impressive and is perhaps the best equipped e-bike money can buy this year. But first things first: The Bosch Performance CX motor is powered by two (!) 500Wh batteries, which are connected to the drive system via a dual battery system.
When it comes to the suspension mentioned, nothing is left to chance and Fox components from the high-end Factory series are trusted. An electronic XTR Di2 circuit ensures smooth gear changes. The light and at the same time snappy XTR disc brakes also come from Shimano's top group. Attachments such as the seat post and the carbon handlebar come from Syntace, and no expense was spared when it comes to accessories such as the lighting system: the latter comes from the traditional German manufacturer Busch & Müller, for example.
Of course, such a bike has its price: the luxuriously equipped Busch & Müller Delite 25 costs a hefty 9.999€ due.
Riese & Müller E-Bikes 2018: New Chargers and Superchargers
The Charger is another successful model from Riese & Müller and, so to speak, the hardtail counterpart to the Delite. So you have to do without the rear wheel suspension, but the Charger also combines sportiness, comfort and a restrained look. The latter is underlined even further with the New Charger presented for 2018: This now comes with an integrated PowerTube battery and a somewhat new, more modern design language with more edges.
It will also be available as a supercharger with a double battery - the second energy storage device disappears just like the first in the frame, in this case in the top tube. There are two batteries in the frame of the bike and neither of them is visible from the outside at first glance. Hardly any other manufacturer currently offers this.
The New Charger is available in a whopping nine trim levels, and the Supercharger in six. They all have a suspension fork, full equipment with mudguards and lighting, hydraulic disc brakes and a suspension seat post in common. The mountain version of the New Charger is a bit out of line, which is typical for MTBs and comes along rather puristically and without mudguards or similar attachments.
Also noteworthy: All equipment variants with hub gears are equipped with a quiet and almost maintenance-free belt drive. Those who like it a bit faster will find what they are looking for with the New Charger and Supercharger in the S-Pedelec area. The New Charger starts at €3.799, while the cheapest Supercharger costs €4.499.
Riese & Müller E-Bikes 2018: Homage
From two successful models to the next: The Homage has a lot in common with the Delite: Sporty driving characteristics, Control Technology full suspension and full equipment suitable for everyday use. In contrast to the Delite, however, the Homage comes with a low step-through - which should be particularly pleasing to those who love comfort. You have to do without a variant with a double battery in the Homage, but the 500Wh battery should be more than sufficient for longer trips.
The two variants Homage touring and Homage GT NuVinci are new for the 2018 model year. The former underlines its sporty character with XT chain drive, Performance CX motor and hydraulic Shimano Deore disc brakes. As the name suggests, the Homage GT NuVinci is equipped with a stepless NuVinci hub gear, which implements the performance of the Performance CX as gently as possible.
Both versions are available as 25 km/h pedelecs and S-pedelecs. The Homage touring is available from €4.799 (€5.199 as an S-pedelec), and the Homage GT NuVinci from €4.999€ (5.399€ as S-Pedelec).
Riese & Müller E-Bikes 2018: Nevo
Okay, let's be honest: electric step-through bikes are not necessarily the category of bicycles that are associated with the attributes of style and sportiness - right? The Riese & Müller step-through Nevo also focuses more on comfort, of course, but still manages not to appear dull or boring. Of course, this is mainly due to the frame, which can stand out from the majority of the competition with an angular look and style features such as internally routed cables and lines.
But of course, as mentioned - the priorities are a little different with a bike like the Nevo and, first of all, as much comfort as possible. Unlike other R&M bikes, there isn't full suspension here, but there is a suspension fork, suspension seat post, large-volume tires and a relaxed geometry.
As with all Riese & Müller bikes, the Nevo also comes in a large number of different configurations – seven to be exact. In addition to the new Bosch Active Cruise, the CX or the Performance Speed also provide support for S-Pedelecs. Most of them are equipped with hub gears to match the area of application, as well as a low-maintenance and clean belt drive. Three models also come with a Performance 45 motor, which makes them S-Pedelecs with speeds of up to 45 km/h. In terms of price, the Nevo City starts at €3.199 – the Nevo GT NuVinci HS comes at the end of the road for €4.499.
Riese & Müller E-Bikes 2018: Roadster
Although the Roadster is not a completely new bike in the Weiterstadt-based manufacturer's range, it was given a complete facelift for 2018. Of course, the basic characteristics are retained; the Roadster is still an e-bike that feels especially good on asphalt, can convince purists with a classic look, but does not completely ignore comfort.
In detail, this means that the Roadster comes with narrow 28″ tires on the one hand, but combines them with a short-travel suspension fork and a suspension seat post. The look is not neglected either: internally routed cables, mudguards painted in the frame color and slim tubes. New for 2018 is the optional front-mountable luggage rack with a wooden floor. Speaking of luggage racks: the eyelets required for this are well hidden and do not spoil the look when the rack is removed.
Riese & Müller is launching four equipment variants of the roadster in 2018, the three pedelecs are powered by the current Bosch Active Line Plus motor, and the S-pedelec relies on the Performance Speed. The entry-level model Roadster touring is available from an attractive €2.899, while the top model Roadster urban and the S-Pedelec cost €3.699.
If you miss the e-cargo bikes among the highlights, with which Riese & Müller was recently able to secure a loyal fan base - don't worry, we will soon be devoting a separate article to this special type of bike.