To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by Riese & Muller . My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of Riese & Muller products.
The Riese & Muller name has been synonymous with quality and dependability in the ebike world, and this is the case for the bike we have before us today; the Charger GH Vario. This bike is clearly designed for stability and durability with its many heavy duty and reliable parts. It comes in 3 colors and multiple sizes, but today we are checking out the Medium size in matte black. Aside from the sturdiness, the bike is quite feature rich. You get a lot of high end brand name parts for $5,800 USD, which is impressive considering many bikes with similar parts can sometimes be even more expensive. The Charger GH Vario has a Bosch Performance Line CX mid-drive motor, PowerTube 500 battery, and an impressive Gates carbon belt drive Enviolo CVT shifter. There is a 28mph version and you can also get a dual battery setup on this one for an additional $800 at time of purchase, but for today, we are focusing on the 20mph with a single battery for simplicity. The Medium here weighs 63lbs and is a bit heavier, but can accommodate weight up to 350lbs. Quite impressive for heavier riders or even hauling a ton of gear. There is a lot of comfort here thanks to the SR SunTour Ion air suspension fork. This features lockout, rebound, and other adjustability, as well as reflectors on the front lowers. It does feature a tapered head tube, so you could even swap out the fork if you wanted. The wheels here are a set of Schwalbe SuperMoto X at 27.5” x 2.4”, so not quite a plus size, but they do have both reflective sidewall striping and puncture protection as well. Coming down to the center of the wheel you have 100mm hub spacing in the front and 135mm hub spacing in the rear. Over the wheels are a couple of plastic fenders with some rubberized edges. These plastic fenders are nice since they are lightweight and won’t scratch or rust like metal fenders after getting knicked. Up in the cockpit, the bike features a super heavy duty Ergotec 6 safety rated stem, which is brought up quite a bit for comfort with these spacers here. There is also locking ergonomic grips and a flick bell, probably the only basic part of the entire bike. Just behind the fork is a proprietary magnetic bottle cage mount which is pretty cool, you also have a set of standard bottle cage bosses on the frame as well. The seat is very comfortable as it is a gel saddle and even includes a suspension seat post! This is a big win in my book, they went with a super comfortable Thud Buster setup and it is so nice that it is already included, saving you money so you don’t have to buy your own. Also included are a set of battery integrated lights in both the front and rear. I love how the SuperNova light has alloy casing and points where you steer, however, there are no side windows for visibility, something I am seeing more of these days. I also have to mention the integrated rack in the rear, this is rated for 20kg, so about 44lbs and really has a nice look to it. Just behind it is an included Abus Bordo folding lock. This is keyed-to-like with the battery pack, meaning you can set all the locks on this bike with just 1 key. Other features include a partial belt cover to keep your clothes from getting caught, aluminum alloy platform pedals, internally routed cables, and an adjustable length kickstand mounted in the rear to eliminate annoying pedal lock.
Driving this electric bicycle is a trail optimized mid-motor from Bosch called the Performance Line CX. It’s rated up to 75 newton meters, considerably more than the standard Performance Line and Performance Line Speed, which peak at 63nm. Given the slightly heavier footprint of this bike, it’s a great choice. It probably inflates the price a bit, but you do benefit from a special eMTB drive mode that only the Bosch CX offers. In this mode, which is the third step up just before Turbo, the motor performance can operate from 120% to 300% based on how hard you push. The other modes (Eco, Tour, and Turbo) have more limited power bands. This drive mode was introduced as a way to make motor performance more automatic and intuitive for mountain bikers who might be focusing on trail obstacles and gear shifting. For the Charger GH Vario, which has Enviolo shifting, eMTB mode is just one more way that the bike can be ridden without distraction or thought. Just hop on, arrow up to eMTB, start pedaling, and the bike will respond naturally based on how hard you pedal. All current generation Bosch Performance Line motors weigh roughly 8.8lbs, which is more than Shimano, Yamaha, or Brose drive units. The CX produces more noise, especially in high power and a higher pedal speeds, and it also uses more energy… but it’s known for being reliable and having a good network of certified repair shops. This motor responds based on three signals: rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque. It uses some of the most advanced sensors and can even sense when gears are being shifted. However, that’s not really relevant with an Enviolo hub, because shifting is so fluid. Even though you can shift while the motor is operating, I find that it’s more efficient and physically easier to do when you ease off a bit. Aside from increased noise and weight, the one other trade-off with Performance Line drive units from Bosch is that they utilize a reduction gearing system that adds some pedal drag. This only happens when the motor is turned off or you attempt to pedal beyond the maximum supported speed (20mph 32km/h, or 25km/h in some markets). It’s not enough to ruin the experience, but when combined with the traction fluid drag introduced by an Enviolo (especially within the first 500 miles of break-in) this ebike can seem a little sluggish. Keep this in mind when test riding at dealers and know that it will get better with time spent riding. Stopping the Charger is a high end set of Magura MT4 hydraulic brakes. You get 180mm brake rotors in both the front and the rear, which compliments the system nicely.
Powering the Charger GH Vario are one or two of the latest Bosch Powertube 500 battery packs, offering a total of nearly one kilowatt hour capacity. It’s enough juice to reach almost 200 miles (322 km) if you use the lowest Eco setting and aren’t climbing a lot, or something like 55+ miles (89 km) range in Turbo. If you do want two batteries though, you will have to let your dealer know at time of purchase. The cost for this varies, but I am told it is usually around an extra $800. With 25% more capacity than the older Powerpack 400’s, but the same as the most recent Powerpack 500’s, each one of these new Powertube packs weighs ~6.03 lbs. This is 0.5 lbs more than the plastic encased Powerpack, and there’s no integrated handle (although the fame integrated battery here has a cloth handle). You still get a 5-bar LED charge indicator built into the end, and you can still charge the packs independently when removed from the frame… even use the older chargers. Bosch has a 2amp travel charger and the included faster 4amp charger. I like how even the nicer charger is compact and weighs under two pounds. I really like how Bosch and Riese & Müller have designed the battery insertion and removal sequence here. The packs don’t just flop out, there’s a two-step process whereby the pack is unlocked with a key and then sprung outward a little bit. The second step requires you to press a plastic button to unclip all the way, it ensures that the upside-down mounted pack won’t just fall out when unlocked.
Operating the bike is done with either a Bosch Intuvia display or the newer Bosch Kiox display. The one we are testing today has the Kiox upgrade, so we will go over that here. This thing has a color LCD with Gorilla glass screen, an active Micro-USB charging port, connects via magnets and is removable, but cannot be adjusted for glare because it mounts in a fixed position over the stem. In terms of actual use, the Kiox provides more detailed menu readouts; including 1% stepped battery percentage vs. a five-bar infographic with wider 20% steps. Its color readout provides a fast and comfortable way to interpret assist levels (grey for Off, blue for Eco, green for Tour, yellow/gold for Sport, and red for Turbo). The screen on the Kiox is smaller than Purion, Intuvia, and Nyon, but the colors make it easier to interpret without having to squint and actually read. Because of how it’s mounted, my guess is that the Kiox may also take less damage if the bike tips or crashes. I think it’s actually designed to pop off vs. cracking the mounting bracket when taking direct hits. Interacting with the display involves some button clicking. You begin by charging and mounting the battery, then press the power button on the display unit. The Kiox has power and lights buttons positioned juste below the screen. Most interactions are done through a remote button pad, which is mounted within reach of the left grip. This pad has a +, -, left, right, select, and walk mode button. It boots up in the second view, showing your assist level with a swirling color infographic. different parts of the swirl line fill based on how much power you exert as a rider and how much power the motor exerts, when active. You can arrow left or right to change screen readouts, and I especially like the ones towards the right, which show a range estimate based on remaining battery capacity and the last mile of riding. The display now loops around, so you can keep clicking right and end up back at the first screen, which shows a settings menu. This menu is very deep with options around units (mph vs. km/h), backlight brightness, and Bluetooth accessories including a Bosch eBike app. All things considered, the Kiox is an excellent display unit. It brings a lot of improvements over Purion and Intuvia but probably does contribute to a higher price point. For more information and pictures of the Kiox, I’ve created a guide in the EBR forums here.
I like the Charger GH a lot and there are just so many features included it is hard to fault. Normally, this is the part where I mention the tradeoffs, but most of them seem like nitpicking. They should be mentioned however, as this is not the only bike out there with similar features. Most of what I can fault the bike for is that it is heavy as well as expensive. Those willing to pay for the brand name components may not have a problem, but it is definitely not a value priced bike. The display is neatly integrated, however it cannot be angled or positioned differently. And it is a pretty minor gripe, but the bell here is basic. It’s not bad and it works fine, but it seems out of place with all the quality parts throughout. Like I said though, this is really nitpicking at this point. It feels so complete with Bosch mid-drive, possible dual battery setup, fenders, rack, lights, CVT gearing, quiet and smooth belt-drive, hydraulic brakes, etc, etc. It seems as if it is all here so I think anyone who grabs this bike will likely be happy with it. I am grateful for the opportunity to review it and I want to thank Virginia for bringing me out to do so.
As always, I welcome questions and feedback in the comment section below. Whether you own the bike, have taken a test ride, or are brand new to the space, my goal is to provide an objective and honest resource. You can also join the Riese & Müller forum and share your own photos, videos, and review updates to help others! Have fun out there, and ride safe :)
Pros:
- The rear rack appears to be sturdier than aftermarket products even though it’s only officially rated at 44lbs, you get a folding lock at the base of the rack for quick stops and I love that it uses the same key as the battery so you don’t have to deal with clutter
- The extra-wide SKS plastic fenders are strong and quiet, they should keep you relatively dry and I like that they won’t rust if they get scratched like metal fenders
- The Charger GH offers a lot of utility and safety, whether you’re riding in wet or dark conditions, the reflective sidewall stripes on the tires and extra reflectors on the suspension fork lowers along with a high-quality integrated LED headlight and nicer backlight help you to be seen while also illuminating your path (many cheaper lights just aren’t as bright or mounted as thoughtfully so they are suspended and out of the way), there’s also a little flick bell to help you signal to others in a friendly tone
- Riese & Müller is known for their thoughtful integration of suspension to improve control and comfort, the Charger offers a suspension fork with lockout and a nicer Thudbuster suspension seat post stock, the Selle Royale gel saddle, 45 degree stem, and Ergon ergonomic grips are also nice in this regard
- The Gates Carbon belt drive will stay cleaner and last longer than a traditional metal chain, this is the sort of belt you might find in your car engine, like a timing belt
- With the Enviolo drive system, you won’t have to worry about a derailleur getting bumped or bent in tight situations like racks or if the bike tips over onto the right side, it can also be shifted at standstill which is very handy if you have to stop abruptly or ride on hilly terrain
- In addition to standard fenders that cover the tires, the Charger also has a plastic partial belt cover to help protect dresses, skirts, and pants from getting snagged as you pedal along
- The Bosch CX motor (which peaks at 20 mph) offers high response time, torque, and ride feel for mountain biking applications, so it’s very capable of dealing with extra weight on this bike, Bosch uses three sensors to measure wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque 1,000 times per second and offers shift detection to reduce impact on the drivetrain
- I love that the bike comes in multiple frame sizes and three color options, this lets you find the perfect fit and make it uniquely yours, the large 22″ frame could work for taller men and is unique in the world of step-thru models which tend to have smaller sizes only or just be too weak for larger riders to enjoy without a lot of frame flex
- I love the Bosch Kiox display panel because it’s color and easy to read, has a Micro-USB port for charging your phone or other accessories, and can be quickly removed when parking outside for extra protection and security
- I love the Bosch PowerTube 500, and this bike can be outfitted with two of them for an additional cost, a great option if you want more range
- The battery is easy to remove, has an integrated handle so you can grip it securely, and uses the same charging interface whether it’s on or off the bike so you don’t need extra adapters, there’s even an LED readout to give you a quick idea of how full it is
- Sometimes bicycles have kickstands that are mounted too close to the pedal crank arms and they get in the way when backing the bike up (because the cranks automatically turn) but the Charger has a rear-mount stand that stays out of the way and also offers some height adjustment
- The front wheel uses a stiff thru-axle, the head tube is tapered for strength, the wheels are large and efficient as well as being wider for stability and comfort at 27.5″ diameter and 2.4″ width
- The GH model is heavy-duty and designed to handle more weight (from the rider and cargo combined) up to 350lbs vs. most of the other R&M models which are rated up to 309lbs, most e-bikes I test are only rated to 250lbs
- Awesome tire setup, Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires that have GreenGuard puncture protection and reflective stripes on the side to keep you safe (along with the integrated lights)
Cons:
- The Enviolo continuously variable transmission (CVT) is neat because it’s clean and can be shifted at standstill, but it does weigh more than a standard cassette and derailleur setup and it also costs more, it can take more hand effort to shift and is slower than a traditional cassette and derailleur
- At 63lbs, this is one of the heavier electric bikes I have tested (due in part to the heavy CVT rear hub), thankfully the 180mm hydraulic disc brakes from Magura offer great stopping power and have adjustable-reach levers work well for people with smaller hands or those wearing gloves
- Riese & Müller bikes are built to order which means you get exactly what you want… but it also takes longer to be in stock, over a month if you’re in the USA
- I personally love the Thudbuster seat post suspension but it does add ~3″ of height to the saddle when lowered as far as possible, so if you’re petite and are having trouble reaching the pedals, consider swapping the stock post with a rigid 31.6 mm seat post
- Bosch Performance Line motors tend to produce a whining noise at high power and high RPM, you can hear it clearly in the video review above, and in some ways it’s more noticeable with the quiet belt drive and Enviolo CVT vs. a traditional chain and cassette
- The motor spins a smaller sprocket at 2.5 revolutions per single crank arm revolution and this creates some friction which requires extra pedal power when riding without assist or when pedaling beyond the assisted maximum speed, I am told that the upsides are better chain retention, faster response time, and a mechanical advantage for the motor
- The display is beautifully integrated, and is removable, however, you cannot adjust the angle for better viewing
- Pretty minor gripe, but the bell here is basic, it’s not bad and it works fine, but it seems out of place with all the quality parts throughout
Resources:
Vijay Judge
5 years agoCourt, appreciate your in depth reviews. Can you elaborate on the wide variance of range min 30 miles and max range 160 miles? What conditions would apply for such a max range? My assumption is 30 miles would be max assist all the time but my curiosity is the difference of 130 miles and conditions R&M tested to peak so high.
I’m considering a touring bike and thus far the R&M brand has many choices but this one catches my attention because of its load capacity, range and ease of drive train maintenance.
Many thanks
ReplyCourt
5 years agoGreat question Vijay! And, I apologize for this delayed response. The large range estimation is based on one battery vs. the optional two battery setup. I usually estimate as follows. The lowest range is with a single battery operating in the highest level of assist with a 170lb rider on flat terrain with no wind. The highest range is with the highest capacity battery option or multiple batteries if available, using the lowest level of assist with the same rider and terrain settings. Even so, these are just estimates and depend on how well the bike drivetrain has been serviced, how full the tires are, and even rider body positioning. I hope this helps!
ReplyJames
5 years agoHello: In many of your reviews, I see a lot of variance in the geometry measurements you post versus the manufacturer’s geometry charts.
For example: For the 49 cm frame size above, you say the bike has a 29 inch standover height which is 736 mm, but the Riese and Muller website shows a 835 mm standover height.
That is a big difference – what is the real standover height? Where is the measurement taken on the frame top tube relative to the crank or the seat?
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi James! Good question, I measure each bike from the ground up to the top tube just in front of the saddle nose or a couple of inches in front of the seat tube to approximate an actual stand-over height for most riders (since saddles can slide forward and back). I personally measured this bike and have tried to be as accurate as possible. I measured 73.66cm for stand over height and 91.44cm for minimum saddle height (where the seat post is lowered as far as possible, ground up to the top of the saddle where you’d sit). I hope this helps! I have made mistakes in the past, so you could call a shop to have them confirm (like Propel Bikes) but I feel pretty comfortable with these numbers :)
ReplyZoran
5 years agoDear sirs, do you have the option of manually adding gas, instead of pedals? Greetings from Croatia
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Zoran! All of the electric bikes on this website are setup to either be pedaled manually or to be charged with electricity and then offer assistance. There are some bicycle kits that allow you to ride with a gas powered assist as well, and it might be possible to retrofit an ebike with one of those kits. Here’s an example for you. Good luck!
ReplyDylan Crowe
5 years agoHello. I am seriously considering this bike (2020 version) for my first ebike. It ticks all the boxes for me, hub gears, belt drive, thud buster, top brakes and top motor and first class frame. Are there any other bikes that you can point me to which have comparable levels of features? Most bikes that I have looked at, for example, have derailleur gears. Many thanks.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Dylan! That’s a good question, nothing comes to mind immediately. R&M offer some really unique products, but it’s possible that people in the forums would know or have some more insights :)
ReplyMichael
5 years agoHey Dylan, I’m also considering a R&M model (2020 version) as my first ebike because it ticks all the boxes for me. Internal gears, belt drive, thud buster, high end brakes, high end motor and attractive bike frame. A comparable ebike that I’m also looking at is Fuell Flluid. I’m also waiting to see the specifications from DOST Bikes.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Michael! I’m excited about the Flluid and DOST offerings too! Just visited Sam at Dost recently and shot this fun video with some sneak peek images and video he shot in Thailand.
Clyde S. Dale
4 years agoProof that EBR seriously needs a new category called “Electric Bikes for Heavy Riders”. This is Murica, and some of us are, well, hefty. Not “250 pounds” hefty. Talking “350 and up” hefty.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoI hear ya Clyde, and I wrote a guide about this a while back… but it’s out of date. Some ebikes offer a higher weight rating, but most are 250lbs. Here’s another thread that some members created on the same topic of heavy and tall. Check out the Electric Bike Company, because their products seem powerful and pretty capable for larger riders, same deal with Pedego and their Interceptor model.
ReplyClyde S. Dale
4 years agoThanks for the extra info. Now, all I need for you to add to the EBR site is a way to filter by drivetrain and rear gearing, as I’m especially interested now in the Gates belt drive coupled to either the Nuvinci (I know, “Enviolo”) CVT or the super costly Rohloff 14. With more and more models arriving so equipped, the site needs to roll with the times. THANKS for all you (and Chris, and other YT reviewers) do; I know this is a never-ending job!!