To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for most of my reviews (not this one). This in-depth review was not sponsored by Riese & Müller. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Riese & Müller products or Cit-E-Cycles… I covered it for the sake of variety and based on interest from site visitors! I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below and the Riese & Müller electric bike forums.
Observations:
- The Delite model from Riese & Müller comes in several configurations. This review is for the GT Rohloff which uses an electronically activated 14-speed Rohloff internally geared hub with a Gates Carbon belt drive. It has city tires, along with the GT Touring (uses a cassette and chain drivetrain) and GT Vario (uses an Enviolo continuously variable transmission hub and Gates Carbon belt drivetrain). For those who want to go off-road, check out the Delite GX model, which has longer 140mm suspension travel (vs. 100mm on all GT models), a dropper seat post, and Schwalbe Rock Razor knobby trail tires
- R&M now offer a two-battery Superdelite model, for those who want to ride further. I prefer the lightweight standard Delite, but acknowledge that the PowerTube 500 batteries are heavier and longer than the older PowerPack 500 batteries that Riese & Müller used to use. This means that carrying a spare battery is less convenient, and it might not fit as easily into trunk bags or panniers
- While the rear swing arm suspension design is kind of basic, compared to many four-bar systems that support vertical travel of the rear wheel vs. a rainbow arc, it still reduces a lot of back, neck, and knee pain. This is one of the only full suspension ebikes with a sturdy suspended rear rack, and the bike supports over 140kgs 308lbs! To me, it’s a platform best suited to urban riding… especially if you get a HS (high speed) version. Note that I reviewed a Class 1 model here, and that they will be allowed on more bike paths and mountain trails than a Class 3 speed pedelec (HS version). Consider the R&M Charger hardtail model for a sturdier rear rack. It still offers back and neck support with the suspension seat post, but your knees won’t get as much cushion from a hardtail
- Riese & Müller offers two display upgrades, the Bosch SmartphoneHub or Kiox. Both of these connect to the Bosch app, which allows for pedal assist level power configuration. The SmartphoneHub lets you use a smartphone for GPS directions and music while the Kiox uses Bluetooth to connect to a heart rate monitor. Keep these factors in mind at time of purchase, because the default Intuvia display is great (removable, has a Micro-USB charging port) but won’t connect to your smartphone or heart rate monitor.
- One more unique upgrade that Riese & Müller is advertising for the Delite platform (but only in Europe) is ABS (anti-lock braking) from Bosch. This is a good option for people who are concerned about skidding and sliding out, especially in unstable or wet/icy conditions. We tested it in Europe when it was first launched, and came away feeling impressed.
- The Rohloff E-14 electronically shifted geared hub provides 14 gear choices and a huge 526-degree ratio, so you can ride almost anywhere comfortably. There’s no derailleur hanging down to get bumped at bike racks or off-road, and the electronic servo is powered by the Bosch ebike battery vs. a stand-alone battery
Pros:
- Beautiful appearance with tightly integrated motor, downtube-integrated battery pack, internally routed cables, and two premium color choices. The hydroformed aluminum alloy frame is a custom build with unique suspended rear rack that won’t subject your cargo or child to the bumps of the road.
- Full suspension provides neck, back, and knee support compared to a hardtail with a suspension post that would only support your back and neck. For those with knee sensitivity, this is one of the best urban commuter platforms around, in my opinion, event hough the rear suspension swing arm is less fancy than a four-bar setup found on many electric mountain bikes (that almost exclusively do not have rear racks)
- Available in three frame sizes for optimal fit, the Delite also has an adjustable angle stem to help you dial in body position (forward or more upright). The adjustable stem is very durable, and shouldn’t rattle loose like some of the cheaper products out there.
- Motor and battery weight is positioned low and center on the frame, for improved handling. The top tube is sloped down, providing an easier entry and lower stand-over height if you have to step down unexpectedly
- Premium fenders with additional support struts won’t rattle. These are extra wide 65mm fenders that keep you dry, even with the wider 2.4″ tires. Note that the black fenders have matching black support arms, and that they are set to a fixed length and attach below the plastic fender vs. on the sides. They’re some of the best fenders and mounting design I’ve seen anywhere
- For those who don’t want to waste efficiency on flat sections of road, given the comfort that higher volume tires offer on their own, both suspension shocks have compression adjust with near lockout. You have to dial each one separately and it’s probably best to pull over, but this lets the bike perform efficiently or comfortably depending on your terrain. This is the case for the default SR Suntour spring coil suspension or the upgraded Fox air suspension.
- If you do upgrade to the air suspension from Fox, you’ll be able to sag the pressure to match your body weight. You get compression adjust as well as rebound, so the shocks will be less bouncy
- Premium integrated lights are extra bright, super sturdy (with metal housings), and the rear light goes bright when you activate either brake lever. They both run off of the main rechargeable bike battery, and they have decent viewing angles (though the headlight does not have side cutouts).
- For all GT models, the tires have puncture protection and reflective sidewall stripes! This is great for traveling across varied terrain and in different lighting conditions. Having integrated lights and reflective tires makes this bike great for commuting or touring, especially if you opt for the faster HS (high speed) motor option.
- If you get the belt drive system, available with the Enviolo or Rohloff versions of the Delite, you can expect a high level of reliability and less grease-grime compared to a traditional chain. The Gates Carbon CDX belt uses a center track that keeps it from sliding off to the sides. R&M did a really great job with their metal guide, chainring guard, and pulley wheel system to elevate the belt so they wouldn’t have to cut the rear portion of frame (adding weight and cost, reducing strength)
- The Bosch Performance Line CX motor used here is fourth generation! It’s roughly 27% lighter at 6.39lbs vs. 8.8lbs and physically smaller. It works with a full sized chainring (belt ring in this case) that spins one-to-one with your crank arms vs. the older reduction gearing system that introduced drag with a 2.5x step-down, and the motor offers just as much torque at 75nm and 120+ rpm pedal support. The motor is efficient, capable, and provides some level of shift detection to reduce drivetrain stress
- I was really impressed with the display and headlight mount, which swivels so you won’t get glare but can also still aim the light effectively AND change your stem angle. It’s all sturdy, but independent and adjustable
- Whichever display option you choose, there’s a Micro-USB port for charging your portable electronics, including smartphones! This is great for people who want to use GPS or add additional lights. All displays are also removable, so you can protect them from the elements and potential scratches or tampering at public bike racks
- As you would expect, the bike has comfortable ergonomic grips from Ergon that are locking, so they won’t twist or spin around if you really bear down. The pedals are decent, offering a good platform with rubberized grip to reduce slipping… and if your foot does slip off, they won’t cut your shins
- Some electric bikes have zero bottle cage mounting points, most of the nice ones have at least one… and the Delite has two sets of bosses (on the downtube and below the top tube) as well as two sets of pins that interface with custom Fabric water bottles near the head tube. This setup allows you to mount a folding lock or mini pump accessory on the bike frame while positioning fluids high up, within reach, and vertically to reduce spilling and dripping
- Black rims, hubs, and spokes look great and they’ve chosen high-quality Rodi Tryp 35 rims with reinforcement eyelets to reduce the potential for cracking under heavy load. I was impressed that the bike is rated to handle so much weight… even the Satori seat post is rated to 135kg (279lbs)
- Most ebikes, especially with motor inhibitors or brake light activation switches, have a cluttered cockpit with wires everywhere. Riese & Müller made theirs beautiful by routing them underneath the stem and directly into the frame. It’s part of what makes this ebike stand out… in a good way
- One of the unique benefits that the Enviolo or Rohloff internally geared hubs offer is shifting at standstill… so you could downshift half way up a hill if you needed to stop unexpectedly. This will help you regain speed and climb easier (easier on your knees and the motor)
- The Rohloff E-14 allows for multiple shifts if you hold the up or down arrow, and it automatically downshifts the bike when you stop, which means less finger interaction. Your fingers won’t get as tired with an electronic shifter as they might with a mechanical derailleur shifter
- There’s some friction if you try to spin the cranks backwards, which is great so you don’t smack your shin on the pedals if you slip off. However, one downside of the Bosch Performance Line CX motor is that it doesn’t actually cycle the chainring (or belt ring in this case) backwards, so you can’t perform drivetrain maintenance the same as with a traditional non-electric bike, and you might need a bike stand to lube the chain or adjust the derailleur properly on the Touring model
- This ebike weighs roughly 63lbs (without the folding lock) and I think that’s fairly decent given the wide fenders, ultra bright lights, and unique suspended rear rack. Even though it’s still on the heavy side, the weight actually dampens vibration a bit and gives it a solid smooth feel. For me, this ebike is in between a bicycle and motorcycle platform, and it’s a nice feel with the premium Fox suspension that slides so smoothly… especially when the air pressure is setup just right for your body weight
- 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
- The Bosch CX motor (which peaks at 20mph) offers high response time, torque, and ride feel for urban or 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
- 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 none of the Riese & Müller ebikes have this issue. They use adjustable rear-mount stand that stays out of the way and also offers some height adjustment, they also don’t collide with the larger 180mm disc brake rotor or Rohloff shifting servo box here
Cons:
- In addition to being very expensive, since Riese & Müller is one of the most premium ebike brands around… only using the highest quality parts and custom frames, their bikes take longer to receive. This is because each one is assembled after the order is placed, and then shipped from Europe to North America. Unless you buy a pre-assembled model from a showroom floor (accepting the frame size and component upgrades they chose) you could be waiting as much as three months to get your bike.
- With the new Delite models, you have to choose a single or double battery configuration at time of purchase. The double battery model is called the Superdelite and starts at $8,169. I was surprised that they didn’t offer a Bosch PowerPack 500 adapter that could mount on top of the downtube like I’ve seen from Trek with their Allant+ models and some other brands.
- The PowerTube batteries look beautiful, they they aren’t as lightweight or easy to transport as the PowerPack (5.7lbs vs. 6.8lbs for the PowerTube). I was a little surprised that Riese & Müller chose the PowerTube 500 vs. the high-capacity 625 battery… but that may be due to the longer size of the PowerTube 625 and them offering three frame sizes.
- If you purchase the Rohloff drivetrain with Gates Carbon belt drive, you’ll be adding some weight to the bike, along with some friction and added noise due to the elevated pulley wheel. In my experience, this internally geared hub can also shift a bit slower and be more prone to issues than a cassette derailleur setup. Be careful not to over tighten the rear axle or shift rapidly during hard pedaling or high motor power
- This isn’t necessarily Riese & Müller’s fault, but the charging port location is located way down near the motor on the non-dirvetrain side. This is the side that tips towards the kickstand, so the bike is leaning towards you and you have to bend way down to plug in. Additionally, if the Bosch charger cable is connected and the crank arms are turned, the left one will collide with the cable and possibly unplug or damage it. The Bosch charger is great, and their cable end connector seems pretty tough… it would just be easier and less vulnerable if the charging port was up high on the right side of the bike (drivetrain side)
- This may be due to the Rohloff geared hub and proprietary disc brake mount on the Delite GT Rohloff, but I noticed that R&M specced the older spoke magnet rear wheel speed sensor. Bosch now has an integrated magnet and speed sensor that’s tucked away and won’t get dirty or knocked out of position as easily. Given the higher price and possible off-road application for the Delite platform, it would be nice to see that being used instead
- Pretty minor gripe here, but the bell is kind of basic. It’s not bad and it works fine, but it seems out of place with all the quality parts throughout. I actually thought that the bike had an electronic horn! But it turns out the rubber button on the right is actually for turning on/off the integrated lights
- The Bosch Performance Line CX motors are the loudest and use energy the fastest (compared to other Bosch options). All of their motors have a wider 175mm Q-Factor, that probably isn’t an issue on a wider bike like this, but it does change the layout of the drivetrain a bit compared to Shimano, Yamaha, and Brose motors
- The custom rear rack looks cool, but it actually has a lower weight rating than most other racks I see (it’s 20kg vs. 25kg – 44lbs vs. 55lbs), and it doesn’t use standard gauge tubing that’s compatible with more panniers, and it doesn’t have a bungee loop at the bottom. It does however, have a fancy blade piece of metal on the sides, which might serve as a blocker to keep your panniers from touching the rear wheel during hard turns
- In order to mount the battery pack into the downtube, you actually need to insert the key and twist to unlock it (and it’s spring loaded, so this is a bit trickier than you might think), while balancing the battery and pushing in from below the downtube – while avoiding the fender. This is why some other companies have opted for side-mounted battery designs. Trek does this on their ebikes, and their pack casing has a handle! but Trek’s solution weighs more as a result and also requires the key inserted/twisted to mount the pack
- Minor complaint, the battery doesn’t have a handle or strop for secure lifting and handling. Be extra careful with it because a replacement can be $900+ and it would be easy to drop… even with the two-step dismount, I struggled more trying to re-mount it to the frame because of the key locking design
- The bike must be powered on in order to shift gears, if you opt for the Rohloff E-14 internally geared hub. The Bosch battery system and controller automatically stop providing assist when the capacity reaches 10%, and that’s designed to make sure there is enough juice leftover for the lights and shifting… I like that there isn’t a secondary battery just for shifting (as is the case for the Shimano Di2 electronic derailleur), but I just want to call out the requirement here, this is not an ebike that you can fully ride as a bicycle without power, you just couldn’t shift gears in that case
Useful Resources:
- Official Riese & Müller website
- Bosch Kiox ebike display settings
- Riese & Müller ebike shop directory to find a R&M dealer near you for fitting and test rides
Mike says
Nice review. It comes off more objective than what I’ve seen from distributor websites. This review is also well timed for me as I’ve been considering an R&S bike for some time. I live in a very hilly area, often best suited for a full suspension bike given the poor condition of the roads as well. I currently own a Surface 604 Shred. Would you consider this a worthy and significant upgrade? I use my bike 90% of the time so you can consider this upgrade like a car for me. Thanks and keep up the great reviews!
Court says
Thank you so much, Mike! That means a lot… I see dealers making review videos that tend to only show the positives. I understand, there’s a conflict of interest (for me too with some advertisers), but our goal here at EBR is to be as objective and data driven as possible. Many of the “considerations” I list require insights and perspectives that I’ve gleaned from actual owners and many years covering all sorts of ebikes. It’s also why I don’t bash the super cheap basic bikes… they have their own pros and cons and can be a great fit for someone on a budget :)
Anyway, I’m glad the review is well timed for you! It sounds like you’ve already purchased a decent bike… the Shred offers great value and can be fairly comfortable because of the suspension fork and knobby tires, even more-so if you get a suspension seat post. The biggest differences between the Surface 604 and this R&M Delite is that you’ll feel less knee strain with a full suspension ebike, your gear will be treated better on a suspended rack, and you’ll probably get better range with a mid-drive. You will lose throttle support, however.
If I were to purchase one “do everything” ebike, the Riese & Müller Delite GT Touring HS (or standard Touring if you don’t care about the extra speed) would be at the very top of my list. If money was a big consideration or I wanted to keep the throttle support, I’d keep the Shred and check out a suspension seat post and stem from Redshift Sports (which can feel a little sloppy but does improve comfort on the wrists, arms, and shoulders). Bulls also has an amazing full suspension mid-drive called the ICONIC EVO TR 1 that’s worth checking out, but the rack isn’t suspended like the Delite. It uses the same Bosch PowerTube 500 battery but only comes with the Class 3 Bosch Performance Line Speed motor. Due to the different rack design, it weighs about 3.5lbs less and the MSRP is lower at ~$5.1k. I hope this helps! Thanks again for your comment :)
Mike says
Wow! Incredible response. Super helpful. I wasn’t aware of that Bulls option. It looks like it’s due for a refresh this year so I’ll keep an eye out.
Tom says
I suspect a 250W nominal euro-spec mid drive might feel a little underpowered relative to your Shred which has a 500W nominal rear hub. It depends. How well does your Shred do on hills? That is where a mid-drive might shine a little more. If you want full suspension and more power, look at the Frey CC. The rack is not suspended (similar to the Bulls that Court mentioned) but more than twice the power for $3K + shipping. Also check out Watt Wagons. They are pricey but @pushkar is very well regarded on the forums and offers a custom FS build.
Ravi is also looking to offer a FS bike with dual battery, sprung rack with Bosch speed motor that won’t cost a small fortune. You may find this post and thread interesting.
Court says
Awesome, great reply and thanks for the forum link and mentions of Watt Wagons and Ravi here Tom!
Kirk says
I purchased the Superdelite GX Rohloff with Fox upgrade in March and am awaiting an early-June delivery. Comprehensive technical reviews such as yours did help me distinguish which bike would properly serve as my car replacement.
And replace my car is precisely what this bike will do. I reside in an urban environment, so long distances for everyday travel are not an issue, even with the Delite version. The issue I was focused on was battery longevity. Having two batteries will ensure that neither is fully-depleted during regular use. And having maximum range built in, right from the start, increases utility for touring.
These bikes are, indeed, costly. But they are nowhere near as costly as the cheapest ‘city car’ on the market, which was twice the price of this fully-kitted-out $12,500 model (incl. tax). My thorough spreadsheat analysis comparing 10-year ownership costs, including taxes, license, full insurance, maintenance, occasional car rental or rideshare, and depreciation made it abundantly clear that switching to an ebike would save me $3,250 per year. Lesser ebikes would save money upfront, but would not perform nor wear as well, and certainly would be less comfortable.
Why would anyone give up the comforts that even the lowliest car has as standard unless they could approximate those functions in an ebike? The answer is: they wouldn’t. Nor should they.
The Riese & Müller Delite/Superdelite are not intended for casual weekend riders, though they are luxurious for that. They are purpose-built to replace your car and are the only bike on the market, configured with a Rohloff hub, that can do that in a manner that makes financial sense.
The Superdelite is not a toy. It is a vehicle that can readily replace your car. And it is the only bike on the market today that legitimately can make that claim.
Court says
Hi Kirk! Thanks for the testimonial and tips about owning this bike. I hope it arrives soon and lasts a long long time for you. If you’re open to it, I’d love to either have a video chat about how you did the cost comparison to a car, or look at your spreadsheets because I’d love to make a video about why “expensive” ebikes can be worth it. You can reach me through the contact page or text me at 650.930.0342 thanks man!
TBR says
I got my SuperDelite HS Rohloff GX in mid-January and, even with me not being able to ride for 4 weeks (travel, illness…) I crossed the 4,000km mark yesterday (May 8th), did 100km today and likely will do another 30-40km or so as soon as the sun goes down (SuperNova Lights!). I am in a totally new level of riding intensity, the SuperDelite with the Rohloff E14 is the best money I ever spent on a bike. And this is my third “S-Pedelec” (class 3), I have been commuting with them since 2011. The predecessor was a R&M Charger with a NuVinci 360 and BeltDrive. The double battery setup is very important for me, I really enjoy the 115km+ range in “Tour” on the weekends, especially in these Covid times where it is difficult to impossible to recharge during a tour, e.g. at a restaurant or café. All in all I consider the 2020 R&M SuperDelite to have reached a new pinnacle in class 3 pedelecs with the confluence of the new gen4 Bosch Speed motor, the Rohloff E14, Gates Carbon Beltdrive, robust full suspension frame with in-tube batteries and suspended rack (important for commuting and shopping). I had been waiting for this “jump” (new motor generation and in-tube on the Delite) for the last two years and the wait was worth it. The SuperDelite/Delite is an allrounder though, if you want an offroad machine, i.e. an optimized E-MTB, I would recommend a Nicolai EBOXX E14, or for those wanting the most robust pedelec possible to cross the Andes or the Australian Outback (or just the most robust frame to carry a heavy rider and massive luggage @185kg total payload) I would recommend the Rennstahl 853 E-Reiserad Rohloff E-14. And then there are the cargo bikes…
Price is a matter of perspective. The most expensive bike is one you do not (or very rarely) ride, regardless of price. The 2020 SuperDelite/Delite with Rohloff E-14 and BeltDrive can be ridden without isssues and minimal (if any) maintenance for many more km/miles than any previous pedelec, and if you do so your cost per km/mile will quickly be lower than that of the overwhelming majority of customers who buy “cheap” pedelecs. And if the latter try to ride those cheaper bikes as intensely as a R&M (or Rennstahl) can be ridden their maintenance costs will go up and they will begin to effectively “use up” the cheaper components of those bikes to the point of costing them more than if they had gone with a R&M (or like quality) to begin with.
With now more than 4,000km there were no critical issues with the SuperDelite 2020, only minor quibbles. Brake pads needed replacement (of course!) and I had the Rock Razors switched for Super Moto’s because my profile is way more road than gravel and I wanted some more confidence in high-speed curves. Still enjoy the GX option’s drop post, pedals and longer suspension travel though. Only regret is going SunTour and not ordering FoxFloat. Had to learn to go with more pressure on the cylinders for high speeds on roads (or lock out) and I gather that adjustment could be done more situationally with the Fox Floats. The biggest design flaw in the 2020 SuperDelite and Delite is the charging cable connector position, that is in the review. All other issues are minor and the below (not really R&M issues) will probably be corrected by software updates:
In cold weather, with the forced cooling at high speeds against stiff cold winds, the Rohloff can sometimes act up a little (loosing calibration after 40+minutes at 40km/h+ in 5 degrees Celsius or less, leading to “lost” gears that are switched “over”) but that is easily ameliorated by doing a short stop and switching off and on again. Also in cold weather, but just once in more than 2,000km at less than 10 degrees Celsius, I had an operating voltage loss when the bike wanted to switch from one battery to the other (it does that automatically so that the two batteries are always at most at +/- 5% of charge relative to each other, usually you do not notice anything), I was at full speed (45km/h) with high beam on the lights and the switch was from the top battery (at 22%) to the lower/front one (at 27%). Guess the battery was just a little bit too cold to instantly provide the full voltage required at that power consumption level. It re-booted within 2-3 seconds, before I lost much speed. The loss of light for that time was a bit scary, I could have done a safe stop though. I consider this more of Bosch a software issue (i.e. a slight timing adjustment in the switching algorithm could fully avoid this) than anything, just as sometimes the Kiox not showing the current gear selection and needing to restart. As written above, I fully expect these issues to be corrected with an update.
Court says
Great review! Thanks for sharing your insights, I’m so happy you’re enjoying the bike. Yes, the most expensive products are indeed the ones we don’t actually use… possibly followed by the one we use a lot, but didn’t get the correct size or version of (think shoes that don’t fit right or let water soak in easily etc.) so it sounds like you made a very good choice.
I love your point about having two batteries during the COVID situation, since charging opportunities may be scarce. I also love your feedback about riding in the cold and how switching from one pack to the next caused a little delay that cut out your motor and lights. Glad you’re safe! Feel free to drop updates here anytime, especially as you get up to 10,000km and beyond!
TBR says
That power loss during a battery switchover only happened once in all my riding on one of the coldest days I rode the bike when I was truly maxing power consumption with both batteries fairly low. I do not expect this to happen again, especially since I expect some future firmware update will take care of this issue before next winter truly hits.
At the intensity I am going 10000km will not take all that much time, I will be more than halfway there before the end of the month. If I can ride at all I am doing at least 40km on weekdays and more than 100km on Saturdays and Sundays. And for me COVID means there are fewer days I cannot ride as the job travel is almost non-existant ATM.
Court says
Thanks for the clarification! R&M does such a great job with their products, I hope they and Bosch do continue to refine and maybe offer that firmware update if it’s a widespread issue… but I hear you now, how it was only once and only when you were really pushing it :)
Stay safe during the COVID, but also get out there and enjoy the Spring!! Thanks again for sharing your experience, TBR!
TBR says
Made it! Crossed the 10,000km mark today, the counter is now at 10,141km. Since May 8th, that means more than 6000km in 79 days, or more than 76km per day. That was yet another level of riding intensity. Only thing the bike needed was new brake pads. But for a minor quibble with the belt drive rear sprocket (The belt jumped to the “inner half track” twice between km’s 6,000 and 7,500. Happened when stopping, and I noticed upon starting again. The belt can be easily reseated, so no problem when it happened. When back at the shop for new brake pads, the lifting element was adjusted to the uppermost position by the mechanic. No repeats in the ca. 2500km since, which reminds me I need new brake pads in about two weeks.)
Will share some experiences and updates in the R&M forum when my account is approved.
Court says
Wow! That’s a lot riding, great job! It sounds like your Delite is holding up very well… thanks for the tip about the brake pads and your belt coming off track a couple of times. I just checked the forums, looks like almost all new members have been approved and I hope that includes you! Thanks again for the update, hope everything continues well for you this Summer/Fall :D
TBR says
Oh, and an addendum to the Rennstahl E14: Now also in Titanium (!) as the Falkenjagd Hoplit E14.
John Howard says
Hi Court! I hope you see this soon because my wife and I plan to do one more test ride tomorrow and then make a final decision tomorrow about ordering *TWO* SuperDelites with Rohloff, HS motor, Fox suspension upgrade, front rack, and perhaps with the GX option. And I would like your input! I loved the reviews above! Man, you have great readers and contributors to your site!! I will be happy to do the same after these beasts arrive in 2 or 3 months.
By the way, you know me as FLYSHACKER on YouTube!! Real name is John. Long story about the YouTube name, but I like it! Anyway, I love the ride of the new Specialized ebikes (Creo EVO was what I tested), but I also love the SuperDelite and I think the heavy duty SuperDelite fits my purpose. My wife test rode a HOMAGE and loved it. Tomorrow she tries the SuperDelite, and I hope it meets her expectations. Anyway, we are freshly retired (early), and we want to do some long-distance ebike touring with full paniers, and not camping but staying at accomodations. We have our eyes set on the Rails-to-Trails from Washington State to as far east as we are willing to go! Definitely taking the rail trail in sections, on multiple trips. I don’t want chain maintenance, and I definitely want the comfort of full suspension, and that rules out the Specialized models, as fantastic as they are! Crazy to love 2 bikes so different as the super light Creo EVO (or Vado) and the heavy duty SuperDelite!!
But my quandary is about getting the GX option, considering that we will be mainly ROAD riding and groomed trail riding. I love what TBR said above about “being in a whole new level of riding intensity” with his SuperDelite!!! I love that! That will be me, for sure. I can’t wait! So, maybe I would get the GX option but get more road-ready tires like TBR did, if R&M will do that, otherwise I’m sure the shop will swap for me. I like the flat pedals, horned handlebars, and wider suspension of the GX option. And dropper seat post. What do you think based on what I said?
Anyway, really excited! Tomorrow is our final test ride and decision day. Thanks a lot, Court, for really arming me with all the tremendous info you provide in your site and videos! Be well.
Court says
Oh hey John! Yeah, I recognize your YouTube username :D congrats on early retirement, I hope you and your wife get lots of fun rides in, and I’d love your feedback on the Superdelite once they arrive and you’ve ridden some! You’ve been a great contributor already ;)
The rails-to-trails ride sounds awesome! I agree that Specialized has created an amazing ebike product, but would probably decide on the Superdelite for myself, given the full suspension (as you mentioned). How awesome is this going to be!! I hope my comment isn’t too late here, but yeah, I feel that the GX could be a nice upgrade for the bar-ends and seat post dropper. The air suspension is very nice if you get Fox… tires can always be swapped for hybrid if you don’t like the noise of the knobs. I actually ride my mountain bike all over town with knobs, and don’t mind it at all. I like to cut across dirt trails and grass etc., so having the knobs on demand is worth the extra noise ;) I’m sure you’ll be happy with either option, and you can also go from slicks to knobs pretty easy, so no worries if you skip GX (you can even get the Ergon grips with bar-ends after-market).
John Howard says
Thanks, Court! Well, we did it! Our bikes should arrive by mid-July, faster than usual because the store picked up expedited air delivery for us! We went with the full GX option, 1125 wH batteries for mine, 1000 wH for my wife because she got the smaller 47cm frame, and I guess the 625 wH battery doesn’t fit. Rohloff HS for both. Glad to hear you like your knobby tires for general use. We will see how that goes, and I will post about it. These will be our first ebikes, and I’m really looking forward to discovering all that they bring to our lifestyle.
We tried a lot of bikes that day. I tried a Delite with chain and derailleur, as you indicated you prefer in your video, and I can see why! Very responsive! But, I want the wide gear spread of the Rohloff and the low maintenance of the belt drive, which I didn’t find noisy at all by the way, even at 28 mph.
I just checked the R&M site, and it looks like the Kiox display is STANDARD equipment now. Just last Friday it was an option. Oh well, model/pricing changes are bound to happen all the time.
While we wait, I will enjoy the new posts by other (Super)Delite fans. I am excited to be joining their ranks soon.
Court says
Sweet! I’m so excited for you, John! Wow, great choices all around… nothing wrong with the Rohloff, I can see how the larger gear range and durability are appealing. I try to communicate my body size, ride style, and budget constraints to help draw contrast between the different models, more like a story than just stats all of the time, but frankly, I’d be happy with ANY of the R&M Delite models (Super or otherwise). So excited for you… please do chime in again, maybe share some pics or discoveries here and in the forums like you do. Thanks for being here :D
Kevin B says
Just wanted to say thank you for the review. I very much appreciate all of your reviews and your hard work has made finding the right ebikes for me and my wife a lot easier.
Court says
Thanks so much Kevin! It’s great to hear that the site has helped you, thanks for taking the time to share. I hope you two enjoy the bikes that you get, and I welcome any comments once you’ve tested them out for a bit :D
Basil Pesto says
Hi there, I was wondering if you or anyone else here had any insight on the R&M Delite MTB models?
Thanks,
Basil
Court says
Hi Basil! Yeah, I love those bikes… I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing several of them over the years, but I haven’t covered a 2021 model yet. There’s a lot that is being carried forward. You can check my past reviews out here. In short, if you are willing to spend the high dollars to get one… they are incredible!
Basil Pesto says
Thanks very much, Court. How would you say they compare to the Specialized Turbo Levos?
Court says
Hi Basil! I much prefer the Specialized Turbo Levo or Kenevo for actual mountain biking because the R&M rear suspension design does not isolate brakign and pedaling nearly as well. It’s just a big heavy swing arm with more of a rainbow motion vs. vertical. You could end up with kickback in the chain (especially with the older small Bosch chainrings). I believe that the R&M Delite is also much heavier. As a side note, please check out the BULLS Adventure EVO 27.5″ which is a blend of long distance Bosch powered but has more of a true mountain bike design and suspension setup. The big highlight for the R&M Delite is just the suspended rear rack option and premium hub and belt options… otherwise I’d stick with BULLS, Specialized, and possibly Haibike. Giant and Trek also have some great stuff… Trek would be my preference between those two.