To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by Propel Bikes which has shops in Long Beach, California and Brooklyn, New York. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of Riese & Müller products.
Having reviewed the Charger onseveraloccasions now, it’s interesting to see how the same hardtail frame can be adapted into a multi-passenger midtail cargo bike. With its slightly smaller 26″ wheels (verses 27.5″ on some of the other models), the Multicharger is the same length (roughly 74″), so it can fit into garages, sheds, and storage rooms just as easily. It comes with extra sturdy two foot rear rack that can accommodate up to two child seats or 125lbs of passenger or cargo weight. The racks really stand out on the black and orange version, but you can also get the Multicharger in white with black rack. Like most of the R&M ebikes, this one comes with reflective tires, additional plastic reflectors on the suspension fork lowers, and premium Supernova lights that run off of the main rechargeable battery pack. The exact hardware differs slightly depending on the drive unit you choose, 20mph Bosch CX or 28mph Bosch Speed. The lights remain on at all times if you go for the speed motor, based on European regulation. There are two drivetrain options here, and we focused on the heavier and more expensive Enviolo continuously variable planetary transmission hub because it can be shifted at standstill, tends to be more durable than the Shimano Deore cassette derailleur combo, and comes with the Gates Carbon belt drive vs. a chain. It makes the bike unique, quiet, and intuitive to ride. Being able to adjust the gearing ratio after an unexpected stop can be very handy if you’re loaded up with gear. Riese & Müller products tend to be heavier than other ebikes because they are overbuilt for stiffness and durability. The review unit shown in the video and photos above weighed ~75.9lbs, but that included the folding lock, both racks, passenger pad, pegs, telescoping rear handlebar, fenders, lights, and second battery pack. I could tell that each accessory had ben hand picked to work perfectly with the bike, aesthetically and functionally. Mountain bike level 180mm hydraulic disc brakes provided adequate stopping power, without straining my hands, and the handling and stability was excellent. I did, however, bump my knee and leg when mounting and dismounting because I tried to swing around the back vs. stepping over. For those with shorter inseams, the mid-step frame could be easier to approach, but is not available with a second battery option. Still, even with the high-step diamond frame, the smaller wheels made it easier to mount because they lowered the frame and the extra-wide double leg kickstand made it very stable to load. There’s a lot to say about this platform, which comes in five configurations ranging from $4,989 to $6,869 depending on the load-out and additional battery, which is why the video is nearly 40 minutes in length. Whether you get the slick tires for urban or opt for knobby ones with the GX configuration for light trail riding, the bike provides excellent balance, comfort, and utility. To get the exact configuration you want there may be a wait time of up to three months because the bikes are hand assembled in Germany, but many shops stock at least one demo model (which can often be sold) and you can pay $300 for faster air shipping vs. sea freight on custom orders.
Riese & Müller have chosen to work exclusively with Bosch for their battery and drive systems, at the time of this review. For the Multicharger line, you can choose from a high torque Performance Line CX motor (offering up to 75 newton meters of torque) or the faster Performance Line Speed (offering 63 newton meters but 28mph top speed vs. 20mph). Depending on your location, the CX Class 1 motor could be legal to use on more paths and off-road trails. It’s a very popular motor for e-mountain bikes, and delivers a unique eMTB mode that replaces Sport on the Speed motor. With eMTB, power output relates closely to pedal torque, offering a range of slow and soft to fast and powerful as you pedal… so you don’t have to click up or down through the four assist levels as actively as terrain changes. Personally, I love the high-speed motor option when commuting longer distances, because it allows me to keep up with city traffic. Given the weight of this bike, the sturdy thru-axles, and high volume tires, it should feel stable and comfortable at speed even with a full load of cargo or second passenger. I often comment on frame flex, or complain about the jittery feel and noise produced by cheap accessories, but none of that is an issue here. Coming back to motor choice, CX vs. Speed, I would expect to get slightly better range with the CX because air resistance can really suck up battery power when riding above 20mph. The drop off in efficiency is exponential, from what I’m told, but that comes back to how you decide to ride. If you’ve got a lot of cargo, it’s really nice to have the extra power with the CX motor, and that might help it operate more efficiently overall. Both motors respond to a controller that measures rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque over 1,000 times per second. They are incredibly responsive, de-activating almost instantly when pedal pressure is reduced or pedaling motion is stopped. The motors spin a smaller proprietary chainring (24 tooth in this case) that rotates 2.5x for each crank revolution, it’s a 60 tooth equivalent. My guess is that Bosch designed their motor this way to provide a mechanical advantage and reduce delay time when starting and stopping. It’s one of my favorites, but does produce more noise at high pedal speeds, and some drag when unpowered. With Bosch, my experience and feedback from shops has been that you’re getting reliability and performance, but a bit more weight. And, the visual appearance of the Performance Line motors on the Multicharger, and many R&M models, is less refined than Haibike, Bulls, and some others, who have tilted the motor and blended it into the frame more beautifully. My guess is that this would have compromised frame integrity or made it difficult to fit two battery packs… but perhaps we will see refinements over time. All Performance Line motors can reach 120 RPM, so you you can downshift and spin when approaching and ascending hills without losing support. By comparison, the Active Line motors from Bosch can only reach 100 RPM and 105 RPM.
Powering the motor, integrated lights, and backlit display panel, is one or two 482.4 watt hour battery packs from Bosch. The first battery, a PowerPack 500, clicks neatly into the downtube from below, and the second one mounts on top of the downtube. If you want two batteries, it will cost you roughly $1,000 more and must be done at time of purchase. It’s a lot to pay for this feature… but it could be worth it for heavier riders, those hauling cargo or passengers, and those who might be commuting or touring longer distances. As mentioned earlier, the mid-step frame does not offer dual battery support. You can charge either pack off of the bike frame, or plug into one location to fill both packs in series while mounted to the bike. In terms of use, I love how the Bosch controller draws from both battery packs evenly in parallel as you ride, so one battery isn’t being cycled over and over, being worn down over time, while the other sits unused. Lithium-ion cells, including the 18650 cells used in both of these packs, tend to be very reliable if you maintain them at 20% to 80% capacity when not in use and store in a cool dry environment vs. extreme heat or cold. I frequently store my electric bike indoors because it isn’t as heavy or smelly as a moped or motorcycle, and this keeps it clean and safe while also protecting the battery from extreme temperatures. Charging happens quickly here, thanks to the included 4 amp Bosch charger, yet it’s relatively compact and lightweight compared to others on the market. Bosch does sell an even smaller, lighter charger, that delivers 2 amps. They call this the travel charger and I read many comments from people who use it at a work site or carry it along in a backpack or pannier. Given the heavier weight of the Multicharger’s aluminum alloy frame, tires, and suspension elements; I’d probably take one or both battery packs off before lifting and transporting the bike. It’s convenient and safe to remove both batteries because the PowerPack has an loop handle near the top and the PowerTube has a two-step removal and woven strap for handling. It won’t just flop out when you unlock it, and you’ll be less likely to drop it during transport. It’s worth highlighting that both batteries and the included ABUS folding lock utilize the same key, so you won’t have to waste time and space with three similar looking keys. In closing, the PowerPack weighs less than the PowerTube at 5.7lbs vs. 6.3lbs, but you’ll want to make extra sure to hear it click into place on the frame when mounting before rides. If you have an older PowerPack 400, it will work with the same interface as the PowerPack 500, so you can swap packs or rent and borrow if you travel frequently. It’s really neat to see how Riese & Müller are blending two battery designs to optimize for power, stability and space, creating room for the bottle cage mount below the top tube.
Once you’ve charged and secured the battery packs, operating the bike is pretty straight forward. The control panel consists of a grayscale LCD with four surrounding buttons. The power button is built into the top edge, a + and – button are reachable along the left front portion, and a walk mode button is built into the lower edge. Pressing the power button brings the LCD to life quickly, and a faint white glow is active at all times making it readable in low lighting conditions. I’ve created an in-depth guide to the Bosch Purion display panel, with video overview, in the EBR forums here but want to call out some of strengths and trade-offs as they relate to the PEGASUS PREMIO Nu implementation here. First off, the display can be swiveled forward and back to reduce glare if the clamp mount is not over tightened. It’s not removable however, and the Micro-USB port on the right edge is not active for charging as is the case with the larger Bosch Intuvia, which I describe in detail here. I much prefer the Intuvia for its size and additional menus (shift recommendation, clock, max speed, average speed, and trip time), and some shops can upgrade you to this display for ~$200… but it might require a different mounting position for the Supernova headlight on this bike. With Purion, you’ve got a streamlined and simple interface with the necessities including trip distance, total distance, and range estimate. You can cycle through these menus by holding the – key, and you can reset trip distance by holding – and + simultaneously for a couple of seconds. The main portion of the display is used to show your current speed and assist level. If you’d like to change units from miles to kilometers, you simply hold – and tap the power button. Anytime you change from one assist level to the next, the menu briefly changes. Since the Multicharger has a sporty stem and handlebar, you might have to look down a bit more to see this display, but it’s intuitive enough to learn by heart and with eMTB mode, you can just set it and forget it. In my experience, the buttons don’t click in as consistent as Intuvia, and there’s no dedicated light button (hold + to activate the lights if you’ve got the CX motor), but it gets the job done. If this was the only display that Bosch produced, I might be a little more enthusiastic about it here, it is a great display, I think I’ve just grown to appreciate the charging, removability, color, and Bluetooth features on some of their nicer displays. Riese & Müller do stock the Intuvia and Kiox displays on many of their other models, and it would be a nice option for the Multicharger someday. Most of the mountain models I review here do spec Purion, to hide and protect the display. For me, it would have been worth an additional $50 or $100 in the price tag given how expensive the bike already is, but it’s not a deal killer by any means.
The Multicharger expands upon the original offering of the R&M Charger model. It brings the same high quality accessories, sturdy frame, and leading network of dealers and warranty support. The trade offs include a bit of wait time and higher pricing. I’m not aware of any other midtail cargo bike on the market right now that can be specced with a speed motor, Gates belt drive, and Enviolo CVP hub. The Enviolo N380SE NuVinci option, shown in this review, is rated for higher torque input, up to 120 newton meters of torque, making it a perfect match for the Bosch Performance Line CX motor. I’ve seen standard NuVinci N360 units used with the CX motor, and wondered if their lifespan could be shortened due to stress. In any event, these continuously variable transmission hubs do not come with a recommended service interval and I’m not aware of if or how they can be tuned up? I welcome feedback from owners in the comment section below. They’re meant to be durable, and with no derailleur hanging down, no chainrings with teeth getting bent over time, I can see why. I appreciate the little details on this bike, including the larger rubberized seat clamp (since you have to get it extra tight to support a rear handlebar), the walk mode offered by the motor (great for helping you stabilize a heavy load or deal with a flat tire if you cannot ride), and lightweight PowerTube battery vs. some that have a heavy alloy plate attached. You may wonder about the rear passenger seat option… why not have your child ride their own bike? Perhaps in some crowded urban environments, it could be safer to have them connected to you at younger ages? Perhaps you’re riding this ebike as a delivery person or using it to help bring friends around on occasion. It’s neat to see just how capable the Multicharger platform is. I also think it’s beautiful, with all of the shifter, brake, and electronic cables being routed through the frame for cleanliness and reduced snags. As always, I welcome comments below and invite you to connect and share feedback, pictures, and videos in the Riese & Müller forum.
Pros:
- The adjustable air suspension fork, premium seat post suspension, gel saddle, locking ergonomic grips, and larger tires significantly improve comfort when riding on rough terrain or long distances, this is nice because the stem and handlebars are a bit more aggressive on this model and you might be leaning forward a bit
- Multiple drivetrain and motor options allow you to optimize for weight, durability, power, or speed, we covered the high torque Bosch CX motor with continuously variable planetary transmission here
- Excellent weight distribution, motor and both batteries are positioned low and center, with plenty of frame strength from oversized tubing and diamond high-step configurations
- Both cargo racks are frame-mounted with heavy-duty hardware, they can handle additional weight (a second passenger in the rear) and the front rack won’t impact steering the way that some other designs do
- Lots of nice accessories come with this e-bike including the SKS plastic fenders, an electronic horn (on the high speed versions), ABUS folding lock, premium integrated lights, and a sturdy double-leg kickstand for loading… but the kickstand does create pedal lock if you pedal backwards because it’s mounted at the center of the frame vs. the rear
- Safety is a big deal, especially with a dark colored frame, so it’s nice to see reflective tires with puncture layers, extra reflectors added to the lowers of the suspension fork, and lights that run off of the main battery, the high-speed versions have a rear light that goes bright whenever you pull the brakes
- The headlight is positioned high up on the handlebar, it will keep you more visible up there, won’t bounce around like many other suspension fork arch-mounted lights, and it will point where you steer
- Riese & Müller specced a nicer suspension fork on this model, it supports a tapered steering tube and 15mm thru-axle, they removed the branding stickers to help it match the frame, and it’s lighter than a spring fork with more adjustability (air lets you sag for body weight as well as compression lockout and rebound)
- The 1x drivetrain reduces the possibility of drops, keeps the chain or belt more tucked in so your pants or dress won’t rub, and tends to be very reliable, I like that Riese & Müller included a long slap guard to protect the frame and chose a derailleur with a one-way clutch (Shimano Deore XT with Shadow+) to help tighten the chain when you’re going fast or riding on bumpy sections of road… just click the little gray lever into the up position
- The rear rack is child seat compatible so you won’t need additional accessories or adapters in most cases, most aftermarket racks are rated up to 55 lbs but this one goes up to 132lbs
- Powerful hydraulic disc brakes with large 180mm rotors help you handle the heavier frame and any extra cargo you might be carrying, they pull easily and have adjustable reach levers so you don’t have to stretch if your hands are small
- Given the heavier overall build and potential for up to ~140lbs of additional cargo on the racks, it’s wonderful that the Multicharger can be specced with two 500 watt hour batteries! this significantly extends range and supports higher power and higher speed motors, which tend to drain batteries faster
- If you opt for the dual-battery setup, you can actually use older PowerPack 400 batteries as well as the included PowerPack 500 because Bosch has designed the interface to be backwards compatible
- I love that the included ABUS folding lock is keyed to match the locking cylinders on the batteries, so you don’t end up with a bunch of extra keys weighing you down and getting confusing
- Most of the wires, brake lines, and shifter cables are internally routed through the frame for protection and improved aesthetics, they blend in really nicely with the all-black frame, and since the downtube is somewhat open when you remove the PowerTube battery it might be easier for shops to access and adjust wires when doing maintenance or fixes
- Riese & Müller have this philosophy called “Control Technology” which is referring to the suspension and frame stiffness that can handle higher speeds while remaining in contact with the ground for safety, their bikes are some of the most thoughtfully engineered products on the market right now
- Given the high capacity ~500 watt hour single battery pack or nearly 1kwh double configuration, it’s great that the Bosch ebike battery charger is faster than most at 4 amps vs. just 2 amps because you won’t have to wait as long between rides
- Interacting with the display is intuitive and simple enough that you really don’t have to look down that often once you get the hang of it, the buttons produce a tactile click and have an intuitive surface, the control pad is mounted within reach of the left grip so you don’t have to compromise hand position or stability when adjusting motor power
- The Enviolo CVP hub allows you to shift at standstill or fluidly while pedaling without mashing gears, for those who opt for a traditional cassette and derailleur, the Bosch motor controller brings shift detection for protection and smoothness
- Riese & Müller is growing so much that they have had to build a new facility in Germany, they are striving to maintain short wait times and a steady flow of parts so they can offer this wide range of drivetrain and accessory options, they have a good reputation in Europe and the USA
- Many of the Riese & Müller ebike products only come in one frame color but this one seems to come in two! You can opt for all-black with orange racks or white with black racks
- I love that the bike comes with extra wide well-supported fenders that don’t rattle, you also get a chainring protector-guide or mini cover for the belt option that reduce the possibility of derailment and pant/dress snags
- The Gates Carbon belt drive is incredibly quiet and durable, since the frame was designed with a hanging rear dropout, it’s easier to replace and adjust than many competing belt-compatible ebikes
- The Multicharger uses smaller 26″ wheels vs. 27.5″ on the standard Charger which lowers the bike for easier loading and mounting while providing increased strength because the spokes are shorter
Cons:
- It appears that this model does not offer display options, you get the compact Bosch Purion which is not removable, does not have an active Micro-USB port, and features limited readouts (no average or max speed, no clock, no shift recommendation, no power chart, no dedicated light button… hold + to activate the lights), but this frees up the center of the handlebar for the very nice Supernova headlight
- Depending on the drive unit, drivetrain, and multi-battery selection you choose, this product can end up costing quite a bit and weighing upwards of 75lbs (34kg) which is more than most of the competing products I’ve reviewed
- It would be nice to have access to the new color Bosch Kiox display or the larger removable Intuvia by default, but some shops can help you upgrade aftermarket if you are willing to pay for the hardware and service
- In my experience with R&M products using the Bosch Performance Line Speed motor, the lights will remain on at all times once the bike is powered up, this could be annoying at times if you’re riding in a group and trying to enjoy the sunset or something similar
- I believe that you have to order the bike with two batteries at time of purchase vs. being able to upgrade with a second pack later on, the main PowerTube 500 battery mounts up into the downtube vs. down from above, and this makes it a little more tricky to deal with at times (especially since it weighs ~6.3lbs, which is more than the PowerPack 500)
- R&M ebikes are made in Germany and specced to order, so it can take between 1-3 months to receive one if you’re purchasing in North America. That’s a long time to wait, but some shops do have pre-configured bikes in store as an option if you’re in a hurry and they also offer $300 air freight shipping for faster delivery if you want
- The bike only comes in one frame size at the time of this review but they do have two frame styles, so the mid-step could be a great fit for people with shorter inseams or limited hip and knee flexibility, even the high-step seemed a little lower than usual
- To fully lower the saddle, you may not be able to use the stoker handlebar for a passenger or the Thudbuster ST suspension seat post, this is an important consideration for petite riders
- The pedals are kind of basic for a utility ebike, they don’t offer as much traction or surface area, but that might not be a big deal if you don’t ride in wet conditions or maybe you have small feet? The rubber tread won’t cut you if you slip off, but I could see larger-footed riders opting for an alloy platform pedal like these magnesium Wellgos with adjustable pins
- As quiet as the bike is with those reinforced fenders, sturdy racks, and single chainring setup, there is some whining noise produced by the motor, especially at higher RPM (this is true of most Bosch Performance Line powered ebikes)
- Because the Bosch Performance Line motors utilize a smaller sprocket and rely on a 2.5x reduction gearing system, they do introduce a touch of drag when pedaling unassisted or exceeding the maximum supported top speed, it’s not a huge deal in my experience, but it is different than the Bosch Active Line and competing Shimano, Brose, Yamaha, and Bafang products
- Worth considering, if you opt for the more approachable mid-step mixte frame, there isn’t room for a second battery pack on the downtube, so you’re left with a standard Bosch PowerTube 500
- If you add the front rack, there isn’t room for the water bottle mounts on the sides of the downtube, but thankfully Riese & Müller have added threaded bosses below the top tube for adding an aftermarket bottle cage! Consider a side-entry cage since there isn’t a lot of extra space between the top tube and optional Bosch PowerPack 500 battery there
- As much as I love the headlight for being so bright and sturdy, I do wish that it had some side windows so the light could be visible from more angles, some of the other companies have started doing this in recent years and it’s cool
Resources:
Shaggy
6 years agoCourt, could you see using this as a daily commuter? I love its looks and its cargo carrying potential, for something as mundane as grocery shopping! Also, I work at the docks and must deal with rainy cold weather for an entire 8hour shift. I carry, lunch, umbrella, rain clothes – and because it happens so often – a change of clothes due to water-logged socks and pants legs (NOT FUN and COLD for hours on end). So while my heart craves a Haibike full suspension All Mountain ebike, my needs are a bike that can carry 20 lbs of work stuff and free me from biking with a pack on my back. Any thoughts welcome…Hilarious you riding with chris – may be the first time you had both hands free to hold the camera!
ReplyCourt
6 years agoAbsolutely, this might be overkill in some ways but it brings a lot of utility, hauling cargo, grocery shopping etc. as you suggest. I could even see myself riding to lunch somewhere and having a friend hop on the back when the weather is nice :P as far as this vs. a full suspension Haibike or something, I really prefer a built-on rack to aftermarket beam racks. With the suspension fork and seat post suspension here, it feels very comfortable. You could go for something like the R&M Culture, Homage, or Delite (which have full suspension and suspended racks) but they aren’t setup for massive loads like the Multicharger here.
ReplyJohnD
6 years agoI’m curious about the more aggressive handlebar positioning on the Multicharger compared to some other R&M models. I love the speed and carrying capacity, but not sure if, for a 50-mile roundtrip commute for work, the positioning would be comfortable for the entire ride. I’m thinking primarily about pressure on lower palm, wrists and shoulders, and stiffness in the back from leaning forward. Any insights would be welcome.
ReplyCourt
6 years agoAgree, this confused me a bit… The good news is that you could easily swap for a more upright stem and swept back handlebar if you wanted. Maybe someone else will chime in with some reasoning around why R&M chose this stem.
ReplyChristian
5 years agoWould this still fit on a standard bike rack for my car? I have the Yakima Dr Tray….
ReplyCourt
5 years agoGreat question, Christian. I did some quick searching and found a quote that says “Most notably, the lightweight construction makes the Dr.Tray quite a bit less stout than its competitors. The bikes wobble a noticeable amount on the road, its 40-pound weight limit hurts its versatility for carrying heavier models (including e-bikes), and the release levers for the ratcheting arms aren’t made to last” so given the 75.9lb weight of the Multicharger… even if you removed roughly 12lbs of battery weight, could be risking it. If you decide to do it anyway, definitely put the heaviest bike closest to the hitch mount on your car vs. way out at the farthest tray. Yakima, Thule, and Küat all have heavy duty rack options that might be better suited to ebikes ;)
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