Riese & Müller Nevo NuVinci Review

Riese & Müller makes some of the cleanest, sturdiest, and most comfortable electric bikes I have reviewed to date. They’re a German company with a rich history of designing and producing traditional bicycles but recently, transitioned almost completely to e-bikes. And all of their models use the trusted and highly efficient Bosch drive system and are built to order. This means they tend to be more expensive and take longer to deliver, but the warranty, shop support, and custom engineering set them apart from competing products. So the Nevo is an efficient sturdy step-thru model that’s priced $1,200 less than its full-suspension sibling, the Homage. Both of these models are going to be easier to approach and handle, you won’t have to swing your leg up and over the rear rack (which can be a pain if you’ve got gear or a child seat loaded on it) and both can be outfitted with a 20 mph drive or high-speed 28 mph drive units. The Nevo is lighter than the Homage because it’s a hardtail, but you don’t sacrifice as much comfort as you might think because the seat post is a suspension too! It comes with three springs so you can adjust for your body weight and there’s a preload adjustment as well. Additionally, the gel saddle, steep angled stem, and ergonomic grips do a lot for body position and comfort. The ride is more upright than forward so your arms and shoulders can relax as you look around to spot traffic. Furthermore, your cargo, or child, will benefit from fatter 2″ tires and large 28″ diameter wheels which span cracks, absorb vibration, and improve stability. No, it’s not going to be as smooth as the full suspension design but it’s still pretty good. And as a safety nut myself, I love that this electric bike comes stock with quiet alloy fenders, reflective tires, name-brand hydraulic disc brakes, and high-end integrated lights. The headlight has an alloy casing and can be aimed up or down to suit your environment. The tail light is tucked beneath the rack so it won’t be blocked by trunk bags or a panniers. They really thought this thing out and it shows. Even your pants will be protected because there’s a mini chain cover in place just behind the chainring. This is important if you commute to work in slacks or a skirt, and I love that the battery pack and display are removable for charging and protection if you park at a public rack. The bike is feature rich and the features are very well thought out vs. just slapped on. Everything matches and the bike is sold in two sizes and three colors so you can make it your own. One big downside however, is a 1+ month wait time and limited dealer outlets around the US as of this review.

Driving the Nevo is one of two Bosch Performance Line mid-motor options. You can get the 75 Newton meter high torque CX option or the fast 60 Nm speed motor. While we were only able to test the CX option for this review, I am very familiar with the Speed drive and feel that it is quite powerful for climbing and satisfying to use if you tend to ride further and want to make up time. I usually average 25 mph on that motor vs. the 28 mph because it requires increasing pedal torque to really reach the top assisted speed and on a heavier ~60 lb urban bike like the Nevo, my focus tends to be on handling and spotting traffic vs. speed… and I don’t want to get to work and be all sweaty. In most cases, I probably would not get a speed motor on a wave lowstep frame like this because they tend to flex and can produce speed wobble. But R&M have resolved that issue with battery placement, a thru-axle, and stiffer frame. This is one of the few designs I know of where it feels comfortable to ride fast vs. risky. And again, the larger wheels help a lot. So once you’ve chosen a motor, you can determine whether the lighter and less expensive Shimano Deore XT 10-speed drivetrain makes sense or you want to pay more for anytime-shifting and the clean durability of a NuVinci N380. The N380 weighs several pounds more but won’t require as much maintenance. It can be shifted at standstill and produces less noise because it works with a Gates Carbon CDX belt drive. One thing I noticed during the test ride however, was that the quiet belt and CVT made the motor noise stand out. And this is something Bosch Performance Drives are known for, they produce a high pitched whine (especially at high speed). The chainring on this bike is smaller than a normal unpowered bicycle because the motor has a gearbox inside converting each crank revolution to a 2.5x chainring spin. It’s efficient, it starts and stops quickly, and it grips the chain or belt well… but it does produce some additional friction and noise (even if the motor is off), though you can still pedal the bike just like a normal bicycle even if it’s turned off and it feels natural.

Powering the motor systems, large backlit display panel, the Micro-USB accessory charger, and the integrated lights is a ~500 watt hour Bosch battery. The pack is mounted higher and further forward than the similar full suspension Homage model and that could keep it from getting kicked as easily… but it also positions weight higher and more forward which isn’t as great for handling and balance. The pack fits neatly into a mount that’s inset into the tubing and is protected at the base by a sheet of Aluminum alloy (along with the rest of the tubing). I’m guessing this metal is designed to protect the battery and frame from scratches? Whenever the battery is clicked into the frame it locks automatically and the sturdy core is provided by Abus, the same company that makes the cafe lock for the rear wheel. Both locks use the same key so you don’t need to cary two different pairs around and clutter your keychain. And the battery can be charged on or off the frame by using the same quick charger which weighs ~1.7 lbs and could be tossed into a trunk bag. Bosch makes a slightly smaller, lighter, charger that only puts out 2 Amps vs. 4 Amps and I’d consider adding that accessory for use in a commuting situation where you charge at work and then again at home. The battery pack has a button on the left side that illuminates a 5-LED charge indicator so you can get a basic idea of how full it is whether it’s on the bike or not. And this is brings up one of the minor complaints I have about the battery and display unit. Instead of using a battery percentage, they give you those same five bars which represent 20% increments. And there’s a big difference between 20% and 0% but you really can’t tell just by looking. Thankfully, the display also has a range estimator readout that is much more precise.

To use the Range menu, you turn the display on by pressing the power button at the lower left corner. It boots up very quickly and shows you speed, assist level (there are four power settings), and that battery infographic I talked about earlier. From here, you can press the i button on the right side of the display or on the remote button pad (mounted near the left grip). This cycles through trip stats like Odometer, Trip Distance, Average Speed, Max Speed, and Clock. When you get to ranges, make sure you arrow up or down through the different levels of assist and you will see that the estimate changes dynamically. It’s based in part on battery capacity, but also how you’ve been riding for the past mile. This is a handy feature and one that sets Bosch apart from others in the space. And I love how intuitive and easy it is to find and use. There’s a new smaller Bosch display called the Purion but it doesn’t offer as many readouts and can be difficult to read. It’s also not removable… but if you really want that display, some shops can help you switch over to it and that would free up the stem area for mounting a phone, GPS, or other accessory. And this is another minor complaint of mine, the bike doesn’t have a bottle cage mount anywhere. So you might need a saddle adapter or some clip on accessory if you want to have access to a drink while riding. But again, the custom rear rack can hold up to 44 lbs (probably a bit more) and there are lots of trunk bags with bottle holsters like this. I guess the main point here is that this display is easy to approach but still deep, you can change from miles to kilometers by holding reset and i to enter the settings area, and you can even replace the display with a fancy Cobi interface to use your smartphone to run the bike if you want.

I thoroughly enjoyed testing the Nevo Nuvinci from Riese & Müller. It delivers high-end performance without sacrificing approachability and comfort. For those who are looking to spend less, it brings the price down a bit from the Homage and is just as capable, especially if you ride on mostly smooth terrain. This could become a trekking or touring platform with the addition of a spare battery or two and in that case, I would definitely get the lighter Shimano drivetrain and the CX motor to improve efficiency. In 2017, Bosch introduced a software update for the CX that transforms Sport mode into an “everything” mode where torque is the primary factor in determining power output. It allows you to focus on steering and riding vs. clicking up or down for more or less assist. Coming back to some of the highlights, I love that you can get the frame in a more masculine blue or white color scheme (white would be the safest at night), that the rims have reinforcement eyelets for strength, that they went with premium Magura brakes vs. heavier and less powerful alternatives, that the headlight offers 165 Lumens and that the grips are locking Ergon vs. something cheaper and less sturdy. Sure, the pedals are kind of basic and can get slippery when damp or wet, but even the kickstand is well done. It stays out of the way and offers tool-free adjustment for length (just spin the plastic part at the bottom to unscrew and lengthen it). Big thanks to Riese & Müller for partnering with me on this review and Chris Nolte at Propel Bikes for inviting me out to do test rides back to back. It really helps to define the strengths and trade-offs for each model.

Pros:

• Uniquely positioned battery keeps weight relatively centered while freeing up the deep step-thru frame for easy mounting and stand over, the rear rack is left open for cargo and the frame feels relatively stiff (great for a child seat like the Yepp! Nexxt Maxi), I think the rigid (but angled) stem also improves stiffness while allowing for a more comfortable upright body position
• The Curana CLite-55 alloy fenders are thin but strong and quiet, the rear rack appears to be sturdier than aftermarket products even though it’s only officially rated at 44 lbs, you get a frame lock at the base of the rack for quick stops (and it uses the same key as the battery so you don’t have to deal with clutter)
• The Nevo offers a lot of utility and safety, whether you’re riding in wet or dark conditions, the reflective sidewall stripes and high-quality integrated LED lights keep you seen and help you keep an eye on upcoming terrain, there’s also a little flick bell to help you signal to others in a friendly way
• Riese & Müller is known for their thoughtful integration of suspension to improve control and comfort, the Nevo offers a suspension fork with lockout and a Satori Elegance-LT suspension seat post stock, the gel saddle, 45 degree stem, and 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
• If you opt for the NuVinci 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 nice if you have to stop abruptly or ride on hilly terrain
• In addition to standard tire fenders, the Nevo has an alloy chainring bash guard and short chain cover that will keep your pant leg or skirt from getting snagged or dirtied by the chain/belt as you ride
• I don’t know of many wave step-thru models that feel stiff enough to warrant high-speed operation, many of them have frame flex issues, but the R&M Nevo can handle it and is available with a Bosch Performance Speed motor option
• The bike is intentionally minimalist in terms of paint and styling, they wanted to highlight the main frame and color matched the fork, seat tube, and rack in black to help them blend into the motor, battery, wheelset, and tires
• I love that the bike comes in two 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
• Whether you opt for the Bosch CX motor (which peaks at 20 mph) or go for the Bosch Speed motor (which peaks at 28 mph) the response time, torque, and ride feel are excellent, 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 the Bosch Intuvia display because it’s large and easy to read, has a Micro-USB port on the right side for charging your phone or other accessories, and it can be quickly removed when parking outside for protection
• The new Bosch Powerpack 500 battery is the same dimensions of the older smaller Powerpack 400 and only weighs 0.3 lbs more, either pack could be mounted to the interface on this bike so you could get a less expensive second pack to go further and maybe put it in a trunk bag on the rack, I like how fast the Bosch charger is, offering 4 Amps vs. jut 2 Amps of output on most other chargers
• The battery is on the downtube but it’s not so low that it will get kicked as easily when mounting, this should keep it from getting loose or scratched up compared to some similar designs like the Riese & Müller Homage
• 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
• Sometimes bicycles have kickstands that are mounted too close to the pedal crank arms and they get in the way but the Nevo has a rear-mount stand that is also adjustable height
• The front wheel uses a stiff thru-axle, the head tube is tapered for strength, the wheels are large and efficient at 700c (28″) but feature fatter 2″ tires which improve traction, stability, and comfort, the bike just feels more capable than a lot of others in this category
• I don’t have an exact number here but I’m guessing that this step-thru will be able to handle more rider and cargo weight than a lot of competing bikes because of the frame design and reinforced wheelset, they have reinforcement eyelets and that thru axle in the front
• The larger diameter wheels and tires (700c / 28″) offer some gap spanning and smoother rolling feel, they are more efficient and offer momentum and stability compared to smaller wheels and tires

Cons:

• The NuVinci N380 Nfinity 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
• At 59.8 lbs, this is one of the heavier electric bikes I have tested (due in part to the 5.6 lb NuVinci CVT rear hub, the traditional 10-speed Shimano XT drivetrain would be lighter at ~2 lbs), thankfully the 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes from Magura offer great stopping power and have adjustable-reach levers for people with smaller hands
• I feel like there is plenty of space on the seat tube for bottle cage bosses, I realize a cage might get in the way of the step-thru frame design but it could also be used for a folding lock or mini pump, this is a minor grip considering the excellent rear rack which could support a trunk bag with bottle holster like this or panniers, this bag has fold out panniers so you can keep them up if you don’t need the space
• Riese & Müller bikes are built to order which means you get exactly what you want… but it also takes longer, over a month if you’re in the USA
• I personally really like the seat post suspension but it does add ~3″ of height to the saddle, so if you’re petite and are having trouble reaching the pedals, consider swapping the stock post with a rigid 34.9 mm seat post like this or using a shim adapter (since the 34.9 mm posts are rare) to convert to 30.9 mm
• The pedals aren’t as large and grippy as I prefer, the rubberized surface can get slippery in wet conditions but at least they won’t scrape your shins up if you slip off, I usually swap this sort of thing out for some Wellgo BMX platform pedals like this for $20
• I like that the low-speed Bosch CX setup allows you to use the light button on the display to turn the lights on or off (though you still cannot turn the display backlighting off), the high-speed motor setup forces lights to be on at all times for safety, I’m told that some dealers in the US can disable this auto feature if you ask
• Bosch Performance Line mid-drive 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 NuVinci CVT vs. a traditional chain and cassette

Resources:

• Official Site: https://www.r-m.de/en-us/e-bike/nevo/nevo-nuvinci-us/#17N03US_0402
• More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/6A5NbVhXK4GdmLJK6