The Riese & Müller Homage GT is the only full-suspension step-through bike currently on the market. You can even customise the build to include a dual-battery option. Alongside the bombproof build quality, the optional security package with GPS tracking and insurance cover should give you ultimate peace of mind – the Riese & Müller Homage is unique in many ways.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best off-road step-through bike of 2020 – 10 models tested head to head

Riese & Müller Homage GT rohloff | Bosch Performance Line CX /500 Wh | 100/100 mm (f/r)
29.7 kg (Size M) | € 6,499 | Manufacturer’s website

The looks of the Homage immediately make it stand out from the crowd. The oversized down tube and the strut extending from the down tube to the rear rack make it look burly and extravagant. The brilliant result of the unique design is that the rack forms part of the bike’s sprung mass, protecting your cargo from impacts and significantly improving the ride quality. Due to the suspension integrated above the motor, the step-through section is higher than the other bikes on test but remains reasonably low – unfortunately you can’t have it all. Riese & Müller have fitted a rubber frame protector on the down tube where you step through but unluckily, it started peeling away from the frame during our test. The Homage GT still features the old Bosch Performance Line CX motor, which is almost twice as large and about 1 kg heavier than its successor. It’s now quite dated and can’t keep up with the new model’s performance either.

The € 6,499 price is hefty, making the cheap looking protruding rubber battery cover on the top of the down tube feel out of place. The at the cockpit looks a little messy and the spiral band does little to remedy this. The Homage has no bottle cage bosses which is especially a shame as Riese & Müller’s other bikes have bottle cage bosses on the side of the head tube, which would have been a great solution here too.

Unique
The appearance of the additional strut is polarising but the benefits are undisputable. The rear rack is part of the sprung mass, which improves handling when you’re hauling cargo – smart!
Side stand
The stand is attached to the bike’s unsprung mass, creating more noise than necessary and unfolding of its own accord with big impacts. This isn’t only annoying, it can get really dangerous.
Almost 30 kg
The MAGURA MT4 brakes are one of the worst-performing in the test and are fitted to the second heaviest bike! This robs you of confidence, especially when you’re hauling cargo.
Security update?
With the optional RX chip, available for €99.90, your bike features GPS tracking. In the event of a theft, Riese & Müller will return your bike or replace it, provided you’ve purchased the appropriate insurance option.

Riese & Müller Homage GT rohloff

€ 6,499

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line CX 75 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 500 Wh
Display Bosch Kiox
Fork SR Suntour Aion 100 mm
Rear Shock X-Fusion O2 100 mm
Seatpost Satori Trident - mm
Brakes Magura MT4 180/180 (v/h) mm
Drivetrain Rohloff E14 526 % Bandbreite
Stem Humpert ergotec Barracuda 90 mm
Handlebar Humpert ergotec ErgoXXL 680 mm
Wheelset 27.5
Tires Schwalbe Rock Razor 2.35

Technical Data

Size S, M, L
Weight 29.7 kg
Perm. total weight 140 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 110 kg
Trailer approval yes
Kickstand mount yes

Specific Features

full suspension
dual battery option
optional RX Connect and ABS
hub gears


Compromise
Due to the 100 mm travel rear suspension and the additional strut, the step-through section is much higher. You’ll have to accept this compromise if you want the most comfortable ride.
Black gold
Schwalbe’s Rock Razor is the best all-round tire in the test.
Cable clutter
The cable connectors around the cockpit are unnecessary and look untidy.
Elegant
The Kiox display is nicely integrated and there’s a USB charging port located nearby for all your electronic devices.
Frame protector on the down tube
There is a rubber frame protector on the down tube. Unfortunately, it started coming off during our tests.

Options for the online configurator include the HS version (45 km/h S-pedelec), a dual-battery system, ABS braking, a derailleur or belt drive and the RX Connect security package made up of an RX tracking chip, digital services and insurance. We tested the Homage with the electronic Rohloff E14 drivetrain and a Gates carbon belt. Besides being able to shift when stationary, the Rohloff drivetrain offers you a 526 % gear range, is nicely integrated and the belt drive keeps your trousers clean.

Helmet Fox Flux

The Homage is a monster truck, offering the most comfortable ride of all the step-through bikes on test.

However, the relatively slow shifting interrupts power transfer, which makes the motor cut out. Because of this, you quickly lose momentum on steep climbs and annoyingly, often have to shift down even further. The shifting also feels rough and loud and there is no haptic feedback from the shifter. The ability to shift several gears at once is great but doing so takes even more time. For better shifting performance we’d actually recommend the more affordable touring version with a Shimano SLX derailleur, even if it means having to do without the belt drive.

Schwalbe’s Rock Razor is the best all-round tire in the test. It offers good grip on varying terrain, rolls fast and remains in control even in loose corners. With this tire fitted, you could get a lot more out of some of the bikes in this group test. The Riese & Müller Homage’s everyday practicality is all-encompassing and the Supernova M99 Mini Pro-25 headlight is the best in the field. With the bike weighing 29.7 kg, you’ll have to be careful not to put your back out trying to lift it and that’s excluding the weight of the integrated lock.

With its tall front end and flared handlebar, the riding position is relaxed and comfortable. Indeed, in terms of traction and comfort, the Homage is on a different level to the rest of the step-through bikes in this test. The rear suspension is deliberately digressive, using a lot of travel on hard impacts. This results in a very comfortable ride while generating a lot of traction at the rear without suffering from pedal bob. However, the bike makes a lot of noise on moderate terrain and cobblestones. The battery rattles and the side stand unfolds itself on big impacts, which can get dangerous. If the side stand were attached to the suspended part of the frame rather it wouldn’t rattle as much and would probably stay folded in more of the time. The bike’s long rear end is reflected in its handling. The Riese & Müller steadfastly holds its line and isn’t easily upset, riding like a monster truck in moderate terrain. Cornering, the bike feels like you’re riding a chopper and it prefers staying upright, making it difficult to lean the bike into a turn. While it’s a blessing on long rides, the Homage’s lack of agility is a curse in winding alleyways.

Together with the BULLS and Centurion, the Homage is one of the stiffest bikes on test despite having rear suspension. It’s handling is only slightly affected if you load up the rack and the rack forms part of the eMTB’s sprung mass, making it the perfect pack-mule for long rides. With a 95 kg rider and 11 kg load on the rack, we came close to the maximum payload of 110 kg. That means the Homage won’t be officially rated for very heavy riders, especially with the dual battery installed. Speaking of weight, the underpowered MAGURA MT4 brakes and 180 mm rotors rob you of confidence as they don’t offer enough stopping power with the bike fully loaded.

Tuning tips: side stand with a stiffer spring

Conclusion

The concept of the Riese & Müller Homage is unique, with lots of optional extras and the most comfortable ride on test. The bike’s everyday practicality is top-notch and there’s not much to fault regarding the spec except for the brakes. For off-road commuters and touring enthusiasts who prefer composed handling, the Homage is a good option, not least because it is one of the best handling bikes in the test while loaded. When things get tight and winding, this full-suspension step-through eMTB takes a lot of effort to manoeuvre. If you’re looking for a lively, active bike, this isn’t it – the Riese & Müller is a monster truck!

Tops

  • comfortable
  • good lights
  • composed
  • great handling with a loaded rack
  • excellent optional extras such as GPS tracking

Flops

  • underpowered brakes
  • slow and heavy
  • no bottle cage bosses
  • side stand unfolds itself

For more info head to: r-m.de

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best off-road step-through bike of 2020 – 10 models tested head to head

All bikes in test: BULLS E-STREAM EVO 1 WAVE 27,5+(Click for review) | CENTURION E-Fire Country F3500 (Click for review) | Corratec Life CX 6X Connect (Click for review) | FANTIC ISSIMO FUN (Click for review) | HNF-NICOLAI UD 3 (Click for review) | INFRONT IF-4 Wave (Click for review) | Kalkhoff Entice 5.B Excite (Click for review) | KETTLER QUADRIGA TOWN & COUNTRY COMP (Click for review) | Moustache Samedi 27 Off 2 Open (Click for review) | Riese & Müller Homage GT


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Words: Photos: Robin Schmitt, Jonas Müssig, Philipp Schwab