An integrated dual battery system with a 1000 Wh capacity, customisable spec, suspended seat post and a holistic security concept with GPS tracking: the Riese & Müller Supercharger2 GT Touring GX scores a lot of points with its features. But how does the € 5,848 premium trekking ebike handle day to day use?
Click here for an overview of the best hardtail trekking ebike test
100 mm (f) | 30.9 kg in size L | Manufacturer’s website
The best word to describe the Riese & Müller Supercharger2 GT Touring GX when you lay eyes on it for the first time is bulky. The reason for this is that the trekking ebike has two 500 Wh batteries integrated into the oversized down and top tube to feed the Bosch Performance Line CX motor. The fully integrated and modular dual battery system significantly influences the look and design of this trekking ebike. As you’d expect, Riese & Müller have numerous builds of the Supercharger2 available, including a belt drive version, and these can be further customised with the online configurator. The Supercharger2 also cuts a good figure for bikepacking. You want to know everything about bikepacking and bikes, gear, route planning and accommodation? Click here for our detailed Bikepacking 101.
The most affordable model starts at around € 5,460. The configurator lets you select everything from the display, tires (GX option), maximum permissible weight rating (heavy-duty package) to the GPS tracker (RX chip). There’s a one-off purchase price of € 99 for the RX chip, which you’ll need for the optional RX Connect services. These are provided for an annual fee and include GPS tracking, premium insurance and replacement in the event of a theft. For an additional € 50, the heavy-duty package offers heavier-duty handlebar, stem, saddle and pedals for a maximum permissible weight rating of 160 kg. That’s great for heavy riders for whom the standard 140 kg maximum permissible weight simply isn’t enough. Unfortunately, the off-road tires can not be combined with the heavy-duty package.
With the dual battery system, you’ll have enough juice for really long tours. On short rides, we recommend removing the additional battery from the top tube to make the bike feel much more light-footed.
With the optional RX chip for € 99.90, you can add GPS tracking. In the event of a theft, Riese & Müller will return your bike or replace it, provided you’ve purchased the appropriate insurance coverage.
Schwalbe’s Rock Razor is the best all-round tire in the test.
The Supercharger2 looks quite bulky. The reason for this are the dual 500 Wh batteries integrated into the top and down tube.
Riese & Müller Supercharger2 GT Touring GX
€ 5,848
Specifications
Motor Bosch Performance Lince CX 75 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 1000 Wh
Display Bosch Kiox
Fork SR Suntour Aion Air 100 mm
Seatpost Cane Creek Thudbuster ST
Brakes MAGURA MT4/MT5 180/180 mm
Drivetrain Shimano SLX/XT 11–46
Stem Humpert Ergotec Barracuda Evo 90 mm
Handlebar Humpert Ergotec Ergo Plus XXL 700 mm
Wheelset RODI Tryp 35 27.5"
Tires Schwalbe Rock Razor 27.5" x 2.4"
Technical Data
Size M L XL
Weight 30.9 kg
Perm. total weight 140 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 109 kg
Trailer approval yes
Kickstand mount yes
Specific Features
integrated dual battery system
cockpit integration
RX Connect
suspended seat post
Not only is the Kiox display beautifully integrated into the adjustable stem, but it also works really well. You can fine-tune the riding position to suit you.
The suspended seat post is awesome and we think it should be a standard feature on every hardtail trekking ebike.
The MAGURA MT4/MT5 brakes simply don’t provide enough stopping power with the two-finger levers and 180 mm rotors.
You can also add a front rack. Those who want navigation should choose the Bosch SmartphoneHub as the display. With the associated COBI.Bike app, your smartphone doubles as the ebike’s display, including navigation. The SmartphoneHub comes with an additional mini display to provide essential data when you haven’t got your smartphone attached. For this group test, we chose the Supercharger2 GT Touring with a chain drivetrain, Kiox display, GX tires, front rack and RX chip. That puts its price at € 5,848 with a weight of 30.9 kg.
In a brilliant move by the German luxury bike brand, the adjustable stem doesn’t just allow you to adapt the riding position but also features internal cable routing and a beautifully integrated Kiox display. It doesn’t get any cleaner. The components of the Riese & Müller Supercharger2 GT Touring GX have mostly been well selected. The only part that couldn’t convince us were the MAGURA MT4/MT5 brakes with two-finger levers and 180 mm rotors. While these are still among the better brakes in the test, their performance is lacking. A four-piston brake with one-finger levers and 200 mm rotors would be much better. Powerful and reliable brakes are good to have, especially when you take advantage of the bike’s maximum payload. Like many other bikes in the test, the Riese & Müller comes with a Shimano XT derailleur paired with an SLX cassette and shifter. Although this is the latest generation SLX shifter that allows you to shift several gears at once, its performance still isn’t on par with a complete Shimano XT drivetrain. The bike comes equipped with high-quality accessories including mudguards, a bell, lock and luggage rack, all of which perform equally well on extended rides or everyday commutes.
The Supernova MINI 2 headlight provides good illumination but it hasn’t got a high beam function and therefore can’t keep up with its big brother, the Supernova MINI 2 PRO. Unfortunately, the front brake line on our test bike was far too long, which didn’t only look sloppy, but also rattled as we rode.
Geometry and size of the Riese & Müller
Aboard the Riese & Müller Supercharger2 GT Touring GX we were immediately won over, with the bike offering plenty of comfort at the front and rear. The 100 mm travel SR Suntour Aion air fork, the suspended seat post and the Schwalbe Rock Razor tires effectively filter out small bumps and even take the edge off potholes and roots. Together with the upright riding position, which you can fine-tune via the adjustable stem, as well as the extremely stable handling, the Supercharger2 GT Touring GX excels at covering long distances. The balanced weight distribution between the two 27.5″ wheels, the tall front end and the grippy Schwalbe Rock Razor tires instil you with confidence, whether on asphalt, woodland paths or moderate off-road terrain. Cornering, the trekking eMTB is very direct and the handling always remains good-natured and intuitive. However, the 31 kg Riese & Müller isn’t the most light-footed compared to the CENTURION and Kalkhoff.
To keep the bike’s centre of gravity low and the weight distribution balanced with the second battery installed, Riese & Müller have dropped the bottom bracket significantly. It’s a double-edged sword and while it results in a good weight distribution, there’s also the danger of clipping your pedal in the corners. Riese & Müller could have gained some ground clearance by fitting shorter cranks.
| Size | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 460 mm | 490 mm | 530 mm |
| Top tube | 590 mm | 620 mm | 650 mm |
| Head tube | 150 mm | 150 mm | 150 mm |
| Head angle | 68.0° | 68.0° | 68.0° |
| Seat angle | 74.0° | 74.0° | 74.0° |
| BB Height | 280 mm | 280 mm | 280 mm |
| Chainstay | 480 mm | 480 mm | 480 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,155 mm | 1,185 mm | 1,215 mm |
| Reach | 390 mm | 420 mm | 450 mm |
| Stack | 670 mm | 670 mm | 670 mm |
Shoes ION Scrub Amp | Hip bag Thule Rail 4L
Without the additional battery in the top tube, the Riese & Müller feels much more agile, making it almost 2.5 kg lighter! On short rides or as an everyday vehicle for shopping, we recommend riding the Supercharger2 with just a single 500 Wh battery installed. The cover for the empty battery slot is available separately for a little under € 40, even letting you use it as a storage compartment. Putting 10 kg on the luggage rack doesn’t worry the Riese & Müller one bit. Like the CENTURION, the Supercharger2 is the best handling bike in the test with weight on the rack. It remains calm and composed even with heavier payloads. However, if you’re going to make use of this bike’s cargo hauling capacity or often ride in the mountains, you’ll want more powerful brakes.
Tuning tips: select Bosch SmartphoneHub optionn | shorter cranks
Conclusion
The Riese & Müller Supercharger2 GT Touring GX is an excellent all-rounder with numerous smart features, a unique dual battery system, plenty of comfort and, except for the brakes, well-specced components. For commuters, trekking enthusiasts and sunday cruisers, the intuitive and composed handling is great for beginners and experts alike. On moderate off-road terrain or with a full load, this trekking eMTB shows the rest of the test field how it’s done! Even though the Riese & Müller Supercharger2 GT Touring GX could do with a better set of brakes, it remains the best all-rounder with the best overall concept and excellent handling – the deserved Best in Test!
Tops
- composed
- comfortable
- additional features and online configurator
- versatility
Flops
- ground clearance
- underpowered brakes
For more information, visit r-m.de.
The test field
Click here for an overview of the best hardtail trekking ebike test
All bikes in test: Canyon Pathlite:ON 8.0 (Zum Test) | CENTURION Backfire Fit E R811i DualBatt EQ (Zum Test) | Kalkhoff Entice 7.B Excite (Zum Test) | Riese & Müller Supercharger2 GT Touring GX
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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer
