Whether you drive them in city traffic or off-road, SUVs have never been a practical option — and still they’ve become increasingly popular over the years. Somehow the Riese & Müller New Charger Mountain is the SUV of ebikes. Built on the base of a tame trekking ebike, the New Charger’s “Mountain” suffix suggests this version is fit for light off-road excursions. But does the unusual concept really work?

“For the daily commute. For the weekend. For the eyes.” This is how Riese & Müller introduces their New Charger — a slogan that gets right to the point. It’s both a commuting bike for everyday use and a companion for big cycling tours on the weekend. Additionally, its simple design really knows how to please. Most New Charger models come with mudguards, a rack, and trekking tires. With its MTB tires and the minimal equipment, the New Charger Mountain is a little sportier than the other versions but still remains true to its roots.

Riese & Müller New Charger Mountain | 25.96 kg | € 5,199

Spec

Although the spec of the Riese & Müller New Charger Mountain is high-quality, we wouldn’t exactly describe it as spectacular. As usual, a Bosch Performance CX motor delivers its power and a mix of Shimano XT and SLX lets you shift through the gears. Shimano XT brakes with two-finger levers and 180 mm rotors take care of the braking, while the SR SUNTOUR Aion suspension fork makes for a very comfortable front end. However, it’s mainly the chunky 2.8″ wide Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires that award the Mountain model its off-road credentials.

Fork SR Suntour Aion 35 120 mm
Drivetrain Shimano SLX/XT
Brakes Shimano XT
Seatpost SATORI TRIDENT
Handlebar FSA Afterburner
Stem FSA Afterburner
Motor Bosch Performance CX
Battery Bosch PowerTube 500 Wh + PowerPack 500 Wh
Tires Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8″
Hubs Novatec
Rims Alex MD40
Weight 25.96 kg
Price € 5,199

In true SUV style, the Riese & Müller New Charger Mountain can be upgraded with a few extra bits. The entry model is available from € 4,299 and in three colour options and sizes. Our test bike comes with a second battery which expands the total capacity to a whopping 1,000 Wh. The external Bosch battery is attached to the downtube and costs € 900. We decided to give the € 300 Bosch Nyon display a miss, so the final price of our test bike adds up to € 5,199. For everyday use we recommend the optional rack with the stylish, integrated ABUS BORDO Plus lock. This option will set you back an extra € 200.

Two is better than one
The downtube has a fully integrated Bosch PowerTube battery. An additional Bosch PowerPack can be placed on the downtube to double the capacity.
Grippy
On hard surfaces the Schwalbe Nobby Nics aren’t necessarily the best choice, but on the sort of terrain you would typically ride with the New Charger Mountain they offer good amounts of grip
High
In combination with the compact frame, the high front end of the Riese & Müller makes for a very comfortable riding position
Enlightenment
Supernova’s integrated lighting system draws its power from the bike’s main battery and provides very good illumination at night

Geometry

Size 46 49 53
Top tube 580 mm 610 mm 640 mm
Seat angle 73,5° 73,5° 73,5°
Head angle 68,5° 68,5° 68,5°
Chainstays 474 mm 474 mm 474 mm
Wheelbase 1130 mm 1160 mm 1190 mm
Reach 380 mm 410 mm 440 mm
Stack 675 mm 675 mm 675 mm

The Riese & Müller New Charger Mountain in practice

The high front end and the short reach of the New Charger Mountain make for an upright riding position which — in combination with the chunky tires and the suspension fork — allows for a very comfortable ride. On tarmac, the knobby tires are a little louder and heavier than conventional trekking tires, but once you ride on gravel paths you’ll notice the safe handling and a significant increase in traction. On downhills, the powerful brakes and wide tires offer plenty of control even if you’re an inexperienced rider. The SR SUNTOUR suspension fork with 120 mm of travel allows you to take the New Charger Mountain even on light trail outings. However, if you’re planning on riding off-road on a regular basis you should look at different options.

  Chunky tires and 120 mm travel – the New Charger Mountain has no rivals in town!

The New Charger comes with a fully integrated Bosch PowerTube battery as standard, and we decided to add the second optional battery onto our test bike. This sits far down the downtube and allows for a pleasantly low centre of gravity. The dual battery system delivers an incredible 1,000 Wh, which is more than enough for long rides and significantly expands the application range of the bike. Not only is the secondary battery a great feature for long tours, but it also gives you an extended autonomy in your everyday commuter life. This means you won’t have to charge the battery all the time.

The New Charger sports a very simple yet captivating design, and only a few frame details like the internal routing ports and the motor integration could have been solved with a little more love to detail. The bike features a Supernova LED lighting system consisting of an E3 headlight and an E3 Tail Light 2 rear light. The lighting system can be conveniently switched on and off directly from the Bosch display and draws its power from the main battery. There are definitely brighter lights on the market, but the Supernova combo gives you plenty of light to safely ride your Riese & Müller in the city and on forest paths.

  Endless range – with the 1,000 Wh battery, your tour planning has no limitations!

The question is, what type of riders is the New Charger Mountain aimed at? As with most SUVs, the New Charger Mountain is not exactly the ideal option for city traffic or off-road excursions. However, it has a strong appeal. The chunky tires make it way more versatile than the trekking versions in its range, but the lack of mudguards makes it less suitable for everyday use in all weather conditions. If you’re planning on cycling to work in your suit on a daily basis, the normal version of the New Charger is a better option for you. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a stylish bike that can take you off-road from time to time, you’ll love New Charger Mountain.

Conclusions

The Riese & Müller New Charger Mountain doesn’t want to be labelled, and that’s a good thing. The concept combines comfort, design, and versatility in its own unique way. The second battery makes the New Charger a carefree endurance runner that allows you to (almost) forget about the range.


Strengths

  • Comfortable riding position
  • Wide range
  • Easy handling

Weaknesses

  • Limited off-road credentials
  • Frame details look cheap

For more info head to: r-m.de


This article is from E-MOUNTAINBIKE issue #013

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Words: Photos: Robin Schmitt