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.
Riese & Müller have a long and interesting history designing bicycles. It all began with a non-electric, full suspension, folding bike called the Birdy. The refinement of this model led to a philosophy of “control technology” aiming to keep wheels on the ground, providing traction. Even though the Nevo line is only specced with front suspension, the SR Suntour Air fork they chose offers plenty of adjustability (sag, compression, rebound), and the addition of a suspension seat post, locking ergonomic grips, and wider rims and tires offers a lot of comfort and stability. Most of the step-thru or wave style electric bikes that I have tested and reviewed over the years suffer from frame flex. This performance trade off results from a compromise in achieving lower standover height and is often exacerbated by rear-mounted hub motors and battery boxes. With the Nevo, Homage, and Culture models from R&M, battery and motor systems are positioned low and center on the frame, to maximize balance and control. These bikes cost more, and tend to weigh more, but handle beautifully. With either a Bosch Performance Line CX or Speed motor, you’re given plenty of power to overcome the additional weight, and a new option for dual-battery significantly increases range… but raises the price even further and is required at time of purchase. You cannot upgrade at a later time. The exact trim level that is shown in the video review and photos above, is the GX Rohloff which stands for Grand Crossover (fatter, knobby tires for cross country riding), and Rohloff E-14 electronically shifted internally geared fourteen speed hub. Priced at just over $7k with the single battery option, this ebike would provide comfort, reliability, and durability for regular commuting and a bit of trail riding. The Schwalbe tires can be run tubeless and incorporate puncture protection. Extra-wide plastic fenders are attached securely and don’t rattle. The Gates Carbon Drive CDX is quieter and more durable than a traditional chain. And, the Magura hydraulic disc brakes offer consistent stopping power; more than enough for the standard Class 1 20mph (or 25km/h) top speed on offer. As with most of the products from Riese & Müller, this ebike comes in multiple frame sizes, colors, and configurations. You could get a lightweight cassette and derailleur, a continuously variable transmission from Enviolo (powered by NuVinci) or the Rohloff. A couple of the things that stood out to me with this particular bike were the quick release systems on both wheels, the under-tube battery mount (vs. top of the tube, like the Homage), the touring style grips with bar ends (to reduce fatigue on long rides), the custom matching racks (though the front tips as you steer), and the ebike specific stem that creates an upright body position.
Riese & Müller have chosen to work exclusively with Bosch for their battery and drive systems, at the time of this review. For the Nevo line, you can choose from a high torque Performance Line CX motor (offering up to 75 newton meters of torque) or the high speed 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 performance when commuting longer distances because it allows me to keep up with city traffic, but it will drain the battery faster. I think, because of the weight and size of this electric bicycle, the speed motor doesn’t feel as unnerving as some competing models that skip out on thru-axles, high volume tires, and upgraded drivetrains. I often comment on frame flex, or complain about the jittery feel and noise produced by cheap accessories, but none of that was an issue here. Hopefully you can see for yourself in the video review above when I go off-road, during the ride tests. 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. I spent a lot of time in Eco and Tour… and even did some pedaling in Off just to see how heavy the bike felt. With the super wide 526-degree gear ratio (greater than SRAM Eagle), it actually felt great to pedal unassisted. I didn’t gather much speed on my own, especially with the knobby tires adding resistance, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the ~63lb weight either. 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 (22 tooth in this case) that rotates 2.5x for each crank revolution, it’s a 55 tooth equivalent. My guess is that Bosch designed their motor this way to provide a mechanical advantage and reduce delay time in 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 is that you’re getting reliability and performance, but a bit more weight. And, the visual appearance of the Performance Line motors on the Nevo, and many R&M models, is less refined that 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 a belt drive… but perhaps we will see refinements over time. I do want to point out the little alloy chainring guard and plastic chain cover, which protects pants and dress ends from the belt or chain. The motor can reach 120 RPM, so you you can downshift and spin when approaching and ascending hills without losing support. Shifting with the electric Rohloff E-14 was fast and never introduced mashing because of a special shift detection signal coming from the Bosch motor controller. It’s really quiet neat, and the motor can downshift itself automatically when the bike is stopped, making it easier to start again.
Powering the motor, integrated lights, backlit display panel, and any accessories you plug into the Micro-USB port on the side of the display, 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. It’s a slightly different design than the full suspension Homage model from R&M. It’s a neat design choice, because it keeps standover height low and positions weight exactly where you’d want it for optimal balance and handling. Unlike the Homage, you can remove either battery independently, you don’t have to take the PowerPack off first. You can charge either pack off of the bike frame, or plug into one location (on the left side of the PowerPack mount) to fill both packs simultaneously while mounted to the bike. In terms of use, I love how the Bosch controller draws from both battery packs evenly as you ride, so one battery isn’t being cycled over and over, being worn down over time, while the other sits unused. Charging however, is a different story… they charge in series with one filling and then the other filling after. 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 faster 4 amp Bosch charger, yet it’s relatively compact and lightweight compared to others on the market. Given the heavier weight of the Nevo’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, so it won’t just flop out. It’s worth highlighting that both batteries and the ABUS frame 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. The interface for this battery can be adjusted if it’s too tight or starting to rattle loose, so check with your shop and keep an eye on it.
Operating this bike is very intuitive. Once the battery or batteries are charged and connected to the frame, you simply press the power button on the Bosch Intuvia display panel, and it quickly loads some menus. The main dashboard shows bike speed, battery level (a five bar indicator), chosen level of assist (four levels) and a power meter to the right. As you pedal the bike, if you’re in any of the assist levels, a set of arrows may appear just above the speed readout, and those are designed to help you determine when to shift gears to maximize motor efficiency. Just below the speed readout are trip stats including max speed, average speed, clock, trip distance, clock, dynamic range estimate (that changes as you select different assist levels), and gear level (if you get the Rohloff E-14). You can cycle through these menus using the i button on the display and also on the button pad mounted near the left grip. You really only need that i button and the up/down arrows on the control pad to use the bike once it’s switched on, and they produce a satisfying tactile click that helps you understand what’s happening, even if you can’t look down while riding. You shift gears with the Rohloff using a secondary button pad, mounted near the right grip. As you click the up and down arrows, the motor briefly shuts off and a little servo motor changes gears inside the internally geared hub. Also, the display panel briefly shows you current gear level. If you come to a complete stop, the E-14 is capable of downshifting to a selected gear level to help you start again. This gear choice can be adjusted by holding the Reset and i buttons on the Intuvia display unit, to get into the settings menu. This is also where you adjust units from metric to imperial, adjust wheel size, and get software version information. I already mentioned the integrated Mini-USB port, great for maintaining smartphones for GPS or music on the go, and I want to call out the always-on white backlighting of the Intuvia LCD. It’s convenient in the dark, but can sometimes feel a bit bright and distracting. This is something that can be adjusted on the fancier Nyon and dynamically changed on the new Kiox, but the Intuvia has a set brightness. Unfortunately, for the time being, it appears that the new color Kiox display unit is not available for the Nevo models in North America.
There’s so much to say about this electric bike and the company that produces it, Riese & Müller. It’s a bike platform that offers choice in sizing, speed, and drivetrain but always maintains a level of comfort and utility. It’s a way to save some money over the similarly styled full suspension Homage if you’re okay with a seat post suspension. I could see myself doing multi-day rides and adventures with mixed terrain on the GX Rohloff specifically, because of the knobby tires and upgraded componentry. As someone who has occasionally struggled to mount and stand over high ebike frames before, I really appreciate the lower step-thru design of the Nevo… especially if the rear rack was loaded up with gear or maybe a child seat. I want to compliment the rubberized battery shield and tough-paint on top of the downtube, both designed to keep the shiny colored paint looking great. I do wish that the frame had bottle cage bosses on the seat tube because it seems like there is plenty of space there. I also feel that a nicer pedal could have been selected, for increased traction and toughness vs. the cage… but the cage tends to weigh less and this is a really inexpensive part to upgrade. The secondary battery is going to be a little bit exposed at the step-thru area of the frame and could get kicked and potentially dirtied or scraped over time… but the black plastic casing is very durable and the pack is easily replaced because Bosch has been manufacturing and selling versions of it for over five years now. When you get an electric bicycle with Bosch equipment, you’re getting a two year comprehensive warranty and the sense that there will be replacement parts and even upgrades for many years to come. We were able to test with the Homage that the bikes can be operated with just one pack present (PowerTube or PowerPack) if you opt for the dual-battery configuration. This is relevant for people who might want to ship the product across the country or world but leave their high capacity batteries at home (lithium-ion batteries are difficult or even prohibited to ship). I welcome feedback and questions in the comments below and welcome you to explore the Bosch forums and Riese & Müller forums. I’ll be covering more of the 2019 models in the coming weeks and months :)
Pros:
- I noticed that there are two different types of paint, one for the majority of the frame (that is colored) adn then another along the top of the downtube with texture mixed in, it’s black and extra tough so you won’t mar up the nice shiny paint if you step on the downtube when mounting… very few other ebike companies use two different paint colors and textures like this
- The E-14 electronically shifted internally geared hub can shift in three-steps and includes a shift detection integration with Bosch so it’s reliable, quick, and closer to a derailleur feel than most other IGH systems I have tested
- Ergon GP3 grips offer two primary hand positions with the bar ends, this allows you to rest your forearms and wrists when riding over longer distances… they tend to be popular for touring and adventure trekking
- The Nevo can be specced with smaller 26″ wheels in some models, can come with a traditional cassette and derailleur, or the Rohloff E-14 internally geared hub or Enviolo NuVinci continuously variable transmission
- Wider rims with reinforcement eyelets help to keep your wheels true and support more weight, which is great for an adventure bike like this with multiple racks and a heavier build
- Bosch designed their PowerTube batteries to have a two-step removal process with a little button, so they won’t just fall out when mounted from below like this, I like the shield and rubberized protector that R&M chose for their battery here
- The air suspension fork, Thudbuster ST suspension seat post, and larger tires work together to create a near full suspension feel, if you use this product for light off-road and adventure trekking it can handle varied terrain… especially with the knobby tires
- Multiple drivetrain options for this electric bike allow you to target sturdiness and simplicity or high performance, the electronically shifted Rohloff E-14 integrates with Bosch shift detection and feels crisp and fast but weighs and costs more
- Lots of utility here, front and rear racks, full length fenders, and integrated lights allow you to ride almost anywhere in any type of weather or lighting condition
- For those who plan on riding this electric bike in urban environments, the ABUS frame lock is handy for quick stops… I love that they matched the battery key to the lock, so you don’t end up with clutter
- Safety is a big deal, especially at higher speed, so it’s nice to see reflective tires with puncture resistance on some of the models, the one we reviewed has knobby tires without reflective stripes but the suspension fork has them stuck onto the front and the rear light incorporates a large reflective surface… I like that the bike comes in four color choices including a brighter white
- The SR Suntour suspension fork is unbranded, which looks nice, and uses air which brings more adjustability (sag settings for different weight riders) and this type of suspension tends to weigh less, the fork has lockout and rebound settings for optimal performance in different settings
- It appears that the Nevo currently does not offer the Bosch Kiox display, but I really love the Intuvia because it has a Micro-USB charging port, is removable, and can be swiveled to reduce glare
- Motor and battery weight are kept low and center on the frame for improved stability and handling while riding, I didn’t feel any frame flex here (even while riding up and down stairs), the wider rims and larger 2.35″ tires help with stability
- The 1x drivetrain reduces the possibility of drops, keeps belt or chain more tucked in so your pants or dress won’t rub, and tends to be very reliable
- The rear rack is child seat compatible so you won’t need additional accessories or adapters in most cases, the official max weight is ~44 lbs which seemed a bit low to me, perhaps that’s just them staying on the safe side? Most aftermarket racks are rated up to 55 lbs
- 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… if you opt for the speed motor, the brake levers include switches that activate the rear light
- 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
- It was amazing to ride this bike down stairs without hearing the fenders or anything else rattle, the fenders are held in place with multiple support arms in addition to the direct frame mounting points on the rear rack
- Most of the wires, brake lines, and shifter cables are internally routed through the frame for protection and improved aesthetics, since the downtube is hollow and accessible via the PowerTube battery bay, I suspect that these wires will be easier to access and work on for shops
- Riese & Müller have this philosophy called “Control Technology” which is referring to the suspension and frame stiffness that can handle higher speeds and give you better handling ability, the wheels are designed to stay in contact with the ground consistently vs. bouncing around and losing traction
- Given the high capacity ~500 watt hour single battery pack or nearly 1kwh double configuration, it’s great that the Bosch charger is faster than most at 4 Amps vs. just 2 Amps, you won’t have to wait as long between rides… note that if you purchase the dual-battery setup, you can ride with either the PowerTube or PowerPack, you don’t need to have both installed (which is neat if you travel with the bike and just want to borrow or rent a pack on site
- 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, both button pad produce a tactile click and has an intuitive surface, it works consistently and reliably in my experience
- If you decide to purchase the Rohloff E-14 electronically shifted internally geared hub, the system automatically downshifts when you stop the bike and you can choose which gear it goes to (I chose 4), to help make it easy to start again from standstill… it’s super tough, clean, and offers a wide range of pedal options
- 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
Cons:
- Despite having plenty of room on the seat tube, even with the dual-battery configuration, Riese & Müller did not include bottle cage bosses so you’ll need to stow accessories and fluids in some other way, consider the SKS Anywhere adapter
- Compared to the new Kiox display panel, the Intuvia has a less precise battery readout, is not color, and is not compatible with any Bluetooth accessories or apps
- As neat as the front rack looks, it isn’t frame mounted and may impact steering or dump cargo when you turn and park the bike, I do love how they mounted the headlight below the rack however, to keep the beam clear and have it point where you steer the bike
- R&M products tend to be more expensive because they are assembled in Germany and built to order… in its most basic form, the Riese & Müller Nevo GT Touring (non-high speed) is priced at $4,989. The most expensive version, with the Rohloff electronically shifted E-14 and high speed Bosch motor is priced at $7,579. The model we looked at in this review retails for $7,099 USD
- Weighing in at roughly 62.5lbs (28.3kg) for the medium size frame, this ebike is on the heavier side because of its reinforced tubing, front and rear racks, suspension seat post, larger tires, and full length fenders… it would weigh an additional 5.7lbs if you opted for the second battery pack
- If you opt for the Speed motor, the lights will remain on at all times once the bike is powered up. Given that there is a dedicated light button on the display panel, I sort of wish that you could manually override them (I believe shops can help you do this if requested, the button does work on the non-speed version shown in this review)
- Overall, I like how the dual battery configuration is setup because it offers a low standover height and positions weight at the center of the bike, but 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
- 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 default specced bikes in store either as demo models or instant-buy options
- Minor consideration, I really don’t love the Selle Royal saddle that is specced with this bike… it feels a bit too wide for me personally
- To fully lower the saddle, you may have to swap out the suspension seat post for a rigid one, the Thudbuster ST adds a few inches and will raise the minimum saddle height
- The pedals are pretty basic, they don’t offer a ton of surface area, the metal tread offers good traction but can get bent easily if the bike tips over, I could see larger-footed riders opting for a larger platform pedal like these magnesium Wellgos with adjustable pins
- As quiet as the bike is with those reinforced fenders, welded-on frame-built rack, and single sprocket setup, there is some whining noise produced by the motor, especially at higher RPM (this is true of most Bosch Performance Line powered ebikes… whether you opt for the CX or Speed motor)
- If you plan on hanging this bike from a car or bus rack, you may need to purchase a crossbar adapter and definitely tighten the seat post clamp and take the battery or batteries off to reduce weight, I usually opt for a platform rack instead because you don’t have to lift the bike as high and some even have ramps to make loading easier
- 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
Resources:
Dennis
6 years agoGreat review of what looks to be a exciting update of the Nevo. My personal interest is I’ve ordered the Nevo GX from Propel in what has always been an enjoyable experience in the past. The only issue I have is the Kiox display is not offered in conjunction with the Rohloff.
ReplyCourt
6 years agoHi Dennis! Yeah, I noticed that they weren’t selling the Kiox on all R&M models this year and wondered if the limitation was around Rohloff E-14 integration. I still love the Intuvia however and feel that the new Nevo is an awesome ebike choice :)
ReplyJoe Green
6 years agoFYI the 2019 Homage does offer the Kiox with the Rohloff E-14 intergrated.
Mike
6 years agoFor $7,000 this ebike should have no ‘cons’, be at least class 3, with gold plated spokes, and a 2,000 watt motor! lol. Seriously – how can this ebike be worth that kind of money?
ReplyCourt
6 years agoHi Mike! I think I feel where you’re coming from. The value in a product is based in part on what customers are willing to pay… and R&M have a great reputation for quality and reliability. For a bit more, you can get a speed motor, and a lot of the parts used here are pretty top-end. A long time ago I covered a custom designed ebike that was priced at $50k or something but was considered art. There is always some trade-off to make when purchasing, I have never reviewed an ebike here without cons ;)
ReplyJames B
6 years agoHi. Nice review! Entertaining as well as informative. My current ride is a normally-aspirated touring/trekking bicycle with a belt-driven Rohloff. It’s a fine combination and I won’t buy another bicycle that doesn’t have it. I find it interesting that you had your bike programmed to start out in gear 4. I always start off in gear 9 or 10. Anything lower and I have to start off pedaling too fast. My front sprocket has 55 teeth and the Rohloff pinion has 22 teeth. I spend most of my rides in the higher gears (10-14). I’ve ordered a 2019 Homage with the Rohloff–I might see it in February. It will be interesting to see what the gear selection will be on the new bicycle compared with my current bicycle. During your video review, you didn’t talk about what gears you used on the flat, level bike path. With the limitation of 20mph on the CX motor, would you even be able to use the much-higher gears while riding on level ground?
ReplyCourt
6 years agoGreat question James, I think that the Rohloff provides more than enough gear range for the non-speed version of the Nevo. It’s probably most useful on the HS (which goes up to 28mph). I suppose that you still get the durability, clean drivetrain, and shift at standstill regardless… so it’s a nice choice. I wonder if the chainring size is slightly different on the HS to help maximize those higher speed rides? Anyway, I’m glad that you enjoyed the review and appreciate your feedback.
ReplyDJ Randolph
6 years agoCourt,
What else is important about these reviews, as I’m a car guy as well as a bike guy, is that the high-end items always filter down to the stuff that we can all afford. So there has to be a “supercar” or “superbike” in order for us all to have anti-lock brakes, run-flat tires, longer running batteries, etc.
Keep it up!
ReplyDJ
Court
6 years agoI agree, thanks for the encouragement, DJ! It’s neat to see these premium models occasionally, to see where the space is moving and also just appreciate the quality and attention to detail :)
ReplyJames B
6 years agoCan you tell me how the E-14 shifter interacts with the computer (Intuvia/Kiox)? Are the two directly wired together? The reason I ask is that if they communicate closely with each other then that opens the door to totally-automatic shifting as a future software option. You won’t need to manually shift because the computer will do it for you based on torque sensing and incline.
ReplyCourt
6 years agoHi James, this post and video might fill in some of the details for you https://electricbikereview.website/forums/threads/rohloff-e-14-electronic-internally-geared-hub-overview.25532/ Bosch does have E-Shift which allows their drive system to communicate with Rohloff E-14 and it does listen for shift detection, actually easing off when gears are being changed. I cannot say whether there will be any software update for automatic shifting, like we see for the Enviolo, but I’ve also done a post and video for that product as well https://electricbikereview.website/forums/threads/enviolo-nuvinci-cvp-hub-overview.25650/
Reply