My Riese and Muller Charger GX Rohloff has done more than 600 miles now so time for a review.
I bought the bike direct from the importer Amps, and dealt with the managing director David Miall.
David enjoys a good reputation on the forum, and is a pleasure to deal with.
He is also properly keen to sell a bike, so a discount on the admittedly high price of the Charger sweetened the pill a little bit.
I specced mine with the twin battery, partly to obtain a discount on the second battery which I need for longer rides.
Lots going on with the bike, so may as well start with the dual battery system.
It works well, supporting single lead on-bike charging, and in use it sips power from each battery alternately,
Typically Bosch, it’s locked down, there’s no user control, but such control is not needed.
Charging on the bike means there’s no need to handle the batteries in the house, or take the key on rides.
The Bosch Performance/CX motor does its usual seamless job.
It is a bit pokier than the standard one, but also uses a bit more power.
The extra poke means lowest Eco setting takes care of moderate speed riding and most gradients - assuming you are content to ride it like a bicycle and change down for hills.
Range, as always, is heavily dependent on hills, rider input, speed, rider weight, wind, tyres, riding surface and the like.
All I would say is the generally higher power consumption of the Performance motor means I’m not getting much further with a 500wh battery than I did with a 400wh battery on my previous Bosch Classic motored bike.
That’s a slight disappointment to me, but the bike runs so well I am probably going a mph or two faster without really trying to.
The Rohloff hub - a bit more drag than a derailer - is rightly regarded as the best of its type.
Wider range and evenly spaced gears make it nicer to use than Shimano hubs.
It’s also easier to disconnect the shifting cables in the event of a puncture.
The hub has a quick release, so no need to carry a ring spanner to remove the wheel.
Which brings me onto the tyres.
The bike is supplied with lightweight Schwalbe Rock Razor knobbly tyres, which I think is an odd choice for a trekking bike.
The Super Moto X tyres I’ve fitted fit my use better, have less rolling resistance, and better puncture protection.
Changing tyres could be simpler due to the wide, tubeless ready rims.
Problem is the bead of the tyre grips the rim, so it can take some manhandling to release it - standing on the sidewall of the tyre is the best method.
In a way, tubeless ready rims with tubes - which the bike has - is the worst of both worlds.
However, the tight bead seal indicates a tubeless installation would work well.
The suspension fork on the bike is a high-end Suntour, which as the manager of my local bike shop said, is better than what would be a budget RockShox for the same money.
Comfort is another thing that is individual, but I like the Brooks Aged saddle/Thudbuster seat post combination.
I’ve done consecutive full day rides with no adverse reaction.
The bike is well fitted for touring, having a long, wide, steel rear carrier, which is set back to give good heel clearance even with large panniers.
The front carrier might be a bit butcher’s bike, but is handy to securely mount a bar bag.
Both lights are excellent, being bright, but also proper road spec which means the front throws a well defined beam pattern.
It’s also easy to adjust while riding.
Ergon cork grips with bar ends are about as comfortable as it’a possible to get on a flat bar bike.
Build quality of the frame and components is first class as you would expect, which in turn instills confidence on the road.
Everything was right when I got the bike, nothing has broken or come loose since, and nor do I expect it to.
Overall, the bike is excellent in nearly every respect.
It may be a lot of money to buy, but the enjoyment of riding it will still be there long after the price has been forgotten.
I bought the bike direct from the importer Amps, and dealt with the managing director David Miall.
David enjoys a good reputation on the forum, and is a pleasure to deal with.
He is also properly keen to sell a bike, so a discount on the admittedly high price of the Charger sweetened the pill a little bit.
I specced mine with the twin battery, partly to obtain a discount on the second battery which I need for longer rides.
Lots going on with the bike, so may as well start with the dual battery system.
It works well, supporting single lead on-bike charging, and in use it sips power from each battery alternately,
Typically Bosch, it’s locked down, there’s no user control, but such control is not needed.
Charging on the bike means there’s no need to handle the batteries in the house, or take the key on rides.
The Bosch Performance/CX motor does its usual seamless job.
It is a bit pokier than the standard one, but also uses a bit more power.
The extra poke means lowest Eco setting takes care of moderate speed riding and most gradients - assuming you are content to ride it like a bicycle and change down for hills.
Range, as always, is heavily dependent on hills, rider input, speed, rider weight, wind, tyres, riding surface and the like.
All I would say is the generally higher power consumption of the Performance motor means I’m not getting much further with a 500wh battery than I did with a 400wh battery on my previous Bosch Classic motored bike.
That’s a slight disappointment to me, but the bike runs so well I am probably going a mph or two faster without really trying to.
The Rohloff hub - a bit more drag than a derailer - is rightly regarded as the best of its type.
Wider range and evenly spaced gears make it nicer to use than Shimano hubs.
It’s also easier to disconnect the shifting cables in the event of a puncture.
The hub has a quick release, so no need to carry a ring spanner to remove the wheel.
Which brings me onto the tyres.
The bike is supplied with lightweight Schwalbe Rock Razor knobbly tyres, which I think is an odd choice for a trekking bike.
The Super Moto X tyres I’ve fitted fit my use better, have less rolling resistance, and better puncture protection.
Changing tyres could be simpler due to the wide, tubeless ready rims.
Problem is the bead of the tyre grips the rim, so it can take some manhandling to release it - standing on the sidewall of the tyre is the best method.
In a way, tubeless ready rims with tubes - which the bike has - is the worst of both worlds.
However, the tight bead seal indicates a tubeless installation would work well.
The suspension fork on the bike is a high-end Suntour, which as the manager of my local bike shop said, is better than what would be a budget RockShox for the same money.
Comfort is another thing that is individual, but I like the Brooks Aged saddle/Thudbuster seat post combination.
I’ve done consecutive full day rides with no adverse reaction.
The bike is well fitted for touring, having a long, wide, steel rear carrier, which is set back to give good heel clearance even with large panniers.
The front carrier might be a bit butcher’s bike, but is handy to securely mount a bar bag.
Both lights are excellent, being bright, but also proper road spec which means the front throws a well defined beam pattern.
It’s also easy to adjust while riding.
Ergon cork grips with bar ends are about as comfortable as it’a possible to get on a flat bar bike.
Build quality of the frame and components is first class as you would expect, which in turn instills confidence on the road.
Everything was right when I got the bike, nothing has broken or come loose since, and nor do I expect it to.
Overall, the bike is excellent in nearly every respect.
It may be a lot of money to buy, but the enjoyment of riding it will still be there long after the price has been forgotten.
