The spec for this can be viewed at https://www.r-m.de/en-gb/bikes/homage/ although that's the 2021 (by now 2022?) version, mine is 2020.
I got my bike from 'Bicycles by design' in Telford (OK, really in Coalport), since they had a demonstrator in stock, were willing to sell me it, and to sell my Tern folder for me by way of a PX deal. It's going back for it's first annual (free) service shortly so watch this space.
The one I got (which was not exactly the one I wanted) has the the Vario gearing, and came with Bosch ABS, which I would never have specified, but which actually works very well. OK 'something else to potentially go wrong', but you could say that as soon as you add a motor. You can't lock the front wheel - not possible, even on gravel (of which we have lots).
Additions- new pedals (those supplied appeared polished and greased, as far as keeping my feet on them), a mirror (don't leave home without one), a carrier/pannier set (the rack is already there) a bell (apparently not standard issue in Germany) and a saddle swap to a sprung Brooks B67, although the standard isn't bad. Also Tannus inserts for both wheels .. taking the rear off is going to be "no fun".
Major pluses for your near £5k (OK, it's German, it's over-over engineered) - it comes with a folding ABUS lock, same key as the battery, it has brake lights, and pretty effective headlights, full suspension, step thru frame, hydraulic disc brakes, and a Bosch CX motor which delivers rather more torque than the model used on my Tern folder. The vario gears work pretty well, once you get used to them, allowing gear changes both stationary and (with slightly more wrist action required) under power. Oh yes, it has a belt drive, sort of large plus as far as I am concerned (but probably EXTRA no fun taking the rear wheel off).
What warts has it got .. well the kickstand rattles over bumps, a well know issue, with a 'screw a rubber bumpstop in' fix out out the web. It is ludicrously heavy (30 Kg). The CX motor sounds like a coffee grinder under extreme use (and is not exactly silent anyway), and mine came set up for 'eMTB' mode instead of sport, which gives (unpredictable) torque related boost levels. Hopefully first service will fix it. The (standard) mudguards are both too short, resulting in mud striped up the motor and your back, so a rubber addition was bodged up and screwed on to both - works fine now.
Range is between 50 and 60km on a full charge (sorry, I've gone metric) which always includes at least 1000 ft (see, not entirely!) of up and down, since I live on a hill. The larger wheels (compared to the Tern) give a much nicer ride especially over potholes, but the standard (road) tyres will still lurch sideways off damp cobbles or large gravel. Unlike the Tern there is a steering stop, so you can't wind the brake hoses and electrics up through 720 degrees. Oh, and larger wheels give more Gyro effect, so steering is a lot less twitchy.
Gearing permits the steepest hills round here, but only in turbo mode, and at the other extreme you can cruise at 25 or 30 kph with the motor 'off' but only on the flat, or downwind - the weight drags you going up even gentle hills. Downhill - the limit is how well you think you bounce and how far you can see .. about 51 kph for me (call it 32mph, if you don't grok metric).
Overall - I'd give it 4.5+ out of 5, as long as you grit your teeth about a) the cost and b) the weight (not something you can throw in and out of car with gay abandon). It does have a quick release front wheel, and if you remove the battery and folding lock, you are just into the realms of the manageable (for old fogies). You need somewhere safe to park/lock it .. its half life chained to a lamp post in Brum would be measured in minutes I fear.
I know the Bosch haters won't approve, but I like it. If I win the lottery I'll get the 14 speed Rohlhoff model with dual batteries (and a truck to move it around in). It is no fun to tinker with, you need a computer and a PHD (and inside access to Bosch), but 'you just gets on and rides it' works for me.
I got my bike from 'Bicycles by design' in Telford (OK, really in Coalport), since they had a demonstrator in stock, were willing to sell me it, and to sell my Tern folder for me by way of a PX deal. It's going back for it's first annual (free) service shortly so watch this space.
The one I got (which was not exactly the one I wanted) has the the Vario gearing, and came with Bosch ABS, which I would never have specified, but which actually works very well. OK 'something else to potentially go wrong', but you could say that as soon as you add a motor. You can't lock the front wheel - not possible, even on gravel (of which we have lots).
Additions- new pedals (those supplied appeared polished and greased, as far as keeping my feet on them), a mirror (don't leave home without one), a carrier/pannier set (the rack is already there) a bell (apparently not standard issue in Germany) and a saddle swap to a sprung Brooks B67, although the standard isn't bad. Also Tannus inserts for both wheels .. taking the rear off is going to be "no fun".
Major pluses for your near £5k (OK, it's German, it's over-over engineered) - it comes with a folding ABUS lock, same key as the battery, it has brake lights, and pretty effective headlights, full suspension, step thru frame, hydraulic disc brakes, and a Bosch CX motor which delivers rather more torque than the model used on my Tern folder. The vario gears work pretty well, once you get used to them, allowing gear changes both stationary and (with slightly more wrist action required) under power. Oh yes, it has a belt drive, sort of large plus as far as I am concerned (but probably EXTRA no fun taking the rear wheel off).
What warts has it got .. well the kickstand rattles over bumps, a well know issue, with a 'screw a rubber bumpstop in' fix out out the web. It is ludicrously heavy (30 Kg). The CX motor sounds like a coffee grinder under extreme use (and is not exactly silent anyway), and mine came set up for 'eMTB' mode instead of sport, which gives (unpredictable) torque related boost levels. Hopefully first service will fix it. The (standard) mudguards are both too short, resulting in mud striped up the motor and your back, so a rubber addition was bodged up and screwed on to both - works fine now.
Range is between 50 and 60km on a full charge (sorry, I've gone metric) which always includes at least 1000 ft (see, not entirely!) of up and down, since I live on a hill. The larger wheels (compared to the Tern) give a much nicer ride especially over potholes, but the standard (road) tyres will still lurch sideways off damp cobbles or large gravel. Unlike the Tern there is a steering stop, so you can't wind the brake hoses and electrics up through 720 degrees. Oh, and larger wheels give more Gyro effect, so steering is a lot less twitchy.
Gearing permits the steepest hills round here, but only in turbo mode, and at the other extreme you can cruise at 25 or 30 kph with the motor 'off' but only on the flat, or downwind - the weight drags you going up even gentle hills. Downhill - the limit is how well you think you bounce and how far you can see .. about 51 kph for me (call it 32mph, if you don't grok metric).
Overall - I'd give it 4.5+ out of 5, as long as you grit your teeth about a) the cost and b) the weight (not something you can throw in and out of car with gay abandon). It does have a quick release front wheel, and if you remove the battery and folding lock, you are just into the realms of the manageable (for old fogies). You need somewhere safe to park/lock it .. its half life chained to a lamp post in Brum would be measured in minutes I fear.
I know the Bosch haters won't approve, but I like it. If I win the lottery I'll get the 14 speed Rohlhoff model with dual batteries (and a truck to move it around in). It is no fun to tinker with, you need a computer and a PHD (and inside access to Bosch), but 'you just gets on and rides it' works for me.
