Review: Riese & Müller Roadster | Lightweight Urban Rocket Ship

[@sarasotarides3416]

I bought this bike in Sept 2022 and nearly 1400 miles later, I really love it. It is a nimble bike that is light enough for me to ride long periods with no assist. I got the mixte vario hs with the 625wh battery, class 3, enviolo and gates belt drive. It is solidly built and even going over 30 mph downhill it performs well. I highly recommend this bike/Riese & Muller.

[@thenewwheel]

Very nice choice indeed. R&M knows how to build a quality bike that will last a lifetime

[@teero1292]

How about it, can the Bosch motors be reprogrammed like the Chinese mid-drives? If so I would definitely be a motivated buyer.

[@rlbrett]

The Specialized e-bike controller/software can be jail-broken; it's been a popular trend for several years. Re-imagining the Roadster traveling at or close to 40 mph in traffic could be a plausible reality. CAB Motorworks has several e-bikes in its line that not only easily keep pace with automobile traffic, many of their e-bikes effortlessly ascend stairs via throttle alone. There's only one downside: CAB Motorworks builds e-bikes with massive batteries and robust wheels and frames that are antithetical to conspicuous; they resemble motorcycles.

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

bikes are getting better than ever year by year almost. My love loves her new VADO SL step through 2022, which weighs 15.4kg PS: only in the USA can you get that much assisted speed.

[@Michael-wn4jj]

I think in Europe they made the speed and self-drive restrictions to protect car industry. Else by having usually shorter distances in Europe nobody who is living in urban area would really need to own a car but rent on purpose only.

[@howertingsyaboya3789]

@@Michael-wn4jj Nope. In the EU it's for the safety of other cyclists and pedestrians on cycle paths who are . Any e-bike that is assisted above 25 km/h can only legally be used on public streets aswell as requiring registration and insurance in many countries as it's effectively in the same class as an e-moped.

[@sarasotarides3416]

I did a test ride on the Vado SL and it wasn’t the right geometry for me but it is really light and stealthy. Hope she still enjoys the bike.

[@robinthorpe2338]

Hi Karen...as I've been watching a few videos trying to hone in on a brand and model. I'm 5'2", and I'm wondering how tall you are and what size frames you're modeling on. Which brands meet the needs of someone on the shorter size?

[@thenewwheel]

Karen is under 5 feet. The 45cm Roadster is perfect. Look into R&M or Tern!

[@moonwrasse]

Was the saddle as low as it would go? It looked very high for you.

[@thenewwheel]

You noticed! That bike was not quite the right size for me; it was the 53cm Roadster and I should definitely be on the 46cm bike. The smaller frame would allow the seatpost to go down much further and the cockpit to come a bit closer.

[@bigwheelsturning]

They just made a Gazelle, so what's the excitement about?

[@TheSuper10dulkar]

How do you compare this with charger 3

[@thenewwheel]

They are pretty different. The Charger3 is more of a grounded, stable bike with larger tires, longer travel suspension. It's basically a hardtail mountain bike but oriented towards the road. The Roadster is a quicker handling, more nimble bike that is lighter weight. If your primary use is urban riding, then a Roadster is a good choice. If your wanting to do longer distance trekking and some off-road, then the Charger3 would be a good choice.

[@rlbrett]

I would want a bit more max speed on this well made e-bike for safety in traffic; better to have extra speed and not need it than not have the extra speed and need it. :-)

[@teero1292]

I agree totally. I'm wondering if Bosch motors can be reprogrammed like the Chinese mid-drives can, the damn name of them escapes me ATM.

[@maxnewts]

@@teero1292 are you referring to Bafang Mid-Drives?