Giant Quick-E vs Riese & Muller Charger

[Melbourne23]

Hi all

I've been debating between the Quick E and the Charger for ages. Where I live in Australia the Charger is almost double the price of the Giant. Bosch Performance CX on the R&M vs the Yamaha on the Giant. I'm going to use it mainly for commuting 4km to and from work and some occasional urban or light trail on the weekends. Yes the R&M has many features for its price but is it really worth almost double?

 

[Deleted member 18083]

I'll get in ahead of the rest: go ride both ebikes and see which you prefer.

Also, decide whether you can expect acceptable warranty service from dealers - almost any Giant dealer for the Quick E; probably, only Dolimiti for the R&M Charger.

As you've noted, one needs a sound reason to spend a lot more: AU$6679 (and up!) for the Charger rather than AU$4000 for the Giant. If you add extras - for example, a second battery (Supercharger) and Kiox display – the price of the R&M just edges past double that of the Giant, but you then have an ebike that is genuinely in a league of its own! And you might also have spent a lot of money on features that you don't need.

 

[Melbourne23]

I did....to me, being a VERY amateur rider, felt about the same. Hence the dilemma?

 

[Melbourne23]

I'll get in ahead of the rest: go ride both ebikes and see which you prefer.

Also, decide whether you can expect acceptable warranty service from dealers - almost any Giant dealer for the Quick E; probably, only Dolimiti for the R&M Charger.

As you've noted, one needs a sound reason to spend a lot more: AU$6679 (and up!) for the Charger rather than AU$4000 for the Giant. If you add extras - for example, a second battery (Supercharger) and Kiox display - the price of the R&M just edges past double that of the Giant, but you then have an ebike that is genuinely in a league of its own!
... David

David, exactly my thoughts. I've been able to get a quote for a good price on the Giant, which makes it exactly 50% of the list price of the Charger. Competition amongst the Giant dealers pushes the price down, while Dolomiti is the sole retailer for the R&M. At that price there's no point considering the mid tiers, i.e Kalkhoff or Focus.

 

[Melbourne23]

Jump on the Giant while you can still get it at that price. The price of E-Bikes goes up all the time... That’s got to be a special price for the 2018 model. It won’t last...

But why does the price of ebikes go up all the time?

 

[Deleted member 18083]

The price of ebikes goes up all the time.

JayVee ...
It doesn't seem that way to me.

The 2019 Trek Powerfly 5 is on sale for exactly the same price (AU$4500) as the 2018 model that I have. It could be reasonably argued that the 2019 model is not simply a refresh but an upgrade as the battery is no longer visible.
... David

 

[PDoz]

But why does the price of ebikes go up all the time?

It doesn't - the bar gets lifted higher each year and the manufacturers seem to be offering higher spec options. If anything , you can get more for the same $ in 2019 vs 2018 models at full retail, but nobody will be paying full retail on a run out model. ESPECIALY if you include the govt 5% taffif we got hit with mid last year!


Back to your original question - how about buying the giant now, then in 3 years decide if you are happy with it, want the latest and greatest giant ( or whatever brand you prefer) , or wish you hand spent big $ on what will innevitably be an outdated R&M ? I'll bet you'll still be happy with the giant

 

[Melbourne23]

It doesn't - the bar gets lifted higher each year and the manufacturers seem to be offering higher spec options. If anything , you can get more for the same $ in 2019 vs 2018 models at full retail, but nobody will be paying full retail on a run out model. ESPECIALY if you include the govt 5% taffif we got hit with mid last year!


Back to your original question - how about buying the giant now, then in 3 years decide if you are happy with it, want the latest and greatest giant ( or whatever brand you prefer) , or wish you hand spent big $ on what will innevitably be an outdated R&M ? I'll bet you'll still be happy with the giant

To be perfectly honest in my amateur status I know the Giant will already be overkill for my needs. Having seen the R&M in the flesh, the finishing and the little touches are probably a league above everything else but it does come at a high cost. I still can't get over the fact that a $6700 R&M has the same Deore groupset as the Giant.

 

[Dancier]

Why pay all that money when you can get cheaper bikes, you aren't riding a lot of distance to justify the greater expense. https://www.reidcycles.com.au/urban-ebike.html - https://www.99bikes.com.au/cube-cross-hybrid-one-400-black-blue-2018

 

[Deleted member 18083]

I still can't get over the fact that a $6700 R&M has the same Deore groupset as the Giant.

Mel ...
A month or two ago my ebike store sent out an 'invitation' to order an Orbea Gain and have it delivered before Christmas (I wonder whether that has happened). Anyway, knowing that my road bike days were over, I felt free to choose the Orbea Gain most appropriate to my 'needs'. The Shimano Ultegra Di2 version (one rung down from preposterous) got the nod - because that had the same groupset as on my retired road bike.

Now, the point of the story is this: I have no idea what Shimano groupset is on my Trek Powerfly 5 (whatever it is is just fine); neither do I know what brakes are on my new R&M Homage which is probably waiting right now in the customs shed at Brisbane Airport. I won't be racing up mountain passes under my own power (grams matter!) nor be descending at high speed around multiple hairpins. My stopping will be restrained (groan!) and mid-range Shimano components are satisfactory for that.
... David

 

[Melbourne23]

Just had another close look at the Quick E. Frankly speaking at its price point its pretty well the most bang for buck ebike money can buy period with Giants support network and long warranty.

Very much the Toyota of ebikes. The question now is, do I need the Mercedes or BMW?

 

[PaD]

Just had another close look at the Quick E. Frankly speaking at its price point its pretty well the most bang for buck ebike money can buy period with Giants support network and long warranty.

Very much the Toyota of ebikes. The question now is, do I need the Mercedes or BMW?

What I need and what I want is not necessarily the same

 

[PDoz]

Just had another close look at the Quick E. Frankly speaking at its price point its pretty well the most bang for buck ebike money can buy period with Giants support network and long warranty.

Very much the Toyota of ebikes. The question now is, do I need the Mercedes or BMW?

More kia than toyota , not that there is anything wrong with that.

With the warranty, just remember giant warranty is not transferable between owners - fine for you, but don't expect to use that long warranty as a selling point.

I'm a bit cynical of giant factory support for ebikes in Australia - as an example, the 2018 bikes were advertised as having an app available to customise the electrics, it didn't get released until after the 2019 models came out, and there have been some glitches with using it on 2018 bikes ( now sorted, I think). The app is pretty basic compared to what specialized owners get -eg you still get to adjust assistance settings but only in pretty big steps.

Still great bikes, but you'll enjoy riding one more than you will enjoy bragging about it.

 

[Alaskan]

Just had another close look at the Quick E. Frankly speaking at its price point its pretty well the most bang for buck ebike money can buy period with Giants support network and long warranty.

Very much the Toyota of ebikes. The question now is, do I need the Mercedes or BMW?

When it comes to need, no one NEEDS a Mercedes or a BMW. However I still get great pleasure driving my 2005 e500 4Matic wagon. I have no regrets about paying extra money over what I would have paid for a Camry even though it gets me to my destination in the same amount of time.