Moustache Samedi 27 Xroad FS 7 2020 v.s. R&M Delite GT vario

[ragheb]

Hello folks,

I live in Sweden and am in the market to buy all-rounder all-year long weekend e-bike that I am planning to use as utility bike take me from point a to b, and do a little bit of discovery in the forest. I am not a technical mountain biker, but I'd like to be able to push it a little when I want to do off-roading.

Hight: 173 CM
Weight: 88 KG

Intended use:
-Utility
-not so technical off-roading
-Bike can go anywhere at anytime

Also, I am open for suggestions.

Many thanks in advance

Best,
Ragheb

 

[Mike Owen]

Hi Ragheb

Sounds like you’ve got a great part of the world to explore.

I’ve never seen or riden a Moustache Samedi FS Xroad. But I have seen the YouTube reviews. GREAT bike.

For me, the biggest downer about that bike is the chain and derailleur.

Like you, I have quiet roads and epic countryside trails to explore. Like you I have no wish to charge down a mountain at crazy speeds. In the 80s 90s I did a lot of mixed mtb. Now I want to explore!

I just think a chain and derailleur is a massive weak link in any off road slightly mucky environment.

The wide choice of R&M belt drive bikes is so appealing.

I now have a little experience of R&M 2020 bikes. I got a Load 60 Vario in Dec 2019. So impressed with that bike, a week ago I was lucky enough to take delivery of a Delite Rohloff GX. Both wonderful bikes. REALLY wonderful bikes.

My R&M bikes are both a tad heavy but I guess that is the price for a solid and super comfortable ride. The suspension and ride quality encourages you to go anywhere so don’t be put off by a few extra kilos.

The Vario is the best gear control method IMHO. Always in the right gear and so indestructable and keenly priced. But the gearing isn’t really low enough if your terrain has very steep inclines. Sad.

The Delite Rohloff GX is just a superb go anywhere, do anything bike. The 500Wh battery might not take you as far as the bike will encourage you to ride (10% of capacity is retained for the eshift and lights, so the range is really from 450Wh). But that is no problem at all, pack a spare 500 and head out... that’s what I do. I like the simplicity and lines of the Delite frame compared to the Superdelite. And I don’t need to lug around 1000Wh if not need that day (true, you can remove a 500 from a Superdelite but it still has that big frame... beauty is in the eye of the beholder ).

The Rohloff is an eye-watering price. But spread out that wide gearing and simple to live with hub and belt, over 10 years and it ain’t a lot of money for making the bike “perfect”.

I’d encourage you to go GX. The nobby tyres have little negative on road effect. But the dropper, increased travel, bar ends, better saddle and pedals, all for little money make the bike so adaptable. Front and rear rack make it a super flexible carrier. Also go Fox suspension if possible it’s like riding a knife through butter!!!

I. Love. That. Bike.
On road. Off road. On the flat. Over the lumps. Awesome.

 

[Steve64]

I have a X-Road FS7. 1st ë bike and like it a lot.

Now I've been a motorbike guy for 40 years and that big German brand is me down in New Zealand.

I ridden mainly mountain bikes since they began. Our dear friends at Harley Davidson make belt drive bike.

Ever got a stone between a belt and pulley. Tends to cause some damage. I have not seen a R & M up close but suspect gravel = issue.

I happy to be corrected.

I suspect you may get a biased answer on a R&M page. . Come ask on the Moustache page.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

In the light of experiences of several users of this Forum it is not the chain and derailleur that make R&M bikes problematic...

 

[Steve64]

In the light of experiences of several users of this Forum it is not the chain and derailleur that make R&M bikes problematic...

Prey tell. Tell us what is problematic

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The OP has mentioned the version with the Enviolo gears, which is OK. Mike Owen mentions Rohloff.

One respected user of this Forum reported the "undestructible" Gates carbon belt broken. Several users with the Rohloff gears report oil leakage; one case of lost communication between the Rohloff and the rest of the system. Several well-known members report the paint being chipped from their bikes. You may go through threads in this Riese & Muller sub-Forum to learn more.

If I ever considered buying an R&M (I don't mind the paint chips), I would take the HS version with the traditional derailleur drive-train because every mechanic can service and repair it and it is relatively inexpensive. What baffles me is a. The bike weight; b. Lack of local LBS to service the bike.

When I saw how beautiful Moustache Samedi X-Road e-bikes were, I fell in love with the brand. Unluckily, it is Class 1 and it lacks a local representative in my area.

 

[Steve64]

I bought 2 Xroad FS7s. My wife is anti ebike and rides is now doing 40km rides with no complaints. No sore butt or shoulders. The riding position is beautiful. No weight on arms. Rear suspension soaks up the bumps. Out riding in a huge shower today. No road spray from tyres due to mudguards. Lights are awesome. Ride to work in dark. As you say nice looking bike and get comments from many people. I bought my bikes from a dealer 1000kms away.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I bought my bikes from a dealer 1000kms away.

The virus has changed many things now. I'm writing this from a Specialized store that is just 25 km from my place, and the bike is getting the display replacement and service now. I could not expect the same either from R&M or Moustache.

 

[ragheb]

Hi Ragheb

Sounds like you’ve got a great part of the world to explore.

I’ve never seen or riden a Moustache Samedi FS Xroad. But I have seen the YouTube reviews. GREAT bike.

For me, the biggest downer about that bike is the chain and derailleur.

Like you, I have quiet roads and epic countryside trails to explore. Like you I have no wish to charge down a mountain at crazy speeds. In the 80s 90s I did a lot of mixed mtb. Now I want to explore!

I just think a chain and derailleur is a massive weak link in any off road slightly mucky environment.

The wide choice of R&M belt drive bikes is so appealing.

I now have a little experience of R&M 2020 bikes. I got a Load 60 Vario in Dec 2019. So impressed with that bike, a week ago I was lucky enough to take delivery of a Delite Rohloff GX. Both wonderful bikes. REALLY wonderful bikes.

My R&M bikes are both a tad heavy but I guess that is the price for a solid and super comfortable ride. The suspension and ride quality encourages you to go anywhere so don’t be put off by a few extra kilos.

The Vario is the best gear control method IMHO. Always in the right gear and so indestructable and keenly priced. But the gearing isn’t really low enough if your terrain has very steep inclines. Sad.

The Delite Rohloff GX is just a superb go anywhere, do anything bike. The 500Wh battery might not take you as far as the bike will encourage you to ride (10% of capacity is retained for the eshift and lights, so the range is really from 450Wh). But that is no problem at all, pack a spare 500 and head out... that’s what I do. I like the simplicity and lines of the Delite frame compared to the Superdelite. And I don’t need to lug around 1000Wh if not need that day (true, you can remove a 500 from a Superdelite but it still has that big frame... beauty is in the eye of the beholder ).

The Rohloff is an eye-watering price. But spread out that wide gearing and simple to live with hub and belt, over 10 years and it ain’t a lot of money for making the bike “perfect”.

I’d encourage you to go GX. The nobby tyres have little negative on road effect. But the dropper, increased travel, bar ends, better saddle and pedals, all for little money make the bike so adaptable. Front and rear rack make it a super flexible carrier. Also go Fox suspension if possible it’s like riding a knife through butter!!!

I. Love. That. Bike.
On road. Off road. On the flat. Over the lumps. Awesome.

(Link Removed - Attachment No Longer Exists)

Thanks a lot Mike

 

[rdhendricks]

I'm liking the Moustache Samedi FS 7 too. At this point I've narrowed it down to the Moustache or the R&M Delite. Open to any feedback.

 

[E-Wheels]

I'm liking the Moustache Samedi FS 7 too. At this point I've narrowed it down to the Moustache or the R&M Delite. Open to any feedback.

The Moustache appears to offer better value for money