Multicharger 3 compare Charger 5 multi day touring gravel rail trails

[warek437]

Hi All

Trying to get some opinions on the suitability and differences between RM Charger 5, Mixte 53 cms compared to Multicharger 3 Mixte 51 cm, GT Touring models, chain and cassette. Multi day tours on gravel rail trails. 105 kg rider carrying 15 kg -20 kg equipment mainly in 2 rear pannier bags.
Multicharger 3 seems very well regarded as does Charger. Price is similar and not the deciding factor. I am interested in stability, comfort, riding position, braking. Load capacity would be enough on either bike. I would be carrying a second battery in rear rack bag or pannier.

Is the Bosch cargo line motor in the Multicharger a better option than the performance line CX gen 5 in the charger 5 for touring, hill climbing, reliability?

Any disadvantages of Multicharger 3 compared to buying Charger 5, except for being slightly heavier, longer wheelbase and having 26 inch wheels? How is the bike balance, handling and steering when unladen. I do have a second Ebike for non touring use, but it would be good if the Multicharger was also very good to ride when not touring, I ride on gravel rail trails weekly when not touring

Finding it challenging to get any real world feedback.

Great weather in Victoria, Australia today. Light winds, sunny, top temperature of 21 degrees. Will be cycling this afternoon.

Regards
Kevin

 

[sammcneill]

I have a SuperCharger 2 with 17,300km on it and my wife has a MultiCharger with around 3,000km on it. I don't have any experience with the Charger.

Both are great bikes - a few thoughts:

• Ride Position
  • On a longer, multiday trip I'd choose the Multicharger. It's more upright, the swept handlebars make for a more relaxed holding position and less weight on the wrists. We're a similar size, and whilst I like the SC2, I do find leaning forward for longer rides starts to introduce fatigue.
• Ride experience
  • I've only ridden the MultiCharger unladen and it rides fine. My dad bought one recently too to take his dog for rides and he finds it very stable, even with a 8kg dog on the back in a crate.
  • let's face it, they're heavy bikes any which way you look at it - at slow speeds you'll need to be comfortable holding the bike and balancing the weight of it, but you're a solid guy, won't have too many issues I'd think.
• Motor
  • I have the performance line on the SC2 however paired with the Enviolo hub I find it under-utilised (As per other posts here). However, with the touring deraillieur you will likely be fine.
  • That said, you probably don't want/need high speed when touring or on gravel. I'd likely choose the cargo line given you'll be riding with additional load anyway when touring
• Hauling
  • Multicharger is great for large storage on the mid-tail at the back. You can get the really large panniers or use standard if you wish, as well as store quite a bit on the "tail" (e.g. in a large dry bag bungy tied to the tail).
  • My wife has the larger frontrack as well which is incredibly useful in storing things and very strong. highly recommend.

Hope that helps - here is some realworld eBike touring on the SC2

Waitangi Weekend eBike Wandering – February 2021 – SamuelMcNeill.com

I've mostly moved away from eBike for touring now and go bikepacking on gravel bikes, My most recent trip didn't go so well, but if you're interested in a tale:

Ride35: The Adventure That Wasn’t – January 2026 – SamuelMcNeill.com

Cheers
Sam

 

[warek437]

Sam

Thanks for taking the time to provide some feedback. In Australia we are speed limited to 25kmh pedal assist. On gravel rain trails we usually are 20 kmh or less

Kevin

 

[sammcneill]

It is one of the great oddities to me that 25kph speed limiters are still in place.
As the world tries to go green / renewal energy etc, do everything you can to encourag people to adopt eBikes and that means allowing them to go at a reasonable speed on them!

 

[warek437]

Govern cracking down, e-bikes sales on hold until bikes reaccrediated, at a high cost. Some brands such as Moustache leaving the Australian market. Other brands dropping low sellers from our market. Bikes with hand throttle limited to 6 kmh in some states.
aftermarket ebike conversions banned on public transport. Bikes detuned to 250 watts that could be unlocked and speed bypasses are now not compliant.
there are currently teenagers riding 5000 watt e-bikes on roads at 75-110 kmh and several fatal crashes, including 2 deaths this week.

pedestrians sharing paths, walking tracks being hit by e-bikes and e-scooters.

Enjoy peace and quiet in New Zealand

 

[Twowheelxtc]

Don’t forget those teenagers are riding illegal electric motorbikes NOT e-bikes.