Riese & Müller 2020, integrated battery trend continues..

E

elect

Active Member
I just saw this video:


unfortunately it's in german and for the most part they show the speaking guy. But they do show (shortly) some of the new incoming bike though..

I'm looking forward to the new motors (although it looks like they will have some anti-tuning protection system), however one thing I cant wrap my head around, is this trend of integrating the battery into the bike frame..

I see only one advantage, aesthetics, and many disadvantages, such as weight, no ventilation and longer time to take it out

Am I the only one?
 
2020 R&M Delite & Superdelite Mountain …
2020_rm_delite_02.jpg


2020 R&M Superdelite …
2020_rm_delite_01.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
elect said:
I see only one advantage, aesthetics, and many disadvantages, such as weight, no ventilation and longer time to take it out

Am I the only one?
Click to expand...

No, and there are more disadvantages:
  • In-tube batteries are longer and skinnier and it is harder to carry extra batteries.
  • Proprietary form factors and design will likely limit future availability of replacement batteries.
  • That damned plastic cover that rattles all the time.
 
I am with @elect and @Mr. Coffee on the use of power tube batteries. The only advantage I can see is aesthetic. Every practical factor is negative. At least the 2019 Homage that has a power tube plus an older power pack piggy back on the downtube which would allow one to bring along extra old style power packs for extended range. I'm sure the new motor is something to be desired but the new delight has no other appeal to me because of the batteries.
 
You can also find some € prices for the 2020 models here:
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)
But consider yourself warned!
 
Anything towards stealth is worth it when you just want to ride and not be hassled. I have carried 2 extra Stromer batteries at almost all times, these are smaller. I go through a lot of Ortleib bags though.

The Delite, Fuelle, and maybe new Haibike Flyon are the 1st 3 choices when I can compare them in person or test...and possible service issues (local support). The Delite is the only dual suspension of the three (any other suggestions?)
 
For myself I find all of this quite disappointing.

I probably am in the tiny minority here that use their R&M bike for long-distance touring. As it is the 2017 R&M Charger with dual batteries is still the bike to beat.

Going to integrated batteries makes the bike less practical for that application (largely because you can't put a power tube battery in a pannier).

They also don't seem to be addressing obvious and substantial issues with the racks and the brakes which keep it from being a dream e-bike touring machine.
 
Alaskan said:
I am with @elect and @Mr. Coffee on the use of power tube batteries. The only advantage I can see is aesthetic. Every practical factor is negative. At least the 2019 Homage that has a power tube plus an older power pack piggy back on the downtube which would allow one to bring along extra old style power packs for extended range. I'm sure the new motor is something to be desired but the new delight has no other appeal to me because of the batteries.
Click to expand...

I saw the new integrated battery modules, 400 and 625 Wh.. any possibility of compatibility with previous bikes, like your, Alaskan?
 
Powertube 400 is the same size as the 500 but it is NOT compatible with DualBattery. If using a single battery configuration the 400 will work like the 500.
The 600 is bigger by 67mm so it needs new frames.
 
Mr. Coffee said:
For myself I find all of this quite disappointing.

I probably am in the tiny minority here that use their R&M bike for long-distance touring. As it is the 2017 R&M Charger with dual batteries is still the bike to beat.

Going to integrated batteries makes the bike less practical for that application (largely because you can't put a power tube battery in a pannier).

They also don't seem to be addressing obvious and substantial issues with the racks and the brakes which keep it from being a dream e-bike touring machine.
Click to expand...

I guess the up side in the changes that Riese & Mulller is making is that we remain happy with the bikes we have and are not pining for the latest and greatest.
 
elect said:
such as weight, no ventilation and longer time to take it out
Click to expand...
Mr. Coffee said:
there are more disadvantages:
  • In-tube batteries are longer and skinnier and it is harder to carry extra batteries.
  • Proprietary form factors and design will likely limit future availability of replacement batteries.
  • That damned plastic cover that rattles all the time.
Click to expand...

  • Weight is about the same as frame batteries. About the same = these are not UCI Carbon fibre road bikes but heavy e-bikes..
  • Ventilation, never occured to me but yes in warm temperatures this would be a slight disadvantage, in cold temperatures the in-tubes are at an advantage since they are more protected and thus you get longer range in colder weather
  • Long time to take out, why take them out at all? Just use the charing port on the bike..
  • The in-tubes fit well into my Ortlieb pannier bags
  • Proprietary design already is a problem for all Bosch batteries regardless of form factor, there are none and has never been any third-party replacements for Bosch gear
  • What bike are you riding, the plastic covers on my Supercharger are dead silent

Mr. Coffee said:
I probably am in the tiny minority here that use their R&M bike for long-distance touring.
Click to expand...

Qurious as to what is "long distance" in your terms?
 
Mr. Coffee said:
For myself I find all of this quite disappointing.

I probably am in the tiny minority here that use their R&M bike for long-distance touring. As it is the 2017 R&M Charger with dual batteries is still the bike to beat.

Going to integrated batteries makes the bike less practical for that application (largely because you can't put a power tube battery in a pannier).

They also don't seem to be addressing obvious and substantial issues with the racks and the brakes which keep it from being a dream e-bike touring machine.
Click to expand...
I carry three batteries most tours now. The extra weight is of little matter with a motor but it means all these R+M bikes should have 203 Ice tech rotors as standard equipment. The rack plate replacement is steel now so I am good with that retro fix. I am with you Mr Coffee. As for battery style , the powertube looks sleek but my wife has a Trek that uses the same powerpack batteries as my R+M and I like the fact that I can access all 4 batteries on either bike.
 
Last edited:
tompat said:
Long time to take out, why take them out at all? Just use the charing port on the bike..
Click to expand...
Remove them for transportation on a bike rack.
For charging in the office or during a break (might be difficult to take a bike inside a restaurant)
If you commute it might be a good idea to take them inside if it is freezing or really hot.
 
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