Riese & Muller - any advice?

[TwoStews]

I'm torn between derailleur and hub. I have a nexus 8 on my workhorse commuter and it's been faultless over thousands of miles. But if a IGH does go wrong, there's not an easy/quick fix...

 

[Oldhippy]

I'm torn between derailleur and hub. I have a nexus 8 on my workhorse commuter and it's been faultless over thousands of miles. But if a IGH does go wrong, there's not an easy/quick fix...

IMO hub every time.

 

[kynikos]

I have an R&M - but not a cargo - and can testify to what others have said. Build quality is superb and I'm sure it's no different with the cargo bikes.

Mine has an Enviolo 380 continuous hub gear which is a delight and has proved faultless.

Electric Transport Shop in York is very good, they sell and maintain lots of cargos - speak to John Campbell.

 

[grldtnr]

I prefer a hub. I've had my current bike for 6 years and have never had a problem with it. Works perfectly.

For a town/utility bike IGH every time, I would say o consider one for touring as well, I hav a 11 SPD hanging around to build up a camping bike ,when I get that round tuit I am waiting on, with a double chain set, I can have 22, different ratios, or at least a low range haul my self up mountains.
I ride a recumbent, its fitted with Sturmey combined hub/ delralliuer rear hub, with a single up front, I can go from high ratio to low ratio at a standstill, very important for a recumbent.

 

[CXRAndy]

I prefer a hub. I've had my current bike for 6 years and have never had a problem with it. Works perfectly.

I agree hubs are very nice when they work, which is pretty much all the time. Its that rare occasion when it becomes a delayed hassle to get them fixed

 

[Mavica]

Be very very careffull with R&M I had 3 R&M 2 Homages 1 Nevo4 and ONLY have problems no body are capable to resolve

 

[Mavica]

The Hub Rohloff is Fantastic, nothing better than this

 

[fritz katzenjammer]

I tend to keep a supply of expendable parts on hand. With the cost/value of a top quality cargo bike I would have no problem stocking a complete rear wheel if the longevity of the internal hub were in question. Having said that I’ve had a few internal hubs over the years and they only seem to give trouble once well and truly worn out which takes a very long time. Then a shop experienced with these things can usually put them right pretty quickly.

 

[CXRAndy]

Just looked up the Load 75 £12k

 

[Boopop]

Just looked up the Load 75 £12k

I feel like anyone considering a R&M bike is probably quite well off to begin with, so what car would they consider instead? Maybe an Audi, BMW, Tesla? Then compare the initial purchase cost and total running costs over say 2-5 years. Obviously the R&M will come out significantly cheaper.

Yes it's very expensive but I think if we want these to be considered car/second-car replacements, there needs to be a broad spectrum of options, including premium/luxury.

 

[fritz katzenjammer]

I feel like anyone considering a R&M bike is probably quite well off to begin with, so what car would they consider instead? Maybe an Audi, BMW, Tesla? Then compare the initial purchase cost and total running costs over say 2-5 years. Obviously the R&M will come out significantly cheaper.

Yes it's very expensive but I think if we want these to be considered car/second-car replacements, there needs to be a broad spectrum of options, including premium/luxury.

Yes… I’m currently trying to find a suitable rack for hauling the R&M on the Cadillac. I think it would just look silly on the 911.

 

[CXRAndy]

I feel like anyone considering a R&M bike is probably quite well off to begin with, so what car would they consider instead? Maybe an Audi, BMW, Tesla? Then compare the initial purchase cost and total running costs over say 2-5 years. Obviously the R&M will come out significantly cheaper.

Yes it's very expensive but I think if we want these to be considered car/second-car replacements, there needs to be a broad spectrum of options, including premium/luxury.

I know what you mean, just feel in the case of bicycles, the upper price point is a bit silly.

Not knocking the OP, if they want such an expensive bike, go for it.

Im sure there are other brands that can do 99% for far less.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Hi

I want to replace the entirety of my day-to-day car use with a cargo bike. This will include commuting, school/nursery run, family transport, shopping and everything in between.

After much online research, the front runner is the Riese & Muller Load 75. It is frighteningly expensive, but I'm serious about this and am selling my car to fund it.

Anyone here have any experience of R&M, either as a brand or even better, of their cargo bikes specifically?

I'm going to test ride one at a dealer on Friday, but I welcome any thoughts or experience that anyone has here.

The R&M has a Bosch Cargo motor: they have developed a solid reputation for being reliable, and you'll have more shops locally which maintain them. They also have Tektro brakes which are widely available so you can get them maintained easily.

We see R&M bikes at work, and they are generally well-built with good components, and easy to maintain. As a car replacement, it looks a pretty good option.

Having lived car free for 25 years, I can also recommend the experience.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I'm torn between derailleur and hub. I have a nexus 8 on my workhorse commuter and it's been faultless over thousands of miles. But if a IGH does go wrong, there's not an easy/quick fix...

IMO hub every time.

I prefer derailleur, with the possible exception of Rohloff hubs: I notice they're using the new Shimano Cues system which is specifically designed for e-bikes and transport bikes, so it will handle the pressure fairly well. The other advantage is that it has less resistance than a hub, and when it needs maintaining it's generally simpler.

 

[kynikos]

My R&M has the Nuvinci 380 hub. I've been using it, problem free, for seven years. No maintenance required and easy to keep clean. Excellent bit of kit.