Riese & Müller - Charger4

Extends riding pleasure

The Charger4 is the everyday E-Bike for long-lasting riding enjoyment, adapting to every need.

Thanks to its fully integrated 750 Wh battery, it comfortably takes you through everyday life and far beyond. The suspension fork and suspension seatpost ensure a high level of riding comfort – making it just as comfortable and safe to ride on dirt tracks as on asphalt roads.

Well-thought-out components, such as the versatile carrier and the bright light of the daytime running light, are ideal for daily commuting or an extended weekend trip in all weathers.

Bellow we’ll review this model, having as an example:

• Charger4 GT Vario HS | Petrol Matt | 49 cm
  optional equipment: Kiox 300 cockpit, ABS 2.0, chain lock with bag

FEELING & DESIGN

The Charger4 embodies our sporty side, yet its potential goes far beyond what meets the eye.

The overall design is notable, with virtually no visible cables as they are seamlessly integrated into the frame. This clean aesthetic accentuates the inherent beauty of this concept bicycle.

Offering a Mixte alternative, it distinguishes itself by featuring a frame with a low curved top tube.
This design is primarily practical, making it easier to hop on and off the electric bicycle.

Color options:

• Black Matt

• Dark Red Matt

• Petrol Matt - which is the color of our test model.

Mixte color options:

• Ceramic White

• Dark Red Matt

• Storm Blue Matt

DRIVE UNIT

The option for the Performance Line Speed drive unit stands out, as it can assist our pedaling power up to 45 km/h.

This equates to 340% of support, reinforced by the 85 Nm of engine torque from the latest update.

In the context of Porto, having a bit more starting power is a welcome addition, enabling us to better navigate the constant ups and downs of the city.

We felt like high-performance athletes as soon as the top speeds kicked in!
The thrill of arriving quickly at our destinations, alongside traffic, is undoubtedly a highlight!

The Charger4 also features the Performance Line CX drive unit, to those for whom reaching higher speeds is not a necessity.

Battery

With a standard 750 Wh battery, the Bosch PowerTube 250 Wh additional battery supplements the power, providing even greater range and flexibility.

This setup offers the possibility to ride approximately 150-200 km with a balanced use of the engine modes and the gear shifting system.

Only as big as a drinking bottle and weighing just 1.6 kg, it can be stowed away in a backpack or bike bag. And should you spontaneously decide to go on a longer trip, then just attach the energy reserve to the down tube and continue riding for another 50 km without the need to stop and charge.

display - Smart control centre

The Bosch Kiox 300 display is the ideal smart gadget to have with you on everyday trips or more challenging rides – keep an eye on your trip and fitness data on the large colour display. Thanks to the adjustable angle of the stem, you can select a sitting position to suit your needs anywhere between comfortable and sporty.

As standard Bosch Purion 200 display without cockpit also creates a tidy appearance and provides a minimalistic overview of your speed, range and much more.

Conveniently use the LED Remote for both displays to select your riding mode: the colour indicates your selected riding mode.

We can connect both displays to our smartphone to activate other functionalities such as navigation and fitness programs. Statistical data, including the record of our rides, can be uploaded to the digital platform eBike Connect, accessible via smartphone or computer.

variants - Transmissions

The Charger GT Vario features an internal gear hub by Enviolo 380, offering a continuous gear shift system without fixed shifts like those in a cassette system.

This system enables gear shifting even when the bicycle is stationary, which is especially handy on the hilly streets of Porto when waiting for the green light.

The system is entirely intuitive, with a smaller display on the right handlebar representing a rider.
Lighter gears are indicated by a curved line, while harder gears are represented by a straight line.

In a city like Porto, where frequent stops and starts are common, the Enviolo gear system proves to be fantastic, especially for riders who are not accustomed to shifting gears frequently.

The internal gear hub houses all components inside the rear wheel, shielding them from dirt and rain.

Paired with the Carbon belt drive, Enviolo uses high-resistance carbon fibers for a lighter, maintenance-free alternative. Unlike traditional cassette systems, the belt-drive with internal gear hub reduces the risk of derailment or faulty shifts.

Safe on the road at all times

In terms of safety, the possibility of reaching higher speeds may typically lead to concerns about safety.

However, with the Bosch eBike ABS 2.0 option, there are more effective reactions to road conditions, enabling safer and more confident braking with both brakes simultaneously. It prevents the front wheel from locking, reducing the risk of skidding and ensuring stability even during sudden, heavy braking on various surfaces.

As it is usual with other Riese & Müller bikes, the Charger has Magura brakes.

At the rear, we find the two-piston Magura MT4 brakes, while the front boasts the more powerful Magura MT5 brakes with four pistons.

Both feature carbon fiber construction for lighter weight and aluminum levers ergonomically designed for two-finger operation. High-speed models typically include an Ergotec rearview mirror mounted on the left side of the handlebar. This aluminum-cased accessory enables us to anticipate traffic and maintain better control of our surroundings.

FRONT AND TAIL LIGHTS

As standard, the Supernova Mini 2 serves as the front light, thanks to its compact dimensions, offering the possibility of elegant installation in any position. Additionally, the Busch & Müller Toplight 2C LED is included as the rear light, a battery-powered option with a minimalistic design but impressive functions. The C-shaped light bands, powered by two high-performance LEDs, create a smooth illumination pattern, surrounding a large area reflector.

The Charger4 GT Vario HS comes equipped with the SUPERNOVA M99 MINI PRO 45 as the front light, ensuring excellent visibility with a minimal light beam of 700 lumens and a higher one of 1300 lumens.
Additionally, the rear brake light, Supernova M99, is also integrated into this system, illuminating every time the lever blade from the Magura MT4 is pressed, with a light intensity of 9 cd for the tail light and 50 cd for the brake light.

TIRES

As standard you’ll get Schwalbe Big Ben Plus 50-622 Reflex, used for a more general-purpose and may not offer the same level of performance or durability as GT tires. While they still provide adequate traction and durability for typical riding conditions, they may not be as well-suited for longer rides or rougher terrain.

However, for Porto, we recommend the GT version, designed for enhanced performance and durability, with the Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires. This wider tires will help you cross cobblestone streets and avoid falling on the rails.

Featuring larger balloon sizes for increased comfort and stability, as well as specialized tread patterns for better traction, and the combination of Greenguard (three extra millimeters of India rubber under the fabric) and Raceguard (an extra layer of fabric) technology enhances the overall puncture resistance of these tires, you’ll definitely feel safer on the road.

If you like riding your E-Bike off-road, then simply equip it with first-class Schwalbe all-terrain tires, having for that available the GX option.
Their flat tire studs in the middle of the running surface have extremely low rolling resistance for faster riding on straight sections. The solid tire studs on the shoulders of the tire guarantee exceptional grip, particularly when cornering.

suspension

The SR Suntour Mobie 34, with an air amplitude of 100 millimeters and designed for cross-country models, ensures excellent stability. Its stiffness can be adjusted manually in the fork without the need for special tools. This feature is particularly appreciated on the cobblestone streets of downtown Porto, where riding can be quite challenging

The Charger also features the Crane Creek Thudbuster suspension seat post, which utilizes a rubber tube to enhance comfort and stability on rough terrain while seated. This design allows the bicycle to navigate challenging terrain without requiring a full suspension system, as seen in more high-performance models.

REAR RACK

The Charger comes perfectly equipped for the most diverse transport tasks, thanks to its standard carrier with MIK system. Whether you need to carry a bag to work, a basket for a picnic outing or two larger panniers for shopping – the MIK system lets you quickly and simply swap accessories.

The carrier, capable of supporting a load of up to 27 kg, ensures safety and stability whether you're transporting cargo or passengers. Additionally, child seats can also be attached for added convenience.

On the rear wheel, we can also find an Abus Shield frame lock, also know as “cafe lock”, a half steel ring designed to block the wheel in case of a shortstop. This safety mechanism can be locked and unlocked with the same key as the battery one.

A 130 cm Abus chain lock can be added to the Abus Shield frame lock, with a chain bag located below the saddle for convenient storage when not in use.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Charger4 demonstrates how bicycles can function as a primary mode of transportation.

Available with the Shimano Deore derailleur gear system in Touring versions, as well as the popular Rohloff 14-speed hub gear, the Charger offers versatility to suit various preferences.

Additionally, the Charger includes a Mixte version with a lowered frame for easier E-Bike mounting.

With these and all the above options, Riese & Müller continues to uphold its reputation for high quality.

The urban mobility movement benefits greatly from the Charger4 GT Vario HS, which features excellent components and a notable 45 km/h assistance capability.

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