Riese & Müller - Culture

BEAUTIFUL BEYOND WORDS

The Culture combines a modern look with a natural riding experience on a lightweight E-Bike.

The lightweight and quiet Bosch Performance Line SX motor blends into the frame as seamlessly as the battery. Combining a natural riding experience with the benefits of an e-bike. 

Powered by a 400 Wh carrier battery seamlessly integrated into the frame, it can’t be removed. However, it could greatly benefit those who tend to be briefly away from their E-Bike - feeling safer.
With its low step-through design, navigating urban traffic is effortless, while the integrated cabling enhances its sleek appearance.

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

• Culture Mixte Vario | Denim | 50 cm

FEELING & DESIGN

The Culture’s low step frame makes mounting and dismounting easy, enhancing its inherent convenience.

The first thing one notices is pastel colors, minimalist features, and slim round tubes. 
The lowered top tube and the curved handlebar provide excellent comfort.

The significant aspect of this model is how light it is compared to similar models. Featuring only 21kg, you feel the difference cruising through the city, especially when you need to lift the bike to carry it.

The attention to detail is worthy of praise, as Riese & Müller elegantly conceals about 50% of the frame in recycled aluminium, enhancing sustainability as a real priority.

Color options:

• Biscuit

• Denim

Mixte color options:

• Blossom

• Denim - which is the color of our test model.

DRIVE UNIT

With the Performance Line SX, already with Bosch’s Smart System, we get a sporty drive unit that is lighter (~2kg) and more compact than anything Bosch developed so far.

For light eMTBs, eGravel, and eUrban bikes - a light, compact, and agile motor. Weighing around 2 kilograms, we see this motor as an attempt of Bosch to enter deeply into the gravel and mountain biking market, offering electric support with a light motor that can be used for some extra help.

This motor can be a massive hit for ocasional riders or commuters who ride flat routes with minimum incline without a garage or a safe place to store their bikes. They can carry the bike upstairs to store it, which gives them a lighter option for riding around the city.

BATTERY

The Culture is equipped with the CompactTube 400 Wh, which weighs around 2 kilograms and is integrated into the frame, offering a more secure system than ever. The lack of a frame opening and the more compact mount, combined with the permanent installation, make even more inconspicuous frame designs possible.

However, you need a proper place to charge your E-Bike when you store it since you can't remove the battery and charge it somewhere else. This is the tradeoff we have to make for this system.

It's an extra-lightweight battery ideal for anyone who loves the sleek appearance of conventional bikes but doesn't want to do without electric support.

The Bosch PowerMore 250 Wh add-on battery complements the fixed 400 Wh battery for even more range and flexibility, with a total weight of 1,6kg. If you are planning a more extended trip, secure the add-on battery in the frame bag – and increase the battery power by more than 60%. Simply remove it to charge it.

Display - SMART CONTROL CENTRE

As standard, we’ll have the LED Remote (without display).

This is an excellent option for those who want something genuinely minimalistic.

We recommend you add the optional Purion 200 (find it on the left picture).

Through it, you can access a small display featuring essential information, ensuring a clear, clean, and light design. The operation is intuitive, allowing you to keep your hands securely on the handlebars.

Variants - Transmissions

The Culture features three optional variants to choose from. 

The Touring variant features a Shimano Cues 10-speed derailleur, the Silent variant has a Shimano Nexus, 8-speed hub gear with a belt drive, and an Enviolo 380 continuous in the Vario variant.

The Vario variant, with the internal gear hub by Enviolo 380, offers 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. 

In a city like Porto, where frequent stops and starts are common, the Enviolo gear system proves 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

The rear and front Magura MT A2 brakes, provide and optimal braking feeling.

This are the entry level to the MAGURA MT world, with all of the high-tech features of German engineering skill, such as lightweight Carbotecture components and the rigid MAGURA Disctube cable – for safe braking on tours and in the city.

FRONT AND TAIL LIGHTS

In the front you’ll find the Herrmans H-Black MR8, which thanks to its compact dimensions, offering the possibility of elegant installation.

Additionally, Büchel Nano COB, integrated in the mudguard is included as the rear light, with a minimalistic design.

TIRES

It’s all about being elegant, but sturdy, with our 28 inches wheels (71 cm) that make every tour around the city safe, without major concerns.

Schwalbe Big Ben 50-622 run smoothly and reliably carry you to your destination, wherever that may be.

If you're mainly planning to ride on cycle lanes or paved roads, these tires are the go-to option, offering the comfort you need to ride safely and comfortably.

SUSPENSION

The bicycle’s frame has two suspension systems:

• The front one, that eases the wrists’ pressure and helps to maintain traction to irregular roads;

• The saddle suspension helps to absorb vibrations on uneven roads, such as those caused by deformations or "potholes”.

Overall, the suspension of the Culture performs well: we’ve overcome the cobblestone streets of Porto comfortably.

REAR RACK

Riese and Müller developed a new rear rack designed to carry cargo such as a work suitcase, groceries, or even a child's chair. It has a maximum load capacity of 27 kg, 2kg more than usual for this segment.

Additionally, the compact rack offers versatility, allowing riders to choose between carrying small items in a backpack or directly on the bicycle.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Culture is an excellent option for those looking for a cruising or commuting E-Bike, who mostly face paved and noninclined surfaces.

Lightness and affordability are the concepts beyond this bicycle’s idea, offering an entry-level model cruise bike, ready-to-leisure expeditions through the coast, occasional sightseeing adventures on dedicated cycle lanes, and a commuting bike for cities that are designed on a flat surface.

Schedule a test-ride