Riese & Müller - Swing4

BEAUTIFUL BEYOND WORDS

The Swing4, with its stylish design, embarks on tours, tackling both uphill and downhill terrain.

Resembling a traditional roadster, the frame of the Swing exudes a classic charm.
Its suspension fork and suspension seatpost ensure a comfortable journey to your destination.

Powered by a 500 Wh carrier battery and seamlessly integrated Bosch Performance Line motor, it provides robust assistance. 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:

• Swing4 Automatiq | Bordeaux | 46 cm

FEELING & DESIGN

The Swing4's low step frame makes mounting and dismounting easy, enhancing its inherent convenience.

The inherent beauty it’s the first thing one notices.
The vintage look is atemporal, stylish, as it does not pass by unnoticed by the most distracted eye.

The attention to detail is worthy of praise, as Riese & Müller elegantly conceals the cables inside the round frame, enhancing the electric bicycle's clean design and ease of use.

Color options:

• Black

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

• Salvia Matt

DRIVE UNIT

The Performance Line is the most versatile drive system from Bosch eBike Systems, offering you 300% of support, reinforced by the 75 Nm of engine torque from the latest update.

The German-made engine performs thousands of calculations per minute, analyzing each pedal cycle in real-time, as well as overall speed and pedal pressure. This ensures that excessive power is avoided, resulting in a more relaxed ride.

Even in tough situations, such as providing constant support up to 25 km/h (the maximum assisted speed), the engine remains silent.

Integrated into the smart system, the drive unit provides a natural riding sensation by intuitively adjusting to your riding style. This not only makes handling easier but also enhances road safety.

BATTERY

With the PowerPack 500 Wh battery as the heart of our Swing4 during our test-ride, the bicycle can easily cover more than 100 kilometers, raising questions about the necessity of cars as the primary mode of transportation in the city.

The battery, weighing approximately 2.8 kg and featuring a new design, sits atop the rear rack for easy access. It can be effortlessly removed for charging elsewhere, offering the convenience and security synonymous with Bosch technology.

Display - SMART CONTROL CENTRE

The standard display at the handlebar’s centre is the Intuvia 100, by Bosch.

Through it, you can access the display featuring large fonts, ensuring clear visibility while riding.
Coupled with the shift recommendation feature, it enhances safety and comfort during your journey.

The operation is intuitive via the control unit, allowing you to keep your hands securely on the handlebars.

The black lettering with the white background is easy to see, whether there are good or not so good light conditions.

However, if you opt for the Swing4 automatic, it will come standard with the Kiox 300, the same model we're testing in this review.

Variants - Transmissions

The Swing4 Automatiq 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.

Similar to the VARIO model, except the Enviolo system here is the automatic variant that “reads” the need to reduce or increase gear speeds without the need for manual shift. Also contains by default the Kiox 300 display.

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

The rear and front Magura HS22 brakes are hydraulic brakes that exert stopping power directly on the bicycle rims, ensuring smooth stops.

Equipped with a quick-release mechanism for easy assembly, they typically require minimal maintenance according to the brand, even after covering many kilometers.

For instance, from our store to Jardim do Morro in Vila Nova de Gaia, there's a big climb on steep roads, including a transition from asphalt to stone pavement where some cars struggle.
Throughout, the Swing4 Magura H22 brakes performed admirably without any issues.

FRONT AND TAIL LIGHTS

As standard, the Busch & Müller Lumotec IQ-XS serves as the front light, thanks to its compact dimensions, offering the possibility of elegant installation.

Additionally, the Busch & Müller Lumotec IQ-XS T is included as the rear light, a battery-powered option with a minimalistic design but impressive functions.

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 Swing4 performs well: the steep hills in Porto's downtown area, which are challenging to cross even on foot, were easily overcome with minimal effort.

REAR RACK

In the rear, there is a rack designed to carry cargo such as a work suitcase, groceries, or even a child's chair (with a maximum load capacity of 25 kg).

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 Swing4 is an excellent option for those who look for an urban model, to pedal in the most relaxed position and worrying less about details.

Style is the concept beyond this bicycle’s idea, but as we also found out, Riese and Müller included components thought to provide a high-end top of the line option.

In the end, there was an admitted satisfaction as we were still ready for another go!

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