The 2017 Riese & Müller Nevo electric bikes are available! I’d say they’ve arrived, but that wouldn’t exactly be true. What gives, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you what gives, dear electric bike lover. Riese & Müller custom make each bike they sell to your exact specifications and needs. Sound too good to be true? That’s exactly the point! They really are pioneers in the electric bike world in this regard. While you can purchase some standardized models to get your bike a little quicker, we recommend researching exactly what you want, and allowing them to customize it for you. I’ll explain why below. We had a chance to try out some of the Riese & Müller electric bikes at our shop for a few weeks, and we’re ready to pass along our thoughts to you. Here is our 2017 Riese & Müller Nevo review.
Riese & Müller Nevo Nuvinci
As I said before, Riese & Müller are really offering something that no other electric bike company provides: a fully customized premium electric bike. There are a few major benefits to this. You have complete control over just about every aspect of your bicycle. Prefer a traditional derailleur to a belt drive system? No problem. Want to upgrade your cargo rack or other accessories? They’ve got you there too. Another benefit is that you know your bike hasn’t been sitting around in a warehouse for months. This means your battery and motor are fresh, your brake pads are just out of the box, and the rubber on your tires is cushy.
R&M Belt Drive System
Let’s get into what they offer. Within the Nevo line, there are two bases you can start from: the Nevo Touring and the Nevo Nuvinci. The major difference here is that the the Nevo Touring uses a traditional derailleur, and the Nevo Nuvinci upgrades you to a hub gear and belt drive system. Basically, it all comes down to personal preference. Hub gear shifting systems are becoming more popular because they are almost completely maintenance free. The belt drive doesn’t require any messy chain lube, and you can shift without having to pedal. This means if you want to take a break before that big climb starts, you can get yourself into the correct gear from a standstill. The drawback is that when it does need maintenance, it will cost more. Plus, if you’re used to working with a traditional drivetrain, you might prefer to stick with that.
From those two bases, you can also choose to bump up to a high speed motor. The Nevo Touring HS and the Nevo Nuvinci HS will both assist you up to 28mph. This obviously can make a huge difference in your commute time, touring capabilities, and ease of riding.
All of the Riese & Müller electric bikes use the highly regarded Bosch Performance motors. If you purchase a high speed (or HS) electric bike, you get the Bosch Performance speed motor, which provides 63 nm of torque and a top speed of 28mph. The other two bikes use the Bosch Performance CX motors. These will take you up to 20mph and provide 75 nm of torque.
So all this info still begs the question: how does the Nevo line ride? To quote our friends over Riese & Müller, “everyone loves the Nevo line.” We got a chance to test these in house for about a week, and I am feeling the love from the Nevo. We had a Nevo Nuvinci. I think the reason the Nevo line is so popular is because literally anyone who knows how to ride can easily use this bike, even if it’s been years since one’s last ride. The ultra low-step frame makes it effortless to mount, and the Bosch motor kicks in right away with just the right amount of power to help you get going. The Suntour fork and thick Schwalbe Big Ben tires provide a comfortable and smooth ride, even when we used it on dirt paths in La Jolla.
I really enjoyed trying out the Nuvinci shifting. It really is a game changer. There are no clunky gears to sift through, and you can change gears at the drop of a hat. Plus, it’s all operated by a conveniently located grip shift. The Bosch battery is also integrated well into the frame. It never felt in the way. I’d recommend this bike for anybody who wants to get back into cycling, those who want to stick mostly to roads (with a few occasional gravel or dirt paths), and those interested in bike touring.
Keep an eye out for our reviews on the rest of the Riese & Müller lines. Happy riding!