The Charger5, Delite5, and Superdelite5 sit at the heart of Riese & Müller's touring and adventure range. They share the same DNA, the same attention to detail, and the same premium build quality. But they are three genuinely different bikes, designed for different types of riding. The Charger5 is a hardtail that starts from £4,209. The Delite5 adds full suspension from £6,879. The Superdelite5 takes that full-suspension platform and pairs it with a massive 1,200Wh DualBattery from £7,989.

I've spent serious time on all three, and the honest answer is that each one earns its price. But which one earns your money depends on how you ride, where you ride, and how far you want to go. Let me walk you through it properly.

The quick version

If you want the short answer: the Charger5 is the best all-rounder for most riders. It is lighter, more affordable, and available in the widest range of configurations. The Delite5 is for riders who tackle rough terrain regularly or want maximum comfort over long distances. The Superdelite5 is for riders who need genuine all-day range and never want to think about charging.

But the detail matters, so keep reading.

At a glance

	Charger5	Delite5	Superdelite5
Frame	Diamond or Mixte (hardtail)	Diamond (full-suspension)	Diamond (full-suspension)
Suspension	100mm Fox AWL 34 fork from Touring upward (SR Suntour on silent CORE), suspension seatpost	120mm Fox AWL fork + 110mm Fox Float rear	120mm Fox AWL fork + 110mm Fox Float rear
Motor	Bosch Performance Line (silent CORE) / Bosch CX / Bosch Performance Line Speed (Vario HS) / Pinion MGU	Bosch CX / Pinion MGU	Bosch CX / Bosch Performance Line Speed (Rohloff HS)
Battery	540Wh (silent CORE) / 800Wh (+250Wh extender option)	800Wh (+250Wh extender option)	1,200Wh DualBattery
Weight from	28.3 kg	31.6 kg	34.3 kg
Price from	£4,209 (silent CORE) / £5,589	£6,879	£7,989
Frame sizes	Small, Medium, Large, X-Large (diamond) / Small, Medium, Large (Mixte)	Medium, Large, X-Large	Medium, Large, X-Large
Drivetrain options	8 variants (incl. Pinion, Rohloff)	5 variants (incl. Pinion, Rohloff)	3 variants (no Pinion)
Brakes	Magura MT4/MT5 on the Bosch builds, Shimano MT200 on silent CORE, TRP on Pinion (ABS optional on Bosch)	Tektro TRP HD-EU835 (ABS optional)	Tektro TRP HD-EU835 (ABS optional)
Max rider weight	125 kg rider / 160 kg GVW	120 kg rider / 160 kg GVW	120 kg rider / 160 kg GVW

The Charger5 is the only model in this trio that comes in a Mixte (step-through) frame. The Delite5 and Superdelite5 are diamond frame only. If you need a step-through with full suspension, look at the Homage5, which shares the Delite5's platform in a low-step design.

One note on those weights: Riese & Müller changed how it publishes a from-weight for 2027, so these are not comparable with the figures we quoted last year. We do not believe the bikes have gained weight.

Suspension: the biggest difference you'll feel

This is the most important distinction between the Charger5 and the other two, and it is something you feel immediately.

The Charger5 is a hardtail. For 2027 it runs a Fox AWL 34 fork with 100mm of travel from the Touring variant upward, where last year the Fox fork was reserved for the Pinion and Rohloff builds. The silent CORE keeps an SR Suntour fork. At the rear, there is no suspension linkage. Instead, Riese & Müller fit a By.Schulz G.2 suspension seatpost that absorbs smaller bumps and vibrations. It is a proven, reliable setup that works brilliantly on roads, cycle paths, and light gravel. For commuting, shopping runs, and weekend rides on tarmac, it is genuinely all you need.

The Delite5 and Superdelite5 are full-suspension bikes. They share the same platform: a Fox AWL 34 Air fork with 120mm of travel up front and a Fox Float Rhythm SV shock at the rear giving 110mm of effective travel. The rear suspension ratio is 2.44, which means it is tuned to soak up medium hits without bobbing on smooth roads. Both bikes also come with a dropper seatpost (X-Fusion Manic) as standard, so you can drop the saddle for technical descents or stop-start urban riding.

Here is how I would put it: the Charger5 is comfortable. The Delite5 and Superdelite5 are plush. If your riding includes bridleways, towpaths, potholed country lanes, or gravel tracks, you will feel the difference within the first mile. The rear suspension does not just smooth things out. It keeps the rear wheel planted, which means better traction on loose surfaces and less fatigue on longer rides.

The trade-off used to be weight, and on Riese & Müller's 2027 published figures it barely is any more: the Charger5 Touring is 31.5 kg and the Delite5 Touring 31.6 kg. Where the weight does show up is battery, not suspension. The Superdelite5 Vario is 35.2 kg against the Delite5 Vario's 32.9 kg. You notice that lifting the bike onto a car rack or carrying it up steps. On the road, the Bosch CX motor makes the difference irrelevant.

There is also a maintenance consideration. The Charger5's hardtail setup is essentially maintenance-free beyond the occasional fork service. The Delite5 and Superdelite5's Fox suspension needs periodic servicing (every 100-200 hours of riding, or annually). The rear suspension does not add any more regular maintenance to your routine - there is just a little more complexity at the yearly service interval. Nothing to worry about.

The other big trade-off is efficiency. You won't get as far with an 800Wh battery on a Delite versus the Charger. In addition to the weight, you lose a small amount of power when the suspension is fully open.

Battery and range: where the Superdelite5 stands apart

The Delite5 and Superdelite5 share the same suspension, the same frame geometry, and largely the same components. The thing that separates them is battery capacity, and the difference is substantial.

Charger5 battery options:
The new silent CORE comes with a 540Wh Bosch PowerTube battery. The rest of the Charger5 range runs 800Wh. The Bosch variants can be supplemented with the Bosch PowerMore 250Wh range extender (£387 through the R&M configurator), which slots into a cage on the frame and brings the total to 1,050Wh.

Delite5: 800Wh with extender option
The Delite5 runs an 800Wh Bosch PowerTube battery as standard across all Bosch variants. That gives most riders between 40 and 80 miles depending on the assist level, terrain, rider weight, and how much climbing is involved. In Eco mode on flat terrain, you could push past 80 miles. In Turbo mode on hilly routes, 40 miles is realistic. The 250Wh PowerMore range extender is available as a configurator option for £387, taking the potential total to 1,050Wh.

Superdelite5: 1,200Wh DualBattery, no compromises
The Superdelite5 comes standard with Riese & Müller's DualBattery system. That is a 400Wh Bosch CompactTube battery combined with an 800Wh PowerTube mounted horizontally. Together they deliver 1,200Wh out of the box, no extender needed. This is the biggest battery configuration you can get on a Riese & Müller touring bike.

One important note: the Pinion MGU version comes with an 800Wh battery, and the Superdelite5 does not offer Pinion at all. For 2027 the Pinion builds get their own range extender, the FIT BuddyPack 240, at £461 alongside the 800Wh battery, available from November 2026.

In practical terms, 1,200Wh means genuine all-day riding. Multi-day touring trips without hunting for a charger. Hilly routes on higher assist levels without watching the percentage drop. For context, the Superdelite5 carries 50% more battery than the Delite5 and more than double what the Charger5 silent CORE offers.

The weight penalty for all that battery is modest: on the 2027 figures the Superdelite5 Vario weighs 35.2 kg against the Delite5 Vario's 32.9 kg. About 2.3 kg extra for 400Wh more capacity.

Drivetrain options: more choice than you might expect

All three bikes share the same core drivetrain architecture, but the Charger5 offers the widest choice. Riese & Müller trimmed the range for 2027: the Charger5 goes from eleven variants to eight, the Delite5 from six to five, and the Superdelite5 from four to three.

Touring variants use a traditional chain derailleur, Shimano XT Linkglide 11-speed for 2027. Simple, proven, easy to maintain, and the cheapest option. This is the version we have all grown up with, and it is perfectly suited if you are happy doing some regular maintenance to keep the bike in great condition. But the availability of belt drive has meant that most R&M customers tend to upgrade to something a bit easier to live with. The new silent CORE takes a different route again: a five-speed Shimano Nexus hub with a Gates belt.

Vario variants swap the chain for a Gates carbon belt drive paired with an Enviolo continuously variable hub gear. No gears to click through, just a smooth twist of the grip. The belt is cleaner, quieter, and longer-lasting than a chain. The Automatic variant has been dropped from the Charger5 for 2027; if auto-shifting is what you want, the Nevo5 still offers it at £5,909.

New for 2027, the Touring Pro at £6,049 pairs the Bosch CX with Shimano Di2 XT Linkglide electronic shifting, including an automatic function that changes gear for you. If you have never ridden electronic shifting, it is worth a test ride before you decide you do not want it.

Pinion variants use the Pinion MGU E1.12, a motor-gearbox unit that integrates the motor and a 12-speed gearbox into a single sealed unit at the bottom bracket. It uses a completely different battery system (FIT TubePack 800Wh instead of Bosch) and its own display. The Pinion system is incredibly low-maintenance and has a different ride feel. It is available on the Charger5 and Delite5, but not the Superdelite5.

Rohloff variants pair the Bosch CX motor with a Rohloff E-14 Speedhub, an electronically-shifted 14-speed hub gear with a Gates belt drive. This is the ultimate in durability and range of gears. It is also the most expensive option, at £7,889 (Charger5), £8,909 (Delite5), or £9,459 (Superdelite5), rising to £9,919 for the Superdelite5 Rohloff HS. The Charger5 and Delite5 Rohloff HS variants have both been dropped for 2027.

Both the Pinion and Rohloff versions benefit from a selectable auto shift mode, with the gearbox choosing the correct gear and even changing up and down in the background when you are coasting to ensure the pedals are always ready to engage.

The Bosch-equipped Charger5 and Delite5 variants can be optioned with Bosch eBike ABS (£369 for 2027, down from £373), which adds anti-lock braking. It is worth considering if you ride in wet conditions regularly, wet/muddy/loose gravel, or if you continuously fall off like me.

Pricing: what each step up costs you

Let me lay out the real numbers, because the price jumps tell a clear story about what you get.

Entry point: Charger5 silent CORE at £4,209
For 2027 the two old CORE models are replaced by a single silent CORE, which is £330 below last year's entry point. It runs a Bosch Performance Line motor, a 540Wh battery, a five-speed Shimano Nexus hub and a Gates carbon belt, with Shimano MT200 brakes. Quiet, low-maintenance, nothing to adjust, and the cheapest way into a Charger5. Worth knowing if price is the deciding factor: the cheapest Riese & Müller of all is the Nevo5 silent CORE at £4,029.

Mid-range: Charger5 from £5,589
Step up to the standard Charger5 Touring and you get the Bosch CX motor, an 800Wh battery, Bosch Kiox 500 display with LED Remote, and the option for ABS brakes. This is the sweet spot of the range for riders who want full R&M build quality and the most powerful Bosch motor without paying for full suspension.

On torque, because the numbers move around: the CX leaves the factory at 85Nm, and Bosch has raised it twice by software, to 100Nm with the 2025 Performance Upgrade and to 120Nm with Performance Upgrade 2.0 in May 2026. That upgrade is approved per variant, not per model. Touring, Touring Pro and Rohloff builds take the full 120Nm. The Enviolo-hubbed Vario variants do not, because the hub is not rated for the higher input torque, and the Pinion builds run a different motor system entirely. We have written the whole thing up in Bosch Performance Upgrade 2.0 explained.

Full-suspension: Delite5 from £6,879
The jump from Charger5 Touring to Delite5 Touring is £1,290. Both now have a Fox fork, so what you are buying is 20mm more travel at the front, the Fox Float Rhythm rear shock at 110mm, a dropper seatpost, and the confidence that comes with a bike built for rougher terrain. The brakes change from Magura to Tektro TRP, which is a different system rather than a better one. If your riding involves anything beyond smooth tarmac, this is where the value starts compounding.

Maximum range: Superdelite5 from £7,989
The Superdelite5 lost its Touring variant for 2027 and now starts with the Vario, so entry to entry the two bikes look £1,110 apart. Compare the same drivetrain on both, though, and the old £560 step is exactly intact: Delite5 Vario £7,429 against Superdelite5 Vario £7,989. For that single step you get 1,200Wh instead of 800Wh, which is 50% more battery for about 8% more money, on the same frame with the same motor. Pound for pound it is still the best value upgrade in the Riese & Müller range. Rohloff to Rohloff the step is £550, £8,909 against £9,459.

Here is the full pricing range across all three bikes:

Drivetrain	Charger5	Delite5	Superdelite5
silent CORE	£4,209	n/a	n/a
Touring	£5,589	£6,879	n/a
Touring Pro	£6,049	n/a	n/a
Vario	£6,049	£7,429	£7,989
Vario HS	£6,599	n/a	n/a
Pinion	£7,159	£8,169	n/a
Pinion HS	£7,529	£8,539	n/a
Rohloff	£7,889	£8,909	£9,459
Rohloff HS	n/a	n/a	£9,919

HS variants are speed pedelecs (45 km/h assist limit). They require registration, insurance, and a helmet in the UK. For 2027 the Charger5 keeps the Vario HS and Pinion HS, the Delite5 keeps only the Pinion HS, and the Superdelite5 keeps the Rohloff HS.

Who is each bike for?

The Charger5 is for you if:

• You ride mainly on roads, cycle paths, and light gravel
• You want the widest choice of configurations, including the only Mixte (step-through) option in this comparison
• Budget matters and you want Riese & Müller quality starting from £4,209
• You value a lighter bike (from 28.3 kg) for car racks, storage, and carrying up steps
• You want the new Touring Pro with electronic shifting, or the Vario HS, neither of which the Delite5 or Superdelite5 offers
• You prefer simpler maintenance with no rear suspension to service

Shop the Charger >>

The Delite5 is for you if:

• You ride mixed terrain regularly: bridleways, towpaths, rough country lanes, gravel tracks
• Long-distance comfort is a priority and you want the fatigue-reducing benefit of full suspension
• You want the Fox suspension platform with a dropper seatpost for versatility
• You are happy adding the 250Wh range extender later if you find you need more battery (£387 on Bosch models; Pinion builds take the FIT BuddyPack 240 at £461 from November 2026)
• You want the Pinion MGU option with full suspension (the Superdelite5 does not offer this)

Shop the Delite >>

The Superdelite5 is for you if:

• You do long touring days (60+ miles), multi-day trips, or ride hilly terrain on higher assist
• You never want to worry about battery range and prefer not to carry a charger
• You are already considering the Delite5 Vario and the extra £560 is manageable
• You want 1,200Wh out of the box without needing to buy and fit a range extender separately

Shop the Superdelite >>

My recommendation

For most riders walking into ebikeist, I recommend starting with the Charger5. The Touring or Vario variants at £5,589 and £6,049 are outstanding bikes that handle commuting, weekend rides, light touring, and everyday use with ease. The silent CORE at £4,209 is a brilliant way to experience Riese & Müller quality if you are stepping up from a mainstream brand. And the Charger5 is the only bike here with a Mixte frame, which matters if you need a step-through.

If you ride off-road regularly or you are planning serious touring, the Delite5 is worth every penny of the step up. The Fox full-suspension platform is not a marketing add-on. It is a fundamentally different riding experience on anything rougher than smooth tarmac. I ride a Delite5 on the Dartmoor bridleways near the shop, and it handles terrain that would have the Charger5 bouncing around.

And if you are looking at the Delite5 Vario and thinking about range, spend the extra £560 and get the Superdelite5 Vario. The DualBattery is the single best upgrade in the touring range. You will never regret having 1,200Wh. One thing to know before you order: both of those are Enviolo-hubbed bikes, so neither takes the Bosch 120Nm upgrade. If that matters more to you than range does, look at the Touring or Rohloff builds and we will talk you through the difference.

The best way to decide is to ride them. Book a test ride at ebikeist and feel the difference for yourself. Not sure which to try first? Use the Bike Finder on our guide and we will match you to the right model. Or give us a call on 03330 151 979.

Watch our Superdelite Full Review on YouTube>>

Watch our Delite5 Full Review on YouTube>>