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 £4,539. The Delite5 adds full suspension from £6,959. The Superdelite5 takes that full-suspension platform and pairs it with a massive 1,200Wh DualBattery from £7,519.

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

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.

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. Up front, it runs a SR Suntour Mobie 34 fork with 100mm of travel. 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 is weight. The Charger5 Touring comes in at 27.5 kg. The Delite5 Touring is 30.1 kg. That is 2.6 kg of extra bike, almost all of it in the suspension linkage, rear shock, and dropper post. You notice this when lifting the bike onto a car rack or carrying it up steps. On the road, the Bosch CX motor makes the weight difference completely 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 CORE models come with a 600Wh Bosch PowerTube battery. The standard Charger5 models step up to 800Wh. Both can be supplemented with the Bosch PowerMore 250Wh range extender (£392 through the R&M configurator), which slots into a cage on the frame and brings the total to 850Wh or 1,050Wh respectively.

Delite5: 800Wh with extender option
The Delite5 runs an 800Wh Bosch PowerTube battery as standard across all 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 £392, 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 only comes with an 800Wh battery across all three models. There is no range extender option available for the Pinion system.

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 double what the Charger5 CORE offers.

The weight penalty for all that battery is modest: the Superdelite5 Touring weighs 31.9 kg versus the Delite5 Touring's 30.1 kg. Less than 2 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.

Touring variants use a traditional Shimano Cues chain derailleur (10-speed on CORE, 11-speed on standard). 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.

Vario variants swap the chain for a Gates carbon belt drive paired with an Enviolo 380 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 (Charger5 only) adds Enviolo's auto-shifting system, so the bike changes ratio for you based on your speed and cadence.

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 BAT Tubepack 800Wh instead of Bosch) and its own display (FIT Comfort 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, topping out at £8,259 (Charger5), £9,199 (Delite5), or £9,849 (Superdelite5).

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.

All non-CORE Charger5 and Delite5 variants with the Bosch system can be optioned with Bosch eBike ABS (£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 CORE from £4,539
The Charger5 Touring CORE and Vario CORE (£4,719) use the Bosch PX motor and a 600Wh battery. The PX delivers up to 90Nm of torque and 340% pedal assist. It is smooth, capable, and genuinely hard to distinguish from the CX in everyday riding. The CORE models also come with a simpler Bosch Purion 200 display and Magura MT4 brakes. For commuting, weekend rides, and general use, these bikes punch well above their price.

Mid-range: Charger5 from £5,649
Step up to the standard Charger5 Touring and you get the Bosch CX motor (100Nm torque), 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.

Full-suspension: Delite5 from £6,959
The jump from Charger5 Touring to Delite5 Touring is £1,310. For that you get the Fox full-suspension platform (120mm front, 110mm rear), a dropper seatpost, Tektro TRP disc brakes, and the confidence that comes with a bike built for rougher terrain. If your riding involves anything beyond smooth tarmac, this is where the value starts compounding.

Maximum range: Superdelite5 from £7,519
The jump from Delite5 to Superdelite5 is just £560. For that single step, you get 1,200Wh instead of 800Wh. That is 50% more battery for roughly 8% more money. Pound for pound, this is arguably the best value upgrade in the entire Riese & Müller range. If you are already spending Delite5 money, the question is not "can I afford the Superdelite5?" but "can I justify not spending the extra £560?"

Here is the full pricing range across all three bikes:

HS variants are speed pedelecs (45 km/h assist limit). They require registration, insurance, and a helmet in the UK.

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 £4,539
• You value a lighter bike (from 27.1 kg) for car racks, storage, and carrying up steps
• You want access to the Automatic or Pinion HS drivetrain options that only the Charger5 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 (£392 - only on Bosch models, not Pinion)
• 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 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 £5,649 and £5,839 are outstanding bikes that handle commuting, weekend rides, light touring, and everyday use with ease. The CORE versions at £4,539 are 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 and thinking about range, spend the extra £560 and get the Superdelite5. The DualBattery is the single best upgrade in the touring range. You will never regret having 1,200Wh.

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>>