Which Gears Should I Choose for My Riese & Müller E-Bike?

When buying a Riese & Müller bike it’s essential that you choose the right gears for the type of riding you’ll be doing. All of the R&M bikes use pedal-assisted, mid-mount motors, so using the correct gear and cadence will make riding your bike far more enjoyable.

There are four options available when it comes to gears for your Riese & Müller bike:

• Touring (10, 11 or 12 speed derailleur gearing)
• Enviolo (continuously variable gearing)
• Rohloff E-14
• Pinion MGU

Cost is, of course, also an issue for many customers; the Touring option is the cheapest of the four, and the Rohloff the most expensive, but you must be careful to factor in the additional costs and longevity of owning these different types of gearing.

Chain and Cassette with Derailleur (Touring gears)

This is what Riese and Müller call the ‘chain and cassette’ option. This is the highest maintenance option available; however, it does offer the lowest levels of resistance for an e-bike, while still giving you a decent range of gears for riding up and down hills. Maintenance on a chain and cassette gearing setup has vastly improved in recent years, with much better cleaning and lubrication available.

Here at Ebikeist we recommend using Tru Tension e-bike Tungsten all-weather lube on your chain. This is a wax-based lubricant containing tungsten particles which prolongs chain life while offering protection from corrosion in bad weather conditions. Once applied to a clean and dry chain, it doesn’t need to be cleaned as the dirt flakes off with the wax. Just re-apply at regular intervals and ride on happily into the sunset…

Of course, chains do wear, and we would recommend checking your chain regularly with a chain checking device. These only cost about £10 but will save you a lot of money in the long run. Replacing your chain at the 0.75 wear mark on your chain checker will mean that you should get three chains to one cassette before that needs changing as well. Your chainring on the crank will also last longer and should easily last at least 10,000 miles.

Derailleur gears are great for people who want a good range of gears and low drag, but don’t mind the additional maintenance that goes along with it.

Enviolo gears (Vario)

Enviolo is a continuously variable gearing system, so the first thing you notice is that there are no individual gears like on a standard hub gear. The system works by tilting large ball bearings at different angles inside the hub to create different gear ratios.

The hub gear creates a wide enough spread of gears for most trips, but may not be enough for some riders on very steep slopes or those on loaded touring trips. There is also a higher amount of drag on the system than you would experience with a regular derailleur gear as above.

From our experience at Ebikeist, the hubs are very durable, although the manual shift units and grip shifters will need replacing occasionally, and cables will wear out eventually as well. There is an Automatiq gear shift unit available, but only on a minimal range of bikes. These units maintain a steady cadence for the rider by changing gear automatically, which is something to consider.

Enviolo hubs are not serviceable, unlike the Rohloff, but you can expect many years of use with very little maintenance. All of the Riese and Müller bikes come with Gates carbon belts on these hubs, meaning that you haven’t got a chain to clean, measure and replace.

The Enviolo system is brilliant for commuters and less demanding riders who don’t take on super long trips or challenging terrain.

Rohloff E-14 gears

The Rohloff hub is a very smart piece of kit; it is a planetary hub gear system which manages to cram 14 gears into a single hub shell. It has a broader range of gears than the Enviolo and less drag as well. The gears are also stepped evenly, so you should be able to find the right gear and cadence for all terrains.

The Rohloff hub is super durable and only requires a simple oil change every 12 months or 3000 miles, which can be done at home or your local retailer in about half an hour. This makes Rohloff hubs less expensive to maintain than derailleur gears, and some users have achieved truly amazing mileages on the Rohloff hubs before needing any service.

The hubs can be serviced and maintained by Rohloff themselves, who have recently set up service agents around the UK to make this process easier for customers.

What makes the Rohloff so good for e-bikes is the integrated electronic shifting, Gates carbon belt and long service life. The weight of the system is not a penalty on an e-bike equipped with a Bosch motor, as you have more than enough power to overcome the weight and drag.

The Rohloff is best for demanding riders who want to always be in the right gear, want reliability and take on long trips over multiple days and rugged terrain.

Pinion MGU (Motor Gearbox Unit)

Pinion gears are an excellent choice for riders seeking a rugged and versatile drivetrain that excels in performance and reliability.

Unlike traditional derailleur systems, the Pinion gearbox is fully enclosed, protecting it from dirt, water, and debris. This significantly reduces maintenance and extends its lifespan. With a wide gear range of up to 600%, Pinion gears provide the flexibility needed to ride steep climbs, technical trails, and fast descents easily.

The innovative design of the Pinion MGU integrates the motor and gearbox into a single, compact unit, delivering seamless power and efficient gear changes even under load. Pinion-equipped bikes are ideal for riders who want precision and control, whether navigating city streets or riding off-road trails.

In addition to their technical advantages, Pinion gears offer a quiet and smoother riding experience, free from the clatter and wear associated with traditional chain-and-derailleur setups. This makes them preferred for those who value a more refined and low-maintenance ride.

Visit our comprehensive guide on the Pinion MGU to learn more about the technology and benefits of Pinion gears, including the latest developments with the Pinion MGU.

Comparison of Gear Ratios: Pinion vs. Rohloff vs. Enviolo vs. Derailleur

The chart above provides a visual comparison of gear ratios across four different drivetrain systems: Pinion, Rohloff, Enviolo, and a traditional Derailleur system. 

Disclaimer: The chart above is intended as a visual representation to compare the relative gear ranges and costs of the Pinion, Rohloff, Enviolo, and Derailleur systems. While it provides a general overview, it may not reflect the exact specifications and performance of each system. For precise details, it’s always best to consult the manufacturer’s technical documentation or look at Sheldon Brown’s excellent website.

• Pinion (12 gears, 600% range): The Pinion gearbox stands out with the widest gear range of 600%, offering exceptional versatility for a variety of terrains. This system is particularly advantageous for riders who need extensive gear options for steep climbs or high-speed descents.
• Rohloff (14 gears, 540% range): The Rohloff hub offers a 540% gear range across 14 gears, making it a reliable and robust choice for long-distance touring and heavy-duty off-road riding. Its wide gear range ensures smooth transitions and adaptability to different riding conditions.
• Enviolo (CVT, 380% range): The Enviolo system, with its continuously variable transmission (CVT), provides a 380% gear range. While it may not offer as wide a range as the Pinion or Rohloff, its stepless shifting delivers a smooth and intuitive riding experience, ideal for urban environments and casual riding.
• Derailleur (11 gears, 450% range): The traditional derailleur system provides a 450% gear range, commonly found on many mountain and road bikes. While it’s cost-effective and widely used, it requires more frequent maintenance compared to the other systems, and its gear range is narrower than that of the Pinion or Rohloff.

This comparison highlights the trade-offs between gear range, ease of use, and maintenance requirements. Riders can choose the system that best suits their riding style and needs, whether it’s the robust performance of the Pinion, the durability of the Rohloff, the simplicity of the Enviolo, or the familiarity of the derailleur.This comparison highlights the trade-offs between gear range, ease of use, and maintenance requirements. Riders can choose the system that best suits their riding style and needs, whether it’s the robust performance of the Pinion, the durability of the Rohloff, the simplicity of the Enviolo, or the familiarity of the derailleur.

You can learn more about Pinion here >>

What does each option cost?

Pricing varies by bike model, but here is the range across the Charger5 to give you a sense of the step-ups:

The same drivetrain options are available across the Charger5, Charger5 Mixte, Delite5, and Nevo5 at similar price points. The Superdelite5 offers Touring, Vario, and Rohloff only (no Pinion).

The step from Touring to Vario (£190) gets you belt drive and stepless shifting. The step from Vario to Pinion (£1,310) gets you the sealed gearbox, different motor, and virtually zero maintenance. The step from Touring to Rohloff (£2,240) gets you the ultimate hub gear with electronic shifting and belt drive, while keeping the Bosch CX motor and Smart System.

Not sure which combination suits your riding? Use the Bike Finder on our guide or give us a call on 03330 151 979.