Riese & Müller’s Culture represents a minimal design of lightweight E-Bike boasting the latest technology and outstanding recognition value for the trendier areas of the city. The DNA of the R&M Culture: a modern street style, relaxed but incorporating influences from the worlds of art, music, fashion and architecture.
Distinctive design elements, such as the characteristic bend in the top tube, make the R&M Culture both unique and contemporary, with fresh, on-trend frame colours underlining its urban concept.
Two frame versions of the bike are available: the R&M Culture with a classic diamond frame and the R&M Culture Mixte with a lowered top tube. Almost 50% of the frame is made of ASI-certified recycled aluminium.
It features a totally newly developed drive system with the new Bosch SX motor in conjunction with the CompactTube 400 battery. The Bosch SX is extremely lightweight, runs especially quietly and guarantees a natural riding experience.
The battery sits permanently in the main tube but can be easily removed for maintenance, service or replacement.
Using the R&M Culture is easy and straightforward thanks to the standard LED Remote; an SPC+ interface provides the option of attaching a smartphone. Alternatively you can opt for a display.
Three different frame heights and a host of safety and comfort equipment options make each and every R&M Culture a one-off customised bike.
Both the R&M Culture and Culture Mixte can be configured with a Shimano 10-speed derailleur gear, 8-speed Nexus hub gear or continuous Enviolo hub gear (all with Gates belt drive).
Culture |
|
---|---|
FRAME | Aluminum |
BIKE WEIGHT | 22.3 kg |
WEIGHT CAPACITY | 150 kg |
BATTERY |
Bosch CompactTube CPT 400Wh
|
MOTOR |
Bosch Performance Line SX |
DISPLAY |
LED Remote (without display) |
MAX ASSISTED SPEED | 32km/hr as per Canadian regulations |
COMPUTER MODES | Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo |
RANGE ESTIMATE | 70-175km (PowerTube 750) |
CHARGING TIME |
6 hours |
SUSPENSION FORK |
Upgradable to Suntour NCX 28" |
REAR SHOCK | N/A |
HEADSET | Acros IntegrationX, block lock |
SEATPOST | JD-SP66 |
SEATCLAMP | Custom |
TIRES | Schwalbe Big Ben 50-622 |
TUBES | Schwalbe |
RIMS |
Mach1 650, 28"
|
FRONT HUB | Novatec Disc 32H |
REAR HUB | Shimano Nexus 8-speed, free-wheel, 36H |
CRANKSET | Samox, 170mm |
CHAINRING | 55T for Gates Belt Drive CDX |
CHAINGUARD | Belt Guard |
CHAIN | Gates Belt Drive CDC |
PINION | 24T for Gates Belt Drive CDX |
SADDLE | Selle Royal Essenza Eco Unisex |
PEDALS | M-Wave Steady Flat |
SHIFTING SYSTEM |
Shimano Nexus 8-speed |
SHIFTER | Shimano Nexus grip shift 8-speed |
HANDLEBAR | JD-TR25AL, 31,8mm, 35°, B=640mm |
STEM | JD 90mm/30° 1-1/8" |
GRIPS | Herrmans Grips Line |
BRAKES | Magura MT A2, disc brake |
FRONT LIGHT | Herrmans H-Black MR8 |
TAIL LIGHT | Büchel Nano COB, integrated in the mudguard |
MUDGUARDS | Curana CLite 50; Curana Apollo 60 |
REAR RACK |
Riese & Muller MIK |
BUNGEE | N/A |
BELL |
Knog OI V2 |
KICKSTAND |
Ursus R90 Mooi |
LOCK |
Culture |
FROM | TO |
---|---|---|
50 CM | 5' 1" | 5' 7" |
56 CM | 5' 5" | 6' |
62 CM | 5' 9" | 6' 5" |
Will this take up a lot of space on the road?
No more than any other bike you pass in the bike lane!
How does a Riese & Muller compare to other e-bikes?
Honestly, there isn't really a comparison to be made - Riese & Muller are literally the best e-bikes on the market. It's like comparing any other car to a Land Rover. Now that urban cycling is taking off, we're seeing more and more e-bikes on the streets ferrying people all over the place, but most were designed for use in cities with paved roads and bike paths. Riese & Muller has achieved the pinnacle of e-bikes in speccing theirs with full-suspension GT and GX options, meaning you can take them off-road - on dirt track, mountain roads, even forested trails. They're armed to the teeth with every luxury item you could ever think of - Magura hydraulic disc brakes, Thudbuster or dropper seatposts, internal gear hubs, Gates belt drives, blindingly bright Supernova and Busch & Muller lighting systems, and the absolute best cockpit control computer systems. They're intuitive and built to last.
How the heck do I buy one of these?
We've done all the legwork for you! Take a read through our extensive spec options, build up your bike just the way you want it, place an order and we'll be in touch when your bike arrives fully built!
Can I use this bike for a business?
Absolutely. With the smorgasbord of options for cargo boxes, rear racks, and on/off-road capabilities, this bike will excel at whatever you ask it to do. Email aaron@curbsidecycle.com if you’re interested in discussing a Riese & Muller for your business or business idea.
What is an internal gear hub?
In Europe, a bike with an internal gear hub is what makes it a definitive city bike. Because the chain isn’t derailed up and down a set of external cogs (using a derailleur), the chain will never fall off again, and best of all, the chain can be covered so you can wear whatever you want. The gears are sealed inside the rear hub and they hold a tune two times longer than a derailleur, minimizing tune-ups and allowing you to store the bike outside throughout the winter problem-free.
What is a belt drive?
Belt drives have been developed over the last 30 years for use in racing engines and motorcycles. They are a band of nylon teeth held together with a series of carbon fibre cords, paired with alloy chainrings and stainless-steel cogs. They've recently made the jump to bikes because they're nearly silent, don't require lube (and are much more winter-proof as a result), don't rust or get jammed with debris, and last for up to 30,000km of riding before needing replacement. We don't see them often on North American bikes because they can't be used with external derailleurs, only internal hubs or crank-based gearboxes.
Can I store it outside?
Of course. But if you are storing it outside during the winter, we strongly recommend going with the Vario or Rohloff internal hubs over an external-gear Touring derailleur, as they're built for year-round use and keep maintenance costs to a minimum. Should you have your heart set on a derailleur Riese & Muller, be sure to pick up a Bike Parka to keep it covered from ice and snow.
Does the battery lock to the bike?
Yep. That’s one expensive chunk of Lithium Ion. Frame-mounted batteries lock on to the down-tube and only you can remove them with the key provided. Internal frame batteries are built into the bike, so no need to worry!
How long does it take to charge the battery?
It takes about five hours to charge a single battery from flat to full, and twice as long if you have a dual battery system on your Riese & Muller. The batteries don't have memory so there is no problem if you only charge the battery a little bit, halfway, or whatever. You’ll get over 1000 complete charges, which is typically 5+ years of use before a replacement is required.
Is the unit serviceable?
You bet it is. For years the e-assist market was dominated by small fly-by-night companies with good ideas and no balance sheet. The consumer took all the risk and were often left with technical assistance phone numbers that no longer worked. Riese & Muller partner with Bosch, a huge player in the e-bike market – and they are sophisticated, which means they are updatable, diagnosable, and if something does break, fundamentally repairable.
What's the lifetime on the battery?
On average you will get about 18,000-20,000 miles from the battery before it needs to be replaced.
This is expensive! Will it get stolen?
Estimates are that over 90% of bicycle theft is tied to cash-for-drugs (unfortunately) and most bike losses are due to inferior or cheap locks. Make sure you buy a good ABUS U-lock or a chain and your bike will be safe. You can read more about bike theft here.
What’s the warranty?
For the original owner, Riese & Muller offers a two-year warranty for manufacturer defects on frame and fork, five years for frame / swingarm breakage, and two years on the battery. Does not include wear and tear.