Thanks Croxden, I will get back to you soonest.

 

All the best

 

David

It's taken a while but the Delite has now tipped the 5000 mile mark.

 

 

I have had my first part failure at 4080 miles; the bracket holding the front light had had enough of the vibration and broke in two.

 

 

I am not sure if this is the original part; R&M held back the sending of the bike as they were not happy with the light bracket and did not want me to have something that was not 'perfec'. OnBike said they had moved the front light as they didn't think that R&M's positioning was right. Regardless, I fashioned another from a piece of stainless and so it ought to last as it is really solid now.

 

 

I had a rear puncture at 3500 miles, I have done nothing other than put some air them (once) and it's still good so full marks to Aldi and their little foam canister that repaired and inflated the tyre.

 

 

One thing I have noticed recently is the battery is no where near what it was.

 

Last January, when I took delivery of the Delite I would get 8 plus miles before the first bar of the battery level indicator extinguished, now it is 5.3 miles. This is on the same run and power settings, I have ran the battery out at 20 to 22miles riding on Tour setting, fortunately the last mile is all down hill and can be done without the need to pedal.

 

 

I keep a log of what I do with the bike and it shows I have charged it 225 times over the year (less a couple of weeks) not many fully flattened. I am having to change my riding routes so I don't flatten the battery and now make more use of the range indicator. Interestingly, I would have just dropped to the last two bars but the range indicator said I had only 7 miles left. Using only the Eco setting to make it last and at 7 miles it starts to flash before being exhausted. It shows it works well.

 

 

Apart from that everything is honky dory, same tyres & chain. I have been reading on the forum of folks having a poor life on these items. I have never lubed the chain but I do give a rub with a cloth to make it shine. I feel that oil picks up and holds dirt that wears the chain more than it protects, I don't have derailleur's but do have a chain tensioner, that is quite clean and not bunged up with grunge like my old bike was.

 

 

I am still pleased with this bike, can't think of another I would swap for it, even two for mine. It is well worth the extra it costs, one of the best decisions I have ever made in all my years on this planet.

Isn't the battery covered by warranty? How long have you had it?

Isn't the battery covered by warranty? How long have you had it?

12 months in a fortnight. They have a two year warranty but no doubt with conditions, a certain % of charge and number of charges.

I aim to visit OnBike soon and will have them test it.

Batteries, I have concluded, are a big fly in the ebike ointment.

 

Mine are still performing OK, but you cannot beat the laws of physics so no doubt they will conk out sooner or later.

Now at 6000 plus miles and some failings are showing up, nothing major and an error on my part.

 

 

I had a squeal from the front brake when going on a level stretch. Lifting the bike from the floor and tried to spin the wheel I found it binding.

 

 

At home after taking the wheel off, I found it also needed new pads, hardly surprising at the mileage. Ordered four (it's cheaper) from Disco Brakes and they have quite an informative web site, I learnt things on there not normally mentioned on here.

 

 

They are easy to fit back & front but found a piston was stuck on the rear brake also. Not having any mineral oil or bleeding tools thought I would take the bike to the dealer who are better equipped to sort it out.

 

 

So a trip down the motorways to OnBike's new shop in Worcester, it's a little father than the old place near Kidderminster but if anything takes less time for me to get there.

 

 

I have had intermittent failure of the Intuvia displaying information, although all the controls operated and so there was no need for immediate attention. I had kept OnBike aware of what was happening so this was attended to readily and a replacement unit has resolved this problem.

 

 

I have commented on the battery had been showing signs of loosing its range and power.

 

I do feel foolish in not spotting the obvious; it's the sticking brakes that had the effects of limiting the output and making it hard work but now it's back to normal.

 

 

OnBike ran the diagnostic on the battery and it's performing as good as ever. So apologises to Bosch.

 

 

The Schwalbe Marathon deluxe tyres are performing well, with little wear showing on the back tyre. I would have worn out the Michelins on my Gary Fisher long ago.

 

Although mud defeats them I can ride on ice without problems. The path through Dimmingsdale is two miles long climbing steeper as it goes on. The snow had partially thawed and then frozen so I had a smooth icy path to ride on, not coming off once. People had trouble walking.

 

 

The care taken in servicing my bike show's the worth of a good outlet when buying an ebike pays dividends, I have had nothing but the best service, and the repair cost me nothing.

 

 

Oh, except for the additional bike bought to add to the collection. But that's temptation.

 

 

The bike is still worth the money asked.

It's been a while since I updated the Delite's progress.

 

 

Apart from a replacement Intuvia head that had a faulty screen and was replaced under warranty, it has in the last 8,560 miles (13775 km) been on original equipment apart from saddle changes. Currently I'm with a Brooks Swift that has lasted longer than any of the others, not that I wear them out of course; it's just a comfort issue.

 

 

Anyway, it's been back to OnBike in Worcester as it was overdue for a new chain and sprockets. That's more than most bikes manage I would think, but is testament to the life of the small Bosch chain ring that I so often read people have doubts on.

 

 

In all fairness, is was well worn but it only started jumping a few miles ago but having a Haibike I just swap over to that.

 

 

The rear sprocket (a Rohloff) is reversible or it would have been if, like me, it hadn't a few teeth missing, so that was also replaced.

 

 

Also, I had new brake pads, although not worn out completely it's sensibly to do a proper job at this stage.

 

 

The battery was checked too and is approaching half way through its life. I can tell a difference in the mileage compared to the Haibike battery, but not a lot.

 

 

It shows the quality of the parts chosen by Riese & Muller on their bikes, one reason it costs a bit more initially.

 

 

After the general servicing of the bike it is now as I remember it when brand new.

 

Even when standing in the shop with all the new stuff it still looked good.

 

There is no other bike I would exchange it for, it has performed so well, the rear suspension makes it so comfortable to ride over and against any other trekking bike I have tried.

 

 

Certainly one of the best decisions I have made in buying this bike.

 

 

I am not riding as much as I did the so next 8500 miles might take a little longer so it should see me out. One day a good buy for someone.

Hi Croxden, I don't know how but the Reise and Muller bikes somehow passed me by in March 2015 when I was looking for an electric mountain bike for my 20/26 mile round trip to work that can include 16 miles of cross country, and a need to carry stuff, and a preference for it to be carried in my Ortleib panniers.

 

I think if I had come across the Delite I might have been quite tempted. I really like the way they have included a full suspension design with a built in rack for panniers.

 

I am very happy with my Haibike sDuro hardtail Yamaha bike which I have attached a rack to for my panniers and has now passed 5000 almost trouble free miles in 20 months from new, but I have worn out a few rear cassettes in those miles.

 

I have experimented with gearing and my current 42 tooth chain ring and Shimano Alivio HG400 MTB 12-36t:12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32-36 cassette are proving the most durable combination so far with 1170 miles on the cassette now, although as you rightly say derailleur gears cannot compare to the durability of your Rohloff 14 speed hub. Although the 9 speed cassettes I use only cost around £15 to replace.

 

When you bought your bike was it possible to pair up the Rohloff 14 speed hub with the Gates Carbon belt?, for hopefully the ultimate in tough trouble free transmissions.

 

If it was, why did you go for a traditional chain and sprockets?

 

I wonder if Reise and Muller might consider offering a bike with the Yamaha crank drive system as I have found it absolutely bullet prove so far on my Haibike with a smooth and powerful power delivery that I actually prefered to the Bosch when I test road them both before I bought my bike.

 

It is also cheaper than the Bosch system and Haibike used it successfully to offer better value entry level models. The difference between the Haibike hard tail Bosch and the Yamaha powered one when I bought mine was £650 and a Yamaha powered Delite model could be quite a bit cheaper as a result without sacrificing any performance.

 

I also notice that you are quite close to a Reise and Muller dealer and I wanted to buy a bike from a dealer that was close to me so that they were on hand should I need them and I am not sure that there is a Reise and Muller dealer close to me in Surrey.

 

Anyway I thought I would say that now that I am aware of Reise and Muller and the Delite in particular that I can see the appeal of a high quality design that seems to solve some of the problems that I have not found solved in other bikes.

 

I will have to wear out my Haibike work horse first and that might take some time based on its durability so far, but at some point I might have to treat myself to a Delite.

 

Keep updating us with how you are getting on as all the experiences you have both good and bad help to build up a picture of how the bike performs over time, and thanks for what you have written so far.

When you bought your bike was it possible to pair up the Rohloff 14 speed hub with the Gates Carbon belt?, for hopefully the ultimate in tough trouble free transmissions.

I may be mistaken, but I do not believe RM - even now - offers a Rohloff/Gates combo. The Gates option is only for a Nuvinci hub.

 

I would like to be wrong on this, so if I am, please let me know!

It shows the quality of the parts chosen by Riese & Muller on their bikes, one reason it costs a bit more initially.

 

Without wishing to sound in any way negative I don't think the sprockets will have been any different in quality than any other Bosch bike. You certainly got your monies worth out of them though.

 

I am not riding as much as I did the so next 8500 miles might take a little longer so it should see me out. One day a good buy for someone.

 

I hope there are many many years left for you and the bike.

I may be mistaken, but I do not believe RM - even now - offers a Rohloff/Gates combo. The Gates option is only for a Nuvinci hub.

 

I would like to be wrong on this, so if I am, please let me know!

 

You are correct, there wasn't a Gates sprocket available on the Rohloff hub, that may have changed.

 

When you bought your bike was it possible to pair up the Rohloff 14 speed hub with the Gates Carbon belt?, for hopefully the ultimate in tough trouble free transmissions.

 

If it was, why did you go for a traditional chain and sprockets?

 

 

I also notice that you are quite close to a Reise and Muller dealer and I wanted to buy a bike from a dealer that was close to me so that they were on hand should I need them and I am not sure that there is a Reise and Muller dealer close to me in Surrey.

 

When I did the research prior to purchase Rohloff did not think it good to use the carbon belt drive with their hub.

I have experience with the potential problems using a NuVinci & Gates carbon belt with the Grace MX I had. I had it fail on the rear sprocket and a replacement rear wheel failed under testing. I liked the bike, belt & NuVinci hub but the bike was doomed as they would not work together. Gates and the NuVinci people each blamed each other, Grace therefore provided a new wheel after I contacted the importer for his thoughts on the matter.

David from the Wisper concern, now AMPS, was then as now the best to deal with. I had a refund and placed an order for the Delite choosing the Rohloff as I didn't want derailleur gears. At that time I'm sure they were not importing them and so I was possibly the only one enjoying this excellent bit of kit.

 

I don't think I live close to a dealer, it takes one hour forty minutes to get there, traffic permitting. There were fewer electric bike dealers when I started looking, OnBike had a good selection and called on them several times when trying to decide. As I continue to go there shows my thoughts are positive as the the service provided. Equal to the bike.

 

My Birdy is also a Riese & Muller and built to the same standard, I just wish these days it was electric.

Without wishing to sound in any way negative I don't think the sprockets will have been any different in quality than any other Bosch bike. You certainly got your monies worth out of them though..

I was thinking of the other bits, the Bosch sprocket would have been equal to any other bikes.

I have experience with the potential problems using a NuVinci & Gates carbon belt with the Grace MX I had. I had it fail on the rear sprocket and a replacement rear wheel failed under testing. I liked the bike, belt & NuVinci hub but the bike was doomed as they would not work together.

Well, that is discouraging to hear since that is exactly the combo I want/am going to order. I was not aware of any Nuvinci/Gates drive issues. Does anyone know whether they have they improved?

Well, that is discouraging to hear since that is exactly the combo I want/am going to order. I was not aware of any Nuvinci/Gates drive issues. Does anyone know whether they have they improved?

The design changed shortly after my episode. Never wanting to disparage anyone I have never brought it up before ( I think ).

Neither have I heard of a problem, I would work my bikes hard, if anyone was going to have a problem it was bound to be me.

I feel if I had continued I would have had a working bike but there would be months without one. At the price range I was in it's unacceptable.

But once again I bring up the response of the chain in the dealer/importer. I had a good result, if your chosen retailer is anywhere near as good there will not be a problem for you.

Rohloff hubs can now be used with a belt.

 

But according to Rohloff, the installation is not straightforward.

 

Apparently, the ordinary cog on a Rohloff is part of the oil sealing, so you need the hub to be converted to accept a belt cog.

 

Or buy a Rohloff belt specific hub.

 

Rohloff also say you must use a 'snubber' - a device to prevent the belt jumping.

 

Having said that, I've seen manufactured Rohloff/belt push bikes that don't have one.

 

All bike frames flex under load, which is not a problem on a chain driven bike but can derail a belt which is very sensitive to the correct line.

 

The belt also needs to run at a relatively high tension, which causes extra stress on bearings - whatever hub is fitted.

 

If a reputable manufacturer such as R&M produced a belt Rohloff ebike, I think you could be confident it would be properly engineered.

 

But doing a conversion looks fraught with difficulty.

 

https://www.rohloff.de/en/technology/gates-carbon-drive/index.html

 

http://www.cyclingabout.com/carbon-belt-drive-everything-you-ever-need-to-know/

Reading the info found in the attachments it seems so complex to me. The only thing I'm sure of without going to look at it, is it's a black one.

 

I encouraged Martin to give it a good ride mostly so he could try the Brooks Swift saddle, he found the twist shifting of the gears not easy to get used to.

 

My biggest difficulty was it works the opposite to the NuVinci. Twisting it like opening a motorbikes throttle, the NuVinci went into a higher ratio, the Rohloff goes down.

 

These days I can swap bikes without having to get my head around the difference, but it does take a bit of getting used to initially.

 

Of the two styles, I would prefer having levers to flick, otherwise a Rohloff every time.

I agree about twist shifters, and I wonder if Rohloff isn't missing a trick here.

 

An option of rapid fire shifters would probably go down well with buyers.

I believe there are after market levers available but a bit on the dear side.

 

There is on YouTube a very much a do it yourself one. Very large & clumsy but it shows it's possible.

 

Rohloff say they will not do it, there must be a reason so I stick with what I've got.

Yep, I did look into the Gates Belt Drive, it is a neat transmission solution, but the fact that the rear chain stay has to split, put me off.

 

I have been riding a none electric Rohloff bike since 2004, and my plan is to make it electric (Bafang 8fun CD).

 

The gear shifter numbers have worn of, and if I am honest, this is better in a physiological way, as I just ride in the gear that suits me best.

 

You can get a third party electric gear changer for the Rohloff, but I don't even see the point of such an item.

 

At the time (2004) I built my Rohloff, I bought 6 of the SLT-99 Chains, I think they are 7 speed, maybe 8, but at the time were well out of fashion for Derailure riders, so I got them for around £25 each.

 

I have only gone through 2 chains, so far, just a pity that a Rohloff stopped making them a few years back, although at my rate I will be past 80 when I am on my last chain, also bought a litre each of the Hub Oil and Rinsing Oil at the same time, which is enough Rohloff Oil to see me out!

 

I have been using a Brooks Swift saddle since the get go, but if I was ever to change it would be for a Gilles Berthoud saddle, very similiar to the Brooks, but a much better engineered finish it has to be said.

Guys, a very interesting read for sure. Thanks for the contribution, it has helped me a lot.

Citrus Cycles youtube channel has some excellent videos on R&M bikes.

 

Sent from my SM-G570Y using Tapatalk