New
A Ride Report Video on the Full Suspension Electric Bike Riese & Müller Homage GT Nuvinci
Aug
Full Suspension E-Bike for City and Trails
The Riese & Müller Homage GT Nuvinci is a striking and futuristic-looking e-bike. However, it is actually a modern reinterpretation of the classic Riese & Muller Avenue design.
Within R&M’s lineup of e-bikes, the Homage GT Nuvinci stands alongside the Culture and the Delite. It combines the best features of city bikes, such as a comfortable upright riding position, a step-thru frame, and slick tires, with elements of mountain bike technology, most notably a fully-suspended frame.
These bikes are known for their versatility, being able to handle various terrains with ease. They have become iconic in Germany, where the company is based, and are synonymous with the innovative and stylish engineering that the founders, Heiko Müller and Markus Riese, are known for.
What to Expect from the Homage GT Nuvinci
To truly understand the capabilities of the Riese & Müller Homage GT Nuvinci, take a look at this video:
This e-bike is equipped with a powerful crank motor, specifically Bosch’s top-of-the-line Performance Line CX. The crank motor amplifies your pedal effort, and the level of assistance can be adjusted through the control buttons conveniently located on the handlebar control.
With the Eco setting, the lowest level of assist, your pedal power is boosted by 50% of your own effort. On the other hand, the Turbo setting provides a staggering 300% extra power, allowing you to effortlessly conquer even the steepest hills.
Thanks to the motor’s impressive 75 Nm of torque, you can accelerate quickly even on steep inclines, starting from a standstill without any difficulties.
The Homage GT Nuvinci comes in different variants, including a 250W / 15.5mph (Euro spec) and a 350W / 20mph (US spec) version. There is also a 45kmh speed pedelec option available, although its legality depends on the country you ride in and obtaining the necessary government paperwork and insurance.
With its superchunky and superstiff frame, combined with high-quality front and rear suspension and wide Schwalbe mountain bike size (27.5 x 2.4 inches) Super Moto-X tires, this e-bike provides an incredibly comfortable and plush ride experience.
The Nuvinci Hub Gear Shifting Technology
The model showcased in this article boasts the innovative Nuvinci hub gear shifting technology. This remarkable technology allows for continuously variable gear changing. Simply twist the grip shifter (without pedaling) and effortlessly transition up and down the gear range with no abrupt steps. For a more detailed explanation, you can refer to the accompanying video.
11-speed derailleur and Rohloff hub gear options are also available for those seeking additional choices.
Frame Sizes and Adjustability
This model comes in two frame sizes: 49cm and 58cm. However, thanks to the ample vertical adjustment on the saddle and the slight fore and aft adjustment on the handlebars due to their raised profile, riders have the flexibility to find the perfect fit.
With these options, achieving a highly comfortable seating position becomes easily attainable. In fact, even with my own test model, which was 48cm, being 5’8″ tall, I felt completely comfortable. Smaller riders would have no trouble finding a suitable fit, with R&M explicitly stating that it caters to individuals as short as 5’5″.
The Exhilarating Ride
Now, let’s delve into how well the Homage lives up to its original design goal of being the ultimate versatile bike. To scientifically assess its capabilities, I took it out on local trails, including a challenging course comprised of Pennine bridleways submerged in the aftermath of a long winter filled with torrential rain and snow. These are the types of trails typically reserved for rugged mountain bikes. However, the experience on the Homage was nothing short of luxurious and enjoyable.
The paths I traversed were primarily ancient packhorse ways, covered in mud. Thankfully, the solid base underneath allowed the slick tires to maintain a good grip. Even with a tire pressure set at around 30psi (the lowest recommended), they managed to grip various softer surfaces. Even when encountering exceptionally muddy stretches, there were usually stones underneath for the tires to bite into once they had cut through the mud.
What truly enhanced the ride was the full suspension, adjusted to the perfect level of sag for my body weight using a shock pump prior to embarking on the journey. This resulted in a seamlessly plush and comfortable experience, making it feel like a luxury mountain biking expedition.
Even negotiating smaller rock steps posed no challenge whatsoever. Of course, it is essential to acknowledge that this e-bike may not handle with the same agility and nimbleness as a lighter e-MTB designed for sports enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies. However, for those who do not fall into the “sports” rider category and prefer off-road riding, R&M e-bikes offer exceptional capabilities.
The Homage: A Practical and Trail-Capable E-Bike
The Homage e-bike offers exceptional practicality with its capacious rear rack, mudguards, powerful LED lighting, fenders, kickstand, and frame-mounted lock. Unlike most e-MTBs, it is designed for day-to-day usability while also being highly capable on the trails.
Effortless Gear Changes and Versatile Performance
The Nuvinci system makes gear shifting a breeze – simply stop pedaling and twist the grip to your desired position. With a wide 380% gear range, the Homage handles both steep hill climbs and fast descents with ease.
Unparalleled Stability and Control
Thanks to its comfortable riding position, wide tires, full suspension, and robust frame design, the Homage provides unrivaled stability on high-speed descents. Whether tackling challenging trails or cruising along paved roads, this e-bike remains impressively steady.
Customizable Power and Optimal Range
Controlling the level of power is effortless, thanks to the conveniently placed buttons near the left handlebar grip. This allows riders to effortlessly conquer any slope with the desired level of exertion. While the range of this bike may not be outstanding, it is understandable considering the focus on strength and reliability rather than lightweight efficiency.
Achieving a Respectable Range and Reliable Estimations
On my off-road adventure through Pennine terrain, carrying my 67kg frame, the Homage delivered an estimated range of 20-25 miles. Given the challenging gradients in this mountain biking paradise, this range seems reasonable for such a solidly constructed machine.
During a second range test, which included both off-road sections and some tarmac, the Homage traveled an impressive 32.5 miles. The range estimator on the display proved to be accurate once the bike adjusted to the terrain.
Expand Your Range with Extra Batteries
For those seeking even greater range, it is possible to purchase additional batteries, further extending the Homage’s capabilities. While the range may differ slightly from Bosch’s Range Calculator, it remains accurate within a few miles, taking into account factors such as the weight of the bike and the efficiency of the Nuvinci hub.
The Homage – An Ideal Touring E-Bike
The Homage is a remarkable e-bike that is perfect for long-distance touring. It boasts incredible load capacity, ensuring you can carry everything you need. Furthermore, its comfortable design allows for extended hours of riding without discomfort. Additionally, this versatile e-bike performs exceptionally well on various terrains, handling anything from regular trails to challenging mountain biking tracks.
Naturally, the Homage’s slick tires are not limited to off-road adventures, as they also provide excellent performance on tarmac. Coupled with its comfortable riding position, the Homage offers a highly enjoyable and smooth riding experience. Moreover, the e-bike features powerful LED lighting, powered directly from its main battery, adding an extra layer of convenience. Additionally, it comes equipped with high-quality mudguards, an ABUS Bordo folding lock, and a convenient kickstand, making it an all-in-one do-it-all e-bike.
For those seeking off-road adventures, the Homage offers the option of changing the slick tires to mountain bike (MTB) tires. With a wide range of choices available for the 27.5″ size, you can customize your e-bike with the perfect tires to conquer off-road trails.
Exploring R&M’s E-Bike Range
It’s important to note that R&M’s e-bikes, specifically those with a GT designation like the Homage, are designed for light off-road usage. However, during testing, I found the Homage to be highly capable even on challenging terrains such as rocky and muddy packhorse trails.
The GT in the name stands for Gran Turismo, which signifies the e-bike’s versatility. Models with a GX rating have slightly narrower tires with an off-road tread, while those labeled with “Mountain” have wider tires with rugged knobblies, ideal for demanding off-road conditions.
If you require a super strong e-bike with an impressive gross weight capacity of 160kg, consider the models rated GH. With such a wide range of options available, R&M ensures that there is a perfect e-bike to suit every rider’s needs.
Riese & Müller Homage GT Nuvinci – Detailed Specifications
Frame: The Homage features a sturdy full suspension aluminum frame.
Front Suspension: Choose between the Suntour Aion air suspension fork, which can be upgraded to the Foxfloat 34 Performance, both providing 100mm of travel.
Rear Suspension: The Homage comes equipped with the X-Fusion 02 rear suspension, and an optional upgrade is available to the Fox Float DPS Performance Remote, offering 105mm of travel.
Motor: The powerful Bosch Performance Line CX motor ensures excellent performance and reliability.
Display: The Homage is equipped with the Intuiva display, and you have the option to upgrade to the Nyon display for enhanced functionality and features.
Battery:
The Bosch PowerPack 500 is the battery used for this electric bike. It has a voltage of 36V and a capacity of 13.4ah, which is equivalent to 500Wh. The recharge time for a 50% charge is around 2 hours, and for a full charge, it takes approximately 4.5 hours.
Tires:
The tires on this bike are Schwalbe Super Moto-X with a size of 27.5 inches. They have a width of 62-584 and are equipped with a Reflex feature.
Brakes:
The Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc Brakes provide reliable stopping power for this electric bike.
Shifting:
This bike uses a Nuvinci N380SE continuously variable hub gear for smooth and effortless shifting.
Lighting:
The lighting system of this bike includes the Supernova E3 E-Bike front light and the Busch & Müller Toplight Mini rear light.
Weight:
The total weight of this bike is 64.8 pounds (29.4kg). The battery itself weighs 5.7 pounds (2.6kg), while the bike without the battery weighs 59.1 pounds (26.8kg).
Price:
The price for this electric bike is $6,289 USD or £4499, as featured in the specifications.
Dealers:
You can find a full list of dealers in the United Stateshere and for the United Kingdomhere.
For more information on the Riese & Müller Homage electric bike, you can visit their website here.
-Richard
Review Note: Electric Bike Report conducts thorough testing and reviews of each eBike, which requires a significant amount of time and effort. The testing process includes detailed distance and elevation profile tests, extensive photography, in-depth videos, and comprehensive write-ups that cover specifications, ride characteristics, pros and cons, and overall impressions. The purpose of these reviews is to provide you with a comprehensive virtual experience of each eBike, helping you make an informed decision about your purchase.
P.S. Don’t forget to join the Electric Bike Report community!
Join our community here to stay updated with the latest news from the electric bike world. You’ll also find valuable tips on riding and maintaining your eBike!
SaveSave
