Review: The Delite5 pinion
28.08.2025 | Innovation
We thought of everything and stopped at nothing in the development of the Delite5. With its low-maintenance Pinion drive, robust off-road tyres and full suspension, including a co-sprung luggage carrier, the Delite5 is a well-designed, no-compromise SUV e-bike. It won the Editors' Choice award in the E-MOUNTAINBIKE magazine test.
This text is an excerpt from the review in E-MOUNTAINBIKE magazine (08/2025).
Photos: © Lars Engmann
A Fully Thought-Through Concept
Low-maintenance Pinion drivetrain, a suspended luggage rack that’s child seat compatible, an integrated frame lock with additional chain, and off-road kit with grippier tires – Riese & Müller take the SUV e-bike concept seriously and follow it through without compromise.
The Pinion MGU makes the Riese & Müller Delite5 pinion so special: It’s an imposing presence, with refined styling around the casing of the big, robust-looking MGU. With no chain or cassette, drivetrain maintenance and wear are significantly reduced. The gearbox requires an oil change only every 10,000 km. On top of that, you can shift while stationary or under load – and the German-made motor-gearbox unit even offers an automatic shifting mode.
There’s no sign of cost-cutting on the Riese & Müller Delite5 – everything feels cohesive, solid, and thoughtfully selected. That goes for the mudguards, integrated lighting, rack, and especially the battery cover. To remove it, you’ll first need a FIDLOCK magnetic key, followed by a mechanical key.
Safety in perfection
Premium technology for protection, safety and reliability on every journey and terrain.
The large, sturdy luggage rack is part of the suspended frame, so it doesn’t get shaken around as much as racks mounted directly to the rear triangle. The MIK HD-compatible rack – with “HD” standing for Heavy Duty – can carry loads of up to 27 kg. That includes a child seat and passenger, who will especially benefit from the rack’s suspension.
Rounding out the all-in-one security package are Riese & Müller’s RX Services. These include theft and damage insurance, a digital lock with motion detection, and location-based recovery via GPS if your bike gets stolen.
What the Riese & Müller Delite5 pinion Really Delivers
Once you’ve got the Riese & Müller Delite5 pinion rolling, you settle in comfortably on this imposing SUV e-bike. Thanks to the relatively low step-through and the 125 mm dropper post, mounting and dismounting is easy – though with a bike this massive, it feels more like getting into it than onto it. The cockpit impresses with solid ergonomics, and can be further tailored to your needs via the angle-adjustable stem. Once underway, the Delite5 steers willingly and tracks with excellent stability, giving off real cruiser vibes. At the same time, it’s more agile than its weight would suggest. Tight corners or narrow alleyways? No problem.
When the terrain gets rough or the trail points steeply downhill, the Riese & Müller Delite5 remains composed and inspires confidence – even with its relatively short dropper post. That confidence stems from the plush and capable FOX suspension, as well as the bike’s sheer weight, which helps it stay firmly planted on the trail. Even in hectic situations, this heavyweight SUV e-bike remains easy to control. And when things get tight, the TEKTRO brakes deliver strong stopping power with a good level of control.
The real strength of the Riese & Müller Delite5 pinion lies in its high payload capacity and everyday practicality. Even when fully loaded, the bike remains stable and composed – ideal for grocery runs or daily commuting.