Test / cargo bike: With the Riese & Müller Load 75, we tested an e-cargo bike that was extremely comfortable thanks to its full suspension and also enormously versatile thanks to numerous superstructures, which only allowed itself weaknesses in the smallest of details.
Our test bike: Riese & Müller Load 75 touring
The Riese & Müller Load 75 was presented at the season finale last year and is largely based on the previously known and proven Load 60. In contrast, however, it offers a whopping 50% additional storage space, although the dimensions themselves have only grown by a few centimetres are. Impressive! For example, Riese & Müller now has a variant for transporting three children in its range of full-suspension models. Speaking of full suspension: as with the Load 60, this is of course one of the really big highlights of the Load 75.
Lots of comfort thanks to Control Technology
While suspension forks on cargo bikes are no longer a rarity, the rear suspension, which Riese & Müller calls Control Technology, is a real unique selling point. 70mm (front) and 80mm (rear) suspension travel certainly doesn't make the Load a mountain bike, but that would be beyond the scope of a cargo bike. Instead, they are intended to make the cycle paths, which are not always asphalted in this country, a little more comfortable - for drivers and passengers alike.
For both spring elements, fork and damper, Riese & Müller opted for variants with steel springs. These are somewhat more sensitive and require less maintenance, but cannot be adjusted quite as well to different weights or loads. Not too tragic for a cargo bike - the decision for low maintenance and comfort makes sense. Also nice: The optionally available rear luggage rack is also spring-loaded.
Our test bike largely corresponded to the standard equipment of the Load 75 touring - we only had the high side walls, the rear luggage rack and a second battery installed.
One frame size, no problem?
As with most cargo bikes, the Load 75 is only available in one frame size. There are several reasons for this. Some are of an economic nature: the construction and production of a cargo bike is many times more expensive than a “normal” bike. Accordingly, it would drive up the sales prices disproportionately if the manufacturer wanted to offer several frame sizes here. On the other hand, offering different sizes would somehow miss the area of use for most cargo bikes, since they are often ridden by different people who, despite their different heights, have to adjust the bike to fit.
Riese & Müller states that the Load 75 is suitable for people between 1,50m and 1,95m tall. This is made possible by a flat seat angle and the height- and angle-adjustable stem.
High variability thanks to numerous superstructures: From child transporter to pack donkey
In its "bare" standard version, the Load 75 comes without side walls for the loading area, on the floor of which a stable and insensitive wooden panel carries the load. The loading area itself measures approximately 73cm in length and 40cm in width - so there is quite a lot of space. The side panels are practical and available in two heights. However, depending on the area of application, they may not be necessary at all: Thanks to the frame construction with the "railing" on the side of the loading area, larger items of luggage can also be conveniently leaned against or lashed down.
Of course, there is the option of equipping the Load 75 with a double seat for transporting children – an additional third seat against the direction of travel can also be ordered. Thanks to the 5-point belt, the little ones can also be secured comfortably and reliably. An extremely spacious rain cover is also available for driving in the rain, with large windows that make driving much more fun for the passengers.
If you opt for the high side walls without a child seat, you get an enormously spacious loading trough, in which several crates of drinks can be accommodated without any problems. Practically placed openings for tension belts also allow the attachment of larger objects that protrude beyond the loading area. If that's still not enough, the Load 75 also has the option of mounting a rear luggage rack - ideal for panniers on the way to the office, for example. So endless possibilities? Almost - because there is a small drop of bitterness. With a permissible total weight of 200kg, you are moving in the lower average range for a cargo bike in this size category. Heavy drivers in particular should take this into account. Our test bike weighed 51,5 kg with a rear luggage rack, high side walls, double child seat and second battery. With a rider weight of 90kg, for example, there is still a load of almost 60kg left.
Models, equipment, prices – soon also with Bosch Cargo Line motor?
The Riese & Müller Load 75 comes in two basic variants, which differ mainly in terms of gearing. The Load 75 touring variant we tested has the well-known and proven Deore XT 11-speed chain shifting from Shimano, whereas the Load 75 Vario is equipped with an Enviolo shifting hub.
Both variants offer a translation range of approx. 380% and differ mainly in their characteristics and weight. The touring model with derailleur gears should be a bit more sporty with crisp shift jumps and a slightly lower weight on the rear wheel. The stepless Enviolo hub, on the other hand, fits perfectly with the high comfort requirements of the cargo bike.
An hs (=high-speed) version with a Bosch Performance Speed motor is also available from both equipment variants. These S-Pedelecs then support up to 45 km/h and are priced 600 euros more than the standard models.
Thanks to the variable structure and the online configurator, the bikes can also be adapted to your own needs in some respects. For example, instead of the Intuvia display, the KioX and Nyon variants from Bosch are available for a surcharge, as is the dual battery system with a second 500Wh battery. The latter costs a whopping 899 euros extra.
From 2020 with Bosch Cargo Line engine?
At the beginning of June we were in Stuttgart at the Bosch presentation of the new motors – including them also the new Cargo Line drives. On site we had the opportunity to drive the motors on some test bikes for a few meters; the cargo bike, with its full suspension and the entire frame construction, was suspiciously reminiscent of the load - in this respect we expect that Riese & Müller will soon be presenting the new, updated models to the public at the Eurobike, perhaps as early as the beginning of September.
Driving and practical impressions: comfort is king
Our test bike had to prove itself over a longer period of time in different terrain and different areas of application. To make it short right from the start: The Riese & Müller Load 75 is an excellent, versatile and, in particular, comfortable cargo bike that only allows for criticism in a few minimal details. But let's stay with the positive: most of the time we were on the road with the high side walls and without a child seat. So you have a really large loading volume that can be stowed away easily. The stable and well-constructed double stand also contributes to this. When the bike is fully loaded, it takes a little force to heave it onto the stand, but then the bike is completely safe, even on uneven ground.
Anyone who is used to riding cargo bikes will feel right at home on the Load 75. The driving behavior moves in a pleasant spectrum between sporty and toury and should suit many drivers. The already mentioned unique selling point, the full suspension, can be felt during every second in the saddle. Thanks to the short travel and the rather tightly chosen set-up, you don't sink into the suspension travel when you sit down, and there's never any uncomfortable rocking. If the road gets bad or you leave the asphalt completely, you can hardly believe your butt: Even the short suspension travel makes a huge difference to completely unsprung cargo bikes. Even flat curbs, manhole covers or other bumps in everyday life are almost completely absorbed.
Convincing equipment, uphill and downhill
Our test region in the Bavarian Forest is rarely completely flat, mostly it goes up and down here, which didn't cause any problems for the Riese & Müller cargo bike. The interplay of the Bosch Performance CX motor and the wide range of XT 11-speed gears means that even steeper ramps can be negotiated with a full load and without much effort. The Load also cuts a fine figure when descending from said ramps – even if the Tektro Auriga brakes reach their limits when fully loaded. We would have wished for a slightly more powerful model here.
Surprisingly manoeuvrable - with one downer
The Load 75 has a wheelbase of just over 2m - that puts it in a league with the larger single-track cargo bikes, but the Load really maneuvers surprisingly well, even when the road or bike path gets a little tighter. Responsible for this is the proven and well-designed linkage, which also has one or two small disadvantages: Firstly, the turning circle in left-hand bends is noticeably larger, which takes some getting used to at first, but then becomes second nature. This also means that the steering linkage hits the mudguard when the handlebars are fully turned and presses it against the tire.
