E-Bike Overview
A compact commuter electric bike designed and made in Germany, the Riese & Müller Tinker2 leads the way in its category. Though not a lightweight e-bike at nearly 59 lbs, it’s designed to be partially folded for smaller spaces by folding the stem.
With a 545 Wh battery and a 250 Wh Performance Line mid-drive motor, the Tinker2 is ideal for getting around the city. However, it lacks a throttle and can only be cycled on pedal assist. This isn’t different from major international brands like Giant, Cannondale, and Specialized.
Those who like an onboard GPS can choose the optional extra of a Bosch Kiox display that can show your route as well as battery, speed, and power setting parameters.
Comfortable and stylish, the e-bike comes with a rack, fenders, and lights as standard, with an optional extra cargo box on the rear.
Reasons to Buy
You’ll likely buy this e-bike if you have a fondness for quality German engineering and want an electric bike that’ll serve you for many years.
One of the aspects of the Tinker2 we love is the belt drive and Enviolo rear hub gear system. Belt drives require hardly any maintenance, and you’ll be unlikely to ever have to do anything with the gear system. By comparison, chain drives and cassettes need replacing every 1,000 miles and oiling frequently. This makes it an e-bike you really only need to charge once in a while and replace the disc brake pads every 1,000 miles.
Things to Consider
Though not as expensive as many Riese & Müller machines, this is not a low-cost electric bike. It has a starting price of $5,779. With optional extras such as a suspension seatpost and Kiox display, you’ll part with over $6,000.
Another minor issue is the Selle Royal Essenza Male saddle. This may be uncomfortable for women. For female riders, we recommend retrofitting it with a saddle for your body shape.
