Stuttgart is known as Germany’s city of traffic jams. So it seems logical to leave the car at home and to use the two-wheeler for commuting to work. The speed pedelec Delite Hybrid Touring HS from Riese & Mueller therefore became the company bike of Frank Leyrer for his daily commute to Ludwigsburg. 22 kilometres one way, i.e. 44 kilometres per day; this made all in all 3,000 kilometres over the past summer. His commute started with a short climb from the Neckar valley, up and down over the country and in the end through the city. The cyclist was always in a hurry and therefore cycling mainly in the sport and turbo mode.
The main problem in the beginning was to find a joyful route which could be used without breaching any legal regulations.
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DIRT AND OTHER PROBLEMS
He finally opted for a route out of town over freely accessible agricultural roads which were very dirty during the autumn and winter period thus lessening the cycling pleasure. After a few rides only the kickstand no longer folded in automatically at the start. The mudguard positioned close to the tyre was clotted with mud to such an extent that the tyre was blocked causing repeatedly forced stops. This meant deflating the tyre, removing the wheel, freeing the mudguard from dirt by using the quick-release, inflating the tyre and seting off again. The regular cleaning of the bicycle with plenty of water is therefore a must.
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This way of cycling and the typical route (22 km, 250 metres of altitude) of our 75-kg-weighing tester resulted in a battery range of 30 to 40 kilometres. He took the charger for refuelling therefore always with him. The findings of this test are ambivalent: With some few adjustments the Riese & Mueller Delite would be a fine speed pedelec. The "fuel price", i.e. the electric power consumption of 32 Cent per 100 kilometres is unbeatable anyway compared to a car. The legal frame conditions, however, reduce the field of use and spoil the riding fun a lot.
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Author: Dirk Zedler
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