Why This $10,000 Cargo E-Bike Outshines Its Big Brother

Overview of the Riese & Müller Carrie E-Bike

Electric cargo bikes are gaining popularity in urban areas across America. These bikes combine the ability to carry cargo with electric assistance, making them a compelling alternative to cars and public transportation for local errands. Additionally, many e-bikes are enjoyable to ride.

I recently had the opportunity to test the Riese & Müller Load4 75 front-loader cargo e-bike. While I found it fun to ride and capable of carrying large items from stores like Costco or the garden store, its size made it difficult to navigate my apartment. The high price tag of $14,000 also raised some questions.

Introducing the Carrie: a compact e-cargo bike from the same German brand. This model offers a smaller footprint compared to the Load, along with a clever folding basket at the front. It promises everyday utility in a more convenient package. Moreover, it is 40% less expensive than the Load. Could this be the ideal solution?

Key Specifications of the Riese & Müller Carrie

• Battery: 545 Wh (standard) / 725 Wh (optional)
• EV Range: 57-77 miles (standard battery)
• Drivetrain: Bosch Performance Line mid-drive motor, Gates drive belt, Enviolo continuous hub
• Charge Time: Approximately 2-3 hours on 110V
• Base Price (As Tested): $9,489 ($11,462)

What Is the Carrie?

The Carrie is a compact, pedal-assist cargo e-bike. Its standout feature is an optional $509 folding “Flex Box” that measures 18 inches (46 cm) when closed but can expand to 29.5 inches (75 cm). The bike itself is 82 inches (209 cm) long, fitting within the wheelbase of the Load4. Despite its size, it offers 4.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the Flex Box open. While not as spacious as the Load’s 13.5 cubic feet, it's sufficient for a small child or groceries. The Carrie is rated to haul up to 176 pounds (80 kg), though it's not designed for additional adults. Surprisingly, it's just five pounds lighter than the Load at 78.7 instead of 84.

How Does It Ride?

All the advantages of R&M’s larger front-loader e-bikes apply to the Carrie. It features a low center of gravity and a powerful Bosch motor, making it a pleasure to ride. Overall, it was comfortable, maneuverable, and quick off the line, though I missed the Load’s full-suspension design over rougher roads. The Carrie has a suspension fork up front and an optional suspension seatpost, which was equipped on my tester.

As a Class 3 pedal-assist e-bike, the Carrie provides electric boost up to 28 miles per hour. It includes a “walk” mode for small assist when rolling the bike. In practice, it cruises around 20-22 mph, enough to keep pace with traffic and navigate city streets.

The Carrie uses an Enviolo continuous hub in its rear wheel, eliminating distinct gears. Instead, riders twist a dial on the handlebars to adjust pedaling resistance. This system may take some getting used to for those accustomed to traditional gears but is intuitive for most users.

Practicality and Maneuverability

The Carrie’s compact size makes it ideal for city living. Issues with space and maneuverability that I faced with the Load were resolved, while maintaining most of the day-to-day utility. The shorter length and width make parking easier and fitting into small elevators straightforward. Using the folding cargo box was simple—two levers release the side panels, and they click firmly into place.

While the cargo box isn't huge, it can fit a backpack, three large bags of groceries, and some sodas without issue. It's not a monster hauler like the Load, but how often do you need 30 rolls of paper towels?

Pros and Cons

The Carrie’s smaller profile is a boon for city riding, but it comes with trade-offs. Riese & Müller recommends a maximum of two kids under seven years old, meaning families might outgrow it after a few years. With weekly grocery shopping and a backpack, the Carrie’s front box was nearly full, leaving little room for a child. A kid would be seriously squished, making it more of a kids-or-cargo proposition.

The cargo box lacks the underfloor storage compartment of the Load, making it harder to conceal items or prevent kids from stepping on them. Packing required some creativity, unlike the Load’s car-like cargo capacity.

Conclusion

Whether the Carrie is right for you depends on your preference for compactness and maneuverability versus all-out capability. For my childless household in an apartment, it was a perfect-sized runabout. However, if I had kids and a garage, the Load’s versatility might be more appealing.

At roughly $11,500 fully equipped, the Carrie still represents the high-end, niche side of the e-bike market. It is thoughtfully designed, performs well, and brings joy. However, the value proposition may not work for most people.

One thing I’ve learned from my e-bike adventures is how much fun these bikes make everyday errands and commuting. I’m curious to try more affordable, mass-market e-bikes from brands like Tern and Gazelle. What should I review next?