The Riese & Müller Carrie2 – The Most Underrated Compact Cargo Bike?
The Riese & Müller Carrie2 represents a new category of cargo bike – compact, yet front-loading. After spending time with the development team and riding the bike around the factory grounds, one thing became clear: the Carrie might be one of the most underrated electric cargo bikes currently available.
Designed for city living, it delivers the practicality of a front-loading cargo bike while retaining the size and agility of a normal bicycle.
During a recent visit to the Riese & Müller factory just outside Frankfurt, we had the opportunity to take a closer look at the latest version of the Carrie2 and explore what makes this unique compact cargo bike such a versatile everyday machine.
A compact cargo concept
Cargo bikes are typically large machines designed to carry heavy loads or multiple children. The Carrie takes a different approach.
It’s built around a compact long-john design, meaning the cargo box sits at the front of the bike, but the overall length remains surprisingly manageable. In fact, it’s only slightly longer than a conventional bicycle.
That small change unlocks a huge amount of versatility. You can carry:
- Shopping
- Luggage
- A dog
- One child (or even an adult passenger)
- Picnic gear
- Everyday errands
Yet the bike still feels agile and easy to ride around tight urban streets. The result is a cargo bike that works brilliantly for city living – particularly in places like London where space, storage and manoeuvrability matter.
What’s new for 2026?
Bosch Performance Line PX motor (up to 90Nm)
One of the biggest updates for the 2026 Carrie is the introduction of the Bosch Performance Line PX motor, delivering up to 90Nm of torque.
Earlier versions of the bike used a 75Nm motor. Customer feedback suggested riders wanted more power – particularly when carrying passengers or heavier loads.
The new system provides:
- Stronger acceleration
- Improved responsiveness
- More confidence when riding with cargo
For a compact cargo bike, it now feels effortlessly capable.
Improved fit for more riders
Another key improvement is a shorter seat tube, reducing the minimum rider height.
The first generation Carrie worked well for taller riders, but some shorter customers found the saddle height a little high even when fully lowered.
For the new model, Riese & Müller reduced the seat tube length by around 3cm, making the bike far more accessible. The result is a bike that comfortably fits riders from around 4'11 up to well over 6ft.
A cargo bike that’s surprisingly social
One of the advantages of a front-loading cargo bike is interaction. With children or passengers sitting in front of you, the experience becomes far more social.
You can:
- Talk while riding
- Pass snacks
- Point things out in the park
- Keep an eye on passengers
The low centre of gravity, thanks to the 20-inch wheels, also helps the bike feel stable even when passengers move around.
Riese & Müller Carrie review – what the journalists say
The cycling electric review of the Carrie highlights many of the same strengths we see in everyday riding.
Reviewer Simon Cox describes the bike as “confidence-inspiring” to ride, praising its stability, versatility and impressive load capacity.
The review also notes that once moving, the Carrie feels remarkably composed thanks to its balanced weight distribution and long wheelbase. Even on poor road surfaces or fast descents, the bike remains controlled and comfortable.
While tight low-speed manoeuvres require a little more attention, the overall verdict is clear: the Carrie is an extremely capable everyday cargo bike that adapts easily to family transport, shopping and urban riding.
Cycling Electric review of the Riese & Müller Carrie
Battery options and range
The Carrie is available with two Bosch battery options:
- 545Wh battery
- 725Wh battery
For most urban riders, even the smaller battery offers plenty of range for daily commuting and errands.
Clever everyday features
ABUS frame lock
The bike comes with an integrated ABUS frame lock, allowing quick stops outside shops, cafés or schools without needing a separate lock.
Modular cargo box
The front cargo box is designed to adapt quickly between different uses. Within seconds it can switch between:
- Storage box
- Passenger seat
- Child seat setup
Weather protection
A cleverly designed child canopy provides weather protection while still allowing easy access. It can open from the rear in summer or fully close during rain.
Dog kit
For dog owners, the Carrie can also be fitted with a dedicated dog transport kit including a soft entry ramp and harness attachment point.
Why the Carrie might be the perfect urban cargo bike
Cargo bikes often fall into two extremes: huge long-john bikes designed for maximum load capacity, or long-tail bikes that feel closer to traditional bicycles.
The Carrie sits somewhere in between. It’s:
- Smaller
- Easier to store
- Simpler to ride
- Yet still capable of carrying passengers and cargo
For many urban riders, that balance makes it the ideal everyday cargo bike.
Try the Carrie at Fully Charged
At Fully Charged, we carry one of the UK’s largest selections of Riese & Müller bikes, including the full cargo range.
You can test ride the Carrie, where our team can help you explore the different configurations and accessories.
- Cycle to Work scheme support
- 0% finance options
- Business purchase advice
- Expert servicing from trained e-mechanics
If you’d like to experience the Carrie for yourself, book a test ride and discover why this compact cargo bike might just be one of the most versatile urban eBikes available today.
