Stromer ST2 S Review

With the ST2 S (which stands for Sport) Stromer took an already amazing looking, technologically advanced, super-fast electric bike that felt cost prohibitive at $7k and said… let’s take it further guys!!! And so, priced at nearly $10k the S model is an ebike I probably wouldn’t be allowed to test ride were it not for my journalistic credentials ;) but oh what fun, it was to ride. This is a Class 3 speed pedelec that can reach 28 mph (easily) and travel over 100 miles in the lower assist levels. The high range is calculated using a 170 lb rider on flat paved surfaces pedaling in the lowest assist level (of which there are three) so keep that in mind. Still, in the highest level they estimate 40+ and that’s still amazing range in my opinion. Part of what makes this possible is the 1 Kilowatt hour battery pack (most ebikes have 350 to 500 kWh), the rigid frame with slick oversized road tires and built in regeneration modes including regenerative braking. I’m convinced the ST2S is what you’d get if Elon Musk was tasked with building an electric bicycle because it looks amazing, performs well and some of the kit borders on ridiculous. Consider the 1250 Lumen Supernova M99 Pro headlight… the standard ST2 offers a 165 Lumen Supernova E3 that impressed a lot of people when it launched, it’s the same headlight that Specialized uses on their Turbo models and it’s a huge step up from 99.9% of the other ebikes out there, but hey, why not offer 700% more brightness? Add to that, a U shaped running light integrated into the head tube and a five LED tail light that’s wired into both brake levers for increased brightness during stops.

Integrated, unobtrusive, streamlined… these words must have been scrawled across a whiteboard somewhere in Switzerland when they were designing the ST2 and underlined for the ST2 S. The display panel is built into the top tube and uses a semi-pressure sensitive touch screen (for easier use with gloves), the custom battery pack fits inside the downtube and a sleek Aluminum door with rubberize water-resistant lining seals it in, a rubberized backlit button pad is clamped near the right grip to change assist levels, activate bright mode on the headlight or engage regen mode and electronic shifting delivers precision gear changing. I compared the ST2 mechanical derailleur to the ST2S electronic in the video review and found that it performed faster, operated more quietly and seemed to be better tuned. Wait, you may think… perhaps the ST2 just needed a tuneup? Maybe, but think about the wire going from those shifters all the way to the derailleur and how that might stretch or burn through the plastic tubing over time. Electronic shifting doesn’t have that issue! I like that they went the extra mile and added a chain tensioner or “clutch” as the Stromer rep called it during the demo. Apparently these are used on enduro mountain bikes to avoid chain slip and slap. The brake levers used on the bike are also a carry over from the mountain biking world designed to be light weight but sturdy.

The specs are all listed here and it could take forever to walk through every function on the bike but I want to call out how simple the main touch-screen display is to understand and use. Considering all of the potential features and settings on the bike, you really don’t need the app or any experience to get riding straight away. A rubberized button below the display (on the underside of the top tube) activates the bike and from there you simply arrow up or down with the pad near the grip and start pedaling. Holding up on the button pad goes into a boost mode, acting like a throttle from 0 to 12 mph. If you need to change the display units from Metric to Imperial just navigate to the settings area of the touch screen and from there you can connect with a smart phone to use the mobile app and begin performance tuning. I love that the app lets you disable the lights and do the whole bike-lock thing. It’s pretty intuitive and apparently very effective. If a thief grabs the bike the motor locks, lights begin flashing… they can’t get the battery out because it’s locked int the frame with a metal core and you’re instantly notified via text (along with Stromer HQ) so you can zero in on the GPS coordinates and go kick some ass (or get assistance from local authority) who can kick some ass with you!

Let’s be honest, the bike looks amazing… During the ride test in Venice Beach California (an expensive artsy community near Los Angeles) a bunch of well dressed wealthy looking guys kept noticing the bike and saying “cool bike” which is not something I hear a lot on other ebikes. They usually didn’t know it was electric and I think the integrated battery, black hub motor (that blends with the disc brake, 11 speed cassette and black spokes) and cool two-toned color scheme has a lot to do with that. I’d usually shout out “it’s electric!” with dorky enthusiasm and the excitement persisted. The ST2 and ST2 Sport models are available in many parts of Europe and North America (specifically the USA) but the rules for use vary. So in Europe most of the time riders need a special license and a cute little plate to go with it (cough… nanny state… cough). All models have a spring loaded kickstand, ball-end brake levers and an optional side mirror as well as a mount on the rear fender with three white LED’s to illuminate said license plate… all carry-overs from EU requirements.

In closing, there’s a lot to appreciate with this bike… and with the cheaper ST2 and even the ST1 models. They all look awesome and feel robust. The larger tires absorb bumps and cracks at high speed along with the Carbon fiber fork (which can be swapped out for a suspension fork). I often complain about increased weight on electric bikes but the ST2 models feel fluid and the weight almost carries the bike through bumps vs. transferring them directly into your hands and hind quarters. Consider a Body Float suspension post or Thudbuster to improve ride quality. I love the magnetic battery charging interface and the ability to charge the pack on or off the frame. You could easily and enjoyably ride this thing around unpowered but the motor would decrease efficiency through weight and some cogging action (magnets inside repelling when the motor is unpowered). They chose to go with a 1×11 drivetrain here and I think that was a good choice because the 11-40T range is enough to start and keep up at higher speed. You’ll notice in the video I was switching gears a lot and that’s a testament to the acceleration of the bike. The custom TMM4 torque sensor senses how hard you’re pushing and combines accelerometer and gyroscope feedback about terrain to offer smooth, fast power. There is a bit of delay in when you stop pedaling and when the motor actually cuts out and I believe that was done intentionally to reduce any feelings of surge while pedaling. Basically, this blends power output so acceleration doesn’t match pedal strokes exactly, potentially creating a wavy power feel vs. smooth consistent.

If I could afford an ST2 I’d feel great about buying one because the technology is efficient, it’s capable of replacing a car for longer trips to work and safer because of the speed and power it offers (commanding more respect from cars). Every Stromer battery pack is pre-charged with wind-power generated electricity and the company has a fun supportive culture. Clearly, it’s not for everyone and Stromer does offer bikes starting in the $2k range but you just get a lot more with the ST2 Sport. Whether it’s love of design and technology that fascinates you here, a utilitarian need and desire to replace your car in the most awesome way possible or an eye for beauty and exotics… the ST2 S is a unique and rare electric bike that I enjoyed testing out.

Pros:

• Every battery that is shipped with a Stromer electric bike, including the ST2, is charged with solar power (which also powers the myStromer AG headquarters in Oberwangen, near Bern / Switzerland)
• Three frame sizes to choose from (17″, 20″ and 22″) to fit a wide range of riders, long sturdy seat post is wider at 31.6 mm and has a nicer collar than many ebikes I test, consider swapping it with a Body Float for added comfort
• Extremely high end components including Shimano XTR derailleur with Di2 electronic shifting and chain tensioner (like you’d find on enduro mountain bikes), front and rear thru-axels and Continental tires with reflective sidewalls… I like that they also squeezed in a bottle cage mounting point on the downtube
• Speed pedalec capable of reaching 28 miles per hour, very responsive (uses TMM4 torque sensor in combination with a gyroscopic accelerometer)
• The display interface uses touch-screen technology, features a day-night sensor for back lighting and is integrated directly into the top tube which reduces clutter on the handle bars
• The full-length Aluminum fenders provide excellent coverage and look beautiful in black, they feel sturdy and don’t rattle when riding at high speed, the rear Supernova 5-LED light is integrated into the fender and features downward facing white LED’s to illuminate a license plate (required in parts of Europe), the stem allows wires to be internally routed keeping the cockpit clean
• Color matched special edition Fizik saddle looks great, the stiff alloy platform pedals were responsive and satisfying at higher speeds and grippy when my shoes were damp, the Ergon GS1 grips were comfortable and sturdy with lockers
• Backlit button pad on right handle bar is easy to understand and operate with while riding, you don’t have to take your hand off the grip, it felt less fragile than some of the other button pads I’ve tested and stays out of the way
• The custom 15 LED running light (at the head tube) looks cool but the Supernova M99 Pro is the true tool for visibility with two modes (LED vertical lights along the sides or a super-bright main light offering 1250 Lumens), the 5 LED tail light (also by Supernova) works as a running-light in low and when you pull either brake lever it goes high, lights can be shut off using the mobile app
• Custom designed battery pack slides into the downtube much easier than on the ST1 models, the shell is made with colored Aluminum which looks cool and you can charge it on or off the bike using the same EnergyBus magnetic plug… the ST1 models used two different ports and required a dong’e for the charger which was easier to lose
• The bike is backwards compatible with the normal ST2 pack but comes standard with a higher capacity 983 watt hour battery that is capable of 100+ mile rides depending on your chosen level of assist
• Any time you brake with either lever (not just the right one like with ST1 models) power regeneration kicks in and the bike “recoups” some energy, you can also hold the minus button and select from five recoup levels for longer hills to get more energy
• Premium hydraulic brakes with Carbon Steel rotors to dissipate heat and provide ample stopping power, the Magura levers are enduro style with composite housings and Aluminum levers for reduced weight
• Stromer is an established brand dating back to 2009 with global distribution, the ST2 received a Eurobike Gold award, Red Dot Quality Seal award, two Testsieger awards, an Outside magazine award, a Taipei Cycle show award and an iF design award
• The smart phone app interfaces with a cloud platform called Omni that lets you interact with the bike remotely including an anti-theft measure that will lock the motor, flash the lights and notify you via text, the system will also help you track the bike down using built-in GPS
• The bike itself has built in wireless technology allowing it receive software updates on the fly… this means you don’t have to go into a bike shop and wait or pay extra to get the latest and greatest

Cons:

• This is one of the heavier city style electric bikes I’ve tested in the high-end category at nearly 60 pounds depending on the frame size
• Dealerships that offer Stromer electric bikes are growing but the service network is smaller than a brand like Specialized, Haibike or IZIP
• Cogging slows down the rear wheel when motor is not in use vs. a freewheel (metal staters repel the strong rare earth magnets located around the circumference of the hub casing – this is a con for all direct drive gearless motors but more noticeable on high power motors such as the one used for the ST2), a benefit that negates this con somewhat is the active regeneration and regenerative braking
• The Di2 electronic shifting unit and derailleur run on independent batteries, there’s a charging port on the right side of the mini-display near the stem but it would be nice if they were just wired into the bike’s main battery
• I love how streamlined the touch screen interface is but due to its location (the top tube vs. handle bars on most ebikes) you have to look down further to see your speed and other details which could be distracting… thankfully the button pad to control assist and lights is mounted near the right grip and you can download their mobile app and mount your phone on your bars for easier viewing if you’d like
• This is an extremely expensive electric bike, probably one of the most expensive I’ve seen that’s a not a limited run or passed off as art, consider getting bicycle insurance
• While the bike is available in three sizes, you only get one color scheme (gray with red accents) and a traditional high-step frame style vs. the standard ST2 which comes in a step-thru frame that some may find easier to mount

Resources:

• Official Site: https://www.stromerbike.com/en/us
• More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/r6oRGwAAhZvofMpA7