BMC Recalls 2013 Stromer ST1 Electric Bicycles Due to Crash and Injury Hazards

Aushiker

Aushiker

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Region
Australia
City
Walyalup, Western Australia
This recall involves all 2013 Stromer ST1 women’s and men’s pedal-assist electric bicycles, models M33 Elite and P48 Platinum. The bikes were sold in three colors; black, red and white. They have an integrated lithium battery located inside the down tube, motor on the rear hub and a three-button LCD system display on the handlebars. “Stromer” is printed on the top tube of the bicycle frame and on the seat and chain guard. The fork’s serial numbers for the recalled bikes start with: ST1S2F, ST1S2G, ST1S2H, ST1S2I, ST1S2J, ST1S3A, ST1S3B, ST1S3C, ST1S3D and ST1S3E. The serial number is etched at the bottom of the rear fork.

stromer-st1-recall-serial-number.jpg

Apparently 1,300 where sold in the US and 11 in Canada.

Full details on the recall at the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

Regards
Andrew
 
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Interesting... How did you end up discovering this Andrew? I saw your other post about Tektro brake levers, were you just cruising through the Consumer Product Safety website or were these mentioned by someone you know?
 
I use my favourite RSS feed reader, BazQuz and monitor their feed related to cycling, more for my own interest/website etc. I probably would have skimmed over this previously but now with my interest in e-Bikes I thought it was worth posting. Even more so given the interest in Stormer bikes.

It was also interesting to note that BMC (well known road cycling brand and the team the first Australian TdF winner rides for) are the US distributors for the bike.

Andrew
 
t will probably be published on Stromers corporate web site. I saw their carbon fork recall when I was researching my purchase.
 
Is this a new recall and different than the fork recall they issued last year?
 
After looking into it (called LBS, who contacted BMC), its the same recall just extended into 2014. So if your ST1 has already been checked for the faulty fork, you are OK. No worries.
 
Hey folks, thanks for this useful alert. I likely wouldn't have heard of this other wise.

I call the company I purchased from (Mike's Bikes) and the tech said that the serial number alone is not enough to diagnose the problem. He said that even forks matching those numbers might be fine, and so a visual inspection is required before requesting a replacement part from Stromer. I certainly don't like the idea of riding a bike that might potentially fall apart on me, so I'd air on the side of caution, but if they see that nothing looks to be wrong I'll probably have to rest on their explanation of the diagnosis for peace of mind.

UPDATE: Mike's Bikes took a look and decided to air on the side of caution and order a replacement fork from Stromer.
 
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Can someone explain the logic behind a carbon fork on a 60 lb electric bike? Cost savings is the only reason I can come up with... Has anyone compared ST1 with the carbon and suspension forks? thanks
 
This kind of thing must happen a lot, my Specialized Secteur had a carbon fork replacement recall and it was a bummer to have to lug my bike in and not ride for a week while they did a replacement.

JoePah, are you asking if we've compared the ST1 with the Neo Carbon? I'm confused with the last part of your question. One reason I like the carbon fiber fork on the Neo Carbon and the new Haibike Superrace is that the bikes are in the 40 - 50 pound range so it's part of what keeps them light and absorbs shock without losing stiffness to bob.

I never did like Bob... wouldn't share his fruit snacks at recess. Turns out he steals all kinds of things. Do not trust bob.
 
Hi JoePah,

I think you're asking "why would they put a carbon fork on a 60lb bike?"

I have the carbon fork version on my St1 and because I do straight line paved road high speed riding it made the most sense because of it's increased efficiency over a suspension fork.

I also wasn't impressed with the stock SR Suntour Raidon. It's another $600 to upgrade to the Fox fork. It also adds a few pounds... Which as you point out would add to the 60lb bike.

Hope that helps.
 
Hi James, OK that makes sense... I ride on bike paths half the time and running 25 mph over bumpy paths with a solid fork would just be a harsh ride.. At least it is when I lockout the Raidon...What do you think?

I did a little research, and pumped up the fork to 130 psi and added a teaspoon of ATF and that has improved its performance some.. still not a great fork.

Did you have a chance to ride the ST1 with a suspension before you bought your carbon fork?

Court, thanks but I was thinking about a side by side comparison of identical ST1 models, one with a carbon fork, another with the Raidon fork in various conditions.
 
Good call on the increase psi! I didn't try the fork option because I was pretty focused on what I was going to be using it for.
 
JoePah said:
Can someone explain the logic behind a carbon fork on a 60 lb electric bike? Cost savings is the only reason I can come up with... Has anyone compared ST1 with the carbon and suspension forks? thanks
Click to expand...

Hey guys,

Me and Mark (Opimax) did a short 14 mile trail riding along the D.C waterfront, Georgetown and near Reagan national airport. It was a wonderful day (18'C) and a fun ride.

Mark is the same guy who had to replace 8-10 motors between his ST1 and his wife's ST1 platinum (more info here). Since his handlebar was broken, he brought his wife's ST1 platinum for the ride. It had SR suntour fork and when I looked at it, it was a short travel and without lockout (may be Mark can throw more light on this).

He also had thudbuster and I think combined effect of fork and thudbuster would be a very positive one. He was cruising at 21-24mph all the time and against the head wind. My battery was dropping bars like crazy trying to catch up with him and against the headwind. So, we cut the ride to a much shorter one.

Anyways, Mark would be able to explain the differences b/w carbon and SR fork.
 
My thoughts were/are very simple ...anything to make my body hurt less! If I purchased a Neo anything my initial thought would be the Jumper and probably never even jump a curb. My butt is always the sore part so any suspension on any part of the bike would help. I understand the fork affects your wrists more though

I rode my wife's bike because I broke my brake handle,it is in the shop. Her fork needs air which I was going to the LBS shop to do but they closed earlier than I thought so didn't happen.

It was great to ride w another ebiker!

Mark
 
opimax said:
My thoughts were/are very simple ...anything to make my body hurt less! If I purchased a Neo anything my initial thought would be the Jumper. It was great to ride w another ebiker!

Mark
Click to expand...

Mark, it was wonderful riding yesterday. It would be nice to go on rides and explore places during summer.
Also, I realized how bad my stamina is but it was fun :D
 
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