AbeK
Active Member
I’ve now put over 100 miles on my ST7, and my overall impression is that it is in most ways an improvement over the ST5. Now that I’ve gotten used to riding it, I believe it has more power than my ST5. Going up hills and getting it to 28+ mph is noticeably easier with the ST7. The Pinion shifting system works great, though it does take some getting used to compared to the Shimano Di2. I don’t consider one better than the other, but not having to worry about dirty chain maintenance is very nice.I got my ST7 today! It is a very nice bike, and I only had time to take a short 5-mile ride to adjust the seat, and get a feel for the bike. A few initial reactions:
Compared to my ST5, it is a predictably different experience, given the obvious differences in drive train. But it is just as much fun to ride, and it feels similarly powerful (not more, not less). It is just as quiet, and the shifting is just as smooth once you get used to the rhythm of the pinion system.
The one thing I don’t like, compared to the ST5, is that it feels like the regenerative braking kicks in at weird times. When I start to pedal from a stopped position, it feels like there is regenerative braking resistance fighting me for about one second before it releases. When I stop pedaling and just coast, the regenerative braking kicks in, quickly slowing the bike rather than just coasting. Also, when I engage the brakes, the regenerative braking seems to kick in for a moment before the real brakes engage, and when I release the brakes, the regenerative braking stays engaged for about a second after the real brakes disengage. All of this “feels” wrong. Hopefully a software update will address this. Or maybe I need to try a different sensitivity setting for the brakes. Right now I have it set at 100%.
Another issue is the bike arrived with no side mirror. The dealer’s demo bike did not have one either. This despite the US Stromer ST7 website stating that a mirror comes with it. I was thinking of moving the mirror from my ST5 to the ST7, but it does not appear that can be done.
That’s all I have to share for now. Stay tuned for more updates.
My longest single ride was 36 miles—with substantial hill climbing—and I only used 47% of my battery. I had it in mode 2 (with all the sliders turned all the way up) for nearly all of the ride, going to S-mode only for a short while. So I’m confident I can get to 60-70 miles with this bike on a single charge, something I could never do on my ST5.
The brake sensitivity issue still remains, and I tried different settings with no noticeable improvement. My conclusion, after a couple of 30+ mile rides, is this is likely a torque sensor problem. I originally thought it was a regenerative braking issue. I think the torque sensor is off by a small amount, reducing power a bit early when braking and a bit late when releasing the brakes. The latter is more troublesome because the bike fights you when you start to pedal right after braking. Hopefully Stromer can improve it with a software update, assuming they acknowledge there is a problem. I did notice the dealer’s test bike I rode also had the issue, so I don’t think its a problem with just my bike. Having said that, I consider it a minor (though noticeable) inconvenience that in no way is making me rush back to my ST5. The ST7 is way too much fun.
I did replace that hard rubber Brooks saddle with a leather Selle Anatomica X2 that is much kinder to my butt. I’m also getting used to the solid gold color, though it helps that the suspension fork is black. It seems that everyone notices me when I’m riding, and I’m starting to suspect it’s not because of my good looks
Overall, I’m really enjoying the bike and not losing sleep about putting my ST5 up for sale.