Stromer ST2 vs Riese and Muller Nevo 3, Specialized Turbo Como 5.0

[wscott]

Hi,

New member here looking to buy an e-bike for myself and wife.
Late 40's and out of shape. Looking to get back into shape and maybe make a few multi-night voyages.
I am 6'4" 250lbs; Wife is 5'6" and medium sized.
We live in Dubuque Iowa, convenient to Madison, WI.
Terrain is hilly, paved and some off road dirt and gravel (not mountain biking).
This will likely be our first and only e-bike, so we will buy once and be done.

Budget less than $7500 per bike.

step through
Stable
Low maintenance
Best motor
Best brakes
Best front suspension
Seat post suspension or full suspension
upright riding position.
Clean design with concealed wires.
Belt drive
American or European made

Have tried Specialized Como 5.0; 3.0; 4.0 - nice upright position- comfortable. Did not have suspension. no Belt
Specialized Vado (too upright)

Stromer ST2 with belt and front fork suspension- best performance, solid and moves well and motor is silent. Interesting tech. Not as upright as we would like. What can be done to improve the comfort of the Stromer ST2? Reliability of ST2?

Riese and Muller Nevo GT (2018) and Nevo GT rolhoff (2019). Loved the upright riding position, nimble, and diverse application. Just easy to ride. Performance of motor and fit and finish not as good as the Stromer ST2. Have not tried the 2021 version. Performance and reliability of Enviolo or Rolhoff - I've read there are concerns.

Also considering R&M Homage, and Multicharger 3 Mixte, but can't find a place to try them.

Anything else I should consider?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Have tried Specialized Como 5.0; 3.0; 4.0 - nice upright position- comfortable. Did not have suspension. no Belt

The 2022 Como 5.0 can be ordered with a belt drive and IGH. It is equipped with an 80 mm travel RockShox air-spring suspension fork and suspension seat-post.
The 2020 Vado 5.0: ditto.
The latest, silent, powerful mid-drive motors. The best connectivity in the market.

Riese and Muller Nevo GT (2018) and Nevo GT rolhoff (2019).

Based on older Bosch system. Now, Bosch has announced a new Smart System that most of manufacturers including R&M haven't embraced yet.

Stromer ST2 with belt and front fork suspension- best performance, solid and moves well and motor is silent. Interesting tech. Not as upright as we would like. What can be done to improve the comfort of the Stromer ST2? Reliability of ST2?

Cannot comment on that. Only bear in mind Stromer uses a Direct Drive hub-drive motor which is very powerful but it cannot gain from the drivetrain gearing unlike mid-motors.

American or European made

All major American or European brands actually make their e-bikes in Taiwan, R.O.C. Which is the world capital of bike manufacturing.

 

[DiggyGun]

I have the R&M Nevo3 GT Vario GX which was made to order in Germany.

The Vario spec is belt drive with the Enviolo IGH and is a joy to ride. The build quality is superb and much more robust than my previous bike, a Raleigh Motus GT, a good bike, but in a different league. I’ve no issues with the Enviolo and you find a natural sweet spot with it and tweak it with little twists when going up a hill, changing the resistance. This for me, is much better and smoother than clicking through the gears on an indexed Derailleur gear system. The supplied saddle and Thudbuster seat post are very comfortable once you get the right position, but that’s the same for any bike.

So far, it’s gone everywhere I have put it with no problems.

I can’t comment on the other bikes as I haven’t ridden them, but can thoroughly recommend the Nevo3.

 

[GenXrider]

Have tried Specialized Como 5.0; 3.0; 4.0 - nice upright position- comfortable. Did not have suspension. no Belt
Specialized Vado (too upright)

Vado is too upright?? But Como is comfortable? Como is more upright than Vado!

 

[wscott]

Looks like 2022 Como Turbo 5.0 has come a long way. I like the riding posture of the Como.

Any other points for comparison between
1). Stromer ST2 with belt drive and front fork suspension optio

Vado is too upright?? But Como is comfortable? Como is more upright than Vado!

Thank you, my mistake. I like the upright position of the Como. Vado is not upright enough.