Stromer ST3 - report about test on the long run

[bluecat]

Recently, myStromer AG handed over a brand new ST3 for long time testing to our staff writers. The key data are:

• ST3 black 20" male / sport frame
• blue BQ983 battery with 983Wh (like the LE)
• Stromer winter tires by Vee Tire
• standard stem and handlebar

As the ST5, the ST3 comes with the new frame and 27½" wheels. This gives - compared with the 26" Stromer - a new riding feeling. After the first 150km, the most impressive thing is the Shimano Microshift. Compared with the Di2 installed on ST5 and ST2s, the gap is not that big. More text will follow; probability first published in German on stromerforum.ch

 

[bluecat]

All OMNI features are the same as on the ST5 - except the (S)-mode, which is not present. The ST3 has GSM up to G3 (but not at the shooting location).

This ST3 is a testbike - and it's also used as a test-platform for firmware development. That's why you see FW-versions which might never reach the market.

 

[bluecat]

In Switzerland, a yellow reflective licence plate is mandatory. Like on a car, there is illumination. In the early years of commuter e-biking, people often were ashamed about the licence plate. Therefore, they remove it completely or installed is on a hidden place, Meanwhile, is broadly accepted as an additional safety feature (towards the traffic from behind).

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Shimano Microshift

That's interesting you say that!
I have owned bikes with microshift and always found them to be less crisp or robust compared to the XT or SLX shifters.

ST3 is yet to reach the US market (except the LTD edition) and excited to try out in the near future. I really wish they had retained the carbon forks instead of the heavy alloy ones.
The good thing is rear rack comes standard!

 

[bluecat]

I have owned bikes with microshift and always found them to be less crisp or robust compared to the XT or SLX shifters.

Especially the fast shifting up the gears during the acceleration works very well. When the traffic light turns green, you'll have passed the intersection whilst the most cars just began to move. Shifting down is not so easy, but much better than with an SLX. Overall, the Microshift SL-M861R fits well with the Shimano derailleur. Clearly, the Di2 does everything better and faster, but the gap seems not to be 1k$

 

[SirJonathan]

Wow. Is there a more beautiful eBike than the Stromer?!!!

 

[fxr3]

What catches my eye is the mirror. I recall on another post of yours, you said “ with mirror below bars, as it should be”.
I wondered why then, and now I must ask you- why the low mirror? Thanks, and keep Stromer info coming- I read every word!

 

[bluecat]

now I must ask you- why the low mirror?

1. In europe, it's mandatory to indicate a turn to the left with a hand sign - as shown on the picture. If the mirror is mounted like an erected kitchen spoon, you'll be unable to move your hand to the left (and quickly back, if necessary)
2. In the cities, the bike lanes are often very narrow eg the fence of a construction field to the right and the tramway to the left. Or you have to pass cars in the traffic jam. You can't do this with a extra broad handlebar.

For those who've read the comment about the license plate: This ST5 has a written permission to drive for testing purposes.

 

[fxr3]

Still trying to figure out this cryptic Stromer diagram:

View attachment 28467

So if I’ve understood this correctly, we have 6 stem/handlebar options with the ST3:

For the stems:

- Urban Standard
- Urban Comfort (raised)

For the handlebars:

- Flat with 15 degree back sweep (standard)
- Flat with no sweep
- 20 mm riser with 20 degree back sweep

Does anyone know what the angle of the Urban Comfort raised stem is? How much rise does it offer?

Kinda like to know that too. Of course, compared to st5, it seems unlimited! I did run into a cnc guy awhile back and showed him those close-ups blue cat provided of stem and bars taken apart and he assured me he could knock out a one-off riser for $80.00. But there is likely not much slack in wires and brake lines. Maybe. I’ve been able to go way up and out on st2 with only lenghting front brake line.

 

[fxr3]

1. In europe, it's mandatory to indicate a turn to the left with a hand sign - as shown on the picture. If the mirror is mounted like an erected kitchen spoon, you'll be unable to move your hand to the left (and quickly back, if necessary)
2. In the cities, the bike lanes are often very narrow eg the fence of a construction field to the right and the tramway to the left. Or you have to pass cars in the traffic jam. You can't do this with a extra broad handlebar.

For those who've read the comment about the license plate: This ST5 has a written permission to drive for testing purposes.

You should feel lucky. In United States, the rules are same for left turn signal, then arm out and hand pointed up for right turn, then arm out and hand point down to indicate your stopping! The upside down spoon doesn’t have to hang off the bar end, in fact, hard to find a motorcycle where mirrors are not mounted inside the levers and mirror is above your hand and inside the bar width. I did ride around today with spoon pointing down and felt like I was checking my shoelaces. But it did offer a quick glance at Omni on the way back to eyes pointed back on road. And the tram and construction width thing is tight with or without mirror. OMNI passing info to phone mounted on riser(as new Omni provides), motorcycle mirror and blinkers...... the ST4!

 

[bluecat]

Does anyone know what the angle of the Urban Comfort raised stem is? How much rise does it offer?

Sorry, I don't know more than in the already published in the Stromer ACCESSORIES 2019 list; but I'll bring your attention to another point: In the 27½" series, each frame size has its own geometry. Have a close look on the angle of the seat tube, until the ST2s, only the length of the seat tube was different.

 

[bluecat]

the tram and construction width thing is tight with or without mirror.

Sometimes, the saved 10, 15cm making the difference if you can pass or if you have to wait ;-)

OMNI passing info to phone mounted on riser(as new Omni provides)

Unfortunately, myStromer AG has its own definition of "second screen". You might expect an further screen on which the whole or a part of the content of the main screen is displayed. This will not be the case.

 

[bluecat]

I didn't measure (unfortunately), but I had both ST2 and ST3 side by side and could see that the ST3's handlebars were higher. That's one thing that bothered me with the ST2s is that for my 1m83 the handlebars were really very low.

I didn't measure too - and I agree, the picture has some distortion due to the perspective:

ST5 saddle position after I've took a ride, ST2s came out from the showroom (= saddle too low for me); for me, the riders position in relation to saddle - crank - handlebar feels the same on both bikes. But riders position in relation to (the hubs of) the wheels is different. This makes the steering feeling very different (like you go from rigid to suspension fork). With other words: before you buy the riser and the expensive stem, have look for a test ride with such configuration

 

[bluecat]

The Roxim headlight has a clearly shaped beam on both modes. These pictures illustrate this, but this amount of brightness is only seen by the camera:

This time, the ST3 stand on his kickstand, so the beam is not rectangular to the surface. The dark gap does not disturb because you don't look there. Your eyes shall be were you will be in two seconds. That's why the bright area next to the front wheel is a waste of light:

The brightened picture shall illustrate, how the scenario is seen by the rider:

 

[Chuck E. Cheese]

That light pattern is really odd. I can’t think of a reason for all that spill right next to the front wheel. Maybe it makes the bike more visible from the side? I looks like it could be distracting from the riding position.

 

[bluecat]

Maybe it makes the bike more visible from the side? I looks like it could be distracting from the riding position.

With the bright light on the front wheel, I can see how the winter tire spits out out the wet dirt from the road - which immediately crashes on the steering tube and the u-shaped light. But this seems not to be the original idea of the engineers. Maybe, it's constructive hurdle which is not easy to overcome, as the Supernova M99por has a similar effect.

Whilst riding on a dark and narrow road, it happens from time to time, that the sidewards beam hits something more reflective. In the corner of my eyes, this makes the impression like there is traffic from sidewards. This is a minor disturbing effect.

I've made two pictures to illustrate the shape of the sidewards beam. I was not in the dark one only with my cell phone, so I had to do some artwork:

You see hi/lo beam; the vertical shadow might be from the right brake lever.

 

[Chuck E. Cheese]

I can see how the spill from the side of the light might be distracting while riding. Looking at the photos though, it would seem as though the main intent is to illuminate what is directly in front and around the bike. If you were going to ride at night it would be nice to know if there was something immediately in the way before you began pedaling.

 

[cheekee]

One day I think I would love to own a Stromer. Wish I could afford one.

 

[Stromer2work]

I'm just waiting for them to go on "sale" lol. I"m sure my existing stromers will only be worth 33% or less of what I paid for them by the time an ST3 or an ST5 go on "sale.

 

[bluecat]

If you were going to ride at night it would be nice to know if there was something immediately in the way before you began pedaling.

I've learned, the most difficult thing before you start in the dark to ride is to insert the blue battery properly. A white sticker helps me to identify "this side up".