Stromer ST3 - report about test on the long run

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.

Yes, even in the US, the ST1 and the earlier models then will be gone. Also the ST2 will be sorted out - but for several reasons, that ST2 / ST2s might be the better for certain users.
 
I left the battery in the ST3 outside during the night at -4ºC. After the start in the morning, everything runs well. But to protect the battery from loading, the motor brake is disabled. A few km later, the 0ºC barrier in the battery was overcome. Now, all functions are available. My ride was less than a half hour in the cold and dark morning. Nevertheless, the battery warms itself up to 10ºC (and the motor even higher). Overall, I felt no lack of power or another hindering.

34893203bo.jpg


The battery has lost less than 10% during the night with bluetooth active. But the loss is difficult to measure, as the starting value was read from a warm battery (after my ride home).
 
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.

I sold one st2 comfort two years ago( for over 50% of list) with 2k miles on it, to buy St2s. Recently bought another new st2 comfort while they are still available. 30929E62-8D6E-4528-B6CC-31D00C1E6893.jpeg82F9FBA5-ADC8-47A0-BF1A-53F0B6E72EC4.jpeg558F4C19-DB48-4171-8CE9-0EBD0744618E.jpegF463EF38-AE68-45BA-A8B8-6BCE0C625F19.jpeg I’ve got no interest in trading up to 27.5 wheels. Or selling either st2.
 
I sold one st2 comfort two years ago( for over 50% of list) with 2k miles on it, to buy St2s. Recently bought another new st2 comfort while they are still available. View attachment 29169 I’ve got no interest in trading up to 27.5 wheels. Or selling either st2.

That is a cool looking WREN fork. No problem in installing the fork?

I left the battery in the ST3 outside during the night at -4ºC. After the start in the morning, everything runs well. But to protect the battery from loading, the motor brake is disabled. A few km later, the 0ºC barrier in the battery was overcome. Now, all functions are available. My ride was less than a half hour in the cold and dark morning. Nevertheless, the battery warms itself up to 10ºC (and the motor even higher). Overall, I felt no lack of power or another hindering.

34893203bo.jpg


The battery has lost less than 10% during the night with bluetooth active. But the loss is difficult to measure, as the starting value was read from a warm battery (after my ride home).

I don't think there is any thermal management built into the battery. As one starts using the bike, the battery warms itself up but it DOES affect the range. The power may not be affected but I am sure range does take a hit.
It would be much easier on the battery if we don't stress them with extreme temperatures :)
 
That is a cool looking WREN fork. No problem in installing the fork?



I don't think there is any thermal management built into the battery. As one starts using the bike, the battery warms itself up but it DOES affect the range. The power may not be affected but I am sure range does take a hit.
It would be much easier on the battery if we don't stress them with extreme temperatures :)

There was a minor issue installing fork. The taper on steerer from 1 1/2” to 1 1/8” on carbon fork happens fast(in a short distance), but wren and Rockshox taper is a little longer. Last time I solved problem by buying Stromer branded Suntour, but this time I looked up into headtube and found U light backing plate had “gussets” that I ground off to make forks fit.
It only took a Phillips head and 5 minutes. I wish I would have looked closer on st2s, cause then I would have had rock Shox sid’s Instead of Suntour on st2s. First picture is backing plate, second picture with “gussets” trimmed off.
I do like the Wren forks better than rock Shox Reba’s(I had on my old st2 comfort) or Stromer branded Suntour.
 

Attachments

  • 8314E6F9-4F26-48D2-8C74-B3234AF805E2.jpeg
    8314E6F9-4F26-48D2-8C74-B3234AF805E2.jpeg
    1 MB · Views: 574
  • CE80BFB5-8FBF-40C7-924D-5F5ABE52C8C9.jpeg
    CE80BFB5-8FBF-40C7-924D-5F5ABE52C8C9.jpeg
    1.1 MB · Views: 585
It would be much easier on the battery if we don't stress them with extreme temperatures :)

Yes, for sure.

What I'm investigating is the typical use a commuter bike in the winter: Bringing the warm (freshly charged) battery from your flat to the bike, ride to the company, leave the Stromer parked outside - and ride home at the evening. In my case, I have my Stromer in a underground car park (15ºC) during the working day. That's why I left the battery outside during the night.

Once I only had 8% left as I arrived at home. But in opposite to the earlier batteries, the loss of power due to the low voltage was small. All this tells me: Yes, you can use a Stromer for winter commuting without losing power and fun. But I agree, this will have an effect on the battery lifetime.
 
1554831954513.png


About 200 km later, the test period was over and I had to bring back the ST3 to the Stromer HQ.

My overall impression was good to very good, but not outstanding. As mentioned before, the Microshift was the big positive surprise. Also the power in respect of the state of charge of the battery was surprising fine. As expected, the bigger ST3 is not that "handy" as the ST2s. Due to the big tires with low pressure, the rolling resistance is - to the first time with a Stromer - remarkable. On the other hand, I did not miss the carbon fork nor a suspension fork.

If a stronger hillclimb is on the route, the ST3 will be (too) weak - if the sensor is set to 50. If you set the sensor to max., the steep hill climb goes as well as with the ST2s. But with sensor 100, the ST3 is too nervous (and over-powered) in the plain area. Therefore, a individual setting [2] is required. Nevertheless, the energy consumption will be significantly higher as with the ST2s (at same performance and same steep hill in the circuit).

If only the normal ascending of a country road is the case, sensor 50 to 75 will be fair enough - and the energy consumption comes to normal level.
 
This is a disappointment to read , especially not having any good luck w/our ST2s...brakes keep leaking, fenders loose, parts and serfvice availability getting worse....the price indicates it should be very good to excellent in all categories!
 
... not having any good luck w/our ST2s...brakes keep leaking, fenders loose, parts and serfvice availability getting worse....

Sad to hear this, especially as a skilled bike mechanic shall be able to fix that all. Here in Switzerland, bicycle-related problems are rare. Here in Switzerland, bicycle-related problems are rare. Luckily for me, after a few changes, my bike store and Stromer representative is now well established and also skilled in more typical Stromer problems. I hope, you'll find also such one.
 
A good part of the issue is poor repairs. Bled btakes 3 days later no pressure in line, should have replaced parts and not just leaking parts...contaminated the pads and the rotors, now discolored. These should have been replaced when they fixed the leak.instead I get the bike back , attempt to ride, couldn’t stop well at all took other bike after wasting time getting ready and cleaning rotors with alcohol so they weren’t wet w/fluid. Part of the issue is waiting weeks for parts too.

I am being kind it is worse than I write....
 
A good part of the issue is poor repairs. Bled btakes 3 days later no pressure in line, should have replaced parts and not just leaking parts...contaminated the pads and the rotors, now discolored. These should have been replaced when they fixed the leak.instead I get the bike back , attempt to ride, couldn’t stop well at all took other bike after wasting time getting ready and cleaning rotors with alcohol so they weren’t wet w/fluid. Part of the issue is waiting weeks for parts too.

I am being kind it is worse than I write....

I’m sad to hear also. I learned how to bleed brakes myself last fork swap. Any parts that would cause leaks are very inexpensive, any shop that would send back a bike with bad brakes is another example of people not caring.
Waiting for parts is what put Caterpillar at the top of heap. Parts availability is crucial to success of any mfg.
It could all be the fault of your dealer? My 4th and now only Stromer runs like the others, near perfect. Fender and brakes should be easy fixes, then hopefully back on trouble free road for you.
 
Shall I go towards 27½" wheels?

The biggest difference from the ST1 / ST2 - Stromer is the wheel size. This has also influence of the total size and the wheelbase. Therefore, it's not surprising, the (very) narrow turns becomes more difficult. Straight ahead, the ST3 runs more stable, but overall, he's less agile. Not so obvious is the change in the suspension concept. Now with rigid aluminium fork - but with huge tires and low pressure. Overall, I didn't miss a suspension fork. The price to pay is the increased rolling resistance. As the motor is strong enough, you won't feel it on the ride. But you'll see an increased battery consumption.

Buy the new ST3 with full price or choosing one from 2018 stock with a discount?

Depends on your daily track. I just imagine, the roads in the US are less curvy than in Switzerland. If you do a test ride on a ST3 first - and then on a 26" Stromer, you'll find the older models are tiny. With other words: The ST3 (and even more the ST5) is in a new league.
 
1557860149074.png


The "seamless" riding - picture with the ST5 - is the most comfortable solution in the ST3 / ST5 series. With this feature, no more key and lock is necessary. Your mobile device with active Bluetooth is the key, the immobilizer system the lock. The video in the ST5 section shows, how it works.

Independent from the OMNI and and any GSM connection, the "seamless"system never failed during the 1'500km ST3 test period. The sensitivity of the Bluetooth can be adjusted. I've chosen very low, so the mobile phone has to be close to the ST3. The disadvantage is the higher standby consumption - but this no topic during a working day. Even when the ST3 is locked by Bluetooth overnight, the battery drops only a few %.
 
That’s HOT good news!,,,
Suspension fork for ST5. Better late than never, maybe I’ll consider a st3 after all!
 
So if they only modified ST2S so that it would fit 27.5" wheels wouldn't it be a better bicycle?

I am not trying to bash Stromer but for 7.5K the components are not impressive almost everything is a step down from ST2S. For this price I would expect a pinion + belt but they didn't even put Di2 on it. Again no suspension is another bummer (I am not too enthusiastic about carbon forks since with tires this wide I doubt they add anything to the ride and they actually compromise high speed safety so alloy fork would have been "ok" if the price was not that steep). It still is very heavy.

I think there is a market for reasonably priced, premium hub motor commuters.

btw ST2 does not have the clearance for 27.5 wheels right ?
 
Back