The new Stromer ST5

[fxr3]

Blue cat, I look forward to your st5 posts as much as I look forward to fish reports ahead of a multi day offshore fishing trip!
I think you are the worlds foremost authority on ST5, and I am looking forward to owning one!
My biggest concern is raising handlebars to my desired height. I have st1 and st2s and had a st2.
All needed bars raised 4-5” for my preferred riding posture. That was easily accomplished with $20.00 on eBay and a new front brake line. The st5 looks a little more challenging.
Do you know if there is slack wires hidden and/or a decent looking riser in the works?
Keep the posts coming! Thanks, Barry

 

[bluecat]

Thanks for the flowers!

Years ago, I was travelling at Norway, an leaflet came across my way: "Garmin fish finder" I was familiar with the hiking GPS from Garmin, bot no clue what a fish finder could be. After reading the instruction, it was clear. Still no affinity to fishing, but I hope you enjoy your trip.

Regarding the stem and handlebar of the ST5:

Being honest - and I know, this will be disappointing - I don't believe that any could be done. I'll come up soon with a short story to explain why.

 

[fxr3]

Hhhmmmmm. I lowered bars on st1 today and will start lowering on st2s pretty soon and adjust to low bar height—“if ya can’t beat em- join em”.

 

[bluecat]

The slight V-shaped line of the upper tube is continued at the stem and ended up at the handlebar. Some parts are covered by removable lids, but indeed, stem and handlebars are one unit. This constructions allows the unique design - but makes it impossible to change anything.

I don't see any way to change this construction. This is disappointing for all of them which would like to have a riser or a speedlifter or something similar. Such modifications are possible on a ST2s.

The extraordinary clear line of the ST5 - see also the shadow to the right - has its price. As the overall geometry is different from the other Stromer, I would recommend a personal test ride. Maybe, the standard handlebar configuration fits as well.

The broad stem is now the housing for several connectors and wiring. The stem is fixed at the head tube of the fork. This is round, the oval is only a photographic effect due to the perspective.

Not only that stem and handlebar are one unit, the shape of the handlebar is also unique. From the center to the end, it's conic as several others too. But the profile is not round, it's more like a water drop. I expect, you need a 3D printer to build your own mount. Then, you might be able to attach, GPS, mobile phone, dash cam, extra light or whatever.

 

[Trail Cruiser]

The slight V-shaped line of the upper tube is continued at the stem and ended up at the handlebar. Some parts are covered by removable lids, but indeed, stem and handlebars are one unit. This constructions allows the unique design - but makes it impossible to change anything.

I don't see any way to change this construction. This is disappointing for all of them which would like to have a riser or a speedlifter or something similar. Such modifications are possible on a ST2s.

The extraordinary clear line of the ST5 - see also the shadow to the right - has its price. As the overall geometry is different from the other Stromer, I would recommend a personal test ride. Maybe, the standard handlebar configuration fits as well.

The broad stem is now the housing for several connectors and wiring. The stem is fixed at the head tube of the fork. This is round, the oval is only a photographic effect due to the perspective.

Not only that stem and handlebar are one unit, the shape of the handlebar is also unique. From the center to the end, it's conic as several others too. But the profile is not round, it's more like a water drop. I expect, you need a 3D printer to build your own mount. Then, you might be able to attach, GPS, mobile phone, dash cam, extra light or whatever.

That sucks big time. Most folks that have the dough for this kind of ebike are at their retiring age and need some kind of bike fitment to conform to their frail and aging bodies.

This design definitely insists that the rider has to conform with the ebike itself, and not the other way around. I would say, they got the marketing strategy wrong. So sad.

 

[fxr3]

That sucks big time. Most folks that have the dough for this kind of ebike are at their retiring age and need some kind of bike fitment to conform to their frail and aging bodies.

This design definitely insists that the rider has to conform with the ebike itself, and not the other way around. I would say, they got the marketing strategy wrong. So sad.

Although I sadly fit the dough, retiring age, and especially the frail and aging thing perfectly- it’s not easy to find another 2 wheeler where the seat height is taller than bar height. Even the uncomfortable looking crotch rocket, the bars are generally higher than seat. The riding posture is the most important thing- for safety,comfort,etc. IMO.
But, it’s true, until I ride one- I’ll keep an open mind. Life could be worse, stuck with my dated st2s!

 

[fxr3]

Bluecat, that is the best response i’ve ever seen from anybody’s question on the internet! Period.
I’ve always been a Stromer booster- maybe the 5 will fit me like a glove. If not, i’ll Slum along on my st2s.
If wires are long enough, maybe a cnc guy could cut out a block to fit in there, but I couldn’t guess the cost.
If the bars are a teardrop profile- how is someone going to install phone holder and misc. junk to handlebars?
Thanks again for your participation- you’re the man!

 

[Chuck E. Cheese]

Bluecat, that is the best response i’ve ever seen from anybody’s question on the internet! Period.
I’ve always been a Stromer booster- maybe the 5 will fit me like a glove. If not, i’ll Slum along on my st2s.
If wires are long enough, maybe a cnc guy could cut out a block to fit in there, but I couldn’t guess the cost.
If the bars are a teardrop profile- how is someone going to install phone holder and misc. junk to handlebars?
Thanks again for your participation- you’re the man!

Don’t know about the riser stem, but I would bet anything that a manufacturer- maybe even Stromer themselves- will come out with an adapter or series of adapters to allow gadgets to be attached. Even if it’s only someone with a 3D printer and an Etsy account, if people will buy it, someone will make and sell it.

 

[fxr3]

Seems odd Stromer(talks about) OMNI will duplicate on another screen, yet no traditional way to mount it(so far).
I’m kinda idling back my enthusiasm, as usual getting ahead of myself. Time to focus on fishing, let the mfg. finish up there work, then see what they have.............

 

[siclmn]

This new Stromer has a big problem. The bigger tires do not provide more suspension. All they do is provide is more bounce. This bounce beats you up on long rides it makes your butt hurt and you think you need a new seat. To control bounce you need suspension like a motorcycle which would be mechanical shock absorbers. This bike has none. What they do know is that looks sell a product much more then engineering and that seems to be what they are focusing on. This is not BMW engineering.
Yes I have seen the pictures of an upcoming front fork with suspension and this will be good but the bike will still need a seat post suspension like the Body Float which changed their name to something like Kinetx which killed their sales because nobody knows what it is anymore.

 

[bluecat]

The key for the battery case is one thing you might carry alway with you. Not because of taking the battery out for recharging. But to overcome the [Drive Error]. Having a further key in your pocket on which you have to take care might not be ideal. Some people raised concerns regarding the expensive battery and the existence of lockpickers.

The ST5 offers a new way to remove the battery from its housing.

Where earlier the lock was mounted, on the ST5 a simple button is installed. The menu of the display has a new entry: Eject. The short video below shows how this function is used.

The sole question remaining: Will "eject" be accessible even when a software error occurs?

 

[bluecat]

How about the handling?

For sure, driving beside the paved roads is not the domain of the ST5. This bike is made for relaxing and long distance riding. Whilst the ST2s seems to be the power play machine, the ST5 is comfort riders choice. Narrow turns and corners, short overtaking, slalom amongst the traffic jam - all well going for the ST2s.

That's why some people called the ST2s "nervous". The opposite is the ST5. Very good directional stability, expectable even with hands off the handlebar (not really tested due to the heavy winds). The more flat steering angle and the - in relation to the centers of the wheels - deeper seating position makes riding the ST5 calm.

Each change of direction requires more insistence. More the on other Stromer, you're asked to help with your body if you want change direction e.g. turning to the left whilst driving a corner to the right. After some practice, such maneuvers are going well. And of course you can change the direction again, as you don't want to leave the road.

The more sedate handling of the ST5 makes your riding style more relaxing. This might help if you had to choose between ST2s and ST5. The roads in the valley and over the hills around the Stromer HQ could be mastered very well with the ST5. The next test will be in the city with traffic lights, stupid corners and much other traffic.

 

[bluecat]

I was thinking the sole question remaining was: Will the eject be accessible if the battery is dead or disabled?

Short answer: This will not happen.

The 48V square batteries have different setup from the octogonal 36V batteries. They have two different power modes. On the first level, a 12V current with low power is active when the battery is placed in the Stromer. This current is sufficient to operate the display on the functions behind - but not for the M99pro or to ride. Once the system is unlocked, the battery opens its second level - and the power to ride is available. If - and I personally had have this on the ST2s - the BSM in the battery decides not to deliver power anymore (for what reasons ever), the first level is still operational.

The exception: If battery is really damaged (eg by short circuit). If this happens, the closed battery case is the smallest problem you have.

During our extensive test, we faced an software error: No more power on the motor while all other things running well - and no message popped up. The solution was like it ever was in such cases: Remove the battery (= soft eject works properly), wait a while, insert and continue riding.

 

[opimax]

Great info, hope i am not the one that proves nothing is impossible lol. Did you find out about the Bluetooth connectivity while my phone is currently attached to a headset ? will it still unlock?

is the power for US models officially at 750 for boost or is it going to be 850?

thx

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

A new review of the ST5. The new Swiss Super E-bike.

 

[bluecat]

A new review of the ST5. The new Swiss Super E-bike.

Thanks for sharing the video from Brett Thurber.

The video gives a nice impression how the landscape around the Stromer HQ - where we did our testrides too - looks like after the snow is gone. It shows one thing which is not part of my review here: The phone holder. This interesting device will replace the lid with the sign "ST5" and holds the phone above the stem. At the time, I can't say if this was only a prototype or if it will reach the market. Here the videostill:

 

[bluecat]

Did you find out about the Bluetooth connectivity while my phone is currently attached to a headset ? will it still unlock?

is the power for US models officially at 750 for boost or is it going to be 850?

Sorry, I don't know - but two days ago, Stromer had held top secret US market launch celebration at a certain Pirelli store in LA.

I expect, from now on, the Stromer US representatives shall know all the US-market specific details - and I hope they will post answers here.

 

[opimax]

thx

 

[bluecat]

From a picture above, you already know there must be a inverse function on the display. This is true. The brightness sensor switches to the night design when darkness appears. This is to avoid being dazzled by the bright white display. You can activate the inversion also by hand, if you prefer it. Overall, the 2018 color display is easier to read, even if there are some reflection on the screen.

The advertising mentioned the "second screen" function. With this, the content of the display shall be extended to your mobile device. As stated above, we did not test this.

Apart from this funktion, the mobile phone could work as a GPS device with roadmaps. From the video made by InSight Show I've extracted this videostill. You see the socket of the mobile device mount and the rear view mirror. I've no clue about the mirror - is it a special wish from the owner or will it be the standard.

 

[bluecat]

The user InSight Show published another video titled “Stromer ST5: Ich wünschte ich hätte diese dinge vor dem Kauf gewusst“ – can be interpreted as „things I wished to know before I bought“. His six minutes fil is a typical cellphone movie. He is fidgets around with his device like he was hunting dust in the wind. More interesting are the statements he made. Being polite, I have to say, his statements are misleading. So please don't get upset while watching it:

This video is originally produced and published by YouTube user InSight Show. To avoid annoying advertising, it is now hosted at vimeo.

Thanks to our dutch colleagues who brought my attention to this.