Why a Stromer, for me? towards the end of 2015, I had just burned out my 3rd motor in my Focus ebike, after less than 4,000 total miles. I was once again left motorless on much of my 20 mile 1-way commute, which was hell, on that heavy, inefficient bike. I was ready to throw it in the trash once I finally made it home.
Focus was willing to replace the motor, yet again, if I shipped the bike to their closest facility in Dallas. Screw this... I needed something I could put some serious miles on (40 mile daily commute), without problems, and was willing to pay a premium. I wasn't convinced Stromer was as much "go" as it was "show", but Crazy Lenny seemed like a great place, good people, and gave me a good deal, so I grabbed an ST2 at the end of 2015. Since, I've put 17,200+ miles on it, with the ONLY "problem" being I wore out the front wheel bearing. It was grinding and making noises, but still worked. $100 later I had a new super strong MTB wheel from my LBS thrown on. The only real issue I see it having now is the back rim has some small cracks around the spoke eyelets, probably from dropping off so many curbs over the years. I worry it'll fall apart at some point, but come on, I've run this thing sooo hard. Oh, and I need to replace the back fender screw that fell out, making the fender loose.
I know it won't last forever, and honestly, it could die tomorrow and would've served its use, as it's gone at least what I could've expected from it already.
In the attachment, you can see all the miles I've cycled. Yellow is pure commuting with the Stromer, which I got in Dec 2015. Most of 2015 was the Focus ebike commuting, and before that was non-ebike cycling and racing, 2012 mostly MTBing.
I ride it hard and fast in 100 degree+ Austin summers and some winter days in the teens. It's been in insane rainstorms that had so much water on the road, it reached the bottom of the motor and bottom bracket. I have no idea how it hasn't shorted out! This data can be verified on my Strava.
I began thinking about a replacement awhile back, to have in mind for when it does die. I was thinking Juiced bikes. Ironically, a Crosscurrent X popped up on my commute route last year. I consistently pass the guy and have been surprised how loud his motor is (you can't hear the Stromer motor AT ALL), as well as the fact that the Stromer is actually faster. At a stoplight I asked if he was on max assist and he said yes. I thought they'd be the exact same speed, but I'm a good 1-2mph+ above him, and even more on the overpass hill we hit. I guess it could be that I pump out more human power than him, but I carry a heavy gear load and I'm 200lbs, at least as heavy as he is.
There's a Trek I pass also and I'm doing more like 3-4mph faster than him. He said he's also on max assist, and he's having nothing but problems (electrical failures) with his bike. I also see a Rad Rover that I pass, but haven't talked to him. He's going much slower and probably has a 20mph limit. I'm not trying to race these guys, I'm just doing my commute. One day I was being funny and passed by with my hands off the handlebars. The Stromer rides perfectly smooth like this. He tried it and nearly wrecked, because his handlebars immediately began shaking badly. I guess this could be just the tires, but the Stromer is so well refined.
I'm now not sure I could go with anything other than Stromer. I'm not a fanboy or someone to jump on blind loyalty bandwagons, but it seems to stand out in how refined, quiet, powerful/fast, and extremely dependable it is, from my experience. The internet is the internet, I listen and consider, but anyone can say anything to bash and hate. You can see my miles on my Strava account, as well as the documented motor failures of my Focus, that I took pics and video of taking it apart and showing the faulty stripping nylon gear in the motor.