Stromer ST1 LCI
A competitively priced entry into the world of speed pedelecs from an originator of the genre
Premium Swiss brand Stromer stands out in two respects. First, it only makes speed pedelecs that can power you along at up to 45kmh (28mph). Second, it only uses rear hub motors in a world where most high-speed e-bikes employ mid-drives. The company has been a pioneer in other ways too, including being an originator of the speed pedelec genre, plus one of the first to offer bikes with Bluetooth connectivity and one of the earliest to integrate batteries into the frame.
Although the bike benefits from all this knowhow, the ST1 is among the least powerful of Stromer’s models. These things are relative, however, and this bike is no slouch. And on the plus side it’s configured to a price that, while still hefty, is below all of Stromer’s other models.
As such, it has the manufacturer’s smallest battery option, even if compared to most of its competitors the ST1 is powerful and has a long range, which is claimed at a hefty 121km (75 miles) despite a mid-sized 655Wh power pack. The powerful rear hub motor also features regenerative braking to recapture energy lost while slowing down.
The ST1 offers a low-step frame option to make getting on and off easier, and for an extra fee you can add front suspension and a flexible seatpost for additional comfort above that provided by the bike’s wide tyres. And if you need extra range, there are options for bigger batteries up to 983Wh.
Having such a powerful motor on board makes it easier to carry extra weight on the bike, so Stromer includes a 22.5kg-rated rear pannier rack and offers the option of a trailer plate if you want to pull oversized loads behind you. Mudguards, a kickstand and powerful lights come as standard, and the icing on the cake is the beautifully integrated top tube display. You can also find more info on Stromer’s OMNI app, which offers GPS location, over-the-air updates, profile management and motor tuning.