June 14, 2019 - The ST5, represents a complete redesign from Stromer, and it has “science’d” the hell out of this bike. The ST5 is all about tech, torque and touch-screens, and this Swiss masterpiece has a spec sheet so extensive it would blow my word count here if I tried to cover them all. So here are the highlights.

Built around a new 850-watt SYNO Sport rear-hub-drive motor (650 watts in North America), the ST5 puts out 48Nm of head-whipping torque, and can power you to 45 km/h with its new Sport Mode setting, only on Stromer’s ST5 model.

A 48-volt, 983Wh Samsung Lithium-ion battery offers a 60- to 180-kilometre range, depending on the pedal-assist mode chosen. The 4.8kg battery integrated into the downtube of the main frame features in-frame charging, along with a one-touch electronically controlled ejection button – no key required and a 5.5-hour recharge time!

Almost every component and all cables on the ST5 are fully integrated into the frame for a sleek, high-performance look.

The integrated headset and bars feature illuminated function buttons, giving you light control and pedal assist at your fingertips. A 1,250-lumen front light adapts to ambient light and has high-/low-beam control buttons. An LED headtube light provides high visibility when commuting, day or night. A brake-activated tail-light built into the rear fender adds back-end visibility.

A hidden door under the LED lights opens to reveal a USB charging port, a handy feature if you use your smartphone as a second screen for navigation.

Second screen? That’s right, second! The first screen is the ST5’s central control system, seamlessly integrated into the toptube. With this illuminated touch-screen, you can monitor your ride metrics, power setting and battery life, along with allowing you to customize a vast array of functions that includes metric-display options, anti-theft lock activation, brake-mode adjustments (which can convert the motor into a dynamo while descending) and torque-sensor adjustments to tailor torque response, to name a few.

Not only is the ST5’s central nervous system accessible via the touch-screen, but also via Bluetooth on your smartphone. The Stromer app allows you to eject the battery, to set security (it locks your bike when you leave and unlocks it upon your return) and to track your ST5 with GPS. You can even remotely lock it down, should you or someone else “accidently” misplace it.

A technological marvel, the ST5 approaches the power, functionality and weight (30.16kg) of an electric moped, but it’s still a bike at heart. Its 27.5” wheels sport a custom set of Pirelli Cycl-e tires on DT Swiss rims and a pair of Stromer HD944 TRP hydraulic discs with 203mm rotors.

Shimano shows up on the drivetrain with Di2 triggers on the right bar and a 1×11 XTR Di2 rear derailleur.
At $12,000 [CDN], the ST5 is not for the faint of heart. Stromer points out that its goal is to provide an alternative means of commuter transportation. As such, we used it to commute between two British Columbia universities, Simon Fraser University and University of British Columbia, and the ST5 made the trips a pleasurable breeze!

The ST5 is fast and responsive, and the two steep graded climbs at each university were literally no sweat for us, thanks to the ST5’s high-torque pedal-assist capabilities. While the ST5 would definitely benefit from some front-end suspension, lowering the pressure on its custom Pirellis smoothed out the ride. The control demonstrated by bike’s pedal assist was intuitive and flawless, as was its touch-screen control system, and the Di2 shifting was a much appreciated feature on every ride – and we did appreciate each and every ride! – by Paul Newitt