Stromer by BMC ST1 Platinum When BMC purchased e-bike brand Stromer in March (both companies are Swiss), it gave the small brand an immediate entree into the burgeoning U.S. market for powered city bikes. At the Interbike Dirt Demo, all of the company’s test bikes were in high demand, with riders taking off on them to buzz around Bootleg Canyon.
The company’s ST1 pedal-assist bike comes in both a Platinum version ($3,999), capable of going about 30 miles per hour, and the Elite version ($3,499), which can go about 20 miles per hour. Both models are powered by brushless hubs in the rear motors. You can add a “city package” to either, which includes a rack, fenders, and lights for $200 or $300, depending on h
ow bright you want your lights to be. The bikes both weigh about 60 pounds, but the
weight is distributed well, making the bikes sur
prisingly easy to handle. Both also come in four sizes, and in both standard and step-through configurations.
The brushless hub will never require maintenance. (Brad Ford)
Each bike comes equipped with a five-pound, 36-volt Samsung Lithium Ion battery. You can opt for an 11 amp-hour model, or a 14 amp-hour version for longer range—advisable with the more powerful motor. The battery, which is cleverly integrated into the downtube and is easily removed, can be charged on or off the bike in about three hours. Actuating the hydraulic disc brakes also switches the motor to a regenerative braking mode, which generates electricity as you’re slowing down. Stromer by BMC says that the batteries have a range of 40 to 60 miles, depending on the rider, terrain, and which of the four power-assist settings you use. With your assist level set, the Stromer by BMC uses a strain gauge in the dropout to measure your pedaling input, and to dial in an appropriate boost.
The more powerful motor requires both the dealer and rider to sign a waiver that classifies the bike as an off road vehicle—a legal mechanism that allows users to use their Stromer by BMC as a regular bike, rather than as a moped, or powered vehicle.
Summary =
When BMC purchased e-bike brand Stromer by BMC in March (both companies are Swiss), it gave the small brand an immediate entree into the burgeoning U.S. market for powered city bikes. Both models are powered by brushless hubs in the rear motors. The bikes both weigh about 60 pounds, but the weight is distributed well, making the bikes surprisingly easy to handle. (Brad Ford).Each bike comes equipped with a five-pound, 36-volt Samsung Lithium Ion battery.
Source = bicycling
