The 2023 Stromer ST2 Pinion and Stromer Smart Helmet in review – Both brawn and brains?

The myStromer AG are raising the ST2 to new heights for 2023. In further developing their s-pedelec, they’ve equipped it with a variable stem and Pinion gearbox. The new ST2 is priced at € 6,890 and comes with a 655 Wh battery as standard, though there’s the option of a bigger 983 Wh battery for an additional € 1,990.

The Stromer ST2 definitely makes a big impression. Overall, the design can be described as beefy, which is emphasised by the Electric Green colour of our test bike. But that doesn’t necessarily make this s-pedelec ungainly. All in all, the designers have put together a beefy yet harmonious looking s-pedelec with beautiful lines. You can also see from the integration that Stromer’s developers have put a lot of thought into it. There aren’t any unnecessarily exposed or poorly routed cables, the components have been well integrated, and they’ve kept things minimalistic, like the single-strutted rack. When looking at the top tube, the first thing you’ll notice is the cleanly integrated touch display.

To keep you and your clothes clean, Stromer rely on generously sized mudguards, though you won’t be able to avoid all splatters when riding at 45 km/h. The rack system is very similar to the proven KIS system, which is a very convenient feature. It’s compatible with the Stromer Antwerp panniers or the Berlin Trunkbag, for example. The side stand is the only part that doesn’t quite fit the bike: it seems to be a regular bicycle stand and just doesn’t look as sturdy as the rest of the bike. It’s too bad, since you’ll find significantly better solutions on the market! The ROXIM lights the Stromer are quite impressive, letting you switch between the low beam with an output of 600 lumens and the high beam, producing 900 lumens. That said, the taillight could be a bit brighter. It didn’t make us feel particularly comfortable riding at night on unlit country roads. The integrated daytime running light in the head tube is an eye-catcher, complementing Stromer’s new Smart Helmet, but more on that later.

When it comes to the motor, Stromer rely on the CYRO Drive 3 hub model for the ST2 Pinion. At 40 Nm, it doesn’t have as much torque as classic mid-mounted motors from the likes of Bosch or Shimano, though the motor boasts some impressive performance specs, nonetheless, driving the s-pedelec with maximum power output of 750 W. Moreover, the CYRO Drive 3 provides the option of regenerative braking. Pedalling input gets delivered via a 6-speed Pinion gearbox and GATES CARBON DRIVE belt. It offers a 259 % gear range – a conventional Shimano XT drivetrain offers a gear range of about 500 %. The belt doesn’t require any lube, so the drivetrain is extremely low maintenance. For the battery, you can choose between a capacity of 655 Wh, 814 Wh or 983 Wh. It can be removed from the side of the down tube once you’ve unlocked the latch via the display. In total, the bike tips the scales at 33.1 kg, so carrying the ST2 up the basement stairs or hanging it on the scale is no easy feat 😉

Riding the 2023 Stromer ST2 Pinion

First, we must get the Stromer on the road, which, unlike a regular bike, isn’t just a matter of picking it up and plonking it down. The moment you step on the pedals, however, you’ll feel a sense of relief – for a bike weighing 33.1 kg, the ST2 Pinion almost feels graceful to ride. The handling of the s-pedelec is incredibly agile, somehow hiding its kilos.

On flat terrain, the hub motor does a good job of pushing you along, generating plenty of power in the medium speed range. When pulling away, the motor takes a moment to respond, which can get tricky with a bike this heavy and a 6-speed drivetrain, especially on an incline – better take a runup when tackling a hill! Don’t think you can just cruise along at 45 km/h. You’ll need to pedal quite hard to do so. In fact, we arrived at the office slightly sweaty, though this was partly due to the combination of a winter jacket and our attempt to ride at top speed for as long as possible, of course. Nothing wrong with a little cardio! We were impressed with how quiet the Stromer ST2 is. This isn’t just due to the motor, but also to the belt and Pinion gearbox, which are almost silent. Shifting gets done via a twist-grip on the handlebar. The twist-grip doesn’t make the most high-quality impression as it’s got quite a bit of play when shifting, but it couldn’t be easier to use. The 259 % gear range isn’t big either, and it can get you into trouble in mountainous terrain, as already mentioned. That said, it’s more than sufficient on level ground!

The performance of the CYRO Drive 3 decreases steadily as the slope increases and the speed of the rear wheel drops, which is simply part and parcel hub motor systems. The motor can’t develop its full power at slower speeds. At high speeds, you might feel your confidence eroding. This is primarily due to the rigid fork, the stiff frame, and the direct handling, which makes for a nervous front wheel. Added to this is the fact that you’ve got little weight on the front wheel due to the tall cockpit, generating minimal traction with the 2.35″ Pirelli Angel GT Urban tire. As such, the bike has a noticeable lack of stability, composure, and comfort on poor roads. While it doesn’t complement the look, we recommend choosing the optional suspension fork. The suspension seat post provides an amazing level of comfort at the back.
One of the standout features is that the pedalling position can be easily adjusted via the variable stem, which isn’t something you’ll see often on design-oriented bikes such as the ST2. The fact that the stem is also SP Connect+ ready should be great news to those who want to navigate using their phone, allowing you to attach all the necessary accessories to the bike.

Besides regenerative braking, the ST2 comes equipped with Stromer HD922 disc brakes front and rear, paired with big 203 mm rotors. This might sound good, but we could have used a little more stopping power up front. So, it’s a good thing you’ve got adjustable regenerative braking, which you can use to support the brakes.

Smart Features am Stromer ST2

The OMNI C display in the top tube is what you’ll use to operate the ST2. It doesn’t just give you current riding data or let you unlock the latch for the battery, it’s also got functions like an alarm system or GPS tracking.
Of course, there’s a Stromer app to with it, which you can use to locate the bike. The touch display is beautifully integrated into the top tube, though you’ll have to look down and thereby take your eyes off the road to read it – not something we recommend doing at 45 km/h. Fortunately, you can adjust the three support levels intuitively via a remote on the handlebar.

Helmet or disco ball? The Stromer Smart Helmet

We also tested the matching helmet for the Stromer ST2. With the Stromer Smart Helmet, made by Unit1, safety comes first thanks to integrated light signals and the MIPS system. MIPS stands for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System and consists of a low-friction layer on the inside of the helmet. In the event of a crash, it can rotate by 10 to 15 mm and thereby mitigate the rotational forces acting on your head.

The FIDLOCK magnetic closure keeps the helmet securely in place, and it will let you open and close the chin strap with one hand. If you need help after a crash and can’t call anyone because you’re unconscious or otherwise impeded, the helmet will take care of that for you and send an SOS message to a pre-define emergency contact. To increase your visibility at night, the Smart Helmet can be connected to the Stromer and act as a brake light. With the help of an additional remote, the helmet will in future even be capable of giving turn signals! If anything, the lights of the Stromer Smart Helmet certainly are eye-catching. You’ll find discreet LED strips at the front and back, providing added visibility in the dark. What you can’t see when it’s switched off: there is another light behind the fabric cover on the back, the colours and effects of which you’re free to configure in the Unit1 FARO app. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about the lights when things get wet – the electronics have an IPX6 water-proof rating. Unfortunately, we couldn’t test the ventilation just yet – we would have preferred an integrated helmet heater for the winter 😉

Conclusion on the Stromer ST2 Pinion

Without a doubt, the Stromer ST2 Pinion is an eye-catcher. It’s guaranteed to turn heads, especially in the Electric Green colour on test. The combination with the Stromer Smart Helmet is another unique selling point and a big plus in terms of safety. The OMNI C display has been beautifully integrated and it’s bursting with smart functions. Unfortunately, the handling and the side stand of the ST2 leave room for improvement as they aren’t in line with Stromer’s premium claim.

For more information visit Manufacturer’s website.

Words: Philip Grünewald Photos: Mike Hunger