TECHNOLOGY

Akash Sablok

Stromer ST3: Electric Hybrid Bike

Sunday morning, 14 degrees, mostly sunny. It was a good day for a bike ride.

Usually, when you map a route, you look for the shortest distance. A few weeks ago, the Stromer ST3 arrived and I now search for the longest routes possible.

After a 19-kilometre ride, I reached Stanley Park. • Battery-level 90% • Human-level 100% • 22 kilometres later and

I am at Horseshoe Bay. • Battery-level 78% • Human-level 90%

I hopped onto the ferry and reached Bowen Island where I cycled the trails. After 85.49 kilometres of paved roads, steep hills, bridges, and gravel trails, I reached home again. • Battery-level 40% • Human-level 100%

The ST3 is an S-pedelec, rear-hub motor commuter-travel eBike from the Swiss company Stromer. A keyless bike with GPS tracking that encourages you to leave the car at home.

Riding at its top speed of 45 kilometres in Stanley Park can get you a ticket. Sorry, Officer, I did not know I was pedalling that fast.

Riding at its top speed of 45 kilometres in Stanley Park can get you a ticket.

Most eBikes are a combination of components assembled from various companies. That allows a company to offer many variations of their models. It’s great for a seasoned rider who has enough experience to choose his or her bike. But for someone like me, Stromer has done the homework.

The ST3 is a very well-built bike that concentrates on function and minimum design. It has very few exposed wires, a powerful headlight

Photo: Arjun Sablok with a dim and bright setting, and a front flap on the stem that houses a USB port to charge your cell phone. A phone holder built into the stem requires some assembly. The ST3 has long-distance capabilities and equips the ST3 with a decent rear carrier. The carrier is rated for 22.5 kilograms, fine for lightweight bike travel.

Just below the stem and on the top tube—that you can order as the standard straight tube “Sport” or a sloping “Comfort” tube—there is a well-placed touch-screen display. There you can see your speed, power level, battery remaining, and more.

If you go further into the menus, you can configure the bike and see even more detailed stats.

The battery is electronically unlocked from the touch screen. The strength of the battery surprised me. I have opted for the 983-Wh battery that charges completely in just under 6 hours. A lighter 814-Wh battery option is available.

Every battery that ships with the Stromer is charged by solarderived energy at Oberwangen, their headquarters near Bern. On two occasions I did notice the power would come and go. I believe that perhaps moisture or dust built up on the connectors, but it was resolved fairly quickly. It was a simple fix to remove the battery and put it back in.

The ST3 has made me reconsider my travel options…

The ST3 offers three levels of assist. • I find myself rarely going to

Level 3. • Levels 1 and 3 are pre-set from the factory and cannot be adjusted. • Level 2 is your option to customize using Stromer’s proprietary App. • You can either increase or reduce power and torque or have a combination of both. There’s also a snow mode that lets you increase traction.

The assist is quite subtle at first; it doesn’t feel like you’re going to be able to push this thing easily to its top speed but when the torque sensor feels you push harder, the bike accelerates and you feel you are pedalling a Tesla.

Sometimes on Level 2, when I whiz by all those people who are working very hard to climb a hill, I say in my head, “I might be in the lead now, but you will win in the long run!”

The ST3 has 27.5" Pirelli tires that are very smooth when riding on a tarmac road, but because of the aluminum forks, you will feel the bumps and speed breakers. It can handle gravel trails, but only those that don’t have potholes or fallen branches.

The ST3 does offer a frontonly suspension but even with that option, it would not be my choice for adventurous mountain biking. I would suggest putting a suspension seat post and a comfortable saddle that’s been fitted properly—a less expensive option than the front forks.

The bike has many security features. The rear wheel can be locked from the App (iOS or Android) or the screen on the bike. You can unlock it with a PIN or with the App. The App also allows you to remotely lock or unlock it, see stats, and check battery health.

Since a cellular connection is built-in, it can contact you if it’s moved, auto-lock the wheel, and help you find it. Stromer includes lifetime connectivity with your purchase.

The ST3 starts conversations and, during the Pandemic, it’s tough to stop people wanting to touch the bike. There’s usually someone admiring the bike and I am asked a ton of questions as I come out of the coffee shop with my coffee. A long Q & A usually follows and many people have offered to buy me coffee.

The ST3 has made me reconsider my travel options and, besides helping me plan new adventures, it is my preferred choice for a trip to the office, grocery store, lunch, or coffee.

My Tesla Model 3 has been put on hold. www.stromerbike.com/en MSRP: $9099 s Akash Sablok is now a Life Member of the Board of Directors. He served as President of The Society from 2013 to 2015 and Chair of The Notary Foundation from 2015 to 2017.