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Stromer ST5 Pinion E-Bike Review 2024 | A $12k Commuter Worth Its Weight In Gold?

A premium commuter & touring e-bike with exceptional ride quality, loads of high-tech features, and a price point to match.

Stromer ST5 Pinion E-Bike Review 2024
One thing I’ve learned here at Electric Bike Report is that quality bikes have a certain feel. Where precise geometry, superb construction, advanced technology, and aesthetic design intersect, magic happens. When testing the Stromer ST5 Pinion, I could feel this even after a single ride; this bike exudes refinement. Fortunately, I had much more than a single ride to learn all its features and characteristics.

A defining element of the ST5’s ride was its precise, natural, and highly-tuned feel. It combined the responsiveness of an analog bike with a silent, smooth, and staggeringly powerful 750W rear-hub so well that I had the sense of being superhuman. At low assist levels, speed was the only thing giving away the bike’s electric nature. At high power levels, it felt like I was powering an unleashed supercar.

With a weight of 75.5 lbs and grippy 27.5”x2.4” Pirelli tires, the ST5 also felt stout and solid. Potential buyers should be aware that the bike could be somewhat cumbersome to lift without removing its battery, but its weight also helped it to feel stable and extremely planted.

With a starting price of just under $12k, the ST5 Pinion is undoubtedly pricey – but its cost is also justified by a host of premium, high tech features. Perhaps most notably is the 9-speed, namesake Pinion gearbox with electronic and automatic shifting features. Additional highlights include front anti-lock brakes, a security system, GPS tracking with an internal SIM card, regenerative braking, and a number of other uncommon elements. These features help to put the ST5 more or less in a league of its own.

We tested the Stromer ST5 Pinion’s speed, braking capability, climbing power, and range to see if its price tag matched its performance. We also went deep into its features and customization options to share what this advanced, sporty commuter can do – our full review continues below!


[Read more…] about Stromer ST5 Pinion E-Bike Review 2024 | A $12k Commuter Worth Its Weight In Gold?

European E-Bike Injuries Down 16%; Third Straight Year of Decline

A study by Micro-Mobility for Europe found that injuries requiring medical attention to riders of e-bikes and e-scooters dropped by 16% and 19% respectively.

European E-Bike Injuries Down 16%; Third Straight Year of Decline

For the third straight year, injuries caused by micromobility devices have dropped in Europe. In 2023 there were 16 percent fewer e-bike rider injuries that resulted in medical treatment than there were in 2022. E-scooter rider injuries dropped even more with 19 percent reduction in 2023 relative to 2022 levels.

The data comes from a study conducted by Micro-Mobility for Europe (MMfE). The organization is a coalition of micromibility share companies, including Bird, Bolt, Dott, Lime, Tier and Voi. Together, they account for 300 million e-scooter uses and 58 million e-bike rides.

When accounting for all injuries—not just those that required medical treatment—the reductions were even more encouraging. Shared e-scooter users saw a 44 percent reduction in injuries from 2022 to 2023, while e-bike riders saw a 39 percent drop over the same period of time.

Motor vehicles continue to be the biggest threat to riders of both e-scooters and e-bikes. Nearly 70 percent of all fatalities occurred in crashes with cars and trucks.

“There are a range of factors that have likely contributed to micromobility injuries on shared vehicles in Europe dropping for the third year in a row,” said Co-Chair of MMfE and Voi’s Director of Central Policy, Christy Pearson.

“Firstly, as operators, our devices improve with each new generation. Secondly, in collaboration with cities, we dedicate significant resources to educate citizens and users. Thirdly, certain cities and regions have taken bold action and improved infrastructure to improve safety for vulnerable road users.

“This is something we hope to see continue across all cities in Europe.”

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Any reduction in the number of injuries—and deaths—to micromobility users is welcome. Nothing else has the potential to chill the adoption of e-scooters and e-bikes the way concern for your safety can.

What we would love to know more about is where, geographically in relation to cities, the reductions occurred. Considering the way many European cities have restricted access to cars and trucks in dense city centers with streets that weren’t designed with cars in mind, it would be helpful to know if the restrictions to motor vehicles correlated with the reduction in injuries and fatalities.

We would also love to know more about the rate of helmet use. As we’ve seen, when people wear a helmet, injuries are reduced. It would be helpful to know if helmet use was, as we suspect, higher among those who were injured but didn’t need medical care and lower among those who did require medical care.

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OKAI Launches Three New E-Bikes

The company is best-known in the micromobility share space, but is now moving into the direct-to-consumer market.

OKAI Launches Three New E-Bikes

OKAI has announced three new e-bikes that will be joining its line. Best known as a maker of e-bikes and e-scooters for share programs, it is now moving into the private ownership market and these three new models are the first to launch.

The three e-bikes hit three distinct price points from just less than $1000 to just below $2000. The line includes two city/commuter models and one fat-tire model.

The Ranger EB50 is a fat-tire e-bike that features a 750W Bafang brushless, geared hub motor powered by a 706Wh battery which OKAI says should be good for 45 mi. of range. Other features include an 8-speed Shimano drivetrain, suspension fork and mechanical disc brakes.

The LyteCycle EB60 is a Class 2 city/commuter e-bike with a step-thru frame, and a 350W brushless, geared hub motor that produces a maximum of 55 Nm of torque. A 346Wh battery is estimated to offer riders up to 62 mi. (100km). Rather than using a cadence sensor, the LyteCycle EB60 comes equipped with a torque sensor to give riders more immediate acceleration and finer control over their speed. While it appears to come equipped with hydraulic brakes, the page for the e-bike doesn’t include any details on the drivetrain.

With the Stride Commuter EB40 the attraction is its introductory price. It’s going for less than $1000, making it one of the most affordable commuters with 27.5-in. wheels on the market. It is built with a 500W brushless, geared hub motor, a 460Wh battery, 7-speed Shimano drivetrain and mechanical disc brakes.

All three models come equipped with a touchscreen display that is integrated into the stem and offers NFC security, so that owners can unlock their e-bike with (among other options) their smartphone.

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OKAI’s move into the direct-to-consumer market may be a bumpy one for the company.

The Stride Commuter EB40 should be able to find an audience with commuters who want something ultra-affordable but with big enough wheels to make cruising at speed a calm and stable experience. One thing 27.5-in. wheels offer over 20-in. wheels is a calmer ride at speed. Think SUV rather than sports car in handling.

At nearly $1500, the LyteCycle EB 60 is an example of a manufacturer including a more premium feature—the torque sensor—while going with some components that would otherwise be out of place on an e-bike in this price range, namely the 350 motor, 346Wh battery and mechanical disc brakes.

The Ranger EB50 will have a tougher time finding an audience as the heavier weight of a fat-tire model generally calls for hydraulic disc brakes, and at nearly $2000, most consumers would expect to see hydraulic disc brakes.

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China Adopts New Li-Ion Battery Pack Production Standards

China aims to reduce the risk of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries with 22 new rules, but the rules will only apply to their domestic market.

China Adopting New Li-Ion Battery Pack Production Standards

China has announced that the country is instituting new technical standards for the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries. The new technical standards encompass all lithium-ion batteries, from those used in smartphones to the ones in EVs and, yes, those in e-bikes and other micromobility devices.

The new technical standards are intended to address the risk of thermal runaway and fires. There are 22 standards being adopted. They cover issues including: over-charging, over-discharging, punctures, external short-circuits, thermal abuse and more.

Manufacturers are being given time to make the production changes necessary to meet these requirements. Enforcement will not begin until November 1, 2024.

Unfortunately, the new standard will only apply to China’s domestic market. Lithium-ion batteries produced exclusively with the intent to export will not be required to meet these rules.

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It’s hard not to draw conclusions about how the government of China views foreign markets if they are willing to establish higher safety standards for products aimed at domestic customers. Congress is considering new regulations, so we may see the U.S. demand standards similar to what China will enforce in their domestic market.

Manufacturers that have been producing the cheapest products they can bring to market will continue to do so. In some instances, products that were sold both domestically and abroad will simply be sold abroad; the manufacturers will face a smaller overall market, but they will have more product to ship overseas, so we may see cheap products in greater numbers, which may drive down prices on the most questionable e-mobility devices.

Manufacturers that have consistently produced quality products will continue to do good work. We may not see batteries produced to these specifications on U.S. shores any time soon, though. Why? With many manufacturers seeking UL certification, a change to a battery means submitting that new design to UL for certification, a not inexpensive proposition. When a manufacturer releases a new product (such as a potted battery or even one with a greater charge capacity), they will need to submit that battery or system to UL for certification. At that point we may begin to see batteries made to these standards in our stores.

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Flyer Via Pro Review | Don’t Put the Wagon Before the Horse

This powerful, long-distance cargo e-bike is family-friendly right out of the box!

Flyer Via Pro E-Bike Review
As the e-bike equivalent of a minivan, cargo e-bikes can be a great alternative means of transport for running errands, taking the kids to school, swinging by the farmer’s market or corner store, and otherwise living your life to the fullest. Most, however, require additional purchases to be outfitted for their rider’s specific needs.

The Flyer Via Pro can make these use cases far more practical thanks to its included accessories, customization options, high weight capacity, and more. This Flyer Via Pro review details our thoughts on the bike’s feel, function, and real-world performance.

With a weight capacity of 400 lbs, a fully-loaded Via Pro needs a powerful motor to carry its payload. Fortunately, Flyer specced the bike with a brawny 750W rear hub motor with power to spare. The bike performed extremely well in a few key areas of our testing thanks to this decision, and we also appreciated the natural pedal feel from the motor’s torque sensor.

To alleviate range anxiety, the bike also includes a 687 watt hour (Wh) battery paired with its efficient motor. See our Range Test section below for details, but we recorded one of the longest results we’ve observed from any of the cargo e-bikes we tested previously.

We liked that Flyer included seating, foot boards, wheel guards, and even their “Kid & Cargo Carrier Hoop” handrail attachment with the base model; the Via Pro is ready for family rides right out of the box. Of course, the bike is still compatible with a myriad of other optional accessories including removable tote bags, a front basket, and even a soft passenger compartment/canopy – but the starting point is better than most.

Our takeaway was overwhelmingly positive, though we have a few points of critique to be aware of. To learn more about the Via Pro’s features and performance results in our standardized tests, continue reading our full review below.

[Read more…] about Flyer Via Pro Review | Don’t Put the Wagon Before the Horse

Out With Lithium-Based Batteries, In With…Water-Based Ones?

The battery uses iodine and bromine and offers impressive energy density.

Out With Lithium-Based Batteries, In With...Water-Based Ones?

What if we didn’t have to mine gigatons of lithium out of the ground in order to make batteries? After all, batteries haven’t always used lithium. And what if—stay with me—we used water, instead?

It sounds like the plot of a ridiculous sci-fi movie, except for the fact that it’s not. Scientists in China have created a battery that uses water as a primary component in the battery.

Researchers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, led by professor Li Xianfeng, created a water-based battery that uses a mixed halogen solution. Bromine and iodine were used to create a multi-electron cathode—the negative side of the battery.

Aside from the obvious advantage of using something far more plentiful than lithium, the aqueous battery proved to be very energy dense, providing specific capacity of 840Ah/L (amp-hours per liter) and energy density of up to 1200Wh/L (watt-hours per liter).

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The typical lithium-ion battery found in an e-bike is estimated to run in the neighborhood of 150-200Wh/kg. Even doubling an e-bike’s energy density would relieve most e-bike owners of any anxiety they feel about range.

The distance between publishing a study in Nature Energy and bringing a commercial product to market is vast, but studies like this give a glimpse of what our future holds.

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What Are Your Thoughts On Solar-Powered Cargo Bikes?

Infinite Mobility has begun circulating samples of its solar cargo e-bike to European distributors ahead of launching full production.

What Are Your Thoughts On Solar-Powered Cargo Bikes

Infinite Mobility is a Norwegian startup focusing on a variety of EVs, including cargo e-bikes. They have built what is possibly the world’s first cargo e-bike sporting solar panels. And they haven’t built just one. They’ve sent out prototypes to a number of retailers and distributors in Europe ahead of their plan to put the e-bikes into full production.

The prototypes are for the first model they plan to launch, called Inga. This two-wheel cargo e-bike will have a top speed of 25km/h (15 mph) and will be equipped with either two or three solar panels, depending on configuration—either both sides of the box or both sides, plus a cover on top.

Inga can produce as much as 163Wp, that is, a peak of 163 watts in ideal conditions. Inga comes with a 594Wh battery which Infinite Mobility estimates can be fully recharged by the photovoltaic cells (PV) in just a few hours of bright sunshine. In terms of range, they estimate that the PV cells could offer as much as 50km (31 mi.) of range per day.

Even without the PV, Inga is a very interesting cargo e-bike. It features a motor that produces up to 100Nm of torque. It uses an Enviolo heavy duty gearbox, disc brakes front and rear. It’s built with a steel frame and offers riders a total capacity of 250kg (551 lbs.). On cloudy days, the 594Wh battery should offer riders as much as 60km (40 mi.) of range.

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With Inga, Infinite Mobility introduced a fascinating take on the possibilities afforded with a box-type cargo e-bike. If solar panels can improve an e-bike’s range and/or dependence on being recharged via the electrical grid, who wouldn’t be in favor of that.

The question that can only be answered with real-world testing is how effective the panels can be. PV technology is notoriously sensitive to its orientation to the sun—it’s not enough to put some panels outside. And with panels on either side of Inga’s box, that guarantees that one set of PV cells won’t be getting direct sunlight when the other is.

This isn’t a criticism of Infinite Mobility’s efforts. We applaud anyone aiming at greater efficiency and freedom from the electrical grid. Even though PV technology is sensitive to a variety of conditions, it is certain that PV technology will improve and that will make a use case such as Inga ever-more compelling.

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QuietKat Unveils “Unprecedented Features” On New Apex HD & XD

QuietKat returns with a new edition of its Apex model. The Apex HD features a mid-drive motor with two gears, while the Apex XD features one with five gears.

QuietKat Unveils Unprecedented Features On New Apex HD & XD

QuietKat has just announced updates to its Apex model, the Apex HD and Apex XD. These are new takes on QuietKat’s popular hardtail, fat-tire e-bike which we reviewed earlier this year. The Apex HD and XD share many of the same features, but differ in a few key ways.

Both the Apex HD and Apex XD feature a 1000W mid-drive motor from Bafang that produces a gargantuan 200Nm of torque; power maxes out at 1500W. And both motors feature multi-speed systems that allow them to automatically shift gears at designated speeds. The Apex HD features a two-speed mid-drive motor that automatically shifts based on the rider’s speed, while the Apex XD features a 5-speed drivetrain. With the 2-speed motor, the motor changes gears automatically at 11 mph. No word yet on at what speeds the 5-speed motor shifts.

QuietKat says the Apex features a moto-inspired chain to handle all that power. They’ve replaced the thumb-button throttle with a twist throttle, which they saw will offer a greater ability to control your speed.

QuietKat has also introduced a new modular frame design for the Apex that allows the heavy duty rear rack to be removed and replaced with other accessories. The company boasts that the Apex frame features 118 attachment points and while that doesn’t mean you can attach 118 different items to the Apex (even a water bottle cage requires two bolts), it does mean that it comes with an unusual level of adaptability.

The new frame comes in both step-over and step-thru configurations and also features a larger down tube that allows buyers to order the Apex HD or XD with a 30Ah, 48V (1440Wh) battery, which may be the largest internal battery available on the market. They estimate that riders will be able to cover as much as 90 mi. per charge. It comes with a 720Wh battery as standard equipment.

Both versions of the Apex come with 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes, a 120mm suspension fork, 26 x 4.8-in. Kenda Juggernaut tires and a dropper post that will make going down steep descents much easier.

With the new motor, the Apex also adds two more ride modes to the standard offering of Eco, Trail and Boost. Stealth mode quiets motor operation to make approaching a hunting blind or deer stand almost silent. Climb mode keeps the motor relegated to its lowest gear and puts the motor’s full 1500W on tap for climbing any steep hill the rider encounters.

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QuietKat Unveils Unprecedented Features On New Apex HD & XD

The release of any new product is always accompanied by a number of glowing claims by the manufacturer and there can be little doubt that the Apex HD (which starts at just less than $3000) and the Apex XD (which starts at just less than $4500) are impressive.

One claim needs a bit of clarification. They claim that the chain is a motorcycle chain; it’s KMC’s new eCargo chain which was developed for single-speed cargo e-bikes and has an ultimate tensile strength of 1350kgf, which is roughly 50 percent higher than most multi-speed drivetrain chains, but we still wonder if it can handle 1500W at 200Nm.

It’s important to note that the Apex needs to be switched to Class 1 operation—a maximum of 20 mph and no throttle assistance—to be legal on most trail systems, bike paths and bike lanes.

The QuietKat Apex HD and Apex XD are available for preorder now. QuietKat will begin shipping the Apex June 1, 2024.

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Europe To Up Its Safety Standards For Commercial Cargo E-Bikes Due To Increased Use

Broken frames hidden from regulators resulted in a criminal investigation in the Netherlands.

Europe To Up Its Safety Standards For Commercial Cargo E-Bikes Due To Increased Use

Babboe, a maker of cargo bikes and cargo e-bikes, recently issued a recall of 22,000 of its cargo bikes and e-bikes due to frame failures and hairline cracks appearing in the frames. The company has been accused of trying to hide the severity and extent of the problem by hiding broken frames from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). The episode has been dubbed “cargobikegate,” and has spawned a criminal investigation. It has also been cited as an example for why Europe has needed more stringent testing standards for cargo bikes and cargo e-bikes sold in the EU.

Those calling for increased safety will soon see new standards implemented. The new rules, set forth in EN 17860, will differentiate between cargo e-bikes in private vs. those in commercial use. The standard will also cover “double-track” cargo bikes and e-bikes (trikes) as well as electric trailers.

Among the changes in testing will be an increase in the number of cycles when testing for pedaling force. Previously the test was conducted for 100,000 cycles, but now it has doubled to 200,000.

If the e-bike is to be used commercially, i.e., as a work device, the relevant rules for ergonomics will also be enforced. Cargo e-bikes will be tested for stability at speeds of 15km/h and 25km/h with a 1-3 percent downslope on a dry surface and with a wind speed of less than 3m/s. The test will be performed three times: rider only, rider with 50 percent weight capacity and rider with 100 percent weight capacity. The stability standard will also take into account how stable the cargo e-bike is when parked. The tests will be performed with no load and 100 percent loaded.

These standards relate to the design of the cargo bike or e-bike itself, and not to the electronics. The electronics, including both battery and motor, for cargo e-bikes will still be evaluated according to EN 15194, an existing standard that all e-bikes sold in the EU are required to meet.

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Babboe is owned by Pon, one of the largest cycling conglomerates on the planet, and news that they had attempted to minimize the extent of the problems with their frames by hiding broken frames from investigators was a huge shock in a country where cargo bikes and e-bikes are a staple among families with young kids. Parents were understandably outraged by the thought that their cargo e-bike could break and dump their kids to the ground.

That separate standards have been established for cargo e-bikes that are privately owned vs. those used commercially is understandable. A cargo e-bike used commercially is going to receive a great deal more abuse than one owned by a family. The question is whether manufacturers will see a reason to make separate products for commercial vs. private use or just build all of their cargo machines with enough backbone to stand up to commercial use.

While there is no indication that authorities here in the U.S. are considering more stringent standards, it seems likely that many cargo e-bikes imported into the U.S. will conform to the EU standards, increasing consumer safety here in the U.S.

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Michigan Looks at E-Bike Use in State Parks

The Department of Natural Resources may grant increased access to Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on more than 3000 miles of trails.

Michigan Looks at E-Bike Use in State Parks

There are more than 3000 miles of trails in Michigan’s state parks. And e-bikes may soon be allowed on them. Currently, the trail systems are open for nonmotorized use—hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission recently met to consider allowing Class 1 e-bikes to be ridden on nonmotorized trails, which would include single track and other unimproved trails.

Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on improved-surface trails; those are trails that have been paved or are covered in gravel. The new proposal would open these improved-surface trails to Class 2 e-bikes—those with a maximum pedal-assist speed of 20 mph, plus a throttle. Class 3 e-bikes, which have a maximum pedal-assist speed of 28 mph, would continue to be prohibited from use on state park land.

The proposal seems likely to go through, considering recent comments by Tim Novak, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources state trail coordinator.

“This change would make trails more accessible for people who may not have the physical ability to ride a traditional bike,” Novak said. “This would include individuals living with disabilities, older adults and really anyone who wishes to experience some assistance as they ride a bicycle. Class 1 e-bikes require pedaling, providing a great health benefit to riders.”

According to Novak, Michigan has studied how other states have handled e-bikes.

“We have benchmarked other states and local trail systems that allow e-bikes on natural surface, nonmotorized trails, and what we found was there haven’t been issues with conflicts or injuries or unnecessary wear and tear on our natural resources which would cause any reservation in expanding e-bike use,” Novak said.

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That Michigan seems ready to grant e-bikes access to the trail systems throughout the state is a significant development for the e-bike world. Most states have yet to grant Class 1 e-bikes access to nonmotorized trails in state parks. In some places Class 1 e-bikes can ride improved (paved, cinder or gravel) trails, but Class 2 e-bikes can’t.

If Michigan grants Class 1 e-bikes access to nonmotorized trails and Class 2 e-bikes access to improved trails, the move will make Michigan one of the most e-bike friendly states in the country. With access to so many miles of trails, it could change the state’s fortunes as a summertime tourist destination.

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