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

In our Range Test, we rode the ST5 Pinion in Sport Mode and Mode 1 until its 48V, 983 Wh battery was fully drained. This method showed a high- and low-end bracket of 40.9 to 93.6 miles from a single charge, making the bike one of the best performing commuters we have tested.

Direct comparison between the ST5 and similar e-bikes is difficult, as those with rear hub motors are generally priced significantly lower, while those with similar price tags often use mid-drive motors that differ greatly in efficiency, feel, and power level (at least on paper). To understand where the ST5 Pinion falls, we must consider both sides for a complete picture.

When looking at all commuter e-bikes we have tested with rear hub motors, the ST5’s 93.6-mile result in Mode 1 is currently the longest distance we have recorded! Our data changes often as we continue testing new e-bikes, but the ST5’s performance will likely remain far above average; the average low-PAS result in this category is currently 57.3 miles. Additionally, the ST5 was also the fastest commuter e-bike with a rear-hub motor we have tested in our low-assist test with an average speed of 15.3 mph.

Compared to higher-end commuters we tested with mid-drive motors, the ST5 still outperformed the majority of the competition; only 3 other e-bikes placed higher despite their generally more efficient motors.

In truth, the ST5’s motor and battery pairing proved far more efficient than expected. We anticipated that our Sport Mode test would yield roughly 25 miles over 1 hour and 19 minutes based on the bike’s 750W motor and 983 Wh battery. In practice, however, the ST5’s results showed roughly a 65 percent increase in time and mileage.

E-bikes with torque sensors tend to be efficient since their motor output varies, but the main reason the ST5 performed so well overall is likely its gigantic battery. The bike’s 983 Wh battery has one of the highest battery capacities we’ve ever seen from a single power source, allowing it to keep moving long after other bikes would have stopped.

With its result of nearly 100 miles, we were highly satisfied with the ST5 Pinion’s performance, even if our test did not quite reach the extent of Stromer’s advertised range of 110 miles. This potential to travel long distances will likely give commuters multiple days of round trip travel even with a lengthy commute.

Additionally, this range potential opens the ST5 up to touring, an aspect which is bolstered by the bike’s regenerative braking system. Users can select from two different modes – Recup and Cruise Control – to recover energy on long downhill segments using the motor. Recup offers 5 strength levels of constant braking that riders can move between, while Cruise Control automatically brakes riders to a set (but adjustable) speed limit.

I tested the Cruise Control braking mode at Snow Can State Park in Ivins, UT, where the roughly 4-mile road through the park is entirely downhill. I recovered roughly 2-3 percent of the battery charge as I traveled, which may seem relatively small, but the added charge alleviated some range anxiety and allowed me to run a few errands before returning home.

Ultimately, the ST5 Pinion demonstrated an impressive range that is appropriate for its intended purpose.

Our Hill Test takes place at a location called Hell Hole Trail; see the graphic above for a description of this challenging course. As usual, our test rider Justin performed the ST5’s Hill Test for consistency. Once again, the bike performed very well, though once again comparison requires multiple angles of analysis.

Justin completed the test in Sport Mode in 1:11 with an average speed of 15.3 miles per hour, which is above average in all attempts at comparison. When considering all the e-bikes we’ve tested with 750-watt rear hub motors, the ST5’s result exceeded the average of 1:18.

E-bikes with mid-drive motors do not typically have the fastest climbing times, but once again, many of the bikes in the ST5 Pinion’s price range use this type of motor. Our average completion time and speed for higher-end commuter e-bikes with mid-drive motors is 1:52, showing that the ST5 is significantly more effective in climbing thanks to its rear-hub motor.

Even when compared to all commuter e-bikes we have tested, including those with rear hub motors, the ST5 Pinion shines; its result exceeds the complete category average of 1:25.

These results were far better than we expected based on the ST5’s motor’s specs. As a direct-drive motor, the bike’s custom, 750W SYNO Sport rear hub is limited in its output; it is able to produce only 48 Newton-meters of torque, which is significantly lower than average when compared to the geared rear-hub motors on most other commuters we have evaluated. Additionally, in the US, the ST5’s motor does not peak above 750 watts, which is atypical and far below the maximum output of most similarly-rated motors we have tested.

The bike’s excellent performance shows that there is some unknown factor coming into play. We might not know exactly what the “secret sauce” is, but we observed the result: riders can pedal uphill quickly and easily.

One note: Stromer recommends limited use of Sport Mode, as the extremely high motor output in this setting can create significant heat. This resulted in the bike entering a protective cool-down mode when I was testing the bike in a hilly area; the assist level was automatically reduced to Mode 3, and Sport Mode was locked temporarily while the motor’s temperature decreased. I did not find this delay to be much of an inconvenience, as the motor cooled quickly. Additionally, Mode 3 also had effective (though slightly less powerful) climbing ability.

Otherwise, my personal experience verified our test results: I evaluated the ST5 at our secondary test location called Pilot Hill. This slope is similar to, but slightly less extreme than Hell Hole, but I was able to completely soft pedal to the top. The bike handled the climb swiftly and without struggle, showing that there are likely few hills that will present any difficulty.

Using the method explained above, the ST5 Pinion’s average stopping distance in our Brake Test was 23’1”. This result is reasonable considering the bike’s weight, tires, and TRP hydraulic disc brake system, so we deem it appropriately specced.

When compared to all the other commuter e-bikes we have tested with hydraulic disc brakes, the ST5’s result was exactly 12” longer than average, but its weight of 75.5 lbs was also above average for the category. Heavy bikes have greater momentum, so any set of brakes would need to work against this force – fortunately, the ST5 Pinion has excellent brakes made by TRP (Tektro Racing Products).

The HD944 system is a custom brake set made for Stromer. It features 4-piston calipers and 203mm rotors that are 1.8 millimeters thick. As such, they are effective at dispersing heat and have powerful bite.

The bike’s performance was likely also affected to some degree by its tires, as it did skate and fishtail when clamping down hard on the brakes at higher speeds. This was not unexpected considering the relatively slick nature of the Pirelli Angel ST tires. We were highly satisfied with their grip and feel, however; similar tires that would offer better grip would likely be difficult to find.

The ST5’s Blubrake anti-lock brake system is worth further discussion; this technology is relatively new and exciting, so we were thrilled to experience it. This advanced braking technology uses sensors to monitor the bike’s speed and adjust braking pressure. By helping to prevent the front wheel from locking up and/or the rear wheel from lifting, there is a lower chance of the rider being sent over the handlebars in hazardous conditions.

During our brake test, we could feel and hear this system working; a sort of mechanical popping sound occurred while the ABS system adjusted the brake pads’ pressure. It is possible that the ST5 could have stopped faster without this technology, but we think the added safety and stability is a fair tradeoff.

Based on its performance, specs, and feel, we consider the ST5 Pinion’s brakes to be safe and highly effective.

If it has not been made clear already, we found the ST5 Pinion’s ride quality to be exceptional, but there are many remaining details about the bike’s sizing, handling, features, and overall ride feel we have not yet covered.

The ST5 is available in three frame sizes: a Medium made for those under 5’10, a Large fitting riders between 5’9” and 6’2”, and an XL for riders above 6’1”. Prospective buyers should expect a recommendation from their dealer when shopping, but we expect the broad fit range to resemble 5’5” to 6’6” across all three sizes. At 5’11”, I found our Large test bike to be well-suited to my build, though it’s worth pointing out that, had I needed some adjustment, the bike’s custom monocoque (single piece) stem and handlebar might have been a limiting factor.

As I anticipated, the bike excelled in terms of comfort. Its riding position, while fairly sporty and forward-leaning, felt accommodating and enjoyable. The Ergon SMC 40 saddle was slim but supportive and comfortable. I was thrown off slightly by the relatively slick top surface of the grips, but their textured underside was comfortably squishy and easy to hold on to.

The base model of the ST5 does not include a suspension, though our test bike included an appreciated, optional Kinekt active suspension seatpost with 65mm of travel. An optional Wren Sports suspension fork with 30mm of travel is also available, but I found myself not missing it, as the bike’s overall ride comfort was enhanced greatly by the wide tires; by reducing the tire pressure slightly, the tires became a cushion that absorbed bumps and vibrations.

In terms of handling, the bike’s size and weight were noticeable; it felt better suited to riding straight and at speed than at weaving through traffic. It responded well when cornering, though its agility was somewhat limited.

E-bikes with rear-hub motors usually give the sense of being pushed from behind, but this seemed less prominent on the ST5; its propulsion felt more natural. Obviously, it is not a mid-drive, but it felt closer than most rear-hubs I have tested. In addition to the motor being essentially silent, its output through the PAS felt smooth and adaptive.

Many of the ST5’s premium features contributed greatly to its ride quality. All of the following elements were spectacular additions to the bike’s functionality:

In addition to offering snappy, responsive shifting when moving, stopped, or pedaling uphill, the Pinion gearbox greatly reduces maintenance needs and wear. Since the system is completely sealed, the only maintenance needed is a change of the internal oil bath either yearly or after 6,200 miles (whichever passes first). With the included Smart.Shift module, the system downshifts automatically to the starting gear of your choice when coming to a complete stop. Users can also customize the behavior of the electronic shift levers.

The Gates carbon belt is another extremely low-maintenance component; it is recommended that riders clean any dust, dirt, or mud regularly, but the belt is rated to last twice as long as a chain. An included automatic tension wheel maintains the correct amount of resistance should the belt stretch. Combined with the Pinion gearbox and the rear-hub motor, this drive system is incredibly easy to use and worry-free.

The ST5 Pinion also includes an advanced onboard security system to deter theft. It uses an internal SIM card for location tracking (and navigation, but we’ll get to that) that uses the Swisscom network in Europe, and the strongest local 4G network depending on the owner’s location in the US. The ST5 also features a locking system for the motor that adds an extremely uncomfortable level of resistance to the movement of the rear wheel, preventing a thief from pedaling away with it. This system can be deactivated manually through a 5-digit PIN or the Stromer OMNI app, as well as through a “Smartlock” system that automatically unlocks the bike when the bike’s owner approaches it with the app open. Like an automobile, the ST5 has a loud, wailing alarm system that activates if the bike is ridden while turned on and locked. If this happens, theft mode is automatically activated – and an email is sent to the bike’s owner to notify them.

The bike also includes a number of customization options through the OMNI app or the bike’s top-tube-integrated touchscreen display. Users can adjust the sensitivity of the torque sensor, the tuning of PAS Mode 2, the behavior of the regenerative braking system, and more. I’d have preferred the inclusion of a full navigation system through the app, but the ability to get turn-by-turn directions to a service center was appreciated. I’d also like to see Stromer expand the tuning options to all riding modes instead of just Mode 2, but this is a minor critique.

There were a number of other additional features that enhanced the user experience, including the ability to eject and easily remove the battery, the magnetic charging port that effortlessly guided the charger into position, the fast charger itself that refueled the massive battery in 5.5 hours, etc. The bike includes a side mirror for safety and awareness, an electronic horn that’s impossible to miss, and a cargo rack with a 50 lb capacity. Users can even use their phone as a secondary display through the SP connect receptacle that can be attached to the bike’s stem.

There’s a fairly steep learning curve to get the most out of the ST5 – figuring out what all of the settings and functions do, and what your personal preferences are will likely take some time – but the investment is worthwhile. It rides like a dream right out of the box, but I can attest that once it is tweaked and tuned to your liking, it’s tough to put down.

The ultimate question for the ST5 Pinion is this: is this bike worth its $12-13k+ price tag? We’ll leave that up to you and your wallet to decide, but the ST5’s user experience was certainly a step (or twelve) above the norm. I approached this review as a skeptic, but after testing the bike, commuting to and from work as often as I could, and taking it for multiple spins for both exercise and leisure? I’m hooked.

In addition to being packed full of more advanced features and technology than you can shake a stick at, the ST5 Pinion proved itself more than capable in our testing. Its weight slowed it down somewhat in our Brake Test, but in all other areas it excelled with above average climbing ability, exhilarating speeds, and one of the longest ranges we’ve observed from similar e-bikes.

We had a few minor areas of critique, but the bike’s overall experience far outweighed its limited downsides. Most notably, its price is likely prohibitive for most, and its weight may make it difficult to manage when lifting the bike onto a rack (even many of the best vehicle racks for e-bikes are limited to just 70 lbs per bike).

Otherwise, this is an e-bike that is likely to take the cake for those who want the crème de la crème and the cherry on top. With its long-range commuting and touring potential, dialed-in ride feel, low-maintenance and user friendly interface, impressive safety and security features, and high degree of customization, we think the Stromer ST5 Pinion is a premium e-bike that delivers a lot for its price. It’s a refined, robust experience that I hope every rider has the chance to enjoy at some point in their lives!

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Stromer ST5 Pinion down in our comments section.