Stromer and the water

In forums you can sometimes read that the Stromer is a fair-weather bike and that there are problems in rainy weather. This statement is not generally true. Bicycles are not submarines per se and are never waterproof. However, a bike advertised as a commuter bike must be resistant to rain and splashing water. In terms of design, it is therefore important to ensure that plug connections and electrical and electronic components are protected accordingly.

Unlike a normal bike, (S)-pedelecs have a lot of electrics, electronics and wiring. In addition to the frame, brakes, drivetrain, motor etc., these components are particularly sensitive to water and moisture. If they are not sufficiently protected, corrosion, contact problems or even short circuits can lead to malfunctions or failure of the bike.

Stromerbikes offer beautiful design, no question about it. The so-called Infarme cabling and the Inframe design (battery) convey a tidy visual image. However, even these do not protect against water and moisture ingress. If design flaws are added, the suitability for everyday use is called into question. And Stromer has had a few of these in the past.

Listed here are problem areas that frequently appear in the workshop, forums and social media groups. The link(s) link directly to the corresponding articles.

• Motor plug (1 | 2)
• Engine mounts (1)
• Omni (1)
• Horn opening (1)
• Motor phase cable controller (bottom bracket area) (1)
• Distribution boards (1 | 2)
• Plug connections battery / battery compartment / charging port (1)
• Corrugated lower tube cover (1)
• TMM sensor (1)

A few design problems relating to moisture and water were solved in the course of model development through an improved design or revised components (e.g. downtube cover).

• The motor cables in the bottom bracket area are insulated
• Instead of separate cables, a motor cable still runs to the bike electrics
• The controllers have now been cast
• The horn opening and waviness of the lower tube cover have been revised. A new cover closes better and the horn openings are slightly better protected against splash water. On newer models, such as the ST7, the horn has been relocated to the top tube.
• The charging port for the Di2 battery on early ST5s has been relocated from the bottom bracket area to the right handlebar.
• Distribution boards as in the ST2 / ST2S / ST5 have been replaced by a molded version in the head tube.
• Distribution boards that are installed in the battery compartment (models with EDS-MC3 such as the ST2 / ST2-Belt or the ST7) are better protected against corrosion with a sealant.
• The motor coating has been changed to powder coating, which is more corrosion-resistant.
• The TMM sensor is completely encapsulated and is more resistant to water and moisture.

Care is essential
Despite all the improvements, the Stromer is still no submarine. Regular maintenance is highly recommended, especially after wet rides (in winter especially after salt use) or when there is a lot of dirt from the road. This is easy on the wallet and prevents frustration caused by breakdowns.

More for care...

It should never look like this: