Can you tell Storck from Butter?

[Davanti]

En-route to Preston this weekend, I made a detour via the Edinburgh Cooperative Cycle Shop in Sheffield. I had been advised by Trevor @ Storck that a 17" frame cycle was available for a test ride. The cycle shop does not specialise in e-bikes but had a couple on display. There were hundreds of non e-bike examples in the shop.

The staff were very welcoming but not all were knowledgable about the Storck in particular or e-bikes in general. Obviously they are more experienced with 'real' bikes. I had a good look over the bike and discovered that it had a gear system that I had never seen before (I don't get out much!). In addition to the familiar rear wheel derailleur it also had a 3 gear arrangement on the crank. Obviously you are all ROF LOL by now at the thought that I had never seen this before. ... every day is a school day for someone! No suspension but big fat (Apple?) tyres. Similar brakes to my Wisper (Hydraulic Disc); the controls on the handlebar also identical or similar to those on the Wisper

Unfortunately it was raining heavily so I didn't have a test ride, however, I noted that they were open on Sundays, so I arranged to call in on my return journey home. On Sunday, I had a 20 minutes test ride in a nearby deserted office car park to familiarise myself with the bike. Nearby Snake Pass was available for a hill test ... but I was pushed for time! ... and I don't do hills at home!

Unlike the Wisper, motor assistance comes into play immediately pressure is put on the pedals. I liked that! No throttle - I prefer that - the throttle control on the Wisper gets in my way and 'cuts me off"! It was smooth acceleration; no feeling or sense of being assisted other than it was incredibly easy to pick up speed and maintain it with no effort. It was eerily quiet - all I could hear was the noise of the tyres on the tarmac. In fact, that was a problem for me; I missed the reassuring noise of a motor increasing speed. A boy racer car wouldn't be as much fun without the sound it makes.

Everything about the bike was OK, but insufficiently exceptional to justify spending nearly £3k. I'm not sure which are the higher quality components fitted on the bike; probably the motor? The majority of items I could see are identical to those on my Wisper.

I cycled to my mother's when I returned home. It was lovely to ride the Wisper again! My Wisper forgave me and welcomed me back. It's not a perfect bike ... but I like it! The Storck is probably more suited to younger folk who need to climb hills like a mountain goat - but it didn't float my boat, I'm afraid.0

Yes, I could tell Storck from butter! My Wisper is my butter!

Don

 

[indalo]

Everything about the bike was OK, but insufficiently exceptional to justify spending nearly £3k. I'm not sure which are the higher quality components fitted on the bike; probably the motor? The majority of items I could see are identical to those on my Wisper.
Don

That's confirmation really Don of what some of us expected. I think Eddieo and our ex-member D8veh have both ridden the Storck brand and neither was particularly impressed. I believe both thought the Haibike MTB was a superior machine.

Indalo

 

[flecc]

Proves once again how important it is to try any e-bike being considered. Their characters really are very different and the choice is personal to each individual. Some really love the smoothness of the Storck and the way it retains a complete bicycle character. Others, obviously those who like plenty of rather obvious power, are not impressed.

 

[Davanti]

I think, maybe, that my expectation level was too high. Two of my cars were bought from new at the same time and for different purposes. One is a Peugeot used as a run-around, the other is a Mercedes used for long distance, boys-day-out events etc. As you might expect, they are significantly different to drive and to just, well ... 'experience'!
I think the price led me to expect the Storck to be my 'Mercedes' ...

 

[eddieo]

You already have a Mercedes in the Wisper SEL......

 

[karl101]

For a moment there, I thought there's someone else in Sheffield with a Wisper 905sel.

I'm a bit worried about you saying the Snake Pass being nearby. From Broadfiled Road its at least 12 miles to Ladybower Dam. Just to get to the A57 it's all uphill to Broomhill, then up to Crosspool, you get a bit of a rest going down to Rivlen then its almost all uphill to Ladybower and this is before the Snake Pass starts. I think for a hill test, getting up to Norton via Woodseats would be handier.

Not heard of that bike shop though. I'll have to go and visit.

Karl.

 

[eddieo]

Proves once again how important it is to try any e-bike being considered. Their characters really are very different and the choice is personal to each individual. Some really love the smoothness of the Storck and the way it retains a complete bicycle character. Others, obviously those who like plenty of rather obvious power, are not impressed.

It is no smoother then others. I still preferred the Bosch from my all to brief a test ride........Would not swap for my specialised which is a much better balanced bike and faster.

 

[Davanti]

I'm a bit worried about you saying the Snake Pass being nearby. From Broadfiled Road its at least 12 miles to Ladybower Dam. Just to get to the A57 it's all uphill to Broomhill, then up to Crosspool, you get a bit of a rest going down to Rivlen then its almost all uphill to Ladybower and this is before the Snake Pass starts. I think for a hill test, getting up to Norton via Woodseats would be handier.

Karl.

I had just travelled over the Snake Pass in the Mercedes ... so obviously didn't seem that far away!

I bow to your superior local knowledge!

Don

 

[Davanti]

You already have a Mercedes in the Wisper SEL......

I know ... I know ... I know! I wanted another one!

 

[eddieo]

I know ... I know ... I know! I wanted another one!

Try the Bosch system next.

Then the Cube Epo: http://www.cube.eu/en/29er/epo-29er/

Then if still not happy there is the big German show is the summer which maybe worth a visit

 

[Davanti]

Then if still not happy there is the big German show is the summer which maybe worth a visit

A boy's day out! Yipee!

 

[flecc]

It is no smoother then others.

Others clearly disagree though Eddie, Davanti above and David Miall among others all commenting how the smoothness was it's main characteristic compared to other e-bikes.

To a major extent that is due to it being a direct drive motor, the BionX and Sparta motors being similar in that way, and in turn it results from the fact that their motors have to pull away at very extremely low revs, only at wheel speed.

 

[indalo]

To a major extent that is due to it being a direct drive motor, the BionX and Sparta motors being similar in that way, and in turn it results from the fact that their motors have to pull away at very extremely low revs, only at wheel speed.

I was interested by your explanation in that reply Flecc as I was looking recently at Gazelle's current range. In the case of several of their models, they offer a direct-drive hub or a what they refer to as an Extra Torque (XT) variety for the same price. In their info section, they explain that the latter is the choice for hilly terrain as it is geared. Perhaps worthy of note is their description of the difference in torque available from each, 15Nm DD against 45Nm for the XT hub. The larger figure didn't surprise me as it compares with the latest power plants from other Dutch makers. I was surprised though at the low torque of the DD model, clearly suited only for billiard table smooth surfaces, I'd guess.

Indalo

 

[eddieo]

But you know as well as me this system or something very much like it (in 36v guise) is available on a range of German bikes. Most unfortunately as yet not available in UK except for the Cube Epo. decent shocks, XT gearing 36 V system and a £2200 price tag. They do the lightest ladys bike that I have yet seen at 18.7 kg!

CUBE*EPO Lady

 

[flecc]

I was surprised though at the low torque of the DD model, clearly suited only for billiard table smooth surfaces, I'd guess.

Indalo

At moderate power consumptions Direct Drive motors do have low torque, but that greatly improves at high current levels. For example, the BionX DD motor has four selectable power levels. The level four makes it a high torque hill climber, but if it's left in that all the time the very high power consumption results in very low range. That's why in another thread I remarked to Davanti about the Storck that it was very suitable for his fairly flat area where he would only very occasionally meet a steep hill.

 

[flecc]

But you know as well as me this system or something very much like it (in 36v guise) is available on a range of German bikes. Most unfortunately as yet not available in UK except for the Cube Epo. decent shocks, XT gearing 36 V system and a £2200 price tag. They do the lightest ladys bike that I have yet seen at 18.7 kg!

CUBE*EPO Lady

Agreed Eddie, but it's not all about power for many people, some prefer the maximum in smooth operation, for them the less the motor power intrudes, the better. In a flat area that makes a lot of sense, and the Sparta Ion is another DD bike like that and very suited to flat areas. In those circumstances 24 volts is fine and there's no point in paying for bigger and more expensive batteries.

 

[tappy]

Everything about the bike was OK, but insufficiently exceptional to justify spending nearly £3k. I'm not sure which are the higher quality components fitted on the bike; probably the motor? The majority of items I could see are identical to those on my Wisper.



Don

Hi Don,

Just to clarify: The Multitask you rode at Edinburgh Bicycle was RSP £2499. I am due to present the Sheffield Team with Storck Raddar Sales and technical training on 4th July. The are considerable spec differences from your bike and the Multitask. The Multitask has Shimano Deore 27 speed. Deore Hydraulic brakes, a lighter 7000 series Double butted frame which is heat treated and double smooth welded, plus powder coat paint. Lighter Double wall rims and doule butted spokes. Plus, the swiss built motor.

Like I have mentioned here many times, it may not be the bike for everyone. In terms of what they are looking for in an e-bike or pedelec bike. In terms of price and value, I am happy to bebate that for as long as you wish.

Cheers,
Ian Hughes

 

[Davanti]

Hi Don,

Just to clarify: The Multitask you rode at Edinburgh Bicycle was RSP £2499. I am due to present the Sheffield Team with Storck Raddar Sales and technical training on 4th July. The are considerable spec differences from your bike and the Multitask. The Multitask has Shimano Deore 27 speed. Deore Hydraulic brakes, a lighter 7000 series Double butted frame which is heat treated and double smooth welded, plus powder coat paint. Lighter Double wall rims and doule butted spokes. Plus, the swiss built motor.

Like I have mentioned here many times, it may not be the bike for everyone. In terms of what they are looking for in an e-bike or pedelec bike. In terms of price and value, I am happy to bebate that for as long as you wish.

Cheers,
Ian Hughes

Hi Ian ... Apologies for referring to a price tag of 'nearly£3k' when what I had trialled was the £2499 bike. My first excuse is that in my mind I was intending to spend £2899 (nearly £3k?). Secondly, I also had in my mind the following description of the £2499 bike on your website ...

"The Storck Multitask RADDAR Special Edition is based on the standard Alloy Multitask RADDAR bike but doesn't include the mudguards, rack, lights and kick stand finishing kit. It also replaces the Shimano Deore crankset with Shimano Alivio"

... so I thought I was riding pretty much the £2899 bike without the mudguards etc ... obviously the difference in crankset went straight over my head! Would the different crankset have made ALL that difference?

The comparison you make between the Storck and my Wisper is absolutely valid ... but on balance, the differences are insufficient to justify the £2899. Of course, I have been known to change my mind ....

Apologies again

Don

 

[Davanti]

... Davanti above ... commenting how the smoothness was it's main characteristic compared to other e-bikes. ...

To be fair, flecc, I can only compare to my Wisper. I haven't ridden any other cycles in the past twenty years.

 

[Davanti]

... Then if still not happy there is the big German show is the summer which maybe worth a visit

A boy's day out! Yipee!

Is this big German Show the one at Friedrichshafen on 29 Aug - 1 Sep?