A Class III ebike’s performance, which can reach a high speed of 28 mph with pedal assistance and is a brisk speed for city riding, has won the hearts of many users. However, above that pace, there are vehicles with power and speed more equivalent to a scooter, moped, or even a small motorcycle. I’ve been riding one of the new C3Strom Astro and Astro Pro ebikes around the Portland area for a few weeks now, and they are unquestionably a part of that intriguing mix. The first way to purchase the bikes will be through a future Indiegogo campaign, which will launch on May 25.
Several ebikes are designed for relaxing rides through parks. Some are for picking up groceries or dropping off children at school. Some support less expensive alternate forms of transportation. None of those things apply to the C3Strom Astro Pro electric bike, and I hesitate to even use the term “electric “bike” to describe it. This is an electric motorbike with a lot of features that looks like an e-bike.
The ordinary 52V15AH 780 Watt-hour version will cost $2,699, while the “Pro” variant, which will come with a 52V20AH 1040 Watt-hour battery, will cost $1,899 at launch on Indiegogo. According to information from C3Strom, all other specifications will be equivalent across the two variants. After the campaign, the motorcycles’ price will go up by $800, according to C3Strom.
Let’s all take a time to appreciate those Bafang mag wheels, which both contribute to the bike’s sleek appearance. They also imply that, since you lack spokes, you will never need to bother about spoke maintenance. These mag wheels are a growing choice for electric bikes that resemble mopeds, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
| Frame | 6061 Aluminum Alloy |
| Fork | Unbranded Double Crown Spring Suspension, 120mm Travel, Hydraulic Lockout, Preload Adjust, 34mm Steel Stanchions, 135mm Hub Spacing, 10mm Axle with Nuts |
| Headset | Integrated, Sealed Cartridge, Straight 1-1/8" |
| Stem | Promax, Aluminum Alloy, 6° Angle, 40mm Length, 20mm Spacer |
| Handlebar | Custom Aluminum Alloy, Mid-Rise, 20° Backsweep, 10° Downsweep, 95mm Height, 740mm Length |
| Saddle | Custom Motorcycle Style, Gel Insert |
| Pedals | Wellgo Aluminum Alloy Platform with Fixed Pins |
| Grips | Flat Rubber, Locking, Black |
| Weight | 43,0 kg |
| Suspension | Hardtail |
| Travel | 120mm front |
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Fork | Steel |
| Wheels | 20″ |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 7 |
| Groupset | Shimano |
| Motor | Bafang 750W 80Nm hub-drive |
| Battery | 1040Wh |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
C3Strom Astro Pro: Design and Build quality
The Astro Pro took some time to assemble with the included tools, and the directions might have been made clearer. Although turn signals and fenders add to the list of tasks, I was able to get the Astro Pro up and running in approximately 30 minutes.
It’s not the most enjoyable way to get around, but at least you can pedal the Astro with some degree of efficacy, which is more than I can say some ebikes of this type offer. After charging it up and having it inspected, I hit the streets outside my house and started pedaling the Astro in “no assist” (the “zero” setting but all electronics turned on).
A large headlight, powerful hydraulic brakes, and even turn signals are welcome additions to the design, though I’ll be the first to admit that the rear turn signals aren’t particularly noticeable. However, the fronts are a fantastic addition!
Additionally, there is a low/high beam switch in case you wish to drive around at night dazzling other drivers.
Although humorous, the shifter on the left bar end that is positioned upside-down has been seen before. That’s because a right-hand half-twist throttle was added by moving the rear shifter, which is traditionally located on the right, to the left.
The Astro rides smoothly at pretty much any speed and has sharp handling when tires are inflated to about 30 psi. I also set the front end’s preload to the maximum setting (I can’t tell whether there is a lockout).
As a huge and tall rider, I find the Astro to be a little bit undersized, especially in the seat-to-pedal area. The seat is also fixed at almost 32 inches, so shorter riders should be aware that they can’t change it. Nevertheless, it was really pleasant to ride for extended periods of time with my feet on the pedals, and most people can fit on it without any problems.
The Astro has excellent lighting, including a powerful motorcycle-style trapezoidal headlamp with an always-on LED halo light with projecting low and high beams that can be seen for miles. For increased visibility, the front turn signals are tiny “chasing LED” types, and the rear LED tail light is built into the rear frame loop.Â
Rear turn signals are integrated into the rail light and have a cool chase pattern that is useful for drawing attention. At first, I assumed they had either forgotten or decided against rear turn lights, but I was mistaken. Instead of a bell, a motorcycle-like horn alerts neighboring motorists and pedestrians. The optional rear rack on my test bike can accommodate standard panniers.
I should admit that I really like how the battery was included into the design by constructing the frame around it. Although it totally adopts motorcycle styling, the battery is still detachable. The key interferes with the frame tubes as it exits the bike, so you must take it out in order to drop the battery.
The amusing tiny faux mid-motor cover panels are a cute addition, but I don’t think anyone will be duped into thinking you have a mid-drive motor concealed there near the pedals, while we’re on the subject of design.
The Astro Pro easily propelled me up the slope during my required hill test, and with the pedal assist set to 4, I was routinely traveling at speeds of over 12 mph while my 220-pound largess was sitting and pedaling with what I will refer to as “light effort.” Once at the top, I pointed the Astro Pro down the winding back section of the road and saw speeds close to 40 mph. Since the Astro uses a hardtail frame and I was sitting down (as opposed to being off the seat on a bike with a “normal” frame configuration), there were a few tense moments over some pavement undulations.
Fortunately, maintaining control never presented a problem, and the Astro Pro tracks well in swift sweeper corners so long as you don’t have to avoid potholes or other small roadside obstructions (such as an indecisive squirrel). Four-piston brakes instantly reduced speed when they were applied forcefully as I approached a stop sign at the end of a lengthy downhill straightaway.
While there may be a few peculiarities, overall I think the design is tastefully updated while still upholding the traditional motorcycle-inspired ethos that is currently becoming more and more common in the e-bike market.
C3Strom Astro Pro: Motor and Driving
The 750W continuous power rating for the Bafang motor is only specified on the sticker. When you turn that half-grip throttle, you will feel the real power. And you can actually feel the e-bike revving up.
An integrated 750-Watt Bafang motor in the rear hub provides power for the Astro bikes. It also has a respectable 80 nm of torque. The wheels are a stylish pair of 20×4.25-inch Bafang thin-spoke models with wide, sticky road tires. In contrast to other ebikes, this one has a sizable monochrome backlit LCD display that reads out relative info like speed, assist level, battery level, trip meter, and so on.
Although the rear is not suspended, the front forks include compression and preload adjustments. Long, banana-shaped seats are soft but supportive and provide riders some room to move while they are riding.
Although applying power is quickly accomplished using the half-twist throttle, if you want to travel even faster you’ll also need to use the pedal assist. That’s because the pedal assist triggers the Class 3 mode to increase your speed to 28 mph (45 km/h) after the throttle has already reached 20 mph (32 km/h).
The Astro’s twist throttle grip, along with several buttons and turn signal switches, are located on the left bar, which also houses the Shimano 7-speed shifter that links the pedals to the rear hub. The left-bar grip shift is installed upside-down because it was intended to be on the right bar. After a few rides, you get used to shifting gears backwards, but really, on this speedy, you’re going to be twisting the throttle on the right grip anyhow.
Fortunately, the bike seems as though it was made specifically for that type of riding. The street tires are gripping and give you a boost of confidence. Even though the rear suspension is rigid, the front suspension is reasonably responsive. Additionally, the bench seat is more or less comfy, and the pedals’ forward mounting results in good pedaling geometry.
C3Strom Astro Pro: Battery and Range
You have more than 1 kWh of capacity with a sizable 52V and 20Ah battery to keep you riding. They claim a range of more than 30 miles using only the throttle, and that is definitely possible (especially since throttle-only riding limits you to 20 mph).
Expect the range to fall below the advertised 30 miles if you pedal lightly to engage the higher speed while cycling frequently at 28 mph. You can gain a lot greater range if you can avoid using high power and instead stick to moderate pedal assistance. They claim a maximum range of more than 70 miles, but that would be a tall challenge, especially for an e-bike with a motorcycle-like design.
Range for the standard Astro is 50 miles, and for the Pro with the large battery, it is 78 miles. I never seemed to get less than 30 miles out of a full charge, even on a throttle-heavy excursion across town. Of course, it can vary greatly depending on throttle use, pedal input, and hills. A complete recharge should take around 5 hours.
C3Strom Astro Pro: Conclusions
The Astro Pro is a moped-inspired ebike that is entertaining, fashionable, well-made, and powerful. With built-in lights and signals, it is prepared for that role right out of the box. In some countries, you may need to have a driver’s license or motorcycle riding licence to participate with car traffic. Since the legal definition of the distinction between an electric scooter, ebike, moped, and bicycle is still debatable in most jurisdictions, riders in the United States are allowed to operate the Astro Pro without a license. And those definitions change depending on the state or even the city you’re in and whether or not law enforcement has any guidance in that area.
After testing the bike and determining that the manufacturer, at least for a few models, genuinely knows what they’re doing, I feel quite confident endorsing their e-bike design prowess. But not so at ease that I won’t still caution you that crowdfunding campaigns are inherently dangerous because you’re not buying an e-bike outright but rather supporting a project with the hope of receiving one in return.
Get your deposit in as soon as possible if you’re interested in the joy of a little scooter with a dash of style and technology because the C3Strom Astro ebikes are releasing on Indiegogo on May 25th and early customers can save roughly $800 off what the end MSRP will be. I had a great day on the Astro Pro and would suggest it.
You’d have to truly desire this kind of styling at $2699 to crack open your checkbook that much. I’m not arguing that $2k isn’t a reasonable price for a bike with this much power and range. But that’s a substantial investment when dealing with a new company and asking you to believe in their Indiegogo campaign.
bookmarked!!, I love your web site!