Test: With the Stella City Comfort MDB, we tested a classic e-step-through bike whose strengths lie in the absence of major weaknesses. The modern-white pedelec does not attract negative attention in any area, but the recommended retail price of 3.299 euros seems a bit high.
In times of carbon e-MTBs, super-light e-urban bikes and e-racing bikes, the classic low step-through e-bike may lead a wallflower existence. But regardless of whether you direct your gaze to cycle paths in town and country or speak to large and small bicycle dealers or manufacturers: the popularity of the e-step through is unbroken and exactly the e-bike category that most people are looking for. No high-tech solutions or record-breaking weights are required here - it should work, be comfortable and, above all, not too expensive.
This is exactly where the Stella City Comfort MDB wants to score - with unexcited suitability for everyday use, solid components and of course an attractive overall price. But before we get to the bike in detail, a few words about the manufacturer Stella Bikes. Still largely unknown in Germany, Stella is now a big hit in her native Netherlands. This is also thanks to the innovative and quite unusual sales concept: There is no classic dealer network, instead the bikes can be ordered directly from the manufacturer.
Direct sales with on-site test drive
However, in contrast to classic direct sales companies such as Rose, Canyon or Radon, at Stella a sales representative comes directly to the customer's home and, if desired, brings several test bikes with him, which the interested party can test right on his own doorstep and then buy directly if desired. Alternatively, there are now various e-bike test centers, but only one of them is in Germany. Here we come directly to the currently biggest disadvantage of this concept for customers from Germany. Stella Bikes is currently only active in North Rhine-Westphalia - customers from other regions of Germany cannot yet order or buy a Stella. However, the sales network is also to be further expanded in Germany.
Bosch Active Line Plus with 400Wh battery
Back to the bike: The City Comfort MDB is available in minimalist white or black and exclusively with a step-through frame. Propulsion is provided by the latest generation of the Active Line Plus motor from Bosch. This is powered by the 400Wh battery mounted on the luggage rack. We think the motor is the right choice for a bike in this category. The first is powerful enough to tackle both small and large climbs, but remains whisper-quiet at almost all times. In addition, it can still be pedaled comfortably even when it is switched off or at speeds of over 25 km/h.
The 400Wh battery seems a bit weak at first glance in times of always astronomical battery capacities, but one should not forget the area of application of the Stella City Comfort MDB: The e-bike is built for use in the city and for everyday errands. This means that 99% of the distances are covered, and the bike is not designed for long tours anyway. But even if a longer tour is pending: With adapted support and a little personal effort, even with the 400Wh battery, a range of 100km is possible. If you want to look for the hair in the soup of the Bosch drive: We would have preferred the Intuvia version here instead of the very minimalistic Purion display.
Carefree equipment without major weaknesses
The rest of the equipment is also almost perfectly tailored to this area of application. The hydraulic rim brakes from Magura have more than enough power for this and experience has shown that they remain almost maintenance-free for many, many years; apart from the occasional pad change, which is done within a few seconds. The 7-speed Nexus hub gear from Shimano also requires virtually no maintenance and is extremely insensitive to external influences. Although Stella also gives the City Comfort MDB a chain guard, this only protects the trouser leg from dirt. A completely closed variant would also protect the chain and drive from dirt and moisture.
Comfortable and good-natured driving behavior
Even if the Stella City Comfort MDB is designed for use on paved paths - all of us know the condition of the bike paths in this country and should therefore be happy about the Suntour suspension fork that is in the front of the Stella e-bike. This reliably irons out minor bumps and potholes – but unfortunately can only be adjusted to the driver's weight to a limited extent due to the steel spring inside. Speaking of bad bike paths: the built-in mudguards are pleasingly stable and don't rattle when it shakes and wobbles a bit.
When it comes to handling, the City Comfort MDB scores with a good-natured, comfortable character. This is of course also due to the very comfortable seating position, but the pleasantly stiff frame also does the rest here. The weight distribution with the battery on the luggage rack is initially quite noticeable when cornering, but you get used to the somewhat strange feeling after a short time.
A tip worth mentioning at the end: Currently (November 2019) the City Comfort MDB is available from Stella at a reduced price of 2.199 euros. However, the critical demand is allowed, which is why Stella initially sets an RRP of 3.299 euros, which is too high for the equipment of the bike. Was it planned from the start to suggest a bargain with a discount of 1.100 euros? Other manufacturers also offer comparable step-through bikes in the price range of around 2.000 euros, which would have cost 50 percent more just a few weeks ago.
