Product news / e-bike: The Stella Avalon Premium MDS is a high-quality e-step-through, where the Shimano dual combination of Steps drive and Nexus Di2 hub gears is particularly impressive.
Stella Bikes from the Netherlands was founded in 2010 and since then has been selling its bikes directly to customers: This is mainly done via selected test centers or even on their own doorstep. More about the concept behind Stella Bikes:
Stella from the Netherlands has aimed to offer motorized bikes at an affordable price since its early days, deliberately bucking the trend. An important building block - in addition to the cost-efficient assembly of the bikes themselves - is the sales concept: there are no dealers, instead Stella sells the bikes directly to its customers. In contrast to classic direct mailers, however, the sale does not take place online - either you make your way to one of the increasingly numerous test centers or take advantage of the free offer to test at home; Mobile sales and service teams are available for this.
This bold concept paid off: Stella now employs over 500 people and operates a total of almost 50 test centers - 42 of them in the Netherlands, five in Belgium and now two in Germany. In addition, there are over 80 mobile teams that take care of service and sales at the customer's site.
The Avalon Premium MDS from Stella is a high-quality e-step-through in the classic sense: With a focus on high comfort and low-maintenance equipment, the bike is made for everyday use - whether in the city or in the country. A motor from Shimano is used for the drive - the E6100 has now been tried and tested a thousand times over and, with its 60 Nm torque, provides more than enough power for the Avalon's area of application. Even somewhat steeper ramps shouldn't cause any problems for the drive.
The battery mounted under the luggage carrier holds either 418 Wh or - for a little extra - 504 Wh. Our tip: If the bike is not intended for extended day tours, the smaller battery version should be sufficient, also because the motor is economical with capacity bypasses The built-in Shimano display and control unit is very nice. Above all, the former succeeds in combining simple handling, good legibility and a high level of information.
Perhaps the greatest trump card of the Japanese bicycle giant is played together with the gears: Stella has installed the extremely high-quality Nexus Di2 hub gears with eight gears here. The gear change is completely electronic here - on the one hand, this ensures that there is no need to set the gears cumbersomely, but in particular the gears offer an automatic option: the motor and gear hub can be coordinated with each other if desired, so the motor always chooses the right support and changes the gears are also fully automatic - this is how relaxed cycling works in 2020!
In line with this carefree package, the Dutch company has also given the step-through a completely closed chain case; This not only protects the trouser legs from dirt and grime, but also keeps the chain from drying out. As befits a high-quality e-bike, hydraulic disc brakes are of course installed at the front and rear, which can be controlled well on the one hand, but can also pack a punch if the worst comes to the worst. With their thick puncture protection, the Vredestein tires round off the successful equipment.
Luggage racks, mudguards and a lighting system should not be missing; the latter in particular is a real Stella quality feature. The chic integration of the headlight into the fender is just as much a part of this as the illuminated emblem on the head tube or the chic and at the same time very visible rear light.
At 3.299 euros, the Stella Avalon Premium MDS is certainly one of the more expensive e-step-throughs - but the equipment is more than appropriate and the well thought-out details are also pleasing.