Product news / E-Performance: The Stella Morena Premium MDBO is a sporty and extremely comfortable e-bike that is popular in many areas of use thanks to its well thought-out equipment.
Stella Bikes: Sales concept with customer proximity
It's been ten years since the first e-bike with the Stella logo on the frame saw the light of day. Since its early days, the Dutch manufacturer has set itself the goal of offering motorized bicycles at an affordable price, thereby 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.
Stella Morena Premium MDBO: Quiet engine, sporty gears, comfortable overall package
The Morena Premium MDBO is a new model for this season - an e-bike that is about to bridge the gap between city and trekking bikes. Comfortable, but sporty - this is the best way to summarize the approach of the bike, which is available as a trapeze and men's frame. At the heart of the dark green frame is a Bosch Performance Line motor, which is an excellent choice for a bike in this class. With its 65 Nm of torque, it is more than powerful enough for everyday tasks, but remains significantly quieter than, for example, the more powerful CX drive. In addition, it tickles one or two kilometers of additional range from the 500 Wh battery.
Contrary to the trend, the battery itself is not completely integrated in the down tube, but is fixed in a recess. So it is hardly noticeable visually, handling is also much easier than with a fully integrated power tube and the frame can be constructed lighter. The whole thing is operated via the proven Intuvia display.
Stella has given the Morena Premium MDBO a 10-speed Deore derailleur system with an 11-36 cassette so that you can still progress quickly and without excessive effort even on steeper climbs and/or with a full load. If you don't need quite such a wide range, you can also take a look at the Morena Premium MDB, which is particularly low-maintenance with hub gears and belt drive.
As sporty as the Morena Premium MDBO gearshift may be, you don't have to do without comfort. In the front there is a Suntour NEX E25 suspension fork, which relies on a steel spring, which unfortunately can only be adjusted to the driver's weight to a limited extent. Nonetheless: on bad bike paths or on forest highways, it offers a noticeable plus in driving comfort at all times. The pleasantly wide 50 mm tires from Schwalbe and the suspension seat post also fit in well with this.
A special feature of Stella is the lighting system: the front light is innovatively integrated into the fender, and the emblem on the head tube, which also serves as a cable entry, shines as additional front lighting. Unfortunately, the latter can only be controlled together with the main headlight.
All in all, with the Morena Premium MDBO, Stella puts together a package that is also attractive in terms of price. 3.349 euros is appropriate for a versatile and all-round successful equipment package, the well thought-out frame and innovative features.