VanMoof, the poster baby of bikeaggedon, simply launched the primary e-bikes developed below new management following its 2023 chapter sale to McLaren Utilized. The bikes had been presupposed to be revealed tomorrow, however a hyperlink supplied to an early entry program has resulted within the particulars leaking early.
The brand new S6 Sequence — which I briefly rode just some hours in the past — makes a superb first impression. The actual trick will likely be convincing riders to pay €3,298 for the promise of longevity. That’s why the corporate is overlaying the S6 and low-stepover S6 Open with an prolonged three-year guarantee because it tries to regain the belief squandered by the corporate’s departed co-founders.
I spent simply quarter-hour driving a pre-production S6, nevertheless it already addresses nearly each concern I’ve ever had with VanMoof e-bikes. It shifts easily and intuitively with none audible clinks; the sunshine bars that present battery and energy ranges are shiny and straightforward to know; and the gimmicks and sounds (together with startup and movement alerts) have been toned right down to be much less embarrassing and annoying. General, it’s a really nice and relaxed journey.
On the surface, the brand new S6 sequence appears almost equivalent to the present S5 and A5 fashions, which had been first introduced in 2022 and re-released in 2024 by the brand new firm. However it’s what’s inside that counts, particularly in terms of long-term serviceability. That features new modular wiring to make every redesigned part simpler to service, all benefiting from the engineering, evaluation, and management experience of McLaren Utilized.
“We checked out each aspect of our line-up and made enhancements,” says new co-CEO Eliott Wertheimer in an announcement. “This goes from safety, reliability and connectivity, but in addition, and most notably, the general driving expertise. The second you get on a motorcycle from the S6 Sequence, you’ll instantly discover the distinction: all the journey is smoother, extra responsive and extra intuitive than something we’ve launched earlier than. Mixed with improved reliability and serviceability, this makes the S6 Sequence our final bike.”
The S6 e-bikes see a return of VanMoof favorites just like the Enhance button, built-in Kick Lock, and entrance and rear lighting built-in into the enduring body. I can’t touch upon the increase enhancements but as the facility supply from the 250W font-hub motor was nonetheless being tuned on my take a look at bike, however the Kick Lock does have a bigger candy spot, making it simpler to have interaction on the rear wheel.
New for the S6 is an “extraordinarily dependable” three-speed AutoShift hub that replaces the wonky three-speed e-shifter present in S5 and S3 sequence of VanMoofs. The hub makes use of angular momentum to robotically shift gears as rotational pace will increase. That makes the automated shifting 100% mechanical identical to VanMoof’s e-bikes from 2019 — no problematic electronics required.
Shifting gear on the S6 felt easy, correct, and intuitive in my restricted testing, regardless of how laborious I mashed down on the pedals. I’ll maintain last judgement on the shifter for my evaluation coming later this summer time, nevertheless it certain looks as if the brand new VanMoof has lastly discovered a transmission that begins to compete with the likes of Enviolo. Sadly, there’s nonetheless not choice for a belt-drive.
The S6 sequence additionally function a brand new built-in Slimlink telephone mount co-designed with Peak Design. It’s included within the field with each buy however may be left off the ultimate meeting since not everybody will need to purchase a suitable case. Optionally, you’ll be able to add a suspension seatpost with an adjustable 30mm of journey to assist dampen tough metropolis terrain. That cozy seatpost can also be backward suitable with VanMoof S5 and A5 fashions.
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VanMoof’s anti-theft system can also be returning with extra granular location monitoring to assist the corporate’s bike looking service — they get well your stolen e-bike inside 14 days or change it totally free. A full 12 months of the service is included within the buy worth of the S6 sequence. After that you would be able to pay up, or depend on Apple’s built-in Discover My service and your personal bike insurance coverage.
And identical to VanMoofs of previous, the battery continues to be built-in with the body. The custom-designed (and barely bigger) 487Wh Panasonic battery may be eliminated for service however in any other case has to stay within the bike, the place it may be charged from 0 to 100% by the included 48V / 2A charger. The taller S6 is fitted with 27.5 inch wheels and weighs 23.5kg (51.8lbs), whereas the 22.5kg (49.6lbs) S6 Open with its 24-inch wheels is designed to suit smaller riders. Both manner that’s loads of unwieldy weight to hold up and down stairs for charging.
VanMoof calls the S6 sequence its “most dependable, intuitive, and enjoyable journey to date.” I can vouch for 2 of the three factors, however reliability is one thing that requires time to show out.
The corporate is presently partnered with some 250 bikes retailers for service (and 130 gross sales companions) in a community that covers 13 nations and continues to develop since launching in 2024. You’d be smart to test for native service availability earlier than shopping for a VanMoof or any direct-to-consumer e-bike, for that matter. Service is an inevitability, how a lot and the way straightforward are the variables, and VanMoof 2.0 appears to be taking the best steps to attenuate sudden journeys to the bike store.
The VanMoof S6 and S6 Open can be found to order now with a fully-refundable €150 deposit. Some VanMoof accomplice bike retailers may have S6 bikes accessible for take a look at rides earlier than deliveries start to paying clients in August. The S6 sequence is accessible in “electrical blue,” black, and “pearl mint” (my private favourite) colours at launch within the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Belgium — Europe’s largest e-bike markets — with UK gross sales beginning “later this 12 months.” As soon as VanMoof’s European operations are below management, it’ll look to develop elsewhere, together with a return to the US.
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