Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
And the battery would last how long ?

Hours for my use case. I am not planning on having my expensive bike out of my sight for any long length of time. If I leave my bike for a short time and it is stolen, I don't need that long to track it down. Most of my rides are not more than 2-4 hours and I don't even need to turn it on while I am riding my bike, just when I might have it out from of a business for a short time.
 
I was thing about getting a van moof bike, why are you going a different way?

I posted up above somewhere about it.

My first van moof bike was nice (not an electric), but it got stolen. So I bought a van moof smart bike. The battery charging through the USB port stopped working, and the only way to repair is to bring it to a van moof shop, and there are only a couple of those in the U.S. I’m also not happy with the fit - I’m 6’3, and the S was uncomfortable, so I installed a riser. But because the brake and shifter cables were too short, those needed to be replaced/rerun as well. I’m also not thrilled that they don’t have the normal mount points for things like water bottle cages and the like.

I’m in the market for an ebike now, and may go with the Priority Current. I insist on a removable battery, which is reason enough to rule out the van moof in my book. (I need the ability to charge away from the bike, and getting an extra battery is nice for long trips.)
 
I really like the name, VanMoof. I'd probably drop $2k just so I could tell my friends that I ride something called a VanMoof
 
I really like the name, VanMoof. I'd probably drop $2k just so I could tell my friends that I ride something called a VanMoof

Mine was delivered in a fake big screen TV box (so that the shippers would take better care of it), so that was pretty cool.

On the other hand, i damaged a nerve in my thumb using the crappy wrench that came in the box to install the pedals.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BGM
I had the original S, and the second version. Neither was an e-bike. The second version (which I still ride) is a “smart bike,” with GPS for loss prevention, etc. One problem I’ve had with both is fit. I’m 6’3”, and I had to install stem risers on both just to get them reasonably comfortable. This caused a problem with the smart bike, because the break cables and shifter cable were too short, so I had to replace one and reroute a couple to get everything to fit.

Then the smartbike stopped charging via the USB port (in theory, riding it should be enough to keep it charged, but you’d have to ride it 20 miles a week, in my experience). To get it repaired I’d have to take it to a van moof store (and there are, I think, only two in the USA?), and I just gave up on the smart features.

It’s a very cool looking bike, but I’m planning on going with something like the Priority Current when upgrading to an e-bike in the next few months.

Thanks for your answer! Coincidentally, I'm 6’3” as well. I will definitely need to book a test ride, then, to see if I would feel comfortable.
 
I was one of the people that was super excited about VanMoof. Glad never bought one.
Read the reviews posted on Google Maps and check this video too.
 
I was one of the people that was super excited about VanMoof. Glad never bought one.
Read the reviews posted on Google Maps and check this video too.
There's no perfect product. Also that dude is using his VanMoof troubles as a daily vlog vehicle.
 
"and will be trackable should the bike go missing"

Unless it was stolen, and then this is utterly useless because the police don't care even a little bit if you can track something with your phone. If you happen to misplace your bike for some reason... say, between the couch cushions... then this feature would work fine.
Yeah I'm not sure how this helps. I'm supposed to personally track down some thieves and threaten them? With my bike missing?
 
I lived a half mile up a mountain a few years back, and had some desire to get an e-bike to help with that last 7-10% grade half mile coming back from work each day... but a 45 lb bike just seemed counter-intuitive if/when that battery/motor gave out. Given the usual culprits with bikes... invariably at some point, popped tubes, the odd broken chain, derailleur tweaks, I had no real interest in fighting with a few other bits like a 'smart' gear select, etc. Buddy who got one swears by it though. Tells me he easily gets to and from work each day zipping by cars stuck in gridlock.

I'm certain these bikes will get better, but for now, a $1000 21 speed mountain bike does the job.
 
Embedding this into existing products is a lot more useful than creating AirTags which stick on and can be easily removed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sean+mac
Yeah I'm not sure how this helps. I'm supposed to personally track down some thieves and threaten them? With my bike missing?
Most stolen items get sold online or pawned. Thieves rarely keep stolen items.
I lived a half mile up a mountain a few years back, and had some desire to get an e-bike to help with that last 7-10% grade half mile coming back from work each day... but a 45 lb bike just seemed counter-intuitive if/when that battery/motor gave out. Given the usual culprits with bikes... invariably at some point, popped tubes, the odd broken chain, derailleur tweaks, I had no real interest in fighting with a few other bits like a 'smart' gear select, etc. Buddy who got one swears by it though. Tells me he easily gets to and from work each day zipping by cars stuck in gridlock.

I'm certain these bikes will get better, but for now, a $1000 21 speed mountain bike does the job.
Even the current tech is awesome, with decent sub $600 E-bikes plenty capable of doing 40-50km on battery power alone. So as long as you charge them every couple of days, your gravy.

Half mile is what?, a 10 min walk with the bike if you get caught on a hill. I'd not ditch the idea for the 1/100 chance that you "might" run out of battery someday.
 
"and will be trackable should the bike go missing"

Unless it was stolen, and then this is utterly useless because the police don't care even a little bit if you can track something with your phone. If you happen to misplace your bike for some reason... say, between the couch cushions... then this feature would work fine.

Vanmoof have "bike hunters" which do the searching for you... no need to involve the police.
 
I had the original S, and the second version. Neither was an e-bike. The second version (which I still ride) is a “smart bike,” with GPS for loss prevention, etc. One problem I’ve had with both is fit. I’m 6’3”, and I had to install stem risers on both just to get them reasonably comfortable. This caused a problem with the smart bike, because the break cables and shifter cable were too short, so I had to replace one and reroute a couple to get everything to fit.

Then the smartbike stopped charging via the USB port (in theory, riding it should be enough to keep it charged, but you’d have to ride it 20 miles a week, in my experience). To get it repaired I’d have to take it to a van moof store (and there are, I think, only two in the USA?), and I just gave up on the smart features.

It’s a very cool looking bike, but I’m planning on going with something like the Priority Current when upgrading to an e-bike in the next few months.
This is the problem with the direct ship model that a few bike companies like Canyon. Your Local Bike Shop should be the one assembling and fitting the bike for you at purchase to avoid having to replace brand new cables and parts. Also, your issues are pretty common among bikes designed with integrated cables.
 
This is the problem with the direct ship model that a few bike companies like Canyon. Your Local Bike Shop should be the one assembling and fitting the bike for you at purchase to avoid having to replace brand new cables and parts. Also, your issues are pretty common among bikes designed with integrated cables.

Yep. I did find a local bike shop that makes their own custom steel bikes, and the guy there was happy to help me out, otherwise it would have been even more of a hassle.
 
I have a Vanmoof S3 and love it! I know some people report problems, but mine rides like a dream. The new Apple integration is cool, but more important it is reported the gears are now more robust
 
Care to elaborate? Which problems did you have? I am in the market for an e-bike and had considered Vanmoof as I like the design a lot.
I am not the guy you have referred it to, but I currently own two Vanmoof S3 bikes (black and blue). Bought also because of the design and features. I am very happy with them so far and don't regret my decision a bit.

By the way: Vanmoof offers their own tracking and theft protection even without Find My integration at all. "Find My" is just a cherry on top.

Cheers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: the future
Same here: I’ve been riding my S2 for one and a half years. It’s fine strictly as an electric bike for adults, but all the smart features are horribly buggy. They don’t lock safely. Their software constantly gets into weird in-between states. It doesn’t connect properly to iOS due to Apple’s Bluetooth power management, to the point where VanMoof tell you to rather use Android, or else the ride tracking and hands free unlock won’t work. They have an alarm that is easy to circumvent etc. etc..

And take note: S2/X2 shipped with integrated SIM cards for years, but VanMoof never got them to work for location services. There’s a map in the app that shows you where you left your bike (or nothing), but there’s no tracking even though the hardware should have been there. Telling me to just buy a new bike if I want that feature to work feels like a slap in the face right now.
After returning five of them, I eventually gave up. If the case were different - if the issues that exist in, seemingly, an overwhelming majority of the current S3 and X3 models (and I don't mean the bikes that get ridden once every few weeks for an Instagram post) weren't present, I would have had a conversation with higher-ups in the company who told me they "unfortunately could not guarantee that a bike would be received without the current issues at this time."

And I'll buy another one as soon as I'm satisfied that the issues have been resolved...but not with this bike or the current leadership of the business. They knew the parts were inexpensive, and they knew there was a high risk of problems, but they went on with it anyway, and now that the problems are widespread, they continue to manufacture and ship the same models with the same equipment.

The bikes are stunning if the issues are resolved. However, the majority of them are currently $2,000 paperweights.
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.