“Sometimes you have to kill your loved ones” is a phrase designers use to justify removing elements that personally inspire them but fail to add value.
The last time we heard it was in April 2022, when we rode prototype versions of VanMoof’s new full-size S5 and smaller A5 e-bikes. The phrase was uttered by co-founder and CEO Taco Carlier to justify removing VanMoof’s iconic matrix display for the new “Halo Ring” interface.
A year later, both e-bikes are finally available to customers, well above the original target of July 2022. The price has also been increased from his $2,998/$2,498 early reservation price to $3,998/$3,498. When it was introduced in 2020 at a rather astounding price of $1,998 / €1,998, it was far more expensive than what we would have paid for VanMoof’s previous generation electric bikes (VanMoof S3/X3).
See, everything will be more expensive in 2023, and that includes e-bikes. Otherwise, this former investor’s beloved latest flagship e-bike could be dead on arrival.
If only it were that simple.
The S5 and A5 pedal-assist e-bikes look like VanMoofs with an extended top tube covered by front and rear lights, but everything from frame to chip to sensor has been redesigned. The company says only “a handful of parts” have been carried over from the previous model.
Here are some of the most notable changes:
- New LED Halo Ring visual interface adjacent to both grips.
- Integrated SP Connect smartphone mount with USB-C charging port (case provided).
- New almost completely silent Gen 5 front hub motor with torque sensor and 3-speed automatic e-shifter (S3/X3 had 4-speed e-shifter).
- New multi-function buttons have been added below the Bell (next to the left grip) and Boost (next to the right grip) buttons.
- The boost button is more powerful with torque increased from 59Nm to 68Nm.
- The S5 frame, which has been criticized for being too tall, was lowered by 5 cm (2 in) to accommodate riders 165 cm (5 ft, 5 in) tall, while the A5 was 155 cm (5 ft, 1 in), making its successor It’s easier to step through than the X3.
These are standard features found on VanMoof e-bikes, such as well-designed convenience apps, baked in with Kick Lock integrated into the rear wheel, Apple Find My support, hydraulic disc brakes, powerful city tires and bright integrated lights. join a very long list of Mudguards, sturdy kickstands. Also, being VanMoof, 3 years of anti-theft protection ($398/348 euros) and guaranteed collection or replacement within 2 weeks and his 3 years of maintenance in select cities ($348/298 You can also join the Euro.
I received my VanMoof S5 rental in dark gray (light gray is also available) in late March, and ran into a few issues that delayed this review. These included intermittent connection failures between the app and the bike, kicklocks that didn’t always disengage, and alarms that triggered briefly for no apparent reason. All fixed with radio firmware (v1.20) update released in mid-April before reporting to VanMoof support.
I have mixed feelings about this. The S5 and A5 began shipping in March, eight months late, but we think VanMoof’s new test lab has had time to fix the issue. This is troubling given VanMoof’s history of early quality issues and the company’s assurance that they will not be repeated. Again, premium e-bikes from companies like VanMoof are increasingly complex machines. It is commendable to see the company resolve the issue so quickly.
One issue that hasn’t been fixed yet is idle battery drain, but VanMoof says there’s a firmware update due to fix it in “two weeks.” In my case, this problem caused his S5’s battery at idle to drop from 86% to 65% in his 10 days. Whether I ride or not, I usually lose about 2% of my charge each day.
Oh, and I installed some firmware updates last month (currently v1.2.4), so I should mention this. all the time Installing firmware. It was cute at first and my daughter suggested a little dance to go with it. But it takes her 5-10 minutes and after the first listen she is just loud and has no way to turn it off.
In terms of new features, the Halo Rings next to each grip are the most visible change from previous VanMoofs. Those weak LEDs are almost completely washed out, at least until the sun hits them. Halo Rings are intended to display speed, battery level, current pedal assist power level, and more through a series of light bars and animations. Overall fine with a gimmick, but I don’t often need status information when I’m on the bike.
Riding the 23kg / 50.7lbs VanMoof S5, even though it has fewer shifts and a boost button that provides more torque when trying to pass someone or jump off the line early. Feels like an S3 though. His 250W motor, a VanMoof-designed 5th generation, is extremely quiet, even at top speeds of 25 km/h in Europe (up to 20 mph in the US). Also, his new 3-speed e-shifter can find the right gear more accurately than his 4-speed e-shifter on the S3.still felt a little clink Spin the pedals when you mash down the cranks hard, especially when you’re in a hurry. But overall, the S5’s predictive shift is a big improvement, especially if you’re rolling at a casual pace. Still, it’s not as smooth as the Enviolo’s automatic shifter, for example, so there’s still work to be done.
It’s a shame VanMoof doesn’t offer a simple belt drive option for their e-bikes. Combined with the S5’s torquey boost button, it eliminates the need to use gear on all but the hilliest of rides. That’s why I’m a big fan of the premium belt-driven, pedal-assisted e-bikes sold by Ampler and Cowboy. It’s cheaper than the S5, but the lighter front end makes it more fun to ride (both brands use rear he hub motors).
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As for range, VanMoof says it should be 60km in full power mode. But with temperatures ranging from freezing to 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) and frequent boost button presses in full power mode, he could only get 48.6 km (30.2 miles) out of the S5’s 487 Wh battery. bottom. That’s about the same range we got when we tested the VanMoof S3 — 47 km (29.2 miles) — and a larger 504Wh battery. The problem currently causing the battery to lose energy overnight certainly didn’t help my range. It can be charged from zero to 100% in minutes.
I was wondering how VanMoof would use the new multi-function button just below the bell and boost button. A small button on the right side (under the boost) allows you to change the power of the motor on the fly. Using the button on the left side (under the bell) flashes the light to warn people of some sort. Both of these features tick boxes on your marketing sheet, but they’re not very useful for day-to-day use.
And since this is VanMoof, the battery is integrated and can only be removed for maintenance. )I have.
Over the past few years, VanMoof’s e-bikes have had nagging concerns that I’ve noted in my S3 review. Is it getting too complicated?
e-bikes — especially Commuter E-bikes like the S5 — subject to daily wear and tear in all kinds of weather conditions. Even basic bikes are difficult to maintain with daily use, and VanMoof e-bikes are expensive rolling computers.
Honestly, even without the flashy automatic chain-driven 3-speed shifter, the extra multi-function buttons, the programmable electronic bell, the Halo Ring interface, the perky sounds for Apple tracking, startup, shutdown, and firmware updates. I was fine. Combine a single gear and maintenance-free belt drive with a torquey boost button on a pedal-assisted e-bike. This allows you to walk to and from the office every day in style and with confidence, no matter what. But it’s not the S5.
Don’t get me wrong, the VanMoof S5 is a very good e-bike, with the longest feature list of any e-bike I’ve named. He also has one of the best network of service hubs available in cities around the world. Most S5 / A5 parts are only available from VanMoof, so make sure you have a service center nearby if you are looking to purchase one.
Too many darlings and not enough to kill.
For all of its early covid success, VanMoof faced financial troubles at the end of 2022, forcing investors to seek an emergency capital injection just to pay the bills. However, the entire e-bike industry was struggling post-COVID-19 as sales plummeted and supply chains wobbled. Competitors such as Cowboy and industry giant Stella also had to raise cash to deal with excess inventory as their electric bike inventories skyrocketed.
As good a feature set as the S5, but in my opinion the feature set comes close to jagged, perhaps to justify its new high $3,998 / 3,498 euro price tag. , sure, helps a bit at first. But many are not needed by regular commuters. The S5 has too many darlings and not enough kills.
In that pricing context, the VanMoof S5 is currently $500 more than the equivalent Cowboy 4 series and $1,000 more than the plain Ampler Axel. From that perspective, VanMoof’s pricing seems about right.
Is the S5 worth it? We leave the decisions in this uncertain and inflationary world to you. A definite improvement over the S3, but not twice as much as his on the bike.
All photos by Thomas Ricker/The Verge
