Hmm, this is a surprise. Despite VanMoof saying it’s skipping from the 3-series to the 5-series e-bikes, days after the $4,000 S5 and A5 e-bikes, the full-size S4 and smaller X4 he’s two new Introduced an electric bicycle. We have started shipping. At $2,498 / £2,198 / €2,198, the S4 and X4 models are not only competitively priced, they are also far less likely to go wrong and therefore require fewer support calls.
Gone are the S5 and A5’s fancy Halo Ring displays, no integrated Apple Find My tracking, no complicated 3-speed automatic e-shifters, no extra multifunction buttons that most regular commuters don’t need.
VanMoof’s e-bikes are notorious for early quality issues, and you’ll quickly find complaints of long wait times for support on Reddit, Vanmoof-ing’s Facebook fan page, and comment threads. The Barge.
According to VanMoof co-founders (and brothers) Taco and Ties Carlier, the S4 and X4 aim to address concerns that VanMoof’s e-bikes have become too complex.
Simpler, more accessible, more reliable
“We spend a lot of time listening to our future riders,” said Ties Carlier. However, the user experience has been greatly simplified, especially to meet their needs.”
Let’s take a look at the credibility claim. But here’s what I can say after five days of riding his S4 in evergreen colours. If you’re looking for VanMoof, the S4 and X4 are e-bikes. most people You should buy it, not the more expensive S5 or A5.
The S4 and X4 are essentially the same bike, with different frame types and wheel sizes. Collectively known as the SX4, these bikes are built with a combination of technology inherited from VanMoof’s old e-bikes and new flagship SA5 model. Notably, the SX4 has better kick-lock than his SA5 and uses his improved two-speed internal gear hub like the one seen on the company’s e-bikes prior to his SX3 series in 2020. I’m here. The S4 is based on his taller S3 frame, so if he’s taller than 170cm (5ft 7in) he should choose the X4 model.
Here’s a full breakdown comparing the SX4 to the discontinued SX3 and newer SA5 models:
The SX4 model doesn’t have any display, but that’s fine with me. But the SX4 comes with an SP Connect phone mount (a case is provided) that can launch the very nice VanMoof app and use it as a dashboard if you prefer. Unfortunately, the SX4 model doesn’t have the SA5’s USB-C charging port, but it does have hydraulic disc brakes, which are VanMoof’s standard.
I am looking forward to riding the S4. I’m 6 feet tall and prefer the S4 over the S5 by a few inches. Also, I live in a city where I don’t need a car, so as one of those guys who’s been riding a bike every day in all weathers for 20 years, I’ve seen his new 27.5″ wheels and his wide 2.25″ wheels. We appreciate puncture resistant tires. You need a strong foundation to take the kids to school, commute to the office, and walk home with groceries, small appliances, or the occasional Christmas tree. Some bike racks have a problem with wide tires.
Despite the absence of the torque sensor found in the SA5, the S4’s 250W front hub motor coupled with an automatic (mechanical) two-speed shifter and RPM sensor is pretty intuitive, especially when it comes to making up for things on the occasional press. provided a great pedal-assisted ride. of the boost button. However, the ride quality could be improved.
If the outside is wet, the pedals can become slippery, and the S4’s pedal-assist power can be delivered briefly and long after the pedal is pressed. Also, after coasting at medium to high speeds, when you step on the pedals, the pedals are free to rotate up to one revolution before reengaging the chain drive. If you’ve ever ridden a VanMoof S2 or X2, you know the feeling.
Still, I repeat what I said in my VanMoof S5 review. I wish VanMoof offered a single speed belt drive option paired with that boost button. It’s like magic and further reduces the chances of things going wrong.
1/15
We don’t have enough data for range testing, but we’ll update this review once we get real numbers. VanMoof says the SX4 gets the same 60 km (37 miles) range as the SX3 and SA5 in max power mode and in my tests on both of these e-bikes it was between 47 km / 29.2 miles (S3) and 48.6 km / 30.2 miles (S5). You can expect the same from the S4 and its 478WH battery, but probably more since it hasn’t suffered from the idle battery drain issues we found with the S5. In particular, the SX4’s battery charges from 0 to 100% in 4 hours and 30 minutes using the included charger. This is two hours faster than his SA5 series flagship.
The SX4 model, like all VanMoofs, does not have a user-removable battery. This is a problem for anyone faced with lifting a 21.6 kg (47.6 lb) e-bike up a flight of stairs. VanMoof offers a $348/€348 378Wh PowerBank Range Extender option for the S4 that can be charged internally.
S4 is defined by what it is not. At $2,498, it’s not expensive for a premium e-bike in 2023, and it’s $1,000 below the Cowboy 4 Series. The S4 also isn’t overloaded with features most daily commuters don’t need. This may cause service issues in the future.
One thing the SX4 model adds is color. You can choose deep green like the bike in my review, purple pastel, yellow, and “bubble green,” which I wouldn’t call white. Colors that help brighten up the darkest city streets.
The S4 I’ve been testing is a great e-bike. He is one of the best bikes and outperforms the VanMoof S5 in terms of value for money. Who knows if the S4 and X4 will remain great e-bikes after months of wear and tear.
We asked VanMoof to address the owner’s concerns about reliability and support. Here is the statement we received from CEO and co-founder Taco Carlier:
Improving our service is our priority. Higher Reliability is at the heart of the S4 and X4 design and development process, addressing the top six challenges of S3 and X3 and incorporating what we learned from SA5. Our service network strategy has expanded in the direction of a greater focus on servicing bikes to bring us closer to riders and offer more options and more capacity. More news here in the coming weeks. Continues within
Yes, I would also like to know what is coming.
VanMoof currently offers one of the broadest networks of service hubs available in cities around Europe, Japan and the United States. This is important as most VanMoof e-bike parts are custom made and only available from VanMoof. If you are interested in purchasing, please make sure there is a service center nearby. Also, in Europe he has a 2-year warranty and a 1-year warranty in the US, plus 14 days free returns.
It is now being rolled out in phases, ahead of an August shipping schedule. The S4 and X4 will be available for pre-order in the same “evergreen” color I reviewed, purple in late May, yellow in late June, and “foam green” in late July.
If you are considering purchasing, we recommend that you wait for a while. Let an early adopter put her VanMoof claims of reliability and service to the test. You will make better use of your time.
All photos by Thomas Ricker/The Verge
