**This is an old revision of the document!**
Table of Contents
See also: Electric Bikes
Articles
Don't buy a new electric bike till next week: VanMoof to launch affordable version of its stunning S2 e-bike
And you can even live stream the launch: here's how
By Duncan Bell - 18 April 2020
One of the best electric bikes you can buy, without any doubt, is VanMoof's S2. Priced at £3,198 it merges tech and bike to brilliant effect, offering a brilliantly smooth urban ride, with electrical assistance and automatic gear-shifting, so you can waft along at 15-20mph without raising a sweat. There's also built-in locking, alarm and GPS to ward off thieves who are naturally drawn to its impeccably-designed, iconic form. The unique shape isn't just so it turns heads – the extended crossbar houses integrated lights.
However, as good as it is, we suggest you don't buy one right now. Why? Cos its replacement the S3 is to be unveiled next week, and it is WAY cheaper.
VanMoof S3 e-bike review: better than the best
And less expensive, too
By Thomas Ricker - Apr 21, 2020, 8:00am EDT
ElectricElectric bikes, like cars, come in tiers of quality and prestige. Dependable commuter bikes start at around $1,000. At $1,500, they start to look nice, with batteries and motors integrated into the overall aesthetic. Above $2,000 you start seeing sleek designs, advanced electronics, and a preponderance of high-end or original components. On that scale, VanMoof’s premium prices have made it the BMW of e-bikes (or Tesla, if you prefer).
https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/21/21227976/vanmoof-s3-electric-bike-review-price-specs
VanMoof's S3 and X3 e-bikes are cheaper and packed with refinements
The company is inching closer to its Model 3 moment.
Nick Summers - 21 April 2020
We love VanMoof's electric bicycles, but they're hardly an impulse purchase. The Electrified S2 and X2, for instance, launched with a $2,598 price-tag two years ago – and that was with an $800 early-bird discount. For its third-gen lineup, then, it's no surprise that the company has chosen refinement and affordability over expensive innovations. The new S3 and X3 will cost $1,998 which, while undeniably expensive, is the cheapest e-bike range that VanMoof has ever put together. It's technically an “introduction price,” but one that shouldn't change unless COVID-19 has a massive impact on the business. “We’re launching at this price and we intend to keep [the] S3 and X3 at this price,” a spokesperson told Engadget.
From afar, the S3 and X3 look the same as their stylish predecessors. The S3 has a conventional frame shape and 28-inch wheels that are designed for riders between 175cm and 210cm tall. The X3, meanwhile, has a head-turning 'cross' frame and 24-inch wheels that suit a slightly smaller cyclist. The city-centric frame also has a small space on the front with stretchy straps for stowing a bag or small parcel. In the past, VanMoof has sold a basket accessory that clips onto this part of the frame, making it even easier to transport grocery bags and other precarious items.
https://www.engadget.com/vanmoof-s3-x3-electric-smart-bicycle-launch-120056621.html
VanMoof raises $13.5M to capitalize on e-bike boom in wake of COVID-19
Mike Butcher / 9:00 pm PDT•May 12, 2020
VanMoof, the Dutch e-bike startup that launched in 2009, is now officially a “scale-up” after attracting a €12.5M ($13.5M) investment from London VC Balderton Capital and SINBON Electronics, the Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer that is its bike assembly partner.
The funds will be used for international expansion following the launch of the new electric VanMoof S3 and X3 bikes.
The announcement comes at a fortuitous time. Cities all over Europe are gingerly emerging from lockdown during the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and European governments are desperate to get their economies moving. But much of the official advice is to avoid public transport where possible due to the near-impossibility of social distancing.
VanMoof’s S3 e-bike is better, cheaper, and just as stylish
The best VanMoof yet.
Nick Summers, 14 May 2020
VanMoof is like the Allbirds of e-bikes. The upstart has struck a chord with technology-loving people who care deeply about design and sustainable living. That niche, though, is only so large. To grow even further, the company has to move a little more mainstream and make its premium bikes a tad cheaper. That’s where the S3 and X3 come in. Both models — which are practically the same, save for the frame shape and wheel size — are visually similar to their second-gen predecessors. They have familiar features, too, such as integrated frame lights and a special kick lock.
https://www.engadget.com/vanmoof-s3-electric-bicycle-review-123059628.html
VanMoof raises $40 million as ebike sales surge
Paul Sawers - September 16, 2020 3:01 AM
Electric bikes have been gaining momentum for a few years, with Deloitte predicting in 2019 that ebikes would continue to surge in popularity. But the COVID-19 crisis accelerated ebike sales exponentially in markets around the world. In the U.S. specifically, ebike sales jumped 190% in June compared to the corresponding period the previous year, according to data from the NPD Group. Reports now suggest the global ebike market could be worth $46 billion by 2026 — up from less than $8 billion in 2018.
Against this backdrop, VanMoof has managed to secure another $40 million in funding just four months after raising $13.5 million, as the Dutch ebike firm looks to keep up with demand created by the global pandemic. The company said its revenue has risen 220% during lockdown and now sits at $100 million, with the U.S. emerging as its third-fastest-growing market.
https://venturebeat.com/2020/09/16/vanmoof-raises-40-million-amid-ebike-boom/
VanMoof X3: five months later
A great e-bike, with caveats
By Sam Byford - Dec 8, 2020, 7:46am EST
Five months ago yesterday, I took delivery of a VanMoof X3 e-bike. It’s up there as one of the more expensive personal purchases I’ve ever made, living as I do in Tokyo without any need for a car. But like a lot of other people this year, I felt moved to avoid public transport as the coronavirus pandemic intensified, and VanMoof’s latest models came at the right time.
I was pretty sure I’d like the X3. I’d test-ridden the original Electrified X three years prior, when it was first released as a bike designed with Tokyo in mind, and I’d wanted one ever since. The $1,998 X3 is more powerful and more affordable, with a bunch of new features that sealed the deal.
https://www.theverge.com/22162936/vanmoof-x3-long-term-review
VanMoof's PowerBank can boost its e-bikes' range by up to 62 miles
The accessory can add add a range between 28 and 62 miles, depending on the pedal assist level.
Mariella Moon - April 20th, 2021
VanMoof's S3 e-bike can provide assistance for 37 to 93 miles before it runs out of power, but the company's new accessory can extend that range considerably. The company has launched a removable PowerBank for its S3 and X3 electric bikes, giving you a way to add a range between 28 and 62 miles. Of course, the additional range you'll get depends on your pedal assist level: If you ride with the lowest level, the PowerBank can potentially help you stretch the e-bike's range to 150 miles. That's comparable to the range of average electric cars, such as the standard Nissan Leaf.
https://www.engadget.com/vanmoof-powerbank-62-miles-range-boost-121026751.html
VanMoof raises $128 million to become the world’s leading e-bike brand
Romain Dillet / 9:00 PM PDT•August 31, 2021
Amsterdam-based startup VanMoof has raised a $128 million Series C funding round. The company designs and sells electric bikes that are quite popular in some markets. It now wants to become the world’s leading e-bike brand by iterating at a faster pace.
Asia-based private equity firm Hillhouse Investment is leading the round, with Gillian Tans, the former CEO of Booking.com, also participating. Some existing investors also put some more money on the table, such as Norwest Venture Partners, Felix Capital, Balderton Capital and TriplePoint Capital.
Today’s Series C represents a big jump compared to the company’s Series B. Last year, VanMoof raised a $40 million Series B. Overall, if you add it all up, the startup has raised $182 million in total.
If you’re not familiar with VanMoof’s e-bikes, TechCrunch reviewed both the most recent S3 and X3 models. On paper, they are identical. The VanMoof X3 features a smaller frame and smaller wheels.
VanMoof Raises $128 Million To Become 'Most Funded e-Bike Company In the World'
Posted by BeauHD on Wednesday September 01, 2021 03:42PM
VanMoof says it's now “the most funded e-bike company in the world,” after raising a total of $182 million in the last two years. The Verge reports:
The company claims to have almost 200,000 bikes on the road currently, with the goal of getting 10 million people on VanMoof e-bikes in the next five years. Such aggressive expansion goals require significant capital. VanMoof's new funding round has been earmarked to expand production and to "reinvent the way in which hardware and software components are made," according to a blog post announcing the new investment round. More specifically, VanMoof co-founder Taco Carlier tells The Verge in a phone interview that most of the funds will go towards R&D, "having more people on the hardware and software development in order to improve the quality and reliability of the bike."
VanMoof teases new high-speed electric bike
Romain Dillet / 8:46 AM PDT October 12, 2021
E-bike manufacturer VanMoof recently raised a $128 million funding round. And the company is already using some of that cash to develop a brand new product — the VanMoof V. This is a new product in the VanMoof lineup, a high-speed bike.
The VanMoof V isn’t available just yet. Instead, the company teased the new bike in a live YouTube video. The company plans to release the VanMoof V by the end of 2022. It should cost approximately $3,598, €3,498 or £2,998 according to the landing pages on VanMoof’s website.
What you get for that price is an electric bike with two motors — one in the front wheel and one in the rear wheel. There are two suspension systems at the front and at the back of the vehicle to help you with uneven streets. The VanMoof V also features thick tires for increased safety.
https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/12/vanmoof-teases-new-high-speed-electric-bike/
VanMoof's fastest e-bike yet tops out at 31 MPH
The company plans to start shipping its first hyperbike in late 2022.
Kris Holt - October 12th, 2021
E-bike maker VanMoof is looking to help riders get from A to B more swiftly with its first high-speed model. The VanMoof V is the company’s first hyperbike, which will be able to hit a top speed of 31 MPH (50 km/h).
VanMoof is pitching this as a car replacement for city life and longer commutes. The VanMoof V will have two-wheel drive, thicker tires, a new frame design and front and rear suspension, which could make lengthier trips more comfortable. Other features include intelligent motor control, VanMoof's Turbo Boost, a Kick Lock for keyless locking, automatic gear shifting and measures to combat theft.
Details about the e-bike's range haven't been revealed, but VanMoof noted the battery has a 700 wH capacity. The VanMoof S3 has a 504 Wh battery capacity and a promised range of 60-150 km (37-93 miles). The company sells a PowerBank accessory that can increase the range, but it's unclear whether that device will be compatible with the VanMoof V.
https://www.engadget.com/vanmoof-v-e-bike-hyperbike-fastest-150015459.html
VanMoof’s dual-motor 31 MPH electric bicycle has over 10,000 reservations, and it’s not even legal
Micah Toll - Jan. 20th 2022 4:19 am PT
Late last year, VanMoof unveiled the VanMoof V as a high-performance electric bicycle that the Dutch brand referred to as a “hyperbike.” Now the company claims to have surpassed 10,000 reservations, despite the bike reaching a top speed that isn’t legal in most countries.
When VanMoof rolled out its concept for the VanMoof V last October, it did so partly to challenge existing policies around electric bicycles.
In most of Europe, electric bicycles are largely limited to slow speeds of just 25 km/h (15.5 mph).
In the US, riders have a bit more leeway with options for 20-28 mph (32-45 km/h), depending on the class of e-bike.
But the VanMoof V concept was unveiled with a top speed of 31 mph (50 km/h) thanks to a pair of 500W motors. The company says that the bike will be capable of power and speed limiting to match local regulations in each country. But there remain few places where the e-bike would be street legal in its unlocked power mode.
The Morning After: VanMoof's two new different, but stylish, e-bikes
One's built for longer rides.
Mat Smith - April 6th, 2022
If I ever take the plunge on an electric bike, I hope it’s a slick VanMoof. The company has unveiled two new models that are, unfortunately, slightly more expensive than their predecessors, but pack in a bunch of upgrades alongside impressive anti-theft technology. The S5 and A5 will each cost $2,998, but VanMoof hasn’t shared a release date just yet.
The new S5 is for longer rides. VanMoof reworked the straight frame to increase the height of the riding position and changed to larger 27.5-inch wheels for a smoother experience. Meanwhile, the A5 is more for shorter trips. It has an angled frame with a lower step-in and 24-inch wheels. There's support for both rear and front carriers as well. Both bikes weigh over 44 pounds.
https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-van-moof-s5-a5-ebike-111532746.html
Vigilante Justice: VanMoof’s Team of ‘Bike Hunters’ Appears to Succeed Where the City Doesn’t
David Sjostedt - Jul. 13, 2022 at 4:03pm
When Ryan Eastman was growing up in Petaluma, transfixed by the Tour de France on television, he never dreamed that his love of bicycles would lead him to a career partly spent scrounging for stolen two-wheelers in less-than-savory locales across San Francisco.
But after a bad crash brought an end to his professional cycling career, it wasn’t long before Eastman found himself working for VanMoof, an electric bike company with a storefront on Valencia Street in the Mission District, where part of his job is hunting for stolen bikes.
His misadventures riding into the nooks and crannies of the city have afforded Eastman an unusual vantage point into property crime in the city.
“I think a lot of people that steal these bikes end up flipping them on the street for a couple hundred bucks or for other probably illegal items,” Eastman said. “Their excuse is always the same: ‘My buddy sold me this bike.’”
Major electric bike maker came close to financial collapse at end of 2022
Micah Toll - Jan 25 2023 - 1:18 am PT
Only a couple years ago, electric bicycle manufacturers couldn’t keep e-bikes on the shelves as they were being snatched up faster than they could be produced. But while some e-bike companies have managed to keep up a steady cash flow and balanced operations, others have run into financial difficulties. For European e-bike maker VanMoof, those difficulties turned into a dire situation just a few months ago.
As reported by Dutch media company Financieele Dagblad, VanMoof nearly ran out of money to pay its bills late last year.
The company has since managed to raise sufficient funding from its original British and Chinese investors to make it out of the woods, but there were surely some sleepless nights for the management team at the end of 2022.
VanMoof’s annual report, filed at the end of last year, described the company’s immediate need to raise capital. Without a quick injection of funds, the company could not guarantee its “ability to continue its activities beyond the first quarter of 2023.”
https://electrek.co/2023/01/25/vanmoof-financial-situation-electric-bikes/
Software
VanMoof Encryption Key Exporter
Unfortunately, in recent months news have come up saying VanMoof isn’t in a very good financial state and had to be rescued in December 2022 by a number of unnamed investors, source. Also, at the time of writing this README, end of June 2023, VanMoof has halted all sales.
The Bluetooth connection between your smartphone and your VanMoof is encrypted for security purposes. Each time you log into your VanMoof account, this encryption key is being downloaded from VanMoof’s server. If these servers will go offline one day - for whatever reason - the encryption keys are lost forever and you have no way of communicating with your bike.
With this tool, we want to make sure everyone can use their VanMoof even after these servers become unreachable - preventing e-waste.
https://github.com/grossartig/vanmoof-encryption-key-exporter
Bankruptcy
Van-oof! E-bike startup VanMoof, unable to pay bills, files for payment deferment in Holland
Ingrid Lunden and Mike Butcher - 11 July 2023
UPDATE: VanMoof has confirmed its application for a suspension of payment and the temporary shutdown of its physical stores. The startup said it would provide more updates shortly.
E-bike startup VanMoof has applied to a local court for an official suspension of payment provision after running out of money, the company has confirmed to TechCrunch.
Is VanMoof about to go “poof”? According to a report in the Dutch publication NRC, VanMoof is not officially bankrupt with this move: This is a particular scheme in the country that is designed to help a company try to avoid that, and give a temporary protection from creditors.
“The court has also ordered a cooling down period (‘afkoelingsperiode’) of two months,” Thijs Plug, global PR lead, told TechCrunch. “Together with the management of VanMoof the administrators are currently assessing the situation in order to find a solution so that VanMoof can continue its activities.”
https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/12/report-vanmoof-has-filed-for-bankruptcy-protection-in-holland/
VanMoof Explores Sale Under Court Protection Because It Can't Pay Bills
Posted by msmash on Wednesday July 12, 2023 01:02PM
swinferno shares a report:
VanMoof – the Amsterdam-based e-bike maker that once bragged about being the “most funded e-bike company in the world” – has turned to the Dutch courts for legal protection in order to give the company time to pay its bills. The company is exploring all possible routes out of its debt, including a possible sale, according to a source familiar with the matter. All options are on the table as the company looks for a path to survival. The company is also temporarily closing its brand stores. Amid rumors of trouble, angry customers descended on VanMoof's flagship Amsterdam store and service center (and former global HQ) on Wednesday to claim their bikes that had been brought in for service weeks ago.