VanMoof, the Dutch makers of slick-looking electrical bikes that proved too high-tech to succeed simply two years in the past, is again with two new fashions that assist return the corporate to (a few of) its former glory. The brand new VanMoof S6 and S6 Open (i.e. low-step) are right here. However will riders return?
It’s been an entire two years since VanMoof filed for chapter in 2023 after overrunning its monetary provide strains with hard-to-produce and harder-to-service high-tech electrical bicycles. In 2024, the corporate returned after being purchased out of chapter, at which level VanMoof relaunched its earlier new fashions, the S5 and A5 e-bikes.
On the floor, the brand new S6 line appears to be like fairly comparable, however the variations show to be greater than paint-deep. The bike is described because the end result of VanMoof’s “5 generations and 11 years of e-bike innovation.”
The efficiency figures are the identical well-known Euro-limited numbers we’re used to, with pace maxing out at 25 km/h (15 mph) and a supposed 250W of energy from the entrance hub motor, even when the actual wattage is probably going barely greater. VanMoof claims a max torque of 68 Nm.
The 487 Wh battery is rated for a variety of between 60-150 km (37-93 miles), relying on experience type and energy stage.
To maintain a greater eye on the bike’s cost stage, a brighter halo battery readout provides riders a extra seen reminder of how a lot of their battery cost stays.
The battery isn’t detachable by the consumer, so recharging must happen on the bike.
A 50% cost takes 2 hours and half-hour, whereas a full cost requires a prolonged 6 hours and half-hour.
Whereas the bikes are pedal-assist-only affairs, there may be the traditional VanMoof further energy Enhance Button for a short interval of further amperage, and that characteristic is now refined to assist riders blast off a bit extra aggressively when the sunshine turns inexperienced. Countering that further kick within the pants is a pair of hydraulic disc brakes to assist reign that energy again in when it’s time to decelerate.
The improved auto-shift rear hub takes care of the shifting for riders, predicting (hopefully efficiently) when they should upshift or downshift with mechanical (not electrical) automated shifting between three totally different gears. Constructed-in Apple FindMy depends on the most important distributed community of trackers to assist riders discover their e-bike if it ought to go wandering off with a stranger.
Outdated favorites just like the Kick Lock are nonetheless there, giving riders a fast method to immobilize their bike and forcing thieves to make their getaway on foot (or panel van) due to a locked rear wheel. It’s lengthy been VanMoof’s futuristic tackle the traditional Dutch-style rear wheel lock, however with a slicker design, and now it supposedly works even higher. And naturally, it wouldn’t be a VanMoof if it didn’t supply frame-integrated sensible lights, that are constructed proper into the body tubes.
Whereas the 23 kg (50 lb) S6 line doesn’t supply native body suspension, a 30mm (simply over 1-inch) journey suspension seat put up is offered as an add-on choice. The 2 body kinds are largely similar on the spec facet, although supply totally different wheel sizes with 27.5″ wheels on the S6 and 24″ wheels on the S6 Open. The S6 can assist riders as much as 210 cm (6’10”, or what appears to be often called “common” in The Netherlands), whereas the S6 open can match riders all the way down to 150 cm (4’11”).
Reservations at the moment are open for the brand new S6 fashions, beginning at €150 to carry a spot in line to purchase the €3,298 e-bikes (roughly US $3,750). Three colorways can be found, permitting riders to decide on between blue, mild gray, and black. Deliveries are anticipated to start in August.
