A not X, Halo not Matrix: Will This Be the Big Move for Vanmoof?

“The new generation marks a huge leap forward, with tech designed to make city riding as effortless as possible. The network of intelligent sensors and responsive parts in every S5 & A5 all work together to give you a highly intuitive ride. Riding these bikes will give people a new sense of ownership of their cities.” With these words, Ties Carlier, co-founder of the bike manufacturer Vanmoof, outlines the expectations for the successors to the S3 and X3 in a post on the company’s blog. We take a look at the new bikes to find out whether this promise can be fulfilled.

It has been about two years since Vanmoof improved the hardware of the then current models S3 and X3. After that, at the latest, work on the new generation probably began. According to the manufacturer, this was so profound that the leap from old to new should also be visibly conveyed to the outside world by passing the number 4 as the model designation. Whether this was absolutely necessary is for each of you to decide.

1. Models: The new frame duo S5 and A5
2. Motor: More power with larger gear steps
3. Battery: Range of motion remains the same
4. Charger: Longer mandatory break for charging in future
5. Operating concept: Goodbye display
6. Security: Effective protection against thieves
7. Accessories: Several in the pipeline

1. Models: The new frame duo S5 and A5

In any case, two bikes were presented again – the S5 and the A5. Not surprisingly, the S5 is an ebike with a diamond frame, directly inspired by the S1, S2 and S3. The frame of the A5, on the other hand, is completely new. Vanmoof calls it the bike with the lowest entry so far. Nevertheless, the replacement for the X3 is by no means a low-step. A trapezoidal frame describes it much better. When getting on, you no longer have to swing your leg over the rear wheel and saddle. However, a certain degree of mobility remains a basic requirement. At the lowest point, the distance between the ground and the top tube is 62 centimetres. That’s how high you have to get your legs in order to step up over the top tube at the front.

It is said that Vanmoof left no stone unturned during the development and questioned all previous solutions. In fact, changes have been made pretty much everywhere: new three-gear automatic shifting, new operating concept, revised frame, more powerful motor, improved security features and and and. At the same time, the quality of the individual components and the workmanship of the entire bike should now meet higher standards. A glance at the unpolished weld seams initially gives rise to a certain scepticism about such statements. There is talk of 231 new parts. Attention spoiler: Finally, this includes a front light that meets the requirements of the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). Until now, you had to carry an additional lamp to be fully compliant with the law.

No longer for giants in the first place

When a manufacturer praises its work, it is difficult for us to assess what the majority of you consider to be an improvement without having ridden the bike ourselves. For some statements, however, it is quite easy to judge on the basis of reliable figures. Vanmoof has definitely taken a step forward when it comes to the question of who a bike like the new S5 is basically suitable for. Until now, this has tended to be tall people. The reason for this was the geometry of the bike frame. At 86 centimetres, the vertical distance between the centre of the top tube and the ground used to be very large. This is known as the standover height. To put it simply: If your inner leg length is 86 centimetres or less, your crotch will touch the top tube when you are standing with an S3 between your legs. To ensure the correct sitting position on the bike, there should actually be a distance of at least four centimetres.

Well, Vanmoof has lowered the standover height of the S5 by exactly these four centimetres. In addition, the seat tube is almost three centimetres shorter. Getting on and off the bike, as well as riding, becomes much easier for people who are closer to 1.70 metres tall than they are to the two-metre mark. The manufacturer names the range between 165 centimetres and 210 centimetres in height as the one for which the new model is suitable.

The change in wheel size from 28 inches to 27.5 inches also plays a role here. Another striking feature is the much steeper angle in the stem. This means that the handlebars are now higher, which leads to a more upright riding position than on the S3.

Is lower low enough?

This lowering of the size of the onesize frame continues with the A5. The X3 must be taken as a reference point here. This was considered by many to be visually untouchable. However, with a standover height of around 76 centimetres, Vanmoof’s recommendation for people with a body height of 155 centimetres was rather optimistic. And what good is design brilliance if it is unrideable? All the more so, as here too the only possible way up was to swing up with an outstretched leg over the rear wheel and saddle. With the smaller A5, Vanmoof noticeably enlarges its target group. Whether they will also like the unusually small 24-inch wheels remains to be seen.

2. Motor: More power with larger gear steps

With regard to the motor, on the other hand, a basic constancy dominates. The manufacturer continues to rely on a unit in the front wheel hub. At the push of a button, you can elicit the maximum of its power from it with the turbo boost button. In the fifth generation, this is the usual 250 watts with an increased 68 Newton metres of torque. For everyday use, however, the new torque sensor will be of greater importance. It notices the energy you are investing and uses the data to decide which gear the automatic gearshift system should choose in a given situation. There are now only three gears to choose from instead of the previous four. This reduces the number of gear shifts and increases the life of the gearbox. However, we cannot judge from a distance how the new gear ratios perform in practice.

3. Battery: Range of motion remains the same

Since the performance data of the motor have not changed fundamentally, the entire ebike system should require about the same amount of electricity as before. Perhaps the torque sensor will provide a little more efficiency. In itself, however, there is little to be said against Vanmoof’s decision not to significantly tinker with the battery capacity. 504 watt-hours on the S3 have become 487 watt-hours on the S5. The frame of the A5 apparently offers a little less space. That’s why the battery there is smaller at 463 watt-hours. Converted into range, the manufacturer states 150 kilometres in eco mode for the S5. If you use the highest support level all the time, you can expect a maximum of 60 kilometres. These values correspond to those of the S3 and X3. With 140 kilometres and 55 kilometres respectively, the new A5 is only marginally behind.

4. Charger: Longer mandatory break for charging in future

On the other hand, we had to gulp a little when learning how long a complete charging process is now supposed to take. Six and a half hours. For some people, that is more than a full working day. Previously, you had to reserve a maximum of four hours for this. However, the previous charger also had a charging current of four amps. With the new standard charger, it is only half as much. Since the battery can still not be removed, charging only works directly on the bike. Vanmoof has relocated the charging port on the S5 and A5 to a rather unusual place. You will find the socket where the seat stay and seat tube meet. Very accessible and much more convenient than the dreaded fumbling around looking for the charging port on the down tube.

5. Operating concept: Goodbye display

Vanmoof has almost completely changed the way you operate the e-drive. A control unit embedded in the top tube was virtually part of the Vanmoof DNA. Now there is a change to a handling that takes place entirely on the handlebars. Two LEDs in the form of a semicircle are integrated to the left and right of each grip. Vanmoof calls this the Halo Ring Interface. The left unit interacts with the battery, the right one with the motor and gears. For example, the left part of the Halo Ring Interface lights up completely in a white tone when the battery is fully charged. Over time, the semicircle decreases until it is only a quarter circle and so on. The lowest area lights up red. When you reach it, you know that now is the time to charge.

With the help of the halo on the right, you can roughly estimate your speed. Vanmoof is focusing on those who don’t care about numbers and statistics while cycling. For these people, the riding experience should remain as simple as possible. For example, the semicircle will probably be completely illuminated, regardless of whether you are cycling at 25 km/h, 30 km/h or 45 km/h. The differentiation only begins below the threshold of 25 km/h.

6. Security: Effective protection against thieves

Extensive work has also been done on the Kick Lock, the immobiliser of the S5 and A5. And luckily you still have permission to kick your bike? The easiest way to trigger Kick Lock in future is still to kick gently and deliberately against the slightly protruding bolt near the rear dropout. The manufacturer has made the bolt more solid than before. Most importantly, it now unlocks automatically. As soon as you get close enough to the bike and it senses your smartphone, the pin retracts and releases the wheel. In the past, you had to move the bike to unlock it.

If someone uninvited tries to tamper with the locked ebike, the alarm bells will go off in the truest sense of the word. The speakers – yes, now two instead of one – start up and make a lot of noise. The front headlight lights up three times short, three times long, three times short, sending SOS signals. In addition, the halo ring interface lights up red. With that much trouble going on, the vast majority of thieves should be effectively deterred.

7. Accessories: Several in the pipeline

Apart from the actual launch of the S5 and A5, Vanmoof has hinted at what accessories you can expect in the near future. For many, the aforementioned smartphone mount will be of interest. Although this requires a matching smartphone case from SP Connect. In return, a USB-C port is supposed to be integrated, with which you can charge the phone while riding.

Several carrier racks have also been announced. A universal front carrier that can carry a load of up to ten kilograms. A rear carrier specifically for the A5 and S5 that can carry a maximum of 15 kilograms. There is also talk of a heavy-duty rear rack that can carry up to 27 kilograms. The tail light would then be integrated into the carrier. Once again, the S5 and A5 require different versions. Both can probably be combined with the corresponding panniers.

Clicking instead of lashing

Vanmoof has probably freed its additional battery from the annoying Velcro fasteners and cable connection. The new Click-On battery can be clicked into the frame triangle above the bottom bracket. However, its 3.7 kilograms mean a not inconsiderable additional weight. In return, there are 463 watt hours, which basically doubles the range. So that charging two batteries does not become an ordeal, we recommend the quick charger with five amps. It shortens the charging time of a battery to 4.5 hours. In just one hour, the battery is half charged. When asked, Vanmoof did not disclose the price of the products listed and when exactly they will be available.

What is certain is the basic price for the new S5 and A5. It is 2,498 euros, 150 euros more than the S3 and X3. Incidentally, the very first electrified S1 from 20216 costed 2,698 euros.

New generation of Vanmoof ebikes at a glance

• Models: A5, S5
• Motor: front hub motor, 250 W
• Battery: 463 Wh (A5), 487 Wh (S5)
• Display: Halo Ring Interface
• Drivetrain: 3-speed automatic, manual shift included, Turbo Boost
• Brakes: hydraulic disc brakes
• Maximum permissible total weight: tba
• Colour: Gray

 

Pictures: Vanmoof B.V.