I’ve had my VanMoof S3 e-bike now for almost exactly eight months and have logged nearly seven hundred miles. The bike is incredibly addictive for reasons I’ve explained in previous posts (hint -- Boost Button). I was an avid cyclist long before getting the S3 in January but now I find myself making excuses to take “just one more ride” before the end of the day or using the bike for an errand I normally would have taken in the car.
The bike is just about as perfect of a city bike as I can imagine but, up until a month ago, it had one well known flaw, the main battery wasn’t removable. Although this does prevent battery theft it also forces owners to find indoor solutions to charging their bikes. Since the bike weighs nearly fifty pounds it was a complete nightmare for owners who lived in multistory buildings with no elevator. The non-removable battery also prevents you from being able to swap out a fresh battery to get more range on longer rides.
The folks at VanMoof solved these problems with their new accessory, PowerBank.
My brother surprised me for my 50th birthday in mid-June with a PowerBank (thanks Bro!). Due to supply chain issues, it wasn’t delivered until about a week ago.
Installation
Installation took about ten minutes and entailed securing a small bracket in the bottom crook of the frame with four small screws. The PowerBank locks into the bracket to prevent theft and secures to the frame with three velcro straps.
Aesthetics
The PowerBank integrates very well with the bike design and the VanMoof app. The app detects when the PowerBank is plugged into the main battery, showing information for both. When the PowerBank is disconnected the app doesn’t show any information related to it.
Performance
The PowerBank weighs in at 6.17lbs. It secures tightly to the frame and there are no rattles thanks to rubber dampeners wherever it touches the bike frame. Due to the low center of gravity of its mounting position you don’t even notice the extra weight while riding, not even in fast turns that you have to lean into.
Since I like a workout when I ride I typically ride on Assist Level 1 or 2. I’ve noticed that on Assist Level 2, with moderate-to-medium usage of the boost button the charge rate of the PowerBank replenishes the main battery at nearly the same rate that I’m expending it. On Assist Level 1 (the lowest level) with the same amount of boost button usage the PowerBank replenishes the main battery faster than I can expend it.
Be aware that if you ride a VanMoof S3 or X3 on Assist Levels 3 or 4 I can imagine that you’ll deplete the battery much faster than the PowerBank can recharge it. This could be an issue for some riders who prefer those higher levels of assist and want to charge while riding.
Convenience
We live in a fifth floor condo with an elevator but it has been very nice not to have to take the bike to our unit to charge it. All I have to do now is remove the PowerBank (which takes under 30 seconds) and walk it up to be charged. I’ll get much less “stink eye” from neighbors who don’t like to see bikes being rolled down the halls.
The PowerBank effectively transforms the S3 from a slick city bike to a fairly capable tourer. Since the additional battery will extend my range to around 80 miles (on Assist 2) and well over 100 miles (on Assist 1) I find I’m considering much longer rides. A friend and I will be tackling the Cannon Falls to Redwing, MN trail in a few weeks. Later this summer I’ll be riding the Munger trail to Duluth, which will be a two day ride.
After spending eight months with the S3 I realize the team at VanMoof are nothing short of geniuses. They've created a machine that not only is a joy to ride but one that modifies rider behavior and it does so unconsciously.
The bike encourages you to drive less and ride more. The amount of freedom and joy the VanMoof S3 has given me this summer is difficult to quantify. The S3 has also has turned out to be a wonderful investment in my health. At fifty years of age I’m more fit than I ever have been in my life in large part because this bike is so much fun and exhilarating to ride.
My Verdict?
The PowerBank only makes this incredible machine exponentially greater. I believe this bike is a tiny glimpse of our future. If this turns out to be true it’s going to be an extremely fun and wild ride.
Interested in Trying a VanMoof Yourself?
If the answer is yes, you can use my referral code (VRR#WY9E-FP78-LTQ0) for a $100 credit towards accessories or Peace of Mind coverage with the purchase of a new VanMoof bike. If you do, I also get a $100 credit towards the purchase of a new bike in the future. Click here for more details on the VanMoof Rider Referral program.
All for now.
With Gratitude,
Eric Vance Walton
(Video from VanMoof, Pictures are original.)
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Let’s Keep In Touch
This is awesome, Eric! The biggest drawback to the E-bike was the battery and how it didn't last long enough for long rides.
This has made a huge difference in merely wanting one and seriously looking at them. Thanks for your always thorough reviews! I hope you don't mind if I tag my friend @lightsplasher for the review! :)
Have a great night!
Thank you @dswigle! This bike impresses me a little more each time I ride it. I did a whole lot of research and the VanMoof wasn't the least expensive of my top three (Aventon Level and Rad Power being #2 and #3) but I'm very happy with my choice.
I've been doing my reading on them and found I can keep on reading and reading! That is a lot of info they have out there!
This is great and I am so happy I stumbled on this! Thanks to you!!!!!!
I'm glad it was helpful! I found YouTube is a wonderful resource for ebike reviews. Due to supply chain problems coupled with huge demand for ebikes, quality control is dicey at the moment for almost all ebike companies. Failure rate is around 5% right now for most brands. The good thing about VanMoof is they make most of their own parts so they have greater control. I just can't believe how expensive comparable bikes are from established brands like Trek and Specialized. They can run anywhere from $5k to over $10k. I bought my S3 before the recent price increase and it was just below $2k.
A pity that we don't have these bikes in South Africa.
I had a serious motorbike accident in 1980 and ended up with one leg that is a bit shorter than the other leg. Spent two years in plaster.
This e-bike will be ideal around town for short rides, but the cost must be astronomical according to our ZAR currency.
Glad that you enjoy it though and you ride dizzying distances.
I'm sorry to hear about your accident! VanMoof doesn't ship to SA but you may be able to arrange for a bike shipping company to ship to your country. It would cost a little more but it might work. Thank you!
Thank you Eric, it's been a problem as I could never run again, but I have learned to cope with it over the years.
The excange rate with our ZAR in South Africa is bad and it will cost too much, as our Rand denomination is about 14 or 15 Rand to the $.
I will keep an eye out over here as something might pop up.
Regards.
Zac.
You're welcome! Ouch, that exchange rate is tough. Hopefully it bounces back. I hope you enjoy the rest of the week!
Oh yeah, every import costs a fortune here and it will not bounce back soon as we have had many downgrades in the investment stakes.
May the rest of the week also be kind to you.
Zac
how are you dear friend @ericvancewalton good afternoon
I remember how much time you have spent reading the specifications of various bikes that you like. You have made a good choice when you acquired this. congratulations on the right choice
I wish you a beautiful afternoon. That you enjoy it a lot
Hey @jlufer! All is well here. The smoke from the wildfires is supposed to blow over today so we'll be happy to have clear skies again. I hope your week is going well so far! Thanks!
I have been looking at an e-bike for a while now and all I have to do is just figure out how to mount a rack on the back of my vehicle and run power lines so that I can recharge it while the vehicle is driving.
Super excited I have a feeling that the weekends will be really nice and I'll have full battery charge.
Pretty amazing adventure if I may say so myself.
I think that would be very achievable. The only issue would be rain/road spray getting into the electrical plugs while you drive. You would need to rig some kind of waterproof cover to keep the water out of the connectors. We're only just scratching the surface on charging solutions. The future is going to be super fun as we see more of these kinds of machines.
Yeah a motorcycle style e-bike is what I'm really interested in. And a simple cover for the connectors is easily made.
I already want something waterproof.
Maybe I need to do E-GanjaBiKes!!!
Blaze it!!!
There are a few really good companies making electric motorcycles on the market now Zero is probably my favorite.
Can I work it off? Yes please... But for $13000 wow that's steep man.
Well I better same my pennies or get a job stripping.
$13k is no small sum. That's why I'm sticking with the ebike. The strip clubs would turn me away. Lol.
Yeah my friend just laughed when I asked him if I can get a job there.
Some brands of E-Bike are sold in supermarkets in my district. Let the battery alone, I am not sure even the bikes are in good quality. Its price is about $350.
For $350 it's probably a less expensive bike with an electric kit attached to make it an eBike. I built my first one in 2010 like this. The battery tech wasn't the greatest at that time and it only had a range of about five miles. The tech has come a long way since then though. That $350 bike is probably 20x better than the one I had a decade ago. The VanMoof feels futuristic though, it's like someone time traveled from 2040 and brought a bike back with them.