Like among the finest client tech from the final decade, I didn’t know I wanted an e-bike till I used to be on one, breezing down the bike lane considering my newfound freedom.
Before shopping for a Nintendo Switch, I might have by no means guessed how a lot a candy-colored gaming console that I might come out of a dock and into my backpack for lengthy flight would fill me with pleasure. An e-bike, notably this e-bike, the VanMoof X3, looks like that.
I reside in Portland, Oregon, land of ample bike lanes and bare bike rides. When I first moved right here, I biked in all places, however that behavior slowly dissolved over time. First, I purchased a automotive for weekend tenting journeys, which slowly turned weekday errand operating.
A number of years later, I received identified with a persistent sickness and immediately discovered myself a lot much less assured in what my physique might do and the place it might comfortably take me. Over time, my bike would solely see a handful of rides a season on lovely days, once I’d at all times sigh and assume I want I biked extra — it makes me really feel good!
Before testing the X3, I’d discover excuses to drive brief distances as an alternative of using my bike. What if I received drained and didn’t really feel like biking residence? What if it begins pouring rain? What’s if it’s too sizzling? What if I’m too sweaty once I get to the workplace? Riding an e-bike erases most of these issues outright.
The X3 is an easy sufficient experience that I can nonetheless zoom to work if it’s 95+ levels out. It’s quick sufficient that I can get out of a shock rainstorm rapidly if want be. If I don’t need to be sweaty at the beginning of the day, I can lean on candy, candy electrical energy to whisk me away, rolling as much as my workplace with out breaking a sweat.
And it may possibly’t go unspoken that going quick on a motorcycle — the entire time, with as a lot or little effort as you’re feeling like placing in — is absolutely, actually enjoyable. If you haven’t had an opportunity to strive an e-bike, know that the feeling of effortlessly zipping round, electrical energy near-imperceptibly buzzing beneath you, is tough to explain and finest skilled first-hand.
VanMoof’s good-looking pair of excessive tech bikes, the X3 and its bigger cousin the S3, are removed from the one choices available on the market, so a few of their pluses would maintain true for any electrical bike. But that doesn’t make the VanMoof interchangeable both. The VanMoof X3 has a really particular look, really feel and have set that can completely go well with a sure type of rider (myself included) however different e-bike customers will nonetheless need to play the sector. We’ll get into that — right here goes!
Matrix show reveals battery life, velocity and different key data.
APPEARANCE
I examined the VanMoof X3 over the S3 not by selection — its geometry is slightly wacky wanting in footage — however as a result of I’m 5’4″. The X3, which inserts anyone from 5′-6’5″, is slightly smaller and fewer conventional wanting than the S3, which fits anybody taller than 5’8″. The X3 has 24″ wheels reasonably than the S3’s 28″ wheels and it has slightly bungee-corded platform within the entrance the place presumably you may carry one thing, however I nonetheless don’t know what (You can even purchase an add-on entrance basket that slots in there and appears very cute.)
Like most e-bikes, the X3 is way, a lot heavier than a standard street or commuter bike. The listed weight is 45.8 lbs and also you’ll really feel each pound of it when you ever want to hold it very far. I reside in a standalone home in Portland, Oregon and needed to carry the X3 down a really brief entrance step to experience it — completely effective!
I used to reside in a fifth ground walkup in Brooklyn and carrying it up or down that may have been unimaginable. If you’ll be able to’t retailer the X3 (or most any e-bike) round floor degree with entry to a charger, it won’t be a superb match for you. (Note that in our footage, the small platform above the chain space is the place an elective exterior battery pack, mentioned later, sits. The platform is detachable.)
Though on paper I’d want the look of the S3, the X3 doesn’t look unusual in any respect IRL, whether or not parked or with anyone using it. It’s cute, futuristic however not conspicuous and will get loads of compliments. My spouse described its aesthetic as “Death Star chic” and whereas I don’t completely know what meaning, she’s not incorrect. On the best way to my workplace a sanitation truck driver rolled down his window to bellow “HEY—THAT’S A REALLY COOL BIKE.” Thanks, my dude!
The present technology of VanMoof e-bikes are coated in matte paint and you may select between a traditional, attractive matte black or a pleasantly cheery matte mild blue. A earlier model of the bikes used shiny coating, however apparently the matte is meant to be extra scratch resistant. The paint does appear fairly robust although it’s not completely bombproof. Somehow the handlebars picked up slightly nick within the paint, although I nonetheless don’t know the place it got here from or what did it (owls?).
Something vital to notice is that neither the VanMoof X3 or S3 appear to be e-bikes. They don’t have an unpleasant bulge jutting out from the body and the highest tube and down tube are each thick however uniform — and never so thick you’d assume twice about it.
The digital elements are nestled away within the body and even the drivetrain is tucked away and enclosed. And whereas there’s a deeply cool LED matrix show embedded within the prime tube, solely the rider actually sees it. For anybody searching for an e-bike that doesn’t scream e-bike!!!! the VanMoof is likely one of the finest selections if not the only option you may make. It’s an superior wanting bike — not simply an superior wanting e-bike.
VanMoof X3 within the metropolis of roses.
RIDING
The VanMoof X3 is a nice-looking bike — you get it. But what about, you already know, the biking? I can confidently report that from the primary time you hop on it to your twentieth commute to work, the X3 is an absolute pleasure to experience.
As an e-bike newcomer I had reservations. Would the electrical help cheapen the magic of using a motorcycle? Do I actually need a bike doing the shifting for me? As it seems, fairly the other and sure, completely.
The VanMoof X3 (and its sibling the S3) offer you an electrical enhance whereas pedaling — you’ll nonetheless be pedaling nevertheless it feels enticingly simple and also you’ll go sooner with much less effort. The bike additionally encompasses a Turbo Boost button on the right-side handlebar that provides you a giant enhance on prime of the smoother regular digital help, as much as 20 miles per hour within the U.S.
You can select the quantity of assist that you really want. Using the VanMoof app, which we’ll get to, or a bodily button, you’ll be able to choose what degree of energy help you’d like from zero to 4. Zero is you pedaling a heavy-ass bike alone with no assist (it sucks) and 4 makes all the things really feel really easy there’s virtually no option to break a sweat.
In my time testing the bike, I’d use “two” once I felt like getting a little bit of a exercise with additional pep in my pedal, 4 once I was in a rush to get to my co-working area within the mornings and three the remainder of the time, like using to brunch on a weekend. Being ready to decide on the extent of pedal help is a big perk and it makes the bike really feel versatile for various makes use of.
The kick lock button, again wheel and enclosed chain.
Whatever mode you’re on, the turbo enhance button is a killer function. It flattens steep hills and makes it really feel method safer to zip throughout busy intersections the place you’re unsure drivers are paying consideration. It’s enjoyable and superior for secure, defensive metropolis using.
It takes slightly bit to get used to the automated digital shifting however that’s silky easy too. I initially assumed that, like many issues that labored completely effectively earlier than having some extraneous “smart” high-tech nonsense draped over them (fridges! lamps! vibrators!) the expertise would fail simply typically sufficient to be a nuisance.
After a protracted interval of testing, I can report that the X3 rides as easy and seamless as ever. Every every so often I’d crunch down on the pedal or a gear received’t catch straight away nevertheless it’s tremendous uncommon. You may even use the app to customise when the bike shifts up and down and it’s price enjoying round with that to seek out one thing that feels excellent.
What else? The X3’s most assisted velocity is within the U.S. is 20 mph (32km/hr), however anybody in Europe can be restricted to 15.5 mph (25km/hr). The U.S. velocity feels nice and it’s painless to stand up to 20mph and keep that velocity with the X3 in a method I’d should destroy my quads to handle in any other case, even on my zippy non-electric street bike.
Beyond that, the seat may be very comfortable and the experience is pleasantly upright and pure. After using the X3 for some time I had a tough time going again to hunching over on my (cute) little Bianchi and pined for the comfortable experience I’d gotten so used to.
Tail mild from the long run.
VALUE
The VanMoof X3 is a wonderful worth, all issues thought of. The firm has a bizarre behavior of tinkering with its pricing, however after a redesign and a colossal value drop in 2020 ($3,398 to $1,998 on the time) the bikes really feel very effectively priced. Now they’re retailing for $2,298 — $300 greater than the earlier value however nonetheless a effective deal for anybody searching for a really full-featured e-bike with out spending greater than round $2,000.
That’s not very way more than you’d spend on an everyday bike, sans electrical energy and plenty of, many cool bells and whistles. And when you’re into increased finish bikes, it might even be loads much less. It’s additionally considerably lower than the excessive finish of e-bike competitors, which the VanMoof bikes really feel like they compete with, even with the wallet-friendlier price ticket.
Still, it’s type of disturbing that VanMoof is quietly messing round with the pricing with the bikes already out within the wild. It would suck to plan to purchase one solely to see the worth shoot up earlier than you’d pulled the set off.
The firm must be extra clear about this, giving set future dates for deliberate value modifications. There additionally appear to be updates inside generations of the bikes, so an X3 you purchase now would possibly differ from an X3 you may purchase in 2020. That’s complicated and all of it must be made clearer someplace apparent on the web site.
The VanMoof app’s in-app experience monitoring and abstract stats.
RANGE
One of the largest issues with an e-bike (or an e-anything!) is vary. VanMoof says the X3’s vary is 37 miles utilizing “full power” and as much as 93 miles in economic system mode. If you’re getting 93 miles out of the battery, you most likely aren’t even utilizing the pedal help in any respect, so you’ll be able to simply toss that quantity out. The low finish estimate of 37 miles is perhaps slightly beneficiant for somebody who’s utilizing the bike on the fourth energy help degree and smashing the turbo enhance commonly, however 35-45 miles feels about proper from my testing (often mode 3 or 4, often 2, mild use of turbo button).
The vary feels good. Even utilizing the X3 most days out of the week, charging is rare sufficient to by no means really feel annoying. In my case, that meant every day brief rides (2.5-5 miles, often) and the occasional longer experience (10-20 miles). If you’re utilizing the X3 or S3 to commute to work someplace that’s farther away, you’re going to seek out your self plugging in additional. Even so, I by no means received right into a state of affairs the place I used to be involved that I’d run out of battery removed from residence. And even when you do, you’ll be able to nonetheless pedal the bike — it’s simply actually heavy. Most individuals will most likely cost up in a single day, however you’ll be able to refill the battery in 4 hours if you might want to.
Something to notice is that you just’ll plug in a wall charger on to the bike to cost it. For anybody who can’t cost and retailer the X3 on floor degree, know you’ll have to hold the entire dang bike to an outlet. The lack of a detachable battery is perhaps a strike in opposition to the VanMoof bikes for people who reside in walk-ups or small residences, however for individuals with someplace simple to retailer it, this wasn’t one thing I believed twice about.
While the built-in vary is completely ample for lots of use instances, VanMoof simply launched an exterior add-on battery pack for each the X3 and S3. The battery slots into slightly platform, pictured beneath and mounted on our take a look at bike, and it extends the X3’s vary significantly. VanMoof sells the PowerBank accent for $348. The factor isn’t small — it weighs six kilos — however VanMoof says it’ll offer you anyplace from 28 to 62 miles of additional vary. Again, virtually no person goes to hit the excessive finish of this, however even on the low finish it virtually doubles the bike’s current vary.
External PowerBank through VanMoof
The PowerBank is large and fairly clunky. It doesn’t look terrible, nevertheless it positively makes the X3 appear to be an e-bike. It’s not elegant just like the detachable battery on the Cowboy, one other extraordinarily good-looking e-bike, nevertheless it’s okay. If all the things else a few VanMoof fits you completely however you want extra vary, it’s nice to have the choice, even when you’ll be shelling out for it.
TECH FEATURES
The tech bells and whistles are one thing that actually makes the VanMoof X3 and S3 stand out from the gang. The X3’s value feels cheap for a dependable, great-looking e-bike, however on prime of that you just’ll be getting an electrical steed with some fairly candy methods:
Matrix show: On the bike’s prime tube an array of LED lights constructed into the steel shows your velocity, battery life and different helpful data. This is a killer function, it’s extraordinarily cool!
Alarm. You can activate an alarm that can *actually growl* at anybody who jostles your bike. It’s intense and actually loud.
Kick lock. You can kick a small bodily button to alarm the bike and lock the again wheel. If you reside in a metropolis with bike theft, somebody might nonetheless toss the bike in a truck simply so this isn’t a single safety resolution (I used a standard mini Kryptonite lock and that labored nice.)
Find My on iOS. If you’re an iOS consumer you’ll be able to monitor your bike’s whereabouts simply. It’s a pleasant function, although ideally in case your bike is well-locked you aren’t going to be messing with this a lot.
VanMoof assist for “Find My” app in iOS
Lights. The VanMoof X3 has nice built-in lights, back and front.
App: Surprisingly, the app is definitely fairly good. You can customise a lot of small issues (bell noise, alarm on or off, shifting preferences), use it to trace your rides and extra. You additionally don’t should be related to the bike with the app to do probably the most important stuff, liking using it, unlocking it and altering your degree of electrical help. I had an occasional connectivity drawback with the app (often on Android) however this was simply resolved and by no means stored me from biking anyplace, although it did imply some rides weren’t routinely tracked. Importantly, you can even monitor your bike’s whereabouts by the app and VanMoof touts this function mixed with its alarm system and restoration workforce for serving to individuals get their bikes again.
Overall, one thing nice concerning the X3 is that the tech options aren’t simply fancy methods — they actually improve the expertise. And even so, they’re elective. You can experience the bike and profit from the facility help with out utilizing the app. You can use an everyday lock and skip the alarm system when you select to, or use a bodily button code to disable it manually. You can change the facility help mode with the identical button. This is all large and allows you to use the e-bike the way you need to. Personally, I’d by no means purchase an e-bike that required connectivity, a telephone or an app to function it; that’s simply asking for hassle.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Shipping and Assembly: The VanMoof X3 and S3 come within the mail in a giant field. The meeting course of was virtually painless — aside from this one actually fiddly bit it’s important to slide into one other fiddly bit which took me the higher a part of an hour and a few looking on the VanMoof subreddit (not the one one with this drawback!)
Extra Support: VanMoof gives three paid plans to maintain your bike in working order and in your possession. You should purchase a three-year upkeep plan for $348, a three-year theft restoration plan for $398 or a mixed plan for $690 (damaged down through VanMoof beneath).
Maintenance: Where you reside must be a significant consideration when enthusiastic about shopping for a VanMoof. In my time testing it for reliability over an prolonged interval, I used to be shocked by how few issues got here up. I needed to fiddle with re-centering the entrance wheel in some unspecified time in the future as a result of a brake pad was rubbing, however except for occasional app connectivity points, that was just about it. Of course, vital put on and tear means any bike may gain advantage from a professional tune up from somebody who is aware of the mannequin.
VanMoof has full-fledged shops in Amsterdam, London, Paris, Berlin, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Tokyo. Beyond its flagship shops, the corporate depends on an increasing community of service facilities and “certified workshops” to take care of its bikes, so you’ll want to test what’s close to you. Personally, I’d need to be close to sufficient to a VanMoof retailer or a minimum of a service middle to ensure my $2,000+ funding and its many, many technological bits might be maintained in good well being. Nobody needs to ship a motorcycle again for repairs, particularly a heavy, technologically complicated one.
Prior to testing out the X3, e-bikes aren’t one thing I’d thought loads about and I wasn’t actually certain who they had been for. I first heard of VanMoof a few years in the past when an in depth buddy and way more critical biker than me purchased one for towing her canine (the goodest lady) on a protracted work commute. We rode to the farmer’s market collectively and her bike appeared very cool, however I used to be skeptical that one thing with a lot expertise beneath the hood might show dependable over time.
Bikes are mechanical and easy — that’s one thing great about them! Could an e-bike actually translate the joyful simplicity of biking into one thing way more excessive tech? As it seems, sure. After take a look at using the VanMoof X3 to get a way of its reliability over time and the way its options maintain up in regular day-to-day use, I remorse my early skepticism.
I don’t know if I can overstate how a lot using an e-bike, particularly this e-bike, enhanced my life in small methods for the higher whereas I attempted it out. Biking extra — and e-bikes do get individuals biking extra — makes me happier and more healthy. Biking extra has helped me ease out of the intensely sedentary pandemic interval into new habits that make me really feel extra related to the world round me. I’m seeing my metropolis with recent eyes, biking to new neighborhoods I’ve by no means explored and appreciating the entire little issues I took as a right. My solely e-bike remorse will not be hopping on one sooner.