Biking around Oosterpark

Last week I noticed a lot of noise online about a certain new ebike. I just bought some lunch near Javastraat. Why not swing by VanMoof and see if this new S3 that all the fuzz is about has arrived yet?

Yes they have! The S3 in front and the X3 behind it.

In 2018 I booked my test ride for the S2 online, you can do the same for the S3 this year.

I got lucky, they had a bike available for me on the spot. A matter of scanning a QR code, entering my email address (I have yet to receive ‘spam’) and roll! The VanMoof people were so kind to raise the saddle for me even without my request. Superb service.

I used to live in the neighbourhood, so it was cool to revisit some favourite spots and take some photos with the beautiful ‘summer like’ days we have been experiencing in Amsterdam this April.

It was a breeze getting the bike up to speed, the new S3 is a four gear powered automated shifting machine. I chased a NIU escooter, powered by the local felyx sharing scheme. Click to roll the short video below.

Getting to 32km/h is easy and comfortable, and keeping it at speed requires little effort. The fourth gear definitely helps here. I also used the boost button quite a bit, and was able to keep up with the escooter for a kilometer before ‘I had to let it go’.

What I like about the boost functionality is that it is very fluid and strong, and even when you are cruising at support mode 0 or 1 (out of 4) you can use it. If it can take on a NIU for the first seconds that’s a good sign.

The elevator test

I wanted to try the Zoku elevator with the bike but they didn’t let me in. Took a picture halfway though. Why the elevator? Well, VanMoof decided that even the third generation doesn’t need a removable battery. Taking the bike into an elevator will be a very regular experience for a lot of people, because they want to charge up!

Such a quiet ebike

I predict you will notice some sound of the brakes during daily usage. Compared to my regular Gazelle Esprit bike with rollerbrakes the new VanMoof design seems a bit noisy. The fact that you notice the breaks though says a lot about the machine. It’s very quiet.

Size references

To show you how the VanMoof impacts your city/neighbourhood I took some sample photos with other electric vehicles.

I’m very fond of shared vehicles like the one below, yet they are still much bigger than (e)bikes.

A Nissan Leaf powered by MyWheels next to the VanMoof S3.

The ultimate two person ebike(?)

A relatively young brand of ebikes in Amsterdam is doppio. They call themselves the ultimate two person ebike. Well that is definitely not a VanMoof skill.

I guess doppio thinks that two people on a bike always love eachother, because otherwise…!

doppio vs. VanMoof In front of Pizzabakkers.

Pure relaxation

I wanted to try a hill and since the only ones you can find in Amsterdam are bridges I ended up behind the Artis zoo. Easy does it, although I wanted to find out if you could actually race a steep bridge. Not really was my conclusion (boost helps though) for now but I’ll have to do a more thorough ride in the future to be able to tell you more.

Two samples

When I returned, another employee started talking to me. I asked her about the shifting because at some point during the ride it did make some noise. VanMoof is still looking into it, they say it can happen during the shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. Hard to check because the bike gives no indication. I even tried to record the sound but it came up so seldomly that I wasn’t able to. It might have to do with the force you’re putting on the pedals, when recording I might have not stressed it so much and this adds to the smoothness of the experience.

Bye number one

And time for number two!

In the back the dark S3 with the elevated handlebar, it’s waiting for me!

Which colour you like more is obviously going to be personal. But I’ll give you some photos so you can at least get a better idea of the view. What do you think?

I definitely like the positioning better this way. Even though I would love for the handles to be bent (even) more to the ‘inside’. I hope that VanMoof is reading too because I think the side stand could have been moved a bit more vertical. Right now you really need a flat surface to keep the bike steady. Proof below.

Because it’s more obvious if you change the angle. Here the surface is not completely flat. Very typical Amsterdam.

Imagine a hush of wind from the side. — Imagine a *hush* of wind from the *side*.

I went digging for some examples of bikes with a different attitude only to find this one in the archive.

Some parked bikes at Javastraat, Amsterdam. The Devil is in The Details.

My recommendation to VanMoof would be to go for this kinda stance for the S4 next year (or 2022).

The Gazelle Esprit has you covered. But lacks an electric assisted engine.

Of course I tried a lot of random parking spots and it turned out fine. So don’t you worry.

Strolling around Amsterdam. Where are the kids?

I also scouted some more electric vehicles to put it up against. What do you rather use on your daily commute, do you still go out at all?

Not a fair fight

One day in Amsterdam should teach you to never take that car again. Riding a VanMoof, and the question is will you ever want to bike again without assistance? This is the cruise control you never thought you wanted. I still have many friends ‘against’ ebikes. They haven’t tried the VanMoof I can tell you that! The Dutchies are so addicted to their old skool bikes, they think they know it all. They don’t!

The power of slow

I was happily surprised when I entered the Oosterpark. I went through one of the side entrances where you really have to slow down to get in. Many ebikes struggle when you go slow. Not the VanMoof!

I hope to have more time with the bike

Soon. So I can take it to the beach. Up a (real) hill (if I can find one) But most importantly, so I can take the bike up the elevator into my house on the third floor to charge. That has to work, right?

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Tried to match the bike frame with the sunlight.

About that stance. See you soon VanMoof!

Previous experience

Other than biking for over thirty years around Amsterdam, I’d like to share with you specifically my assisted biking experience. It started when I was just fifteen years old and my mom bought the Spartamet. When the cops spotted me I pushed the ‘engine off’ button and started pedaling like crazy. I survived, but I never went far.

In recent years I’ve tried Urbee quite a few times. It’s a small bike, and the front engine feels much less comfortable than the VanMoof one. Of course being a shared bike it will never feel as luxurious as a personal one would. They do offer monthly paid ones now.

Back in 2018 I did try out the VanMoof S2, but mainly for some circling around the Oosterpark (next to the VanMoof Amsterdam shop). The S3 is definitely a step up.

Recently a friend came over with the Cowboy. The big difference being obviously the easily swapped battery, which makes a lot of sense living in Amsterdam. But the naked design, cool as it might look. Just imagine days of rain. We actually cycle in the rain you know.

The pricing ‘miracle’

How ofter have I tried a follow-up product (like the S3 coming after the S2 in 2018) that was priced significally below the previous version? The answer might be never. VanMoof sells the S3 around the €2000,- price point. Which is a sweet drop from the €3000+ that the S2 had for some time. What does the future hold, I’m very curious!

Anyway, I hope to be back with a full review!

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First ride with VanMoof S3 ebike around Amsterdam