Last year, VanMoof launched the S5 and X5 e-bikes and discontinued the older S3 and X3. Aside from the mystery over skipped number four, the biggest issue for potential buyers was the huge price hike.
If you didn’t manage to pick up an S3 or X3 on one of the final sales and you weren’t ready to spend £3298/$3998 on the latest model, you should look at other brands.
Now, however, VanMoof has introduced the “missing” S4 and X4 at a price much closer to the original cost of an S3 or X3. And while they’re not what you might call cheap at £2198/$2498, they’re likely to represent good value for anyone after an e-bike for commuting or cycling around town.
For the uninitiated, the S4 is for taller riders 5ft 7 to 6ft 8 (170-210cm), and the X4 has smaller wheels and an “X” frame design for taller people. small from 5 feet 1 to 6 feet 2 (155-190 cm).
VanMoof
Design-wise, the S4 and X4 look a lot like VanMoof’s other bikes. But there are a few key differences that were necessary to keep the price down.
One of them is a new “adaptive” motor and two-speed internal gear system. That’s half the number the S3 (revised)/X3 had, and one less than the S5/X5. It’s capable of delivering 59Nm of torque versus the S5’s 68Nm, has two handlebar buttons instead of four, and ditches the USB-C port for charging your phone.
But it still has phone support so you can use the VanMoof app as your dashboard (and satnav) while driving.
The biggest change is the range of four new colors: Evergreen, Sunbeam Yellow, Purple Fog and Foam Green. These are not all immediately available, however.
VanMoof
Both bikes will go on sale May 9 directly from VanMoof, but not in the UK or the US.
In the UK, Evergreen (the dark color option) goes on sale in early June, Purple Fog in late June, Sunbeam Yellow in July and Foam Green in August.
VanMoof
It’s similar in the US where Evergreen models will be available in late May, with other colors to follow later. You can sign up to receive notifications for specific colors on the VanMoof website.
The S4 and X4 have VanMoof’s usual “boost” button, automatic LED lights, as well as anti-theft technology which is activated automatically when you engage the fourth-generation lock.
The company claims a range of up to 150km (93 miles) from the 478Wh 36V battery, although this drops to 60km (37 miles) in maximum power mode.
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