[Dwolb]

This is why “not invented here” syndrome can kill an organization:

>one of the main issues with VanMoof’s bikes is that they are custom designed from the ground up

service

>The first of these means it’s virtually impossible for anyone to repair a VanMoof bike themselves

and reliability

>The company has been facing a huge backlash for its models, not least because its bikes appear to be less than robust.

take a huge hit.

And for most teams, it’s really hard to get service and reliability correct out of the gate.

Multiply it by your entire product with its own interdependencies and VanMoof’s fate is very probable.

[em500]

True story. I got their original model X, which they offered as a limited issue in Europe. Near the end of the 2 year warranty period the controller broke (no power assistance at all), and the shop told me it was irreparable since the part was not manufactured anymore. Initially they thought it was just outside the warranty period, and wouldn't offer me any recourse except a store voucher for a few hundred euro. After I looked up the docs to proof it was (just) still within the warranty the were forced to offer me a replacement bike X3 model. Which I promptly sold, and I've been happy with my regular non-ebike ever since.

[hef19898]

Obsolesence after 2 years? Nice, talking about sustainability...

[seagullriffic]

> one of the main issues with VanMoof’s bikes is that they are custom designed from the ground up

The frame, certainly - it has integrated lights and I presume other electronics. I wonder though (and doubt that) about the other components, which are easily sourced and likely off the shelf.

Designing a custom frame for a bicycle isn't uncommon or a bad idea. These bikes are also pretty common here in Europe and they do look good. They're popular, and recogniseable.

The promise being an all-in-one system you barely have to maintain. That isn't a bad or unfair proposition. So it's a shame the company seems to have been badly run.

The linked Reddit post - https://www.reddit.com/r/vanmoofbicycle/comments/14wexfl/la_... - particularly a habit of throwing things out rather than repairing them, and hiring inexperienced staff - might explain quite a bit of this.

Mechanical products like these basically need one thing: high quality parts. A 1/10 record of returns for repair seems like it's the root.

[Tepix]

I have been wondering why there business isn't successful despite them having good marketing. I guess that explains it.