Coincidentally, this past week, VanMoof, the X3 discussed in the article, closed all stores and are on the edge of bankruptcy, with a lot of media attention in the Netherlands.
Beautiful smart bikes, but the quality of components is horrible.
Sadly it is an over-funded (1) company that, it seems, didn't know how to pull back to cash flow positiveness when the music stopped. The bikes, meanwhile, are pretty but aside from the online tracking etc. (now an issue) there are far better options out there, especially for practical day to day travel.
The lesson for the sector is clear - make the economics work because funding rounds need to be based in reality, at least for now.
Yeah very disappointing. I'm e-bike curious but they're all so _ugly_. Something with VanMoof style and a "dumb" drive system would be perfect. Give me a conventional derailleur-and-cassette in the back and an electric drive up front without screaming "this is an e-bike!" in my face and I would be the first in line.
I have a Rad City and I kinda like how stupid looking it is - especially the step through model, which I definitely have. But the nice part is that the bike components are all regular parts. Rad seems to be having serious issues as a company, which is a shame because for the price they’re good frames - but if they go under, it’s not like I relied on them for parts or service anyway.
Anyway digression aside, you might be happiest starting with a bike you like and doing your own conversion - either with a hub motor or a mid drive. Or have a look at REI - their ebike selection mostly look like bikes, with the advantage that they’ll also service them. That’s helpful if the manufacturer kicks it.
Ebikes are ugly (subjectively speaking) because of the battery, but there are significant trade-offs when you design that away, like vendor-locked designs and energy capacity/performance. Assuming battery technology will improve, which seems likely, ebikes should get nicer looking (again, subjectively) in the future.
They offer the same theft-protection/tracking/insurance thing Vanmoof had, but use off-the-shelf bike components. The only thing they lack is the "unlock through Bluetooth"-functionality Vanmoof had.
Have a look at the Giant Fastroad E+ EX Pro - it's no VanMoof style, but a fairly sleek mid-drive city bike with a frame-integrated battery using a 1x11 Shimano GRX groupset and proper brakes. Depending on region it's also fairly quick - here in NZ they provide electric assist up to 45 km/h.
A bike with VanMoof looks and software, but with standard components, would be a great bike. Maybe the standard components need to be improved to make this possible.
lancewiggs|2 years ago
The lesson for the sector is clear - make the economics work because funding rounds need to be based in reality, at least for now.
(1) https://electrek.co/2021/09/01/most-funded-e-bike-company-in...
mulmen|2 years ago
SmellTheGlove|2 years ago
Anyway digression aside, you might be happiest starting with a bike you like and doing your own conversion - either with a hub motor or a mid drive. Or have a look at REI - their ebike selection mostly look like bikes, with the advantage that they’ll also service them. That’s helpful if the manufacturer kicks it.
georgeoliver|2 years ago
alphager|2 years ago
They offer the same theft-protection/tracking/insurance thing Vanmoof had, but use off-the-shelf bike components. The only thing they lack is the "unlock through Bluetooth"-functionality Vanmoof had.
Chilko|2 years ago
DANmode|2 years ago
freilanzer|2 years ago
whazor|2 years ago