VanMoof S5 Electric Bike

Nick Odantzis from T3 highlights the VanMoof S5 as a standout urban electric bike, praising its sleek, integrated design and thoughtful features tailored for city riding. He emphasizes the bike’s intuitive controls, automatic 3-speed e-shifting, and innovative safety tech like built-in indicators and advanced anti-theft measures, including Apple FindMy compatibility. The S5 delivers a smooth, stable ride with a comfortable upright position and solid braking, making it ideal for daily commutes and leisure rides. While the bike’s 23kg weight is notable, it contributes to a confident ride rather than feeling cumbersome. Battery range and charging times meet expectations for urban use, though longer trips may require planning. Minor drawbacks include limited color options, the need for proprietary servicing, and somewhat subtle turn signals. Overall, Odantzis regards the S5 as a premium, well-rounded urban ebike that justifies its price, recommending it highly for city riders seeking style, convenience, and smart technology.

NextPit highlights the VanMoof S5 as a stylish, high-quality electric bike that elevates urban cycling with its minimalist design, integrated anti-theft features, and comfortable ride. The reviewer appreciates the bike’s smooth boost mode, solid build, and clever smart functions like the kick lock and Find My network integration, which together create a unique, personable riding experience. However, the S5’s hefty weight and sluggish handling in tight city traffic detract from its agility, and the automatic gearshift—while improved—is still a source of frustration due to lack of manual control. The permanently integrated battery limits charging convenience, though a fast-charge mode partially offsets this. While the range is adequate for typical urban use, it falls short of marketing claims. Overall, the review conveys a cautiously positive tone, praising the S5’s innovation and ride quality but urging potential buyers to weigh its premium price and practical compromises.

Mark Sutton from Cycling Electric highlights the VanMoof S5 as a thoughtfully updated electric bike that balances the brand’s iconic design heritage with modern refinements under new ownership by Lavoie. He praises the bike’s sleek aesthetics, clever anti-theft features like the KickLock and GPS tracking, and the integration of digital elements such as built-in speakers and intuitive light indicators. The review appreciates the smooth, relaxed ride and efficient low-resistance tires, though it notes the front hub motor’s modest torque and the slickness of the tires in wet conditions as minor drawbacks. Sutton also values the expanded after-sales support network, addressing past concerns about servicing proprietary parts. While the S5 isn’t a radical reinvention, it resets VanMoof’s course with a fair price point and solid performance. The reviewer suggests that including utility accessories as standard could broaden its appeal further. Overall, the S5 is recommended for fans of the brand and urban commuters seeking a stylish, tech-forward e-bike.

Dan Seifert from The Verge highlights the VanMoof S5 as a feature-rich electric bike that delivers a solid ride, strong motor boost, and a quiet operation, reflecting notable improvements over previous models. However, he expresses reservations about its steep price and an overabundance of gimmicky features, such as the controversial removal of the iconic matrix display in favor of a new “Halo Ring” interface. The review also points to concerns about the company’s recent bankruptcy and new ownership, which adds uncertainty to the bike’s long-term reliability. Despite the thoughtful engineering updates aimed at robustness and serviceability, the S5 feels somewhat outdated given its two-year-old design and premium cost. Overall, the review conveys a cautiously critical tone, appreciating the bike’s strengths but questioning whether it justifies its price and timing in a rapidly evolving e-bike market.

Tom Morgan-Freelander from Stuff highlights the VanMoof S5 as a stylish and tech-forward electric bike that successfully revives the brand’s minimalist, integrated design ethos. He praises its sleek aesthetics, innovative handlebar LED indicators, and the boost button that delivers quick acceleration, making urban commuting effortless and enjoyable. The built-in lock, alarm, and comprehensive app add layers of convenience and security, reinforcing VanMoof’s reputation for futuristic features. However, the review also notes some drawbacks: the traditional chain drive feels outdated compared to belt-driven rivals, the bike’s weight and non-removable battery may challenge apartment dwellers, and the automatic shifting can be occasionally jerky. While the S5 excels in build quality and urban ride comfort, it faces stiff competition from lighter, more affordable e-bikes with removable batteries and lower maintenance. Overall, the reviewer is enthusiastic about the S5’s design and tech integration but advises potential buyers to consider alternatives for better value or convenience.