The VanMoof is driven by a front hub motor. In European markets, continuous power is limited to 250 watts. If you go into the app and select the US setting and swipe away a disclaimer, the motor will allow the full 350 W of continuous power. Peak power is 500 W, and when you hold down the Boost button on the right handlebar, the motor puts out a healthy 43.5 foot-pounds of torque, about double what you could get out of the older S2 and X2. When red lights turned green, I could launch ahead of any car next to me. The standard electric pedal assist was strong enough to easily bring me up to a comfortable speed from a standstill in normal riding, though, so I only tended to activate Boost when I had to dip into traffic, get ahead of a car quickly, or ride up a hill.
Both the S3 and X3 have available front and rear racks that you can buy as accessories. So, you can attach pannier bags, cargo boxes, or a child seat if needed.
Thieves Beware
As a security measure, the rear brake locks when you tap the button with your shoe.
Photograph: VanMoof
VanMoof does not want your bike to get stolen. Everything except the handlebars and seat post are held together by security bolts and nuts that require unusually shaped tools, so a thief is unlikely to have the kind of screwdriver required to steal your bike parts. The headlight and taillight—which can be programmed to turn on and off automatically—are integrated into the frame and can't be easily stolen, either. The tires are puncture-resistant Schwalbe Big Bens that live underneath metal fenders with integrated mud flaps. I ran through a few mystery puddles to test out the fenders and made it through dry.
There's also a kick lock on the rear hub that you tap with your foot. It locks the rear wheel so it can't turn and activates the antitheft system. If anyone touches the bike when it's locked, it blasts out a very loud, angry sound that will likely scare everyone nearby. If a thief isn't deterred by the judgmental stares or an immobile rear wheel, and they drag the bike down the sidewalk for a full minute (why so long, VanMoof?), a more persistent alarm will blare, the headlight and taillight will flash, a notification will pop up on your phone, and the bike will be rendered unusable. If this happens, VanMoof will have to reenable the bike for you.
