10 T 3 JUNE 2022
HorizonEXTRA SPICE
Although the S5’s
integrations are
kind of the point –
the battery, lights
and lock are all
in the frame itself- there’s also a
phone holder for
the handlebars
that turns its app
into a dashboard,
and a battery
extender too.
The best new tech heading your way“At this point,VanMoofisn’t just making ebikes- it’s making icons”
Josh Russell,Editor
TECH-O-METER
VANMOOF
S
£2,298, vanmoof.comThe unique frame design and serious
technological advancements of the VanMoof
S3 made it, in some people’s eyes, the best
ebike ever made; far be it for us to make an
assessment before we’ve even put bum to
saddle, but its sequel might just help the Dutch
maker hold on to that crown. This is a company
not content with simply producing: it is
addicted to reinvention.
Admittedly VanMoof hangs onto the basic
frame design of the S 3 (mostly, at least – see
‘Stepping through’) but remasters it, raising the
ride position and making the wheels slightly
smaller while retaining the integrated lights.
This is a structure that’s solid, strong, discrete
and manages to turn subtlety into something
stunning. Things do, though, get mixed up in
the interface, with what VanMoof calls the Halo
Ring system. These light-up bands hide next to
each handlebar grip and offer in-your-eyeline
info on battery, speed and locking status; said
integrated lock can now be secured with a
single kick of a button.
Speaking of buttons, the nifty turbo-boost
function can be activated on either handlebar,
so you can drag out an extra kick of electric
power when you need it. And if your phone
needs a little more juice, there’s even a USB
Type-C port ready to charge it up. The S 5 is
chilled-out city-riding convenience in a
spectacular package – and one which can
really go if you want to push it.