VanMoof S5: Our Full Review of This Smart City Bike

The VanMoof S5 hit the market in 2022 as a response to the reliability concerns that had dogged the S3 for years. VanMoof revised the motor control system, added a torque sensor, redesigned the drivetrain, electronics, controls, and Kick Lock, and then mounted the whole assembly on a tall aluminum frame with 27.5-inch wheels and a built-in 487 Wh battery.

Before this bike could become a mature product, the company went bankrupt in 2023. Under its new owner, the S5 was relaunched with redesigned components, improved quality control, and a rebuilt service network.

Meanwhile, the S6 series has become the latest generation. So in 2026, the S5 is no longer the current flagship model, but a used car whose value depends in part on the specific vehicle you have in front of you.

Jos Mans

Written by: Jos Mans | Published on: September 4, 2026 | 5-minute read

The VanMoof S5 at a Glance

Why the S5 Isn't Just an Improved S3

The S3 sold in very large numbers and drew harsh criticism, especially regarding its electronics and transmission. The S5 was explicitly designed to address these issues, and it changed far more than its appearance suggests: the chassis, engine management, sensors, shifter, controls, and safety features were all redesigned. Treating the two models as a single problematic family does a disservice to the S5.

We must also avoid the opposite exaggeration. The takeover by a new owner did not result in a completely different bike. It remained part of the same S5 generation and is easily recognizable. What has changed are the component choices, quality control, and customer support for the product.

"I wouldn't use a test from 2022 as proof of the reliability of a unit rolling off the assembly line in 2025, and the reverse is equally untrue."

This makes the S5 an unusual product to evaluate. There are actually two stories here: a product story—that of a bike far more refined than its predecessor—and a corporate story, in which the warranty, parts, and residual value became uncertain overnight. While this second story has largely been resolved in practice, it continues to influence what people are willing to pay for this bike. If that makes you uncomfortable, electric city bikes with a more traditional design offer a more reassuring starting point.

Handling: responsive when accelerating, smooth at cruising speed

Acceleration is the S5's most impressive feature. The Boost button takes the bike to the legal limit of pedal assistance in just a few seconds, and it’s more useful than it seems: at a red light, when merging into traffic, when riding into the wind, or on a bridge. Where many urban e-bikes get off to a sluggish start, this one does exactly the opposite.

Once it gets going, the S5 is at its best. The 27.5-inch wheels, long wheelbase, and 23 kilograms all work together to create a stable, smooth-riding bike—much less twitchy than more compact e-bikes. It’s not exactly a fun ride. I’d describe it more as a laid-back commuter bike than an agile city bike. Riders who need to make a lot of turns and maneuver frequently will be better served by the A5.

There are two limitations worth honestly acknowledging. The first is comfort. Without suspension, shock absorption depends entirely on the tires , and saddle, and on rough pavement for kilometers on end, a bike with a suspension fork or seatpost is more comfortable. The second is climbing ability. For crossing bridges or riding on slightly rolling terrain, the front-wheel motor provides enough assistance, but on structurally steep slopes while carrying a load, the difference compared to a powerful mid-drive motor becomes apparent. This isn’t a design flaw, but it’s a limitation you should be aware of before purchasing.

Battery, Battery Life, and the Cost of Integration

The 487 Wh battery is housed within the frame and cannot be removed for everyday use. This is aesthetically pleasing but logistically restrictive, and it’s the first question you need to decide: Can you store the entire bike next to an outlet? If the answer is no, an e-bike with a removable battery makes more sense—regardless of how well the S5 rides otherwise. A full charge from zero takes about six and a half hours, which is roughly an evening or a workday.

The advertised range of 60 to 150 kilometers needs to be qualified. The upper end of this range corresponds to the lowest level of assistance under ideal conditions. Independent tests that made heavy use of the Boost feature came in well below that figure, and that is precisely how most owners actually drive. We explain this mechanism in detail in our article on the gap between advertised range and actual range.

"Plan on the lower end of the range and consider anything above that a bonus."

Integration also comes at the cost of ease of maintenance. A chain drive requires more attention than a belt drive, and proprietary electronics mean that a breakdown can’t be fixed at the local bike shop. So I always factor in repair costs when deciding to buy this bike, because a single electronic module can account for a significant portion of its current value. When compared to the typical annual maintenance costs of an e-bike, it immediately becomes clear why the condition of the electronics matters more here than on a conventional city bike.

S5 refurbished : What Makes the Purchase Decision

Put the bike’s history at the top of your list. Ask for the serial number, date of manufacture, date of first purchase, point of sale, and any documented repairs. An early S5 and a model built or refurbished later by the new company do not have the same risk profile, and the model year listed in an ad says nothing about the actual repairs the bike has undergone.

Next comes the electronics, in this order:

1. Have the battery's actual health and charging behavior tested, rather than relying on the odometer.
2. Thoroughly test the E-Shifter: gears that won't shift, repeated corrections, unusual noises, or the wrong gear being engaged after braking.
3. Make sure the assistance responds immediately and in proportion to the effort.
4. Lock and unlock the Kick Lock several times in a row.
5. Inspect the brakes: rotors, brake pads, pistons, and check for any leaks.
6. Finish by ensuring connectivity: the application must communicate without errors, and the transfer of ownership must be fully completed.

These checks apply to any used e-bike, but they are especially important for this generation of bikes.

One detail is almost always overlooked: The Kick Lock and built-in tracking features do not mean that you meet your insurer’s requirements. Check in advance to see if an approved anti-theft device, a secondary anti-theft device, or a certified tracking system is required.

And that leaves me with a decision to make. A used S5 that costs almost as much as a new , conventional competitor is hard to justify. A bike that has been verifiably inspected, comes with a warranty, and costs a fraction of the original price new is a completely different proposition—and that’s exactly where the difference lies between a refurbished VanMoof and a listing with no paperwork.

Our Opinion in a Nutshell

The S5 remains a pleasant and well-designed bike for those who ride a lot in the city on slightly longer trips, and its quick acceleration comes in handy every day. The main drawbacks are well known: no suspension, a battery that’s fixed to the frame, a chain that requires maintenance, and proprietary electronics.

With the arrival of the S6, the question is no longer whether the S5 is a good bike, but at what price and in what condition it remains so. A bike with documented provenance, battery, and electronics—sold with a warranty—holds its value very well. A bike without documentation, priced close to the new, does not hold its value nearly as well.

Frequently asked questions

About the Author: Jos Mans

Jos is both a writer and a cyclist—and more often than not, he does both at the same time. With thousands of kilometers under his belt and just as many words on paper, he combines his two great passions: being on the road and telling stories.