We're on own. Does anyone have electrical expertise to try to get these bikes working again?

[jmullins]

Hi
I have an S3 and let the battery drain too far it seems. Now when I try to charge it the light on the charger is green most of the time though for a bit of time it went back and forth between red and green. I could not get the bike to connect to the app, though again for a time it would flash "connected", though just for a moment. it never really connected.

The bike fairly consistently shows the skull image and every now and again makes a noise when on the charger. Initially the bike was locked and yelled at me when I tried to move it, now it is unlocked, not sure why.

Having tried all other suggestions to reset and get it going I removed the bike from the app. as expected I guess, this did not help either and now I have no bike connection. trying to set it up as a new bike with the QR code did not work. I am in the US (Colorado) and Lavoie has not started any service here, nor have they posted information on the S3 model that I have found. No local bike repair shops are able to help so far. One has been waiting for parts on a Vanmoof for 1 year so far but most won't touch it.

One bike shop has expressed interest in having a look but they want to find out who made the controller and other electrical parts, as they think that contacting that company might result in getting whatever parts might be needed.

Does anyone out there know a path forward? I really like(d) the bike!
Thanks very much
Jim

 

[Mike_V]

Hi Jim,
Yes, I can imagine you like your Van Moof eBike because many people wrote about appreciating the Van Moof designs although often did not purchase because of the price and then product availability and battery complications.
The only suggestion, because I've read of other Van Moof failures, is a new eBike because:
There is another manufacturer of a similar design with Panasonic 18650, I.G.H. ; belt and and mid drive.
Only medium size remains for your consideration.
Mike

Luna Fixed Stealth Ebike

The most Stealthy bike on the market, with a hidden battery and discreet mid drive motor... this bike looks like an ordinary road bike but packs a big punch.

lunacycle.com

 

[Chargeride]

The banned Van Moof advert

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The banned Van Moof advert

Van Moof did not collapse because of a banned advert but because the business model and the e-bike concept were all wrong.

 

[Chargeride]

I didnt even realise that was a suggestion, I was merely posting his point of the power of advertising and the falacy of banning when Van Moof benefited off telling the truth.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I didnt even realise that was a suggestion, I was merely posting his point of the power of advertising and the falacy of banning when Van Moof benefited off telling the truth.

Just to remind everyone why it all went wrong.

When I was beginning my e-bike adventure in 2019, Van Moof was making illegal e-bikes (no speed restriction, too powerful motor) and was selling it, i.a., anywhere in West Europe. The main person behind the brand was writing fiery manifestos why EU regulations were wrong -- to avail nothing. When the German police started confiscating illegal Van Moofs, the brand yielded to the law.

Later turned out, the business model was wrong. Van Moof e-bikes were unreliable, so the warranty cost started to mount. Moreover, Van Moof e-bikes were totally proprietary (you could not fix a Van Moof yourself) and depended on the server connection. Someone had to cover the server cost and it was Van Moof (a wise company would introduce a subscription). Meanwhile, the e-bike price was too low so the revenue could not cover the company cost.

Van Moof went belly up same as many other brands offering "revolutionary design". Yes, Chris, think of it when you plan on your next e-bike purchase.

 

[Chargeride]

Yup, at least the dji is a one off activation, my little drone needs connecting every 9 months or it will stop working.
The electronic hand cuffs that will be in everything eventually.

 

[Chargeride]

Everyone time I read the name, my brain goes to the tv series Van der Valk
This tune is level 10 iconic for older brits.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Everyone time I read the name, my brain goes to the tv series Van der Valk
This tune is level 10 iconic for older brits.

I"ve only watched the new Van der Valk. Liked it a lot, but a bit too dark and edgy for that theme music.

Even so, I came to care about some of the the main characters — which brings me to a major gripe about all modern crime series: Something nice finally happens to a character, and they get to enjoy it all of 10 seconds before some new personal tragedy sweeps it away.

You know, like they finally meet a soul mate, but their dog gets run over in the very next scene.

 

[Chargeride]

Leaves you in constant fear of calamity, eventually you stop caring to protect yourself.
Anyway enough of my bike builds, I didnt know there was a new version.