i got myself a 750€ e-bike when corona started to get to work. as a couch-potato i absolutely needed the motor for the whole distance at the beginning. nowadays i only use it for the uphill bits. and as it turns out, im nearly 10 minutes faster with a bike than public transport. i can absolutely recommend e-bike-commuting if you have the option.
Well done mate. Really inspiring to hear someone getting into active transport :). Makes me really feel good about the future. I've had similar experiences finding it quicker to cycle than take public transport.
Agreed, e-biking is thrilling, relaxing and best of all fun. But will you ride when a little bit of wintery snow comes around? Or in the wind driven rain? This is an enduring problem for motorcyclists and scooter riders as well of course. I am curious about preparations some are taking. I am a fair-weather biker FYI. Not even sure how many hard rain rides my DIY e-bikes could handle.
@@beyondfossil sure, weather is a concern, i just take public transport if the weather is bad enough. but thanks to global warming we are down to like 2-6 weeks of winter around here, so snowstorms should be fairly rare.
I think an important aspect of e-bikes is counter-intuitive. I live in NYC and every time I've tried an e-bike, I've been more willing to stop completely for red lights instead of sneaking through. Similar for pedestrians/cars. Instead of being aggressive to maintain my speed, I'm happy to let people past and get back up to speed. This is a huge safety feature for me and why I ended up getting an e-bike.
I had never though about that, since these days my commuting is through woods and fields (where I find zero traffic lights). It's an unexpected but important side effect. Brilliant! Thanks for sharing your findings.
From a Dutch perspective I would say getting up hills is not the main reason to go for an e-bike. ;-) Here, cycling is just a part of life and not necessarily a hobby or a sport. It's just the most convenient way to commute. And an E-bike, regardless of your age or stamina, makes it even more convenient.
Jonas Roothans Yes, as much as I love a good workout, I use my bicycle to commute, and I would rather not show up to the office full of sweat! I turn off the assist on the way back though.
Jonas. You have not been to Yorkshire have you :) went to Holland last year and I'd agree ebikes are not as much use. Too slow on the flat without gears. But here they are great. They just flatten out the hills. Commuted to and from work on one for two years. But I wish we had your cycling infrastructure here.
@@nortonansell Even in the netherlands an ebike can be very nice to have. Had to cycle everyday trhough some fields and always had the wind in the wrong direction. Always. yes you will get where you are but an ebika would have made things much more easy. I bought this may a new bike non electric as i live now in belgium and i will get fit again but i have one of my routes going up a small hill first time i thought "why didn't i buy an electric" But i thought 900 Euro for a bike was already quite expensive ebikes are double that. And Yes my bike is a batavus dinsdag sport so i have no problems going around now. The e version with belt instead of chain was around 3000. Quite a difference in price. For my it replaces my car now and i think an e-bike will do that for many people that cycle or commute for a longer distance like 20km one way. I would do that on a ebike if teh infrastructure was any good like it is in The Netherlands.
@@martijnvangammeren1868 Wind. I completely forgot about that! I've been blown to a complete stand still on a normal bike going up a hill here😆 also last year I got brought to a near standstill going down a hill in gale force winds. Worse thing was it kept changing direction and almost knocking me off. Luckily being a fat lad I have a low centre of gravity 🤣
LIKE if you'd like to see more e-bikes, less cars & SHARE if you know someone that you'd like to get into cycling! E-bikes are no passing phase. We asked Helen to investigate and gave her one of the slick Van Moof S3 electric bikes to help her along the way. The brand new Van Moof S3 has a minimalistic, but clever, design with everything integrated into the frame. It comes with some swanky features and is bursting with cool tech, but what will Helen think when she takes it for a ride around the streets, and up one of the most challenging climbs in the Surrey Hills? *Timestamps* 00:00 The Rise of E-Bikes 02:31 History of the Humble Bicycle 02:46 What is an E-Bike? 03:21 Cycling in a Post-Pandemic World 05:14 The Van Moof S3 05:45 Swanky Modes 07:13 Bike Hunters 08:21 Time for a Ride 09:21 What's the but? 11:19 Helen's Hill Challenge 12:59 Not out of Breath! 13:44 In Summary 15:00 Helping People Enjoy Cycling 15:42 A Developing Technology 16:50 No Threat to Conventional Cycling
Love to see more reviews of Ebikes by "people who want to use them". But why did FC pick an avid cyclist, who clearly was embarrassed to be associated with an Ebikes? Since she inferred its just for "old farts" with one leg in the coffin. So why didn't Rob do the review instead? So please at least find someone who has or wants an Ebike. And who will mention, what type of gear shifting it has or not (google it suppose have some type automated shifty). And exactly why could seat not be replaced? The reviewer seems like a lovely person and cyclist, but she was so wrong for reviewing Ebikes.
N C we have run multiple e-bike episodes over recent years with multiple different presenters. Sadly as a ‘slightly’ older man, Robert is unable to film 120-150 episodes a year and we have to share it across the team. Also if you look at the comments you will see that a very many people loved Helen’s approach to this. Sadly, you can’t please all of the people all of the time. Thanks, Dan
I'm not sure it's a replacement for anything in particular, but in good weather it might be preferable to taking public transportation, depending of course on one's journey.
Well it is for certain applications like commuting alone to work during summer, but good luck driving around a family with groceries on this or using it in the winter.
@@Neil2022 There are "fat tire" e-bikes that seem to do very well in snow. The fatter the tire the more stability you'll have. I'll be testing that out very soon. Plus I've seen some companies developing 3 wheel e-bikes for cargo that could very easily work in snow with the right tires.
Good review peppered with lots of legitimate concerns about the bike. Good to see the strengths of eBikes prioritised. The future is here. Thanks Helen.
Looks like a 2 seater car version of e.bikes, a waste of space if wanting to carry shopping. Its lack of ability recharging its batteries while you are indoors having an enjoyable lunch in a warm cosy cafe in cooler wet days.
Absolutely brilliant video. I love your delivery, Helen. So composed and professional whilst also friendly and compelling. Also, such a level headed review. Wonderful!
The non-removable battery is kind of a dealbreaker on this one though. I've had an e-bike for about three years now that I use during the winter season. I have no possibility to charge it where I park it, and there's usually subzero temperatures there, which aren't good either when charging it. I usually bring the battery indoors and let it sit for a couple of hours first to let it reach room temperature before charging. I have studded tires on it, which makes it even heavier, so thats when the helper motor really is convenient. The weight of it also make it push down through slush and such, giving it better grip than a conventional bicycle.
Completely agree. I have to park my bike in the cycle store at the bottom of my block. There's no power there, so I need a battery I can remove and charge in the flat.
@@rca168 I live in Sweden. I bike all year around, even in the winter in snowy conditions. So I got an e-bike to use during winter. One reason was that it is much heavier to pedal in cold weather with winter tires and on snowy roads.
I've had an ebike for years mine are built from ebike kit's to meet my needs, I live in London and would never go back to daily commuting on a normal bike, like one of the other comments I'd wouldn't buy a ebike that I couldn't remove the battery especially in very cold weather and to would let the battery get up to room temperature before charging, ebikes are a great way to get from a to b and I'm looking forward to when the energy density and cycle life of batteries improves so I can go on longer ride's with out the need to carry a spare battery, looking forward for the cargo bike video, fully charged why not have a chat with John from velo-ads proper dapper chap from London who does some great reviews on bikes
Very much appreciate the comment that "e-bikes are a replacement for cars, not a threat to pedal bikes". It gives them a better context. I'm not a cyclist and TBH hate the idea, but I want a potential commuting alternative even to public transport. Who knows, an e-bike introduction could get me fit and experienced *enough* to then explore cycling proper, but until then, I need some confidence that I will actually make it into the office in a fit state! Thanks Helen
This is exactly why I have one. I was so unfit and got an ebike and loved it - now have a road bike and an emtb for the trails. Expensive, but its done wonders to be health.
An ebike will get you fit if you just use power mode on the way to work, to not arrive sweaty and out of breath. On the way home you can set it to eco mode and really bump your heart rate up. Another great thing about e-bikes is that they make the choice easier between spending some nice time outside (even in not so nice weather) or being stuck with unreliable public transport. As a teenager i rode my bike to school most days except for the winter time. But it was easy to say screw the exhaustion I'll just go by car. Once i got my first ebike the choice was quite clear and it was way easier to choose the bike over car/bus.
Some people at work started cycle-commuting with an e-bike and admit they'd never have done it without one, but after a couple of years find they are a lot fitter and use a 'manual' bike instead to commute. So yes, that makes perfect sense.
I was keen on cycling 10 years ago, but have let it go through work, etc. When I got my old bike out in lockdown I found at 60 years old and over weight, I just no longer have the strength to climb the hills of Hampshire, so after a couple of attempts it got put back in the shed. Then in July I bought an ebike and love it! I have been out cycling every day since, most days going between 10 and 35 miles. The assist helps me up hills I could never climb fully manually and even gives a more exhilarating ride on the flat going faster and I so enjoy it, seeing the countryside and getting fit.
Like the review, particularly as it features a decent hill. I find the VanMoof a perfect city bike. I’m over 50, nudging 89 kg (14 stone), male, unfit with dodgy knees and hills in every direction in this part of north London, and the S3 is a joy to ride! I do love using the boost button. I fly up Muswell Hill (0.6km, max 11%) never dropping below 11 mph (in US mode, which gives 350W power and 59 Nm torque), which I would otherwise avoid with a detour. It’s a thumbs up from me. P.S. You can change the one-piece saddle and seat post. You’ll need a 34 mm seat post or shim.
I'm a lifelong road cyclist, and a snob about bikes. All it took was getting on an ebike in the hills and I loved it. I hope that ebikes are like EV's, in that we are at an inflection point that will lead to widespread adoption. Ebikes are cheaper, lighter with longer lasting batteries than just a couple of years ago. Check out leonardmlee's RUclips series about ebiking in Tuscany. Cheers Mark
Helen, think your saddle was a little high. That may have contributed to your discomfort. I agree though, there is a huge variation in the distance between peoples sitbones and important that you get the right saddle for you.
What would be really interesting would be reviews of the cheaper end of the ebike market. Are they complete rubbish or are there some real bargains to be had. Let's face it most folk cant afford 2k+ for an ebike
I have ridden an ebike from a large box store in the UK, who also sell car bits. Their £450 folding ebike is brilliant, I didn’t buy that one because I wanted more cargo room, but it would have done. You can easily get one for less than £1000.
Decathlon has some really good ebikes (price for value). Because they are such a huge brand they get really good mass deals on parts. The one fully mtb that i was checking out was like 3,5k for a bike with components on it that it could easily sell for 4-5k. But the service is quite bad most of the time (they don't know what they are doing) but if you know what you are looking for and just go there to buy i would definitely recommend the brand.
And if it is just for commuting solid ebikes can be found at around 1-1.5k €. And especially when it replaces a car it becomes really financially feasible. Just add up all the fuel bills and you save a lot of money. Add maintenance and service and it becomes even more financially sound. Cars are so expensive to own and run.
I ride a Gtech city ebike (Gtech also make hoovers) that's under 1k has a removable battery and weighs 14kg Halfords can supply them. I bought mine on a bike to work scheme so only paid 650 over a year. It's a great bike and I'd love to see fully charged review one!
I am 35, I have no disabilities, I would consider myself fit and I love my emtb. It replaces train and car travel substantially . Nowadays I feel that I have to have a reason to use the car and I don’t have to excuse myself for using my ebike. Absolutely love it and I hope more would give it a try.
Looking at your riding position and leg extension, I’d suggest your saddle was too high which would have caused more saddle discomfort than would have been expected from the wide, supportive saddle Van Moof use.
The production quality of this video is really great. It's impressive how well it is done. I'd like to see many more videos like it. There are also so many other Personal Electric Vehicles you could be covering which are great alternatives to cars for daily commutes. Look into electric skateboards, scooters and more bikes. I find electric cargo bikes to be especially great and know they are being used more and more to handle restaurant and grocery delivery at a much lower cost than an electric delivery van which adds to road congestion. Please consider this kind of content.
I had 2 visits to the Ile de Ré during the summer. I hired a bike in both occasions. The first visit was a non assisted bike and was pleasant to use. In the second visit I tried an assisted bike. I thought it was superb because you wanted to use the bike more. It encouraged you to cycle and that is the forte of these assisted bikes. They are truly revolutionary.
Several years ago, I got myself a 1000W front wheel kit with a 15kWh 48v LIFEPO4 battery pack. It has been in use a long time and the range is quite good, but not tested to it's full range. I converted my oldish 21 gear bike with the kit and it was great to run. I don't have pedal assist and it goes like stink, so it is not legal for sure, but I will use it as long as I can. Lately I was diagnosed with muscle dystrofia and had to get a 3 wheel cargobike, which has now been converted using the same kit. I hope to use it next summer to get me around. E-bikes are great! Good video, Helen.
Great review, it is the future. A loan of an ebike for a month during lockdown, led me to dust off my old mountain bike, now I cycle every day, lost over a stone weight, and am much fitter now. There are cheaper options. To flatten hills, and increase range and load carrying, I just ordered an electric conversion kit for my old mountain bike - front tyre & wheel, containing hub motor & battery, controller, 1/2 hour to convert, €330! Reviews were good, so I'll see what happens, if and when it arrives! Anything that gets people out of cars and buses, and into the fresh air can only be a good thing.
Just purchased an NCM Prague Ebike with 29" wheels. Cost was 1200aud 860usd or 660gbp. Part of the electrification of my farm. Top speed of 26kmh, it puts a smile on your face, and I don't feel the need to unlock the motors full 500W. I think I need a sprung saddle because the off road bumps are much bumpier at these relativistic speeds! I have my completed zero turn ride on mower conversion on my RUclips channel. Hope to add more soon. Great episode.
I retired back to Cornwall - shocked to find my 10 speed couldn't get me up the hills I remember as a kid !!! I then got an S2 which gets me up some of the steepest that I couldn't manage back then ! Love it.
I think electric bikes are an amazing device and will definitely replace many shorter car journey's . I do, however think that the legislation is a little too restrictive though, in terms of power output and top speed and if they allowed bikes of say 500w and 25mph, think of how many thousands of additional daily commutes would suddenly become viable on a bike.
I think that would be good, because then ebikes would be able to take the role that 50cc scooters currently have. But the vast majority of people have an average cycling speed under 15mph for general A to B travel and so it would make ebikes play a very different role to what they do now. Having ridden a 250w/15mph ebike, I'm hardly disappointed by it, the power is absolutely great for getting places and takes all the pain out of uphill, then you can still go 20mph downhill. It's win win. They're already awesome.
The way the law is written and reported is not correct, 250w is "nominal" not maximum as this video reports, most 250w bikes actually put out 6-800w Peak
@@321tryagain My concern with having only 250w motors is that whilst they're no doubt powerful under normal circumstances, to take them to a higher speed such as 20-25mph and do this regularly and reliably as a commuter, would be more of a strain. It's the same reason that larger engined cars are more able to do higher mileages at higher speeds more reliably than smaller engined cars. It would also give greater flexibility to heavier bikes such as cargo bikes. That's why bikes like the wonderful Radpower cargo bike have a 750w motor in the States but a measly 250w over here.
@@tomnwoo So does that mean a 250w Bosch motor used in the UK is the same spec as say a 500w Bosch motor used in the States? Do they quote peak power on their bikes as opposed to nominal power?
Good review and good to see the legitimate down sides to this particular model - not from a perspective if bashing ebikes but from a desire to see them get as good as they could be.
The Van Moof has two major drawbacks. 1) The non-removable battery. This may or may not be a problem for you, depending on where you keep your bike and the location of your charging point. 2) The waiting list. I ordered an X3 in May and it should have been delivered this week. Instead, I have to wait until the end of next month and a further month for the pannier rack to arrive. Despite this I'm really excited that it will get here soon. I completely agree that electric bikes are car replacements. One of the reasons that I can afford the bike is that I gave up my car a couple of years ago. The ebike will mean that I can commute easier, but also it adds range onto the end of a train journey so I can get to some of the less accessible places that currently require taxis or hire cars to reach.
I’m no bike fit expert but Helen your legs look very extended on your fit on that bike, maybe dropping the saddle 2-3cm will improve the comfort of the saddle by taking pressure off your soft tissues, rotate the hips a touch and support you better on your sit bones. Worth a punt for a free comfort upgrade and potentially solve the saddle issue, it’s a bad design point on this bike I feel. I’d like to see you test more bikes on fully charged this was a great review with some insightful prospectives. It could be worth having a bike fit and getting the numbers noted down to transfer from bike to bike in the future to so you have a common starting point for review.
NO - she is a cyclist and scientist so she knows how to set up a bike. Almost everyone has the saddle too low which ruins your knee joints on climbs and reduces efficiency. The issue with the saddle for women is the spacing of the Ischial Tuberosity.
Wayne Russell Well that is your opinion. Looking through a few of the comments others have seemed to spotted the same issue, it’s not just me. Pre qualifying that it’s at the right height using her profession and that she a cyclist is utter nonsense. Sure having the saddle too low causes issue, the same as having it too high also causes along with the knee issues you mentioned. The sit bone issue is true for women, but get the fundamental right first before spending out on a saddle.
Good review, and an accurate description of e-bikes. I bought an eMTB last year and it is easily my favourite toy! I guess I'm one of those people who shop at Waitrose (when Fortum and Mason is closed). Some e-bikes are expensive, but you can easily spend the same on a normal bike. What we have now is more choice, and I'm always surprised by the angry comments about something that people don't have to buy!
Really good video and that's from an S3 owner - super useful to know I can send my (currently faulty) electronics off for repair rather than the whole bike, especially as I'm nowhere near a dealer. This may already have been raised in the comments but re the saddle a) there is a wider comfort air suspension saddle available from Van Moof (NB you must order the post as well and be sure you have the tool from them to adjust both saddle and post) and b) your saddle height looks very high on the video, mine is maybe 5 inches lower, don't know if that affects comfort but suspect it might. Also having tried and failed to get out of Pembroke uphill on the S3 recently there is a hill mode on the app I didn't know about which could probably have helped. More worrying is coming back downhill the brakes overheated hugely. Your analysis that this replaces the car is spot on - it has replaced most local journeys I used to do by car and my electric car does the rest.
I recently turned 50 and have a Rad City that I've commuted on for about 10 months totaling over 2,300 miles. Of course I don't get much exercise, but commuting on a regular bike was getting to be too much. I like how I've only driven a car to work about 5 times since I got this bike. It's great fun and I've avoided using about 75 gallons of gas. To be honest, driving kind of stresses me out. Riding a bicycle puts me in a good mood and I love how I get to work relaxed and ready to go. It's a real game changer :-)
Really good job. Specific feedback on critical topics like saddle and learning how the service can be performed by removing a module was something I appreciated.
Excellent review, more like this please. I'm more likely to be in the market for a new e-bike than an expensive new e-car. Stick with km, we're in the 21st century after all.
Glad to hear Dr. Czerski's candor on this evolving segment of mobility. I am very happy to see the pros & cons of a review in a product. Keeps Fully Charged honest. As Robert Llewellyn has mentioned, there are many segments that are forthcoming from all the Fully Charged Team. The Van Moof looks pretty cool. I might like it, I might not. Won't know until I am able to try it. She did. Some got all butt hurt over her comment of a hurting lower anatomy due to seat fit. And that she communicated that "for her" it is not her cup of tea. However, she is right. It is an alternative to a car. & much easier to park. Hopefully with secure destination storage.
Ah Kingston, my old stomping ground... Thanks for a very interesting and thought provoking episode. Just a shame that you choose possibly the most marmite eBike to review. Just hope that any viewers considering an eBike are not put off by the Van Moof one style fits all approach. There is a vibrant and growing eBike market out there, from low cost retrofitting of electric motors right the way through to high end amazing custom designs. The future of bikes (for the masses) is definitely electric...and I look forward to your next review 👍
This year I bought an E-Mountainbike and I love it and the mountains in Austria really shout for a MTB. Even in Vienna, the highest hill is 550m which is fun for a afterwork ride. But to commute to work in the city my Xiaomi E-Scooter which is fully legal here is the king. I can put it under my desk in the office and don't have to worry that it got stolen. If it should rain I can take the public transportation as its also possible to enter them with the scooter folded down. This is a nice episode explaining E-Bikes...
I converted my Rans Stratus long wheel base recumbent last year. No more agony going up the many hills here in western Massachusetts. Biking in the country is not only possible now without cardiac arrest (I'm 76), it's fun!
I have worked with British Cycling grass roots teams for years. In the early days, BC weren’t sure about ebikes, but now they love them, they help get people on bikes, and be more confident on bikes. One ride participant I met lost over 3 stone in 6 months just by changing his car commute to an ebike commute, so don’t let anyone tell you that they are for lazy people.
Once you get an eBike, you then discover all the benefits. Having lights built in is hugely beneficial and time saving but being able to wear waterproof clothing any time of year and not get sweaty going to work is GOLD. I hardly drive anymore and charge up my bike from renewable sources. Love it. I do 3500 miles a year on mine. I'd do more if I could!
Very good review. I would make just one correction: I bought a Van Moof S2 a few year back (and love it) but I found the saddle caused issues - (numbness, to be specific). It's possible to change to any other saddle. The only issue is that Van Moof use a slightly weird frame inner diameter, so you need to use a small (and cheap) metal shim to match sizes. It's a minor faff, but you do it once and you're sorted with any saddle you like. I used a Homyl 31.8 to 34mm shim, which was £5 on Amazon. I certainly wouldn't let this issue put you off a Van Moof. They're the best.
Some one else commented on the seat being too high, each time you stopped you had to come off the seat onto the cross bar, I think rule of thumb on a touring bike is just being able to touch the floor with one foot and still seated. It can be seen as you set off you really are at full stretch, point being the seat might not have been such an issue.
Couldn't agree more. As a 61 year old 'traditional' cyclist, I'm not ready for one of these yet, but it's nice to know that these will be available for me when I need them.
We, my wife and I, have had our G-Tech e-bikes for three and a half years now. We own our own business and work from home but we use our bikes regularly (35-50m a week) on roads, beaches and forest and mountain trails. My wife broke her neck in a car accident 30yrs ago and the battery is her ‘saviour’. She couldn’t cycle otherwise.
I converted my 29er MTB for secondary transportation with my self-converted box truck. It's so much more convenient to leave the truck behind for errands and it's a godsend for exploring. It also gets me to trailheads that would be otherwise inaccessible for my 10'4" tall rig. For a grand total of $479, I now have an e-bike with a 1,500W rear, geared hub motor and 52V/15Ah (764Wh) battery (self-built with 70 18650 lithium ion cells), plus all the other bits and bobs (electronic speed controller, charger, brake cut-offs, peddle assist sensor, etc.). Range is 30+ miles. Speed is 30+ miles per hour. Weight is reasonable and geared motors don't create drag, so the bike can be pedaled as normal if I ever run out of power. 1,500W may sound insane. It's not. Not when you consider frequent stop-and-go traffic, crossed with mid-range trips into town for groceries and the like, crossed with climbing on forest service roads and mountain bike trails. Having that much power and instantaneous torque available makes the bike a cross between a hybrid bike and a motor bike. For an avid road cyclist and MTBer, this e-bike is very much appreciated for it's intended purpose. It's also a steal when one considers what a similarly equipped model would go for from a manufacturer. Best of all, I can always uninstall all the components and sell the bike a stock 29er, re-using everything on a future build.
Brilliant video. I do hope we see more e bikes reviewed this way. Give Helen a wide variety of e bikes and send them up box hill. With info on energy used, comfort, speed etc. What a database you could build.
So comforting to see a review of technology that isn't all gushing about how great it is. A good dead that needs a bit of refinement. Like being able to swap seats.
Am not 21 anymore, but a friend let me have a go on his S3 and it was fantastic. And I feel you could have a full day cycling without being to exhausted and keeping fit at the same time. Once am able to get the money together am going to get one. ...Come on Van Moof...
I've cycled for most of my life, gave up 10 years ago due to bad back etc and moving to a hilly area in yorkshire. Recently bought an ebike and absolutely love it, so I gave that to my wife and converted my old but good bike to electric , now we both go out cycling together and can stay at the same pace by adjusting the power levels. My biggest gripe is security, too many bike thieves these days so csnt really leave bike chained up outside. I like the service this company gives in regards to that.
Good review - especially pointing out the pitfalls as well as the positives. Looking forward to the e-cargo bike episode as there are so many options and products developing in that area now and the "last mile" is so important with the increase in online shopping, etc in the last couple of years.
I was one of those who bought an e bike in 2018. It replaced my motor scooter for commuting. Great episode but as a member of the lycra clad brigade you need to get rid of that notion of it being cheating! It's no more cheating than having gears, or standing up to pedal. And then there's the question of what is actually being cheated? One of the first things I did was change the saddle which is easy to do and can be done to suit your own requirements. We now have a couple of cheap folding bikes that we can take away in the caravan and enjoy on holiday.. They both have new saddles as well ;) Looking forward to the episode about e cargo bikes
Great review, well presented. I am 4 months into riding an Electrified S2 and really enjoying it for my commute as I can ride in ready to go without shower/changing. Re. The accessories (pannier rack, splash guards) I bought mine from VanMoof afterwards and fitted myself without issue, so no need to order with the bike. Also it is possible to swap the seat and pedals...see the VanMoof support site.
Great review Helen. Very honest. Just a quick point to add re the cost of e-bikes. They are a bit expensive at the moment "will get cheaper" But if you look at it compared to the cost of a second car... Just the running costs alone "never mind buying the thing!" they make sense.. No petrol, Insurance, maintenance, parking costs etc etc... And i agree with Comment below Great legs.. Can tell you cycle a lot. :-)
I recently bought an e mountain bike and it’s great fun. I can be out in the countryside all day, on and off road and go places an off-road motorcycle is not allowed to go. I am fit enough for a regular bike but found them a bit boring and I can honestly say I’ve never enjoyed riding up a big hill! This gives me the option to work out when I want to but when I’ve had enough or want to get up a steep hill I can just turn the power up and choose not to suffer.
I have recently got an e-bike, a CUBE Dutch style bike. I'm off the older demographic and have had various bikes for years but used them less and less. This new bike has got me back out cycling, in general I'm not using massive amounts of battery but it's there for the times I struggle, like hills or when I'm really tired. What it has let me do is join a cycling group and be able to keep up with more experienced and fitter riders, meaning they're not slotted down by me and I'm not put off because I can't keep up. I've also started cycling to the shops and to friends where previously I'd jump in the car or on my motorbike. I can say that this bike by CUBE is the most comfortable and easy bike I've ever ridden. I've had the bike 2 months and the furthest I've ridden is just shy of 30 miles in one go and I've done 170 miles on it in all. Not bad for an unfit old fogie!
Great balanced video. Yes please do more ebike videos. You might want to review the Gtech which is a good half way house between the bolt on bike kits and the vanmoof. Still think the vanmoof is a little over priced. That said it has some really nice features.
I used to race bikes but after many many operations spinal fusion etc etc it was impossible to ever ride again ...i bought an e mountain bike & to be able to ride again made me so so grateful to this technology 👍😁
Have ordered one of these through the UK’s cycle to work scheme - you’re effectively paying monthly for a bike pre- taxation. They won’t have this bike listed on the website however can obtain some voucher and pass it on to Vanmoof. Got another month until mine arrives though!
You can change the saddle as it's a standard post and fittings. I don't think Van Moof give the option of saddle choice when you buy it though, so you'd have to buy a 2nd one after if you didn't like the stock one.
The biggest but ...... is that you can not take the battery out to charge it in the office of home or replace it with a full second one on a long trip.
That was a great review. I’ve been tempted to an S3 for a few months now, I love the looks and the tech on offer. I like the idea of using it to commute to the train station and then my clients off at the other end without getting a sweat on and then needing to get showered and changed on arrival. The price is a little steep, but I’m sure the costs will come down as popularity increases.
There are a quite a few E-Bikes with better value for the money. If you don't care about the look then one with an external removable battery might be cheaper than a "hidden" ebike like van moof
Brilliant, balanced review. Well done, well done. Now I understand that they are not just ways to "cheat"!! Bravo! I'll stay with my single speed citybike at 19lbs (not kilos) !!
It's great to see an honest and unbiased review of this bike. So glad also that a point was made about the demographic it's aimed at. The whole package has been clearly thought out in most respects, it's a mid range e-bike that doesn't look that much like an e-bike and I think that's going to be a major selling point. It's clearly not aimed at cyclists, but at those who want an easy riding bike. Would I buy one? No, but I can see why many would do so. It is an attractive and clean looking design with lots integrated into it. One thing I did note that brakes are the opposite way round to UK/European spec machines, is this a US model?
As an x3 owner the range is great for my wife to use it... whereas me and my heft struggle for range... 28km ride, liberal use of boost and hills took 73% of battery. It’s probably down to how you use the boost and what speed you sit at.
There is a huge revolution happening in Sydney, Australia now - the eBikes have arrived in force. With car parking unaffordable and the streets clogged with cars, they are THE way to get about. Helen, I agree about saddles, I have replaced the one mine came with. The new one is better, but I am still limited mostly by the pain in my rear end. Another thing I did not appreciate until I got my current one; it has a "dropper post" - now I would not be without one!
@@edwardrowlands5803 Do you mean a Van Moof? I have no idea, and I seem to recall checking their web site only to find that they are not sold here. But don't hold me to that. I bought my electric bike from Sydney Electric Bikes in Harris St., Pyrmont. To say that they are keen on electric bikes, for nearly ever use, is an understatement. But since I bought mine the range is rather different, and I know too little to offer advice - other than "don't buy a TEBCo".
All very nice with the high tech bikes. Here in Denmark, most people ride a more traditional style cycle. They are dressed for their destination, not the journey. Maybe show a few of these electric bikes, they are comfortable, easy to ride and very efficient. The Co-op in Denmark has a couple of e-bikes (Mustang-SCO) in the lower price range 500-650. Batavas, Kildemoes, Winther are available for a slightly higher price. I have a Batavas which reeks of high quality (still have my old Batavas bought 18 years ago and done really good mileage). Have a look at what the Dutch and the Danes are riding.
I was very excited to see Helen Czerski on Fully Charged. Nice! Where I am the only way to get out of the area in any direction is up and down massive hills. With arthritis in the knees I've given up on cycling. However, if I had an e-bike I'd definitely give it another go and leave the car at home. Unfortunately I don't yet like the price. I don't like the saddles either but I guess they're tolerable for short journeys.
Oh god! I'm the "older demographic". This is great review, have just ordered this bike because "I want to get out of the car" and get back the freedom of the bike I remember when I was young and fit! Thank you for a really balanced review!
Great video. We are late for about 8 years from China ebikes, sometimes people do not need a high-tech bike, just an electrification for their old bike and new transportation possibilities will change people's minds.
Had an identical eureka moment in Dorset! Swanage High Street ( near Cow Lane). This was 18 months ago, l bought a baby blue Volt Kensington, for my girlfriend, to this day, people still admire that e bike.
Hills on a bike is always a test of fitness and I think its true the future is here. My retired parents are toying with the idea, its ideal for them as they can get out and explore without worrying about getting stuck or stranded. Great review and I totally agree with this marmite bike. Big Helen fan :)
I find it strange that someone tests a bike and doesn't even know how to set the saddle height on the bike correctly. On the video you can see clearly that the lady has set the saddle bar much too high. Anyone who has a clue knows what that means.
Good review, I had looked at the Van Moof 3 but after many reviews pointed out that although you can take it to 15mph if you try to go faster under your own steam the bike seems to hold you back making this increase almost impossible. I cycle a normal mountain bike and can easily get into the high 20mph range so was concerned that the benefits of this motor could be negated by this hold back other reviewers have commented on.
SouthWest 603 I’m not knocking the EU, but this is one time I’d rather we had adopted the 20MPH limit that’s generally used in the US. 20 MPH is a far more comfortable, and from experience, safer cruising speed than 15.5 MPH, especially when you are mixing it up with urban traffic.
You should try the TERN HSD S8i instead, a real replacement for a car and good enough to just use as a regular bike. A bit more expensive though, about twice the price. I love mine.
I use my electric bike mostly for distance. Where I life there are some hills but most of it is flat lands. So besides a little bridge over some water you really don't require climbing support. But I tell you, an electric bike will get you from A to B, against the wind, in the rain. And you'll be decently okay! The bike I have is mid drive so yeah, slightly more expensive in ways, and designed to get you up to speed and keep you at certain speeds. That is where the motor likes to be! Cost wise my e bike will cost me about 200-250 euro a year, there is after all upkeep, repairs done by the shop [don't worry I have a warrantee package in what some of it already is paid for] and in the end, yes the battery! That battery will have to be replaced at a point!
What an excellent impartial review, that clearly gave information and a considered subjective opinion from an informed view point. Well done, car reviews need to be as good as this, a new benchmark for fully charged!
Bought a Whopper with fat tires some years back. Got it converted to an e-bike two years ago, 1000W rear motor and a 48V 1KWh battery over the back wheel (which holds side bags). I can do 40km/h (about 25mph) without an issue. Don't really want to go faster. Love it. Point is, if you have a old, normal bike - perhaps just upgrade it?
i got myself a 750€ e-bike when corona started to get to work. as a couch-potato i absolutely needed the motor for the whole distance at the beginning. nowadays i only use it for the uphill bits.
and as it turns out, im nearly 10 minutes faster with a bike than public transport. i can absolutely recommend e-bike-commuting if you have the option.
Especially not needing to wait for public transport. And being able to arrange your route and do little stops for groceries or something like that.
Well done mate. Really inspiring to hear someone getting into active transport :). Makes me really feel good about the future. I've had similar experiences finding it quicker to cycle than take public transport.
I found the same, in fact my cycle home was shorter than waiting for the bus sometimes.
Agreed, e-biking is thrilling, relaxing and best of all fun. But will you ride when a little bit of wintery snow comes around? Or in the wind driven rain? This is an enduring problem for motorcyclists and scooter riders as well of course. I am curious about preparations some are taking. I am a fair-weather biker FYI. Not even sure how many hard rain rides my DIY e-bikes could handle.
@@beyondfossil sure, weather is a concern, i just take public transport if the weather is bad enough. but thanks to global warming we are down to like 2-6 weeks of winter around here, so snowstorms should be fairly rare.
I think an important aspect of e-bikes is counter-intuitive. I live in NYC and every time I've tried an e-bike, I've been more willing to stop completely for red lights instead of sneaking through. Similar for pedestrians/cars. Instead of being aggressive to maintain my speed, I'm happy to let people past and get back up to speed. This is a huge safety feature for me and why I ended up getting an e-bike.
I had never though about that, since these days my commuting is through woods and fields (where I find zero traffic lights). It's an unexpected but important side effect. Brilliant! Thanks for sharing your findings.
You make a good point. I'd never thought about it but it sounds quite logical.
thank you
From a Dutch perspective I would say getting up hills is not the main reason to go for an e-bike. ;-)
Here, cycling is just a part of life and not necessarily a hobby or a sport. It's just the most convenient way to commute. And an E-bike, regardless of your age or stamina, makes it even more convenient.
Jonas Roothans Yes, as much as I love a good workout, I use my bicycle to commute, and I would rather not show up to the office full of sweat! I turn off the assist on the way back though.
Jonas. You have not been to Yorkshire have you :) went to Holland last year and I'd agree ebikes are not as much use. Too slow on the flat without gears. But here they are great. They just flatten out the hills. Commuted to and from work on one for two years. But I wish we had your cycling infrastructure here.
@@nortonansell Even in the netherlands an ebike can be very nice to have. Had to cycle everyday trhough some fields and always had the wind in the wrong direction. Always. yes you will get where you are but an ebika would have made things much more easy. I bought this may a new bike non electric as i live now in belgium and i will get fit again but i have one of my routes going up a small hill first time i thought "why didn't i buy an electric" But i thought 900 Euro for a bike was already quite expensive ebikes are double that. And Yes my bike is a batavus dinsdag sport so i have no problems going around now. The e version with belt instead of chain was around 3000. Quite a difference in price. For my it replaces my car now and i think an e-bike will do that for many people that cycle or commute for a longer distance like 20km one way. I would do that on a ebike if teh infrastructure was any good like it is in The Netherlands.
@@martijnvangammeren1868 Wind. I completely forgot about that! I've been blown to a complete stand still on a normal bike going up a hill here😆 also last year I got brought to a near standstill going down a hill in gale force winds. Worse thing was it kept changing direction and almost knocking me off. Luckily being a fat lad I have a low centre of gravity 🤣
Yes this is the point. An ebike is not for workout but a way to commute. It has nothing to do with cycling I can't see any threat for cyclist
LIKE if you'd like to see more e-bikes, less cars & SHARE if you know someone that you'd like to get into cycling!
E-bikes are no passing phase. We asked Helen to investigate and gave her one of the slick Van Moof S3 electric bikes to help her along the way. The brand new Van Moof S3 has a minimalistic, but clever, design with everything integrated into the frame. It comes with some swanky features and is bursting with cool tech, but what will Helen think when she takes it for a ride around the streets, and up one of the most challenging climbs in the Surrey Hills?
*Timestamps*
00:00 The Rise of E-Bikes
02:31 History of the Humble Bicycle
02:46 What is an E-Bike?
03:21 Cycling in a Post-Pandemic World
05:14 The Van Moof S3
05:45 Swanky Modes
07:13 Bike Hunters
08:21 Time for a Ride
09:21 What's the but?
11:19 Helen's Hill Challenge
12:59 Not out of Breath!
13:44 In Summary
15:00 Helping People Enjoy Cycling
15:42 A Developing Technology
16:50 No Threat to Conventional Cycling
Love to see more reviews of Ebikes by "people who want to use them". But why did FC pick an avid cyclist, who clearly was embarrassed to be associated with an Ebikes? Since she inferred its just for "old farts" with one leg in the coffin. So why didn't Rob do the review instead?
So please at least find someone who has or wants an Ebike. And who will mention, what type of gear shifting it has or not (google it suppose have some type automated shifty). And exactly why could seat not be replaced?
The reviewer seems like a lovely person and cyclist, but she was so wrong for reviewing Ebikes.
N C we have run multiple e-bike episodes over recent years with multiple different presenters. Sadly as a ‘slightly’ older man, Robert is unable to film 120-150 episodes a year and we have to share it across the team. Also if you look at the comments you will see that a very many people loved Helen’s approach to this. Sadly, you can’t please all of the people all of the time. Thanks, Dan
@@fullychargedshow Dan, this got a much better response from the viewers than the Swytch video. It was much more balanced, and honest
@@nc3826 I took zero offense. Robert did a bike episode just last month.
@@nc3826 Here it is from 1st September: ruclips.net/video/qo6i5VcJ-ME/видео.html
“This is not a replacement of the bike it’s a replacement of the car” that is a great statement!!! A lovely review I enjoyed watching it 👍🏼
Except it has no reverse gear, otherwise it is perfect.
Nonsense of course.
100%. My thoughts too... neatly summed up.
I'm not sure it's a replacement for anything in particular, but in good weather it might be preferable to taking public transportation, depending of course on one's journey.
I love Helen's words "This is not a replacement for a bike. It's a replacement for a car."
Brilliant! Love your work :)
less exercise... more wind in your face... sounds like a plan
Strictly speaking, a car replacement would be a Velomobile, but it IS a step in the right direction!
Well it is for certain applications like commuting alone to work during summer, but good luck driving around a family with groceries on this or using it in the winter.
Gabriel Lundmark agree with the groceries comment but not sure why riding it in winter would be an issue?
@@Neil2022 There are "fat tire" e-bikes that seem to do very well in snow. The fatter the tire the more stability you'll have. I'll be testing that out very soon. Plus I've seen some companies developing 3 wheel e-bikes for cargo that could very easily work in snow with the right tires.
Good review peppered with lots of legitimate concerns about the bike.
Good to see the strengths of eBikes prioritised.
The future is here.
Thanks Helen.
Absolutely love seeing bicycles being reviewed on Fully Charged. Well done Helen, may you review more e-bikes (and saddles rightly so)!
Looks like a 2 seater car version of e.bikes, a waste of space if wanting to carry shopping. Its lack of ability recharging its batteries while you are indoors having an enjoyable lunch in a warm cosy cafe in cooler wet days.
Prefer Tern electric Hsd or Gsd cargo bikes with strong options for day to day shopping and general canalside riding.
Absolutely brilliant video. I love your delivery, Helen. So composed and professional whilst also friendly and compelling. Also, such a level headed review. Wonderful!
The non-removable battery is kind of a dealbreaker on this one though. I've had an e-bike for about three years now that I use during the winter season. I have no possibility to charge it where I park it, and there's usually subzero temperatures there, which aren't good either when charging it. I usually bring the battery indoors and let it sit for a couple of hours first to let it reach room temperature before charging.
I have studded tires on it, which makes it even heavier, so thats when the helper motor really is convenient. The weight of it also make it push down through slush and such, giving it better grip than a conventional bicycle.
So you are leaving in Scandinavian countries above Denmark, Russia or Canada?
Completely agree. I have to park my bike in the cycle store at the bottom of my block. There's no power there, so I need a battery I can remove and charge in the flat.
@@rca168 I live in Sweden. I bike all year around, even in the winter in snowy conditions. So I got an e-bike to use during winter. One reason was that it is much heavier to pedal in cold weather with winter tires and on snowy roads.
@@jonord I just learned studded tyres are available, thanks
I was quite keen on Van Moof but living in a flat I 100% would need a removable battery!
In my town it is clearly the old lady brigade that made ebikes visible. Constantly getting overtaken by wee 70+ year old ladies on the hilly streets
LOL, so true
Same here (I'm just grateful that they don't have 500W motors - just imagine the carnage, LOL).
@@James_Ryan Just imagine what they get up to afterwards!
I have to say at my advanced age it's getting home fast for a wee that's the main incentive!
@@Gribbo9999 That is so funny.......and true!
I've had an ebike for years mine are built from ebike kit's to meet my needs, I live in London and would never go back to daily commuting on a normal bike, like one of the other comments I'd wouldn't buy a ebike that I couldn't remove the battery especially in very cold weather and to would let the battery get up to room temperature before charging, ebikes are a great way to get from a to b and I'm looking forward to when the energy density and cycle life of batteries improves so I can go on longer ride's with out the need to carry a spare battery, looking forward for the cargo bike video, fully charged why not have a chat with John from velo-ads proper dapper chap from London who does some great reviews on bikes
Cowboy bike is the bike for you
It's the dream bike for me, because I don't have to remove the battery!
Really professional review, great uploaded
Very much appreciate the comment that "e-bikes are a replacement for cars, not a threat to pedal bikes". It gives them a better context. I'm not a cyclist and TBH hate the idea, but I want a potential commuting alternative even to public transport. Who knows, an e-bike introduction could get me fit and experienced *enough* to then explore cycling proper, but until then, I need some confidence that I will actually make it into the office in a fit state! Thanks Helen
This is exactly why I have one. I was so unfit and got an ebike and loved it - now have a road bike and an emtb for the trails. Expensive, but its done wonders to be health.
An ebike will get you fit if you just use power mode on the way to work, to not arrive sweaty and out of breath. On the way home you can set it to eco mode and really bump your heart rate up.
Another great thing about e-bikes is that they make the choice easier between spending some nice time outside (even in not so nice weather) or being stuck with unreliable public transport.
As a teenager i rode my bike to school most days except for the winter time. But it was easy to say screw the exhaustion I'll just go by car. Once i got my first ebike the choice was quite clear and it was way easier to choose the bike over car/bus.
Some people at work started cycle-commuting with an e-bike and admit they'd never have done it without one, but after a couple of years find they are a lot fitter and use a 'manual' bike instead to commute. So yes, that makes perfect sense.
I was keen on cycling 10 years ago, but have let it go through work, etc. When I got my old bike out in lockdown I found at 60 years old and over weight, I just no longer have the strength to climb the hills of Hampshire, so after a couple of attempts it got put back in the shed. Then in July I bought an ebike and love it! I have been out cycling every day since, most days going between 10 and 35 miles. The assist helps me up hills I could never climb fully manually and even gives a more exhilarating ride on the flat going faster and I so enjoy it, seeing the countryside and getting fit.
An e-bike would be a godsend in cold weather, when I don't want to be sweating in a winter jacket.
If you are sweating in winter on a bike you are over dressed. Dress down you will be cold when you start but once up to speed you will be comfortable.
Like the review, particularly as it features a decent hill. I find the VanMoof a perfect city bike. I’m over 50, nudging 89 kg (14 stone), male, unfit with dodgy knees and hills in every direction in this part of north London, and the S3 is a joy to ride! I do love using the boost button. I fly up Muswell Hill (0.6km, max 11%) never dropping below 11 mph (in US mode, which gives 350W power and 59 Nm torque), which I would otherwise avoid with a detour. It’s a thumbs up from me. P.S. You can change the one-piece saddle and seat post. You’ll need a 34 mm seat post or shim.
Helen absolutely nailed it. Brilliant!
I'm a lifelong road cyclist, and a snob about bikes. All it took was getting on an ebike in the hills and I loved it. I hope that ebikes are like EV's, in that we are at an inflection point that will lead to widespread adoption. Ebikes are cheaper, lighter with longer lasting batteries than just a couple of years ago.
Check out leonardmlee's RUclips series about ebiking in Tuscany.
Cheers
Mark
Helen, think your saddle was a little high. That may have contributed to your discomfort. I agree though, there is a huge variation in the distance between peoples sitbones and important that you get the right saddle for you.
Mansplain much?
I think the main issue was there’s no hole in the saddle for her foof
Adjustability is key ie saddle, handlebars and stem.
What would be really interesting would be reviews of the cheaper end of the ebike market. Are they complete rubbish or are there some real bargains to be had. Let's face it most folk cant afford 2k+ for an ebike
They can be good. But you have to be aware of what type of motor it has.
I have ridden an ebike from a large box store in the UK, who also sell car bits. Their £450 folding ebike is brilliant, I didn’t buy that one because I wanted more cargo room, but it would have done. You can easily get one for less than £1000.
Decathlon has some really good ebikes (price for value). Because they are such a huge brand they get really good mass deals on parts.
The one fully mtb that i was checking out was like 3,5k for a bike with components on it that it could easily sell for 4-5k.
But the service is quite bad most of the time (they don't know what they are doing) but if you know what you are looking for and just go there to buy i would definitely recommend the brand.
And if it is just for commuting solid ebikes can be found at around 1-1.5k €.
And especially when it replaces a car it becomes really financially feasible. Just add up all the fuel bills and you save a lot of money. Add maintenance and service and it becomes even more financially sound.
Cars are so expensive to own and run.
I ride a Gtech city ebike (Gtech also make hoovers) that's under 1k has a removable battery and weighs 14kg Halfords can supply them. I bought mine on a bike to work scheme so only paid 650 over a year. It's a great bike and I'd love to see fully charged review one!
I am 35, I have no disabilities, I would consider myself fit and I love my emtb. It replaces train and car travel substantially . Nowadays I feel that I have to have a reason to use the car and I don’t have to excuse myself for using my ebike. Absolutely love it and I hope more would give it a try.
Looking at your riding position and leg extension, I’d suggest your saddle was too high which would have caused more saddle discomfort than would have been expected from the wide, supportive saddle Van Moof use.
Nope.
Agree saddle definitely is too high by a long way which will affect comfort but you also need to be able to swap out the saddle.
Probably one of the best E-bike intro videos in RUclips. Great video quality, incredibly informative and fair and honest take on the topic. Love it!
The production quality of this video is really great. It's impressive how well it is done. I'd like to see many more videos like it. There are also so many other Personal Electric Vehicles you could be covering which are great alternatives to cars for daily commutes. Look into electric skateboards, scooters and more bikes. I find electric cargo bikes to be especially great and know they are being used more and more to handle restaurant and grocery delivery at a much lower cost than an electric delivery van which adds to road congestion. Please consider this kind of content.
10 times better than any of the car reviews
I had 2 visits to the Ile de Ré during the summer. I hired a bike in both occasions. The first visit was a non assisted bike and was pleasant to use. In the second visit I tried an assisted bike. I thought it was superb because you wanted to use the bike more. It encouraged you to cycle and that is the forte of these assisted bikes. They are truly revolutionary.
Several years ago, I got myself a 1000W front wheel kit with a 15kWh 48v LIFEPO4 battery pack. It has been in use a long time and the range is quite good, but not tested to it's full range. I converted my oldish 21 gear bike with the kit and it was great to run. I don't have pedal assist and it goes like stink, so it is not legal for sure, but I will use it as long as I can. Lately I was diagnosed with muscle dystrofia and had to get a 3 wheel cargobike, which has now been converted using the same kit. I hope to use it next summer to get me around. E-bikes are great! Good video, Helen.
Wonderful to see so many new presenters, and with such diversity (and diversity of content). Keep it up! 👍
Great review, it is the future. A loan of an ebike for a month during lockdown, led me to dust off my old mountain bike, now I cycle every day, lost over a stone weight, and am much fitter now. There are cheaper options. To flatten hills, and increase range and load carrying, I just ordered an electric conversion kit for my old mountain bike - front tyre & wheel, containing hub motor & battery, controller, 1/2 hour to convert, €330! Reviews were good, so I'll see what happens, if and when it arrives! Anything that gets people out of cars and buses, and into the fresh air can only be a good thing.
Just purchased an NCM Prague Ebike with 29" wheels. Cost was 1200aud 860usd or 660gbp.
Part of the electrification of my farm.
Top speed of 26kmh, it puts a smile on your face, and I don't feel the need to unlock the motors full 500W.
I think I need a sprung saddle because the off road bumps are much bumpier at these relativistic speeds!
I have my completed zero turn ride on mower conversion on my RUclips channel. Hope to add more soon.
Great episode.
I retired back to Cornwall - shocked to find my 10 speed couldn't get me up the hills I remember as a kid !!! I then got an S2 which gets me up some of the steepest that I couldn't manage back then ! Love it.
I think electric bikes are an amazing device and will definitely replace many shorter car journey's . I do, however think that the legislation is a little too restrictive though, in terms of power output and top speed and if they allowed bikes of say 500w and 25mph, think of how many thousands of additional daily commutes would suddenly become viable on a bike.
I think that would be good, because then ebikes would be able to take the role that 50cc scooters currently have. But the vast majority of people have an average cycling speed under 15mph for general A to B travel and so it would make ebikes play a very different role to what they do now.
Having ridden a 250w/15mph ebike, I'm hardly disappointed by it, the power is absolutely great for getting places and takes all the pain out of uphill, then you can still go 20mph downhill. It's win win. They're already awesome.
The way the law is written and reported is not correct, 250w is "nominal" not maximum as this video reports, most 250w bikes actually put out 6-800w Peak
@@321tryagain My concern with having only 250w motors is that whilst they're no doubt powerful under normal circumstances, to take them to a higher speed such as 20-25mph and do this regularly and reliably as a commuter, would be more of a strain. It's the same reason that larger engined cars are more able to do higher mileages at higher speeds more reliably than smaller engined cars. It would also give greater flexibility to heavier bikes such as cargo bikes. That's why bikes like the wonderful Radpower cargo bike have a 750w motor in the States but a measly 250w over here.
@@tomnwoo So does that mean a 250w Bosch motor used in the UK is the same spec as say a 500w Bosch motor used in the States? Do they quote peak power on their bikes as opposed to nominal power?
@@alunjones2550 That is quite likely the case
Good review and good to see the legitimate down sides to this particular model - not from a perspective if bashing ebikes but from a desire to see them get as good as they could be.
The Van Moof has two major drawbacks. 1) The non-removable battery. This may or may not be a problem for you, depending on where you keep your bike and the location of your charging point. 2) The waiting list. I ordered an X3 in May and it should have been delivered this week. Instead, I have to wait until the end of next month and a further month for the pannier rack to arrive.
Despite this I'm really excited that it will get here soon. I completely agree that electric bikes are car replacements. One of the reasons that I can afford the bike is that I gave up my car a couple of years ago. The ebike will mean that I can commute easier, but also it adds range onto the end of a train journey so I can get to some of the less accessible places that currently require taxis or hire cars to reach.
I’m no bike fit expert but Helen your legs look very extended on your fit on that bike, maybe dropping the saddle 2-3cm will improve the comfort of the saddle by taking pressure off your soft tissues, rotate the hips a touch and support you better on your sit bones. Worth a punt for a free comfort upgrade and potentially solve the saddle issue, it’s a bad design point on this bike I feel.
I’d like to see you test more bikes on fully charged this was a great review with some insightful prospectives. It could be worth having a bike fit and getting the numbers noted down to transfer from bike to bike in the future to so you have a common starting point for review.
NO - she is a cyclist and scientist so she knows how to set up a bike.
Almost everyone has the saddle too low which ruins your knee joints on climbs and reduces efficiency.
The issue with the saddle for women is the spacing of the Ischial Tuberosity.
Wayne Russell Well that is your opinion. Looking through a few of the comments others have seemed to spotted the same issue, it’s not just me.
Pre qualifying that it’s at the right height using her profession and that she a cyclist is utter nonsense.
Sure having the saddle too low causes issue, the same as having it too high also causes along with the knee issues you mentioned.
The sit bone issue is true for women, but get the fundamental right first before spending out on a saddle.
I’ve had an S3 for a couple of months now and it’s absolutely brilliant. I use it in central London as a car replacement and I’m loving it.
Good review, and an accurate description of e-bikes. I bought an eMTB last year and it is easily my favourite toy! I guess I'm one of those people who shop at Waitrose (when Fortum and Mason is closed). Some e-bikes are expensive, but you can easily spend the same on a normal bike. What we have now is more choice, and I'm always surprised by the angry comments about something that people don't have to buy!
Really good video and that's from an S3 owner - super useful to know I can send my (currently faulty) electronics off for repair rather than the whole bike, especially as I'm nowhere near a dealer. This may already have been raised in the comments but re the saddle a) there is a wider comfort air suspension saddle available from Van Moof (NB you must order the post as well and be sure you have the tool from them to adjust both saddle and post) and b) your saddle height looks very high on the video, mine is maybe 5 inches lower, don't know if that affects comfort but suspect it might. Also having tried and failed to get out of Pembroke uphill on the S3 recently there is a hill mode on the app I didn't know about which could probably have helped. More worrying is coming back downhill the brakes overheated hugely. Your analysis that this replaces the car is spot on - it has replaced most local journeys I used to do by car and my electric car does the rest.
I recently turned 50 and have a Rad City that I've commuted on for about 10 months totaling over 2,300 miles. Of course I don't get much exercise, but commuting on a regular bike was getting to be too much. I like how I've only driven a car to work about 5 times since I got this bike. It's great fun and I've avoided using about 75 gallons of gas. To be honest, driving kind of stresses me out. Riding a bicycle puts me in a good mood and I love how I get to work relaxed and ready to go. It's a real game changer :-)
Really good job. Specific feedback on critical topics like saddle and learning how the service can be performed by removing a module was something I appreciated.
Excellent review Helen, I’m 50 something and new to all this, just what I needed, thank you.
More bike reviews and definitely more from the uber professional Helen. Excellent review all round. Can you look at the cheap end now please?
Only problem with Helen Czerski is that she's a recreational cyclist, while for basic e-bike reviews you really want more of a fat car driver.
Excellent review, more like this please. I'm more likely to be in the market for a new e-bike than an expensive new e-car. Stick with km, we're in the 21st century after all.
Glad to hear Dr. Czerski's candor on this evolving segment of mobility. I am very happy to see the pros & cons of a review in a product. Keeps Fully Charged honest. As Robert Llewellyn has mentioned, there are many segments that are forthcoming from all the Fully Charged Team. The Van Moof looks pretty cool. I might like it, I might not. Won't know until I am able to try it. She did. Some got all butt hurt over her comment of a hurting lower anatomy due to seat fit. And that she communicated that "for her" it is not her cup of tea. However, she is right. It is an alternative to a car. & much easier to park. Hopefully with secure destination storage.
Ah Kingston, my old stomping ground...
Thanks for a very interesting and thought provoking episode. Just a shame that you choose possibly the most marmite eBike to review. Just hope that any viewers considering an eBike are not put off by the Van Moof one style fits all approach. There is a vibrant and growing eBike market out there, from low cost retrofitting of electric motors right the way through to high end amazing custom designs.
The future of bikes (for the masses) is definitely electric...and I look forward to your next review 👍
This year I bought an E-Mountainbike and I love it and the mountains in Austria really shout for a MTB. Even in Vienna, the highest hill is 550m which is fun for a afterwork ride. But to commute to work in the city my Xiaomi E-Scooter which is fully legal here is the king. I can put it under my desk in the office and don't have to worry that it got stolen. If it should rain I can take the public transportation as its also possible to enter them with the scooter folded down. This is a nice episode explaining E-Bikes...
I converted my Rans Stratus long wheel base recumbent last year. No more agony going up the many hills here in western Massachusetts. Biking in the country is not only possible now without cardiac arrest (I'm 76), it's fun!
This is the best and most informative video on this e-bike I have found on RUclips!
Great video, bikes are such an essential part of greener transport.
I have worked with British Cycling grass roots teams for years. In the early days, BC weren’t sure about ebikes, but now they love them, they help get people on bikes, and be more confident on bikes. One ride participant I met lost over 3 stone in 6 months just by changing his car commute to an ebike commute, so don’t let anyone tell you that they are for lazy people.
Once you get an eBike, you then discover all the benefits. Having lights built in is hugely beneficial and time saving but being able to wear waterproof clothing any time of year and not get sweaty going to work is GOLD. I hardly drive anymore and charge up my bike from renewable sources. Love it. I do 3500 miles a year on mine. I'd do more if I could!
Very good review. I would make just one correction: I bought a Van Moof S2 a few year back (and love it) but I found the saddle caused issues - (numbness, to be specific). It's possible to change to any other saddle. The only issue is that Van Moof use a slightly weird frame inner diameter, so you need to use a small (and cheap) metal shim to match sizes. It's a minor faff, but you do it once and you're sorted with any saddle you like. I used a Homyl 31.8 to 34mm shim, which was £5 on Amazon. I certainly wouldn't let this issue put you off a Van Moof. They're the best.
It's good to see the Legalities Explained at 2:45 there are far too many unregistered electric motorcycles on our roads already..
Some one else commented on the seat being too high, each time you stopped you had to come off the seat onto the cross bar, I think rule of thumb on a touring bike is just being able to touch the floor with one foot and still seated. It can be seen as you set off you really are at full stretch, point being the seat might not have been such an issue.
Couldn't agree more. As a 61 year old 'traditional' cyclist, I'm not ready for one of these yet, but it's nice to know that these will be available for me when I need them.
I love this presenter, she's BRILLIANT. I look forward to more episodes featuring her.
We, my wife and I, have had our G-Tech e-bikes for three and a half years now. We own our own business and work from home but we use our bikes regularly (35-50m a week) on roads, beaches and forest and mountain trails. My wife broke her neck in a car accident 30yrs ago and the battery is her ‘saviour’. She couldn’t cycle otherwise.
I converted my 29er MTB for secondary transportation with my self-converted box truck. It's so much more convenient to leave the truck behind for errands and it's a godsend for exploring. It also gets me to trailheads that would be otherwise inaccessible for my 10'4" tall rig.
For a grand total of $479, I now have an e-bike with a 1,500W rear, geared hub motor and 52V/15Ah (764Wh) battery (self-built with 70 18650 lithium ion cells), plus all the other bits and bobs (electronic speed controller, charger, brake cut-offs, peddle assist sensor, etc.). Range is 30+ miles. Speed is 30+ miles per hour. Weight is reasonable and geared motors don't create drag, so the bike can be pedaled as normal if I ever run out of power.
1,500W may sound insane. It's not. Not when you consider frequent stop-and-go traffic, crossed with mid-range trips into town for groceries and the like, crossed with climbing on forest service roads and mountain bike trails. Having that much power and instantaneous torque available makes the bike a cross between a hybrid bike and a motor bike.
For an avid road cyclist and MTBer, this e-bike is very much appreciated for it's intended purpose. It's also a steal when one considers what a similarly equipped model would go for from a manufacturer.
Best of all, I can always uninstall all the components and sell the bike a stock 29er, re-using everything on a future build.
Thank you for a very straight forward, unhyped review
Brilliant video.
I do hope we see more e bikes reviewed this way.
Give Helen a wide variety of e bikes and send them up box hill. With info on energy used, comfort, speed etc.
What a database you could build.
So comforting to see a review of technology that isn't all gushing about how great it is. A good dead that needs a bit of refinement. Like being able to swap seats.
Am not 21 anymore, but a friend let me have a go on his S3 and it was fantastic. And I feel you could have a full day cycling without being to exhausted and keeping fit at the same time. Once am able to get the money together am going to get one. ...Come on Van Moof...
I've cycled for most of my life, gave up 10 years ago due to bad back etc and moving to a hilly area in yorkshire.
Recently bought an ebike and absolutely love it, so I gave that to my wife and converted my old but good bike to electric , now we both go out cycling together and can stay at the same pace by adjusting the power levels.
My biggest gripe is security, too many bike thieves these days so csnt really leave bike chained up outside.
I like the service this company gives in regards to that.
Maybe a big advantage for commuters is that you can get to and from work at a good speed and without breaking a sweat.
Good review - especially pointing out the pitfalls as well as the positives. Looking forward to the e-cargo bike episode as there are so many options and products developing in that area now and the "last mile" is so important with the increase in online shopping, etc in the last couple of years.
I was one of those who bought an e bike in 2018. It replaced my motor scooter for commuting.
Great episode but as a member of the lycra clad brigade you need to get rid of that notion of it being cheating! It's no more cheating than having gears, or standing up to pedal. And then there's the question of what is actually being cheated?
One of the first things I did was change the saddle which is easy to do and can be done to suit your own requirements.
We now have a couple of cheap folding bikes that we can take away in the caravan and enjoy on holiday.. They both have new saddles as well ;)
Looking forward to the episode about e cargo bikes
Great review, well presented. I am 4 months into riding an Electrified S2 and really enjoying it for my commute as I can ride in ready to go without shower/changing. Re. The accessories (pannier rack, splash guards) I bought mine from VanMoof afterwards and fitted myself without issue, so no need to order with the bike. Also it is possible to swap the seat and pedals...see the VanMoof support site.
Great review Helen. Very honest. Just a quick point to add re the cost of e-bikes. They are a bit expensive at the moment "will get cheaper" But if you look at it compared to the cost of a second car... Just the running costs alone "never mind buying the thing!" they make sense.. No petrol, Insurance, maintenance, parking costs etc etc... And i agree with Comment below Great legs.. Can tell you cycle a lot. :-)
I recently bought an e mountain bike and it’s great fun. I can be out in the countryside all day, on and off road and go places an off-road motorcycle is not allowed to go. I am fit enough for a regular bike but found them a bit boring and I can honestly say I’ve never enjoyed riding up a big hill! This gives me the option to work out when I want to but when I’ve had enough or want to get up a steep hill I can just turn the power up and choose not to suffer.
I have recently got an e-bike, a CUBE Dutch style bike. I'm off the older demographic and have had various bikes for years but used them less and less. This new bike has got me back out cycling, in general I'm not using massive amounts of battery but it's there for the times I struggle, like hills or when I'm really tired. What it has let me do is join a cycling group and be able to keep up with more experienced and fitter riders, meaning they're not slotted down by me and I'm not put off because I can't keep up. I've also started cycling to the shops and to friends where previously I'd jump in the car or on my motorbike. I can say that this bike by CUBE is the most comfortable and easy bike I've ever ridden. I've had the bike 2 months and the furthest I've ridden is just shy of 30 miles in one go and I've done 170 miles on it in all. Not bad for an unfit old fogie!
Great balanced video. Yes please do more ebike videos. You might want to review the Gtech which is a good half way house between the bolt on bike kits and the vanmoof. Still think the vanmoof is a little over priced. That said it has some really nice features.
I used to race bikes but after many many operations spinal fusion etc etc it was impossible to ever ride again ...i bought an e mountain bike & to be able to ride again made me so so grateful to this technology 👍😁
Have ordered one of these through the UK’s cycle to work scheme - you’re effectively paying monthly for a bike pre- taxation. They won’t have this bike listed on the website however can obtain some voucher and pass it on to Vanmoof. Got another month until mine arrives though!
I am sure Helen knows she can change the saddle on that bike to any third party saddle that will fit the seatpost.
I am confused as the seat can be changed out for anyother as it just a standard seat post and seat assembly at least it is on my Van Moof........
You can change the saddle as it's a standard post and fittings. I don't think Van Moof give the option of saddle choice when you buy it though, so you'd have to buy a 2nd one after if you didn't like the stock one.
The biggest but ...... is that you can not take the battery out to charge it in the office of home or replace it with a full second one on a long trip.
That was a great review. I’ve been tempted to an S3 for a few months now, I love the looks and the tech on offer. I like the idea of using it to commute to the train station and then my clients off at the other end without getting a sweat on and then needing to get showered and changed on arrival. The price is a little steep, but I’m sure the costs will come down as popularity increases.
There are a quite a few E-Bikes with better value for the money. If you don't care about the look then one with an external removable battery might be cheaper than a "hidden" ebike like van moof
Brilliant, balanced review. Well done, well done. Now I understand that they are not just ways to "cheat"!! Bravo! I'll stay with my single speed citybike at 19lbs (not kilos) !!
More bikes on FC please! I have the Van Moof S2 and love it. It is a town or tarmac road bike though, def not off road.
It's great to see an honest and unbiased review of this bike. So glad also that a point was made about the demographic it's aimed at. The whole package has been clearly thought out in most respects, it's a mid range e-bike that doesn't look that much like an e-bike and I think that's going to be a major selling point. It's clearly not aimed at cyclists, but at those who want an easy riding bike. Would I buy one? No, but I can see why many would do so. It is an attractive and clean looking design with lots integrated into it.
One thing I did note that brakes are the opposite way round to UK/European spec machines, is this a US model?
Brilliant review!! The future really is here :) Congratulations and best wishes for your work!
As an x3 owner the range is great for my wife to use it... whereas me and my heft struggle for range... 28km ride, liberal use of boost and hills took 73% of battery.
It’s probably down to how you use the boost and what speed you sit at.
There is a huge revolution happening in Sydney, Australia now - the eBikes have arrived in force. With car parking unaffordable and the streets clogged with cars, they are THE way to get about.
Helen, I agree about saddles, I have replaced the one mine came with. The new one is better, but I am still limited mostly by the pain in my rear end. Another thing I did not appreciate until I got my current one; it has a "dropper post" - now I would not be without one!
Hi John,I appreciated your comments on the Van Moof e-bike. Can you tell me where I can purchase one and the delivery cost.Thank you Edward 0404225082
@@edwardrowlands5803 Do you mean a Van Moof? I have no idea, and I seem to recall checking their web site only to find that they are not sold here. But don't hold me to that.
I bought my electric bike from Sydney Electric Bikes in Harris St., Pyrmont. To say that they are keen on electric bikes, for nearly ever use, is an understatement.
But since I bought mine the range is rather different, and I know too little to offer advice - other than "don't buy a TEBCo".
All very nice with the high tech bikes. Here in Denmark, most people ride a more traditional style cycle. They are dressed for their destination, not the journey. Maybe show a few of these electric bikes, they are comfortable, easy to ride and very efficient. The Co-op in Denmark has a couple of e-bikes (Mustang-SCO) in the lower price range 500-650. Batavas, Kildemoes, Winther are available for a slightly higher price. I have a Batavas which reeks of high quality (still have my old Batavas bought 18 years ago and done really good mileage). Have a look at what the Dutch and the Danes are riding.
I was very excited to see Helen Czerski on Fully Charged. Nice!
Where I am the only way to get out of the area in any direction is up and down massive hills. With arthritis in the knees I've given up on cycling. However, if I had an e-bike I'd definitely give it another go and leave the car at home. Unfortunately I don't yet like the price. I don't like the saddles either but I guess they're tolerable for short journeys.
Nicely balanced review, I'd read mixed reviews about the VM bikes in the past, but the S3 looks like a decent, if flawed, package at that price point.
Oh god! I'm the "older demographic". This is great review, have just ordered this bike because "I want to get out of the car" and get back the freedom of the bike I remember when I was young and fit! Thank you for a really balanced review!
Great video. We are late for about 8 years from China ebikes, sometimes people do not need a high-tech bike, just an electrification for their old bike and new transportation possibilities will change people's minds.
Had an identical eureka moment in Dorset! Swanage High Street ( near Cow Lane). This was 18 months ago, l bought a baby blue Volt Kensington, for my girlfriend, to this day, people still admire that e bike.
Hills on a bike is always a test of fitness and I think its true the future is here. My retired parents are toying with the idea, its ideal for them as they can get out and explore without worrying about getting stuck or stranded.
Great review and I totally agree with this marmite bike. Big Helen fan :)
I find it strange that someone tests a bike and doesn't even know how to set the saddle height on the bike correctly. On the video you can see clearly that the lady has set the saddle bar much too high. Anyone who has a clue knows what that means.
Good review, I had looked at the Van Moof 3 but after many reviews pointed out that although you can take it to 15mph if you try to go faster under your own steam the bike seems to hold you back making this increase almost impossible. I cycle a normal mountain bike and can easily get into the high 20mph range so was concerned that the benefits of this motor could be negated by this hold back other reviewers have commented on.
SouthWest 603 I’m not knocking the EU, but this is one time I’d rather we had adopted the 20MPH limit that’s generally used in the US. 20 MPH is a far more comfortable, and from experience, safer cruising speed than 15.5 MPH, especially when you are mixing it up with urban traffic.
Brilliant review and perspective. Thanks.
You should try the TERN HSD S8i instead, a real replacement for a car and good enough to just use as a regular bike.
A bit more expensive though, about twice the price. I love mine.
I use my electric bike mostly for distance. Where I life there are some hills but most of it is flat lands. So besides a little bridge over some water you really don't require climbing support.
But I tell you, an electric bike will get you from A to B, against the wind, in the rain. And you'll be decently okay!
The bike I have is mid drive so yeah, slightly more expensive in ways, and designed to get you up to speed and keep you at certain speeds. That is where the motor likes to be!
Cost wise my e bike will cost me about 200-250 euro a year, there is after all upkeep, repairs done by the shop [don't worry I have a warrantee package in what some of it already is paid for] and in the end, yes the battery! That battery will have to be replaced at a point!
What an excellent impartial review, that clearly gave information and a considered subjective opinion from an informed view point. Well done, car reviews need to be as good as this, a new benchmark for fully charged!
Bought a Whopper with fat tires some years back. Got it converted to an e-bike two years ago, 1000W rear motor and a 48V 1KWh battery over the back wheel (which holds side bags). I can do 40km/h (about 25mph) without an issue. Don't really want to go faster. Love it. Point is, if you have a old, normal bike - perhaps just upgrade it?
Whoa, I'm floored by the cost: £1798 is a steal for such a nice looking e-bike! I had £4000+ in my mind until the price was revealed...
Really enjoy Helen's presentations, another great one here. 👍🏻🙏🏻