Let’s be honest: the VanMoof saga was heartbreaking for e-bike lovers. They built perhaps the most recognizable electric bikes on the planet.
But when the company went bankrupt, thousands of riders were left stranded. The proprietary electronics that made the bikes so clever also made them impossible to fix. When they displayed an error code, they became very expensive brick.
At Blurby, we watched this unfold. During the crisis, we launched a trade-in program, offering stranded VanMoof owners a discount on a reliable Blurby e-bike. https://blurbybike.com/vanmoof-is-bankrupt-trade-in-your-old-vanmoof-for-blurby-ebike/
Our warehouse soon filled up with rows of beautiful but mostly broken Vanmoof bikes.
We looked at these bikes and realized we couldn’t just send them to the scrapheap. The frames are iconic. The motors are powerful. The design is timeless. They just needed a brain transplant.
Introducing the VanMoof Circular Series by Blurby
We made a bold decision: we were going to fix them. Not by patching up the old, flawed system, but by ripping it out entirely and starting fresh.
We have spent the last few months re-engineering these trade-in bikes. We have successfully combined the legendary VanMoof design with the one thing it always lacked: industry-standard reliability.
Here is what we did to create the “Forever VanMoof”:
1. We Removed the “Black Box” We stripped out the proprietary controllers and the fragile handlebar buttons that were notorious for causing failures. If it couldn’t be fixed by a standard bike mechanic, it had to go.
2. We Installed Standard Electronics We replaced the brains of the bike with high-quality, open-standard industrial controllers.
- The Result: No more mysterious error codes. No more app dependency to unlock your bike. Just get on, press a button on the new, clear handlebar display, and ride.
3. We Rebuilt the Batteries We kept the original casing to maintain the sleek look, but inside, we replaced the aging power cells with 40 brand-new, high-quality battery cells. You get full factory range and power, guaranteed.
4. We Kept the Magic The powerful original front-hub motor and those beautiful integrated frame lights? They are still there, now seamlessly wired into our new, reliable system.
Choose Your Generation: S2/X2 vs. S3/S5
In our refurbishment process, we ensured that what made each generation special remained intact—specifically, how they shift gears. We currently have stock spanning several generations:
- The “Bulletproof” S2 & X2 Models: These are favorites for a reason. They feature a mechanical automatic hub. There are no electronics involved in shifting; centrifugal force changes the gears automatically as you speed up. It is pure mechanical simplicity and virtually maintenance-free.
- The Classic S3 & X3 Models: These bikes retain their original 4-speed E-shifter. We have integrated the original shifting mechanism with our new controller, providing that signature smooth, automatic electronic shifting experience.
- The Next-Gen S5: A limited number of these newer models feature the refined Gen-5 E-shifter for an even smoother ride, now backed by our reliable electronic architecture.
A Second Life (With Character)
This isn’t just about selling bikes; it’s about sustainability. Every VanMoof we refurbish is one less complex machine sitting in a landfill.
It is important to remember that these are used frames. While the electronics and internal battery cells are brand new, the bikes themselves have lived a life before reaching us. You should expect some scratches, scuffs, or signs of use on the paintwork. We believe this adds character to a bike that was saved from the brink.
Ready to Own the Icon?
We have a limited stock of these re-engineered VanMoofs available right now on our webshop.
If you always wanted the look, but feared the reliability issues, this is your chance. You get the design icon, upgraded with the reliability and repairability of a Blurby.