VanMoof X3

The S3's smaller sibling is just as powerful

By Sjoerd Reitsma

June 28^th, 2020

Introduced for the Japanese market in 2017, the Electrified X became so popular that VanMoof decided to release it in other markets as well. Since 2019, the VanMoof X rides along the S-series to complete the minimal lineup VanMoof makes. All electric⚡️

INTRO

The VanMoof X3 is part of a new 3-series model range where it shares most of its parts and features with it’s bigger sibling, the S3. The new 3-series has a more powerful engine, improved boost, hydraulic brakes, and automatic electronic gear shifting with 4 speeds.

Check out my VanMoof S3 review to learn more about all the new features of the 3-series. Also, if this is your first time reading about the VanMoof Electrified, you should check out my review of the Electrified S (2017). There i go into more detail about the design and connected features.

This review is more a comparison with the S3 and how the X3 fits in the model range.

THE X3 FRAME

So how does the VanMoof X3 (frame) compare to the VanMoof S3? The X3 is a compact bike with 24 inch wheels. The frame has an unusual 'X' shaped design (hence the name) which makes it really stand out from the crowd. The X frame replaces the step through frame VanMoof used to make for female riders. This unisex frame is designed for riders of 155 - 200 cm. So a little more flexible than the S frame, which is designed for riders of 170 - 210 cm. The S has 28 inch wheels. Both bikes weigh 19 kg.

DARK

I am testing the X3 in the new 'dark' colour. Which is greyish with a dark blue hue. It's not black, but it's a nice colour. The bike also comes in 'light' which is the same colour as the light blue accent on the X3 dark frame. I tested the new S3 in the light colour, so to ride the X3 in dark is a nice contrast.

It's a matter of taste (and they are both great colours), but i now definitely like the light colour more than the dark. There is something special about the blue. The paint is also more matt (the dark has more shimmers in it and is more reflective) which makes the frame look even better. Also the black parts on the bike (handlebar, brakes, saddle, wheels, mudguards) stand out more when the frame is a different colour.

“I now definitely like the light colour more than the dark. There is something special about the blue”

Riding the X3

So how does the X3 ride? Well really nice actually! I expected to have to peddle a lot more than with the S3, because the X3 is a smaller bike with smaller wheels. It turns out that the X3 (like the S3) has so much power that it doesn't really matter how small the wheels are, it's a rocket! It's great that the X3 is so compact, it makes the bike very agile and getting on is a blast. The big tires are also a big plus.

“The X3 has so much power that it doesn’t really matter how small the wheels are, it's a rocket!”

New Saddle

When i reviewed the S3 (before the launch), the new saddle was not present on the press bikes. I did see it up close once, but never had the opportunity to really try it out. Look what the X3 press bike came outfitted with...

All bikes of the new 3-series come with the new saddle. So don't worry, if you have ordered an S3 or X3, it's on there :)

So what's new? It's now a 'one piece saddle' which means that it has the air suspension built-in. It gives the saddle this nice minimalistic look.

But while it does look very nice and sits quite ok, i like the comfort of the old saddle better. It also has a new hinge, which makes it a bit harder to put a different saddle (Brooks is very populair with VanMoofers) on but it is definitely possible.

THE VERDICT

The X3 is really fun! If money (and space) is not an issue then i would definitely take them both. The X3 for in the city and the S3 on longer rides. Don't get me wrong, the S3 is great in the city as well and you can definitely take the X3 for a longer ride, but this is how i feel about the bikes. The X3 feels like you can grab it faster to do a groceries run or to drive to that nearby beach.

If money or space is not unlimited or if you only need 1 bike, then I personally lean more towards the S3. It's more sophisticated and feels a little more robust.

One thing i noticed that is a bit strange on the X3, is that the display is so low. Because of the way the frame is built, the middle tube is lower than on the S3 and that makes viewing the display a bit harder. Because you have to look so far down it takes you longer to process the information you see on the display.

The visibility of the display (in direct sunlight) is better on the dark colour bikes than on the light ones. Still the visibility on the dark S2 is a lot clearer. In the shade or in tunnels it's not a problem and then the display really shines!

If you are in the market for an e-bike then the new 3-series from VanMoof is definitely worth checking out. For this price (2000 euros) there are not a lot of bikes with this kind of features.

The combination of the integrated display, the automatic shifting, hydraulic brakes, anti-theft and especially the enormous speed is unmatched in 2020.