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Dutch e-bike startup VanMoof is back two years after bankruptcy<\/a> with its first model designed under new leadership<\/a>. And despite past criticism that VanMoof\u2019s over-reliance on custom parts led to the company\u2019s downfall, the S6 sticks to the brand\u2019s signature bespoke design.\u00a0<\/p>\n Today, VanMoof is betting that higher quality custom parts, alongside a more robust servicing network, will allow it to stay true to its design-forward, tech-heavy core, while avoiding the repair and servicing pitfalls that came out of scaling a specialized product too quickly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019s a reason for VanMoof to exist if we\u2019re going to use off-the-shelf parts like everyone else,\u201d co-CEO Elliot Wertheimer told TechCrunch backstage at Micromobility Europe in Brussels this week. \u201cWe\u2019re here to push design, to have a bike that, if you\u2019ve never ridden an e-bike in your life, you get on it and it\u2019s intuitive. Easy, like an iPhone.\u201d<\/p>\n VanMoof previously raised<\/a> more than $200 million in venture capital and gained a cult following<\/a> for its premium, minimalist-designed e-bikes equipped with integrated lights, batteries, and motors. <\/p>\n VanMoof\u2019s unique selling point became its biggest liability<\/a>. Like many venture-backed hardware businesses, the company grew too quickly to operate sustainably. When bikes broke down, customers were left stranded by an underdeveloped repair network and constrained supply \u2014 a consequence of the company\u2019s decision to use custom parts instead of off-the-shelf components.\u00a0<\/p>\n The startup filed for bankruptcy in July 2023. A month later it was scooped up by e-scooter maker Lavoie<\/a>, a business division of McLaren Applied, which itself was formerly a part of McLaren Group that builds parts for the McLaren F1.<\/p>\n Wertheimer said with support from McLaren Applied\u2019s Formula 1 expertise, VanMoof was able to redesign every component that had caused issues in past models, using performance data to create more reliable custom parts. Many of those parts are co-designed with large manufacturers, which not only assures quality, but also availability of parts should anything happen to VanMoof again, according to Wertheimer.\u00a0<\/p>\n In certain areas of the business, VanMoof relented to a more industry-standard approach. The company\u2019s batteries, for example, are now co-designed and manufactured by Panasonic; VanMoof only supplies the mechanical and software integration. Previously, VanMoof had led on battery design.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The real critical piece, though, is an improved support network, according to Wertheimer.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe fixed the whole business, from unit economics, logistics, and after-sale service,\u201d Wertheimer said. \u201cWe couldn\u2019t go out with something new before we set up the infrastructure to do so.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n VanMoof has built up a network of 250 repair centers and 130 sales partners, and is focusing sales on markets like Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe have built a tech suite for [our repair partners] in terms of where they can buy components, a diagnostics app, a proper tracking system that tracks which parts went where, et cetera, to make warranty claims easier for them,\u201d Wertheimer said, adding that VanMoof has set up an online training course for mechanic partners. \u201cThat\u2019s super well set up and we\u2019re growing the network fast. We\u2019re adding 10 stores a week.\u201d<\/p>\n VanMoof also hopes to launch in the U.S. by the end of 2025. However, Wertheimer said those plans have stalled as the company waits to see how President Trump\u2019s tariffs policy shakes out.<\/p>\n The company has already started taking reservations for the S6 in its current active markets, and expects to deliver the first few thousand vehicles in the beginning of August.\u00a0<\/p>\nThe VanMoof S6: A new hope<\/strong><\/h2>\n