Annnd here we go. The Verge is now running the story.
Courts have appointed two administrators to take over VanMoof.
They've run out of money.
https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/12/23792143/vanmoof-e-bike-payment-suspension-bankruptcy-sale
@voxmatt hard to say right now until the administrators announce their plans.
Best case someone acquires their IP/brand and continues manufacturing parts.
Worst case, the bikes become paperweights very soon.
@phill Van Moof? Weren't they those who put the front lamp in the frame and not on the front wheel handle so that the light never lits in the direction you want to go?
That's nearly a design flaw like the Apple mouse with the charging port on the bottom side, preventing the usage of the mouse while charging?
@toor @phill Personally, I recently moved the headlight from the fork to my new front rack (because they were touching when cornering, blocking the steering and risking damaging the headlight), so it’s now linked to the frame and no longer to the steering. Surprisingly, I find it much better. Of course, in tight bends, I can’t see as well, but having it on the fork tended to plunge the beam downwards in this case (and tilting it a lot), so that in wider (and faster) bends, I couldn’t see as far as I can now (the beam being relatively wide on the SON Edelux II (this headlight is excellent)).
And it’s more stable on straights lines and wide bends.
So after all, a fixed position isn’t totally stupid, and personally I prefer it.
@phill oolalaaaa VanMoof down..
Can the bike run without the app? Without the encryption keys available?
@phill This is sad news - I had the feeling they were expanding too fast, though.
@phill
They're losing €80mm/yr, so of course "let's expand!"
@phill nooooo
What's the story for owners? Clearly, repairs are going to get harder with retail stores closing, but will it impact the app/bike?