🚨 The article is constantly being completed and updated.
After my first-generation VanMoof from 2017 provided motor support for a short time after setting off, but then unfortunately continued to ride without support after a few seconds, I started my research to repair my bike.
During my research, I noticed some differences between the 2016 and 2017 generations, which I would like to list in this article for all people who are also trying to repair their first-generation VanMoof.
Feel free to write a comment telling us what other differences you are aware of so that we can compile as complete a list as possible.
Which generation do I belong to?
To know which spare parts you actually need, it is good to know exactly which generation you have.
Unfortunately, the VanMoof app only shows very little information, especially for the first generation. This is why it is necessary to use an online tool that provides additional and, above all, much more comprehensive information than the official VanMoof app.
Shortly before VanMoof went bankrupt, many bike owners were afraid that they would no longer be able to use their bikes in the future. That's why there were some resourceful developers at the time who made it their business to extract the encryption keys from the bikes so that they could still be used even after VanMoof's servers were shut down.
Fortunately, it didn't come to that, which is why the VanMoof app still works today.
Find out more about your bike:
- Log in with your VanMoof credentials at the following website: https://keyexporter.grossartig.io/account. The code is open source and can be found here: https://github.com/grossartig/vanmoof-encryption-key-exporter
- You will then receive a JSON file containing all the information about your bike.
Here is an example of what this JSON can look like:
[
{
"id": XXXX,
"name": "Bike",
"frameNumber": "KHXXXXXXXXX",
"ownerName": "Felix",
"tripDistance": 111009,
"macAddress": "80:6F:XX:XX:XX:XX",
"smartmoduleCurrentVersion": "0.0.4",
"smartmoduleDesiredVersion": null,
"changeBackupCode": false,
"isTracking": false,
"highestAvailableSpeedLimit": "EU",
"messageAvailable": false,
"modelName": "VM01-107-2G",
"modelDetails": {
"Gears": "Automatic 2 speed shifting gears",
"Motor": "250 - 350 W front-wheel hub motor",
"Colour": "Grey",
"Edition": "2017-2G",
"Extra": "chain tensioner"
},
"modelColor": {
"name": "Gray",
"primary": "#929393",
"secondary": "#929393"
},
"frameShape": "S",
"manufacturer": "darfon",
"controller": "2017 S",
"updateMethod": "OAD",
"eLock": true,
"gsmModule": "2G",
"speaker": false,
"bleProfile": "ELECTRIFIED_2017",
"customerRole": "owner",
"permissions": [
"ADD_USER",
"FIRMWARE_UPDATES",
"REMOVE_USER",
"REPORT_FOUND",
"REPORT_STOLEN",
"SEND_STATISTICS",
"BACKUP_CODE",
"BIKE_NAME",
"VIEW_THEFT_CASES",
"ALARM_SETTINGS",
"COUNTRY_SETTINGS",
"LIGHTS",
"MOTOR_SUPPORT_LEVEL",
"UNLOCK",
"READ_VALUES",
"STOLEN_MODE",
"SWAP_SMARTMODULE"
],
"key": {
"encryptionKey": "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
"passcode": "XXXXXXXXXXXX"
},
"stolen": {
"isStolen": false,
"dateStolen": null,
"status": "not_stolen",
"latestLocation": null
},
"hasPeaceOfMind": false,
"peaceOfMind": null,
"links": {
"hash": "https://my.vanmoof.com/api/v8/getBikeDataHash/7907",
"thumbnail": "https://my.vanmoof.com/image/model/11"
}
}
]Different components between the 2016 and 2017 generation
VanMoof revised the bikes frequently, especially in the early days, so there seem to be numerous iterations.
I am aware of these:
SmartUnit & motor controller
A common problem with first generation bikes is a faulty smart unit or motor controller. After dismantling various bikes, I realized that there are differences between the generations of smart units and controllers. Unfortunately, I am not yet aware of an exact diagram that would allow them to be clearly distinguished visually.
What I have noticed, however, is that SmartUnits and motor controllers must always come from the same generation. If you try to combine them, errors 27 or 29 often occur, which are then shown on the display. So if you are looking for spare parts, it is best to always buy the motor controller and the Smart Unit version together, or at least from the same generation.
Luggage carrier
On some bikes, the luggage rack is fixed to the rear strut at its own attachment points.
In a presumably later generation, these mounting points were changed, possibly for stability reasons.
Bafang front motors
Various bar catcher motors were installed. From the G311 to the G312 to the G313. The differences are probably minimal and mainly lie in the transmission ratio of the engine. I have recorded what such an engine looks like from the inside in another article. If you have more information, please write it in the comments.
Update option
In the JSON mentioned above, I have already read different information on the "updateMethod". While "OAD" is specified for newer bikes, which allows an update via the app, older controllers show the value "USB" here. In my opinion, this indicates that the first models were not intended for over-the-air updates.
What other differences are you aware of? Write them in the comments below.