Mooncool TK1 Electric Tricycle Review: Is It Worth Your Money?
Hey everyone, Hobart here from Hobart Reviews. Today, we’re diving headfirst into the world of electric tricycles with the Mooncool TK1. Now, electric trikes are all the rage these days, offering a comfortable and stable ride, especially for folks who might not be as comfortable on two wheels. But is the Mooncool TK1 the e-trike for you? Buckle up, because we’re about to take a no-nonsense journey through the good, the bad, and the ugly of this electric tricycle.
First Impressions
When you first lay eyes on the Mooncool TK1, it looks promising. Its a really nice looking electric trike once its all put together. On mooncool’s website the TK1 retails for $1,599 but is currently on sale for $1,399. Available in six colors—navy blue, pink, black, dark red, green, and cyan—the trike we’re testing today is the eye-catching cyan. They throw in a trike set bundle with tools, a bottle holder, and a net for your rear basket. Nice touch, right?
Assembly Is Very Lengthy & Frustrating
Let’s get one thing straight: assembling this trike is a nightmare. The front wheel comes attached to the front half of the frame, and that’s it. You’ve got to put together the rear half, the derailleur, the brakes, and almost everything else. It’s like they expect you to have a degree in bike mechanics. It took me a solid 8-9 hours to get it all together. And judging by other reviews, I’m not the only one pulling my hair out over this. Some of their trikes are mostly put together but for some reason the Fat Tire TK1 does not.
Features and Specs
First things first, let’s get the technical stuff out of the way. The Mooncool TK1 boasts a 500-watt motor with a peak of 750 watts, which the company claims can conquer even the steepest hills. On the battery side of things, we’re looking at a 48-volt, 15 amp-hour lithium-ion battery that offers a stated range of 30 to 45 miles on a single charge. Now, that number can vary depending on your weight, terrain, and how much pedaling you’re doing. In reality, you might be looking at more like 15 to 25 miles on a single charge. But hey, that’s still a decent range for cruising around town.
Suspension And Disc Brakes
For those bumps and imperfections on the road, the TK1 comes equipped with fat tires, both front and back, along with front suspension. These features definitely contribute to a smoother ride, feeling more cushioned than your standard electric trike. Here’s a pro tip for you: avoid flats by checking your tire pressure before each ride and keeping them inflated to the recommended PSI (which is around 30 PSI for the TK1, I believe).
Braking is handled by disc brakes – one in the front and one in the middle for the rear wheels. This is different from some other e-trikes that might have a disc brake on each wheel, but hey, it gets the job done.
A Comfy Seat And 7-Speed Shimano Shifter
The TK1 also comes with a comfy seat that’s wide and has an adjustable backrest. Now, I did notice that the backrest likes to slide down a bit, even when tightened. Not a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind.
Another feature to consider is the 7-speed Shimano shifter. This allows you to keep up with the pedaling even at faster speeds. Here’s the catch: the TK1 arrives in pieces, not assembled. Let me tell you, I spent a good chunk of time putting this thing together, and then even more hours trying to adjust the derailleur cable so it would shift through all seven gears. Not exactly an ideal scenario.
The Baskets And Extra Goodies
Mooncool does include some goodies with your purchase, like a heavy-duty lock, a rain cover, and a front and rear basket. The basket up front is sturdy and well-made, but the rear basket leaves a lot to be desired. It’s a flimsy thing held together by metal strips that like to rattle and jiggle around.
I’m not sure who’s idea it was to make the customer bend metal strips around the bars on the basket. Even using pliers I wasn’t able to get it tight enough to not fall off. And the metal strips have sharp edges so while trying to bend them you can easily cut your hands or fingers so be careful. Mooncool needs to change this immediately before someone gets hurt. I would suggest a basket like the front which is welded and solid as a rock. Not cool, Mooncool.
Alright, enough talk. Let's see how this electric trike performs on the road!
Top Speed Test
The first thing I checked was the top speed, which is limited to 16 mph. The motor does have some good acceleration and got us to our top speed in just a few seconds. But when you reach the top speed it cuts off abruptly at that 16 mph mark, almost like someone hits the brakes on you. Not a huge fan of that sensation.
The engagement and disengagement of the motor when pedaling also felt a bit sluggish. It takes a couple of seconds for the motor to kick in when you start pedaling, and it doesn’t cut out immediately when you stop. That said, the lower top speed does allow you to keep up with the pedaling a bit easier compared to some faster e-trikes.
Suspension And 20″x 4″ Fat Tires
The fat tires and suspension do a good job of smoothing out the ride. The TK1 has front hydraulic suspension which help on bumpy roads and especially at crosswalks where the curbs can be uneven. There is no rear suspension on the Mooncool TK1 but the 4″ wide fat tires adds some cushioning to your ride making up for the lack of rear suspension. Although there is a slight wobble that I couldn’t quite pinpoint. Maybe it was the wheels? Who knows. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but it was noticeable.
Disc Brake Performance
Speaking of things that were noticeable, how about those squeaky disc brakes? Seriously, what’s the deal with squeaky brakes on so many electric bikes and scooters these days? The brakes work well but when slowing down they are quite loud. Its really off-putting to be out riding and go to slow down and its like nails on a chalk board, especially when you are around other people. I think manufacturers of electric scooters, e-bikes and e-trikes need to pay closer attention to the disc brake experience. While it may stop us, we shouldn’t have to deal with the loud squeaking some of these bikes and scooters are being delivered to customers.
How About Hills And Grass?
I also put the TK1 to the test on some hills and grass. With a running start I was easily able to get up a steep grass berm and ride at full speed all the way down the berm without any issues. But without a running start it doesn’t do too great with steep grass hills. During my testing I tried to go up the same berm from a dead stop and was not able to get all the way up, but I did get half way so I’ll give it that. The motor definitely has enough torque to conquer most inclines, especially with a running start. However, don’t expect to climb any Everest-sized hills without some pedaling effort.
What About Range?
Mooncool claims that the TK1 Fat20 E-Trike will get 30-45 miles on a single charge. Of course, this is the maximum range you would get if you weighed a 130lbs, rode in speed mode 1 on a flat surface with no starts and stops. Almost noone rides this way so typically I cut the stated range in half and if I get a little bit more than great. So I would expect under normal riding conditions to get between 15-25 miles on a charge which is still really good!
The Good, the Bad, and the Bottom Line
Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. Here’s the good, the bad, and the bottom line on the Mooncool TK1:
The Good:
- Comfortable Ride: The wide seat with adjustable backrest and fat tires with suspension make for a smooth and comfortable ride.
- Powerful Motor: The 500-watt motor with 750-watt peak has great acceleration and tackles hills with ease (with a running start for steeper inclines).
- Removable Battery: A huge plus! Take the battery with you inside for charging and leave the e-trike outside. If you have a second battery available, you can easily switch out batteries and go back riding in a matter of minutes.
- 7-Speed Shimano Shifter: While it did take me hours to adjust just right the Shimano shifter allows for easy gear changes and keeps up with pedaling at faster speeds (well, up to 16 mph anyway).
The Bad:
- Assembly Nightmare: This thing comes in pieces, and putting it together is no walk in the park. Be prepared to invest some serious time and effort (or recruit a handy friend).
- Flimsy Rear Basket: The rear basket is a flimsy mess held together by questionable metal strips. It rattles and jingles – not a good look, Mooncool.
- Top Speed Cut-Off: The motor cuts off abruptly at 16 mph, which can feel jerky and frustrating. Either give us a few more miles per hour or smooth out the transition so its not so jerky.
- Squeaky Brakes: Enough said.
- Slight Wobble: There’s a slight wobble that might be from the wheels. Not a dealbreaker, but noticeable.
The Bottom Line: To Buy or Not to Buy
Listen up, folks. The Mooncool TK1 is a mixed bag. The comfortable ride, powerful motor, and removable battery are definite pluses. But that atrocious assembly process, flimsy rear basket, and abrupt top speed cut-off are major negatives.
Here’s the honest truth: If you’re looking for a hassle-free e-trike experience and are willing to spend a bit more, you might be better off looking elsewhere. There are other options out there that come pre-assembled and offer a more polished overall package.
But, if you’re a handy person who doesn’t mind tinkering and the price tag is super attractive (let’s face it, assembling a trike can be a bonding experience, right?), then the TK1 might be worth considering. Just be prepared to make some adjustments and deal with a few quirks.
The final word: The Mooncool TK1 is an e-trike with potential, but it’s held back by some critical flaws. If Mooncool can iron out these issues (especially that assembly process!), then they might have a contender on their hands. Until then, this electric trike is a bit of a gamble.
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About The Author
Eric "Hobart" is the founder of Hobart's Reviews, specializing in electric scooters, e-bikes, and accessories. With over 10,000 miles ridden and more than 20 models reviewed, Hobart brings firsthand experience and expert insights to his audience. Follow his comprehensive reviews on his YouTube channel and website for trusted advice and detailed evaluations.