Review Summary
The Mooncool TK1 is a foldable electric trike equipped with a centrally located 500W motor (750W peak) and offers five levels of pedal assist. It’s an excellent choice for those who prefer stability and convenience over the traditional two-wheel setup, making it ideal for urban commuting and leisurely rides. Despite not being designed for off-road adventures, it can also be used on light gravel and paved surfaces.
With an MSRP of $1,699 (currently on sale with a $300 discount), the TK1 presents a strong value proposition, especially considering its unique features like hydraulic brakes, parking brake system, and a central hub motor, which enhances its overall compactness and stability. The Mooncool TK1 comes 95% assembled out of the box, requiring minimal effort to get it road-ready.
Mooncool TK1 Specifications
- Manufacturer Website: Mooncool
- MSRP: $1,699 (currently discounted by $300)
- Motor: Centrally located 500W, peaking at 750W
- Battery: 48V 15Ah
- Range: 35-60 miles
- Top Speed: 16 mph
- Brakes: Hydraulic with e-brakes
- Suspension: Front adjustable suspension with lockout
- Payload Capacity: 350 lbs
- Available Colors: Orange, Blue, White, Purplish Pink, Off-Gray
Power and Performance
The TK1 is equipped with a 500-watt motor that peaks at 750 watts, delivering a smooth and powerful ride without the strain of traditional pedaling. Its helical gear system efficiently converts rotational motion into linear motion, resulting in a quiet yet potent 55 Nm torque output. This unique motor not only enhances performance but also keeps noise to a minimum, allowing for a more pleasant riding experience.
During testing, the TK1 reached speeds of just over 15 mph using the highest pedal assist level and pedal power on a straight, flat road. While this is slightly less than the typical 20 mph of two-wheel electric bikes, the speed and careful driving ensure stability and reduce the risk of tipping over, especially for new riders.
Charging Time, Range, and Battery
The Mooncool TK1 is powered by a 48V 14.5Ah (696Wh) removable battery, which can be unlocked with a key for security, preventing theft and making it easy to charge separately from the trike.
Charging the battery takes approximately 6 to 8 hours, providing a range of up to 60 miles per charge. However, in real-world testing, the range typically falls between 40 to 45 miles, depending on factors such as terrain, rider weight, and the level of pedal assist used.
This range is still substantial enough for most urban commutes and leisurely rides, offering a reliable performance for daily use.
Portability and Folding Mechanism
One of the standout features of the Mooncool TK1 is its foldability. When folded, the trike is extremely compact. The handlebars fold down, and the front section folds in half, nesting neatly into the rear, allowing the trike to fit easily into most SUVs or even larger trunks.
The folding process is straightforward: lift the handlebars, unfold the front wheel, and you’re ready to ride. The trike features robust clamps and hinges, which are easy to operate but secure, ensuring the trike stays firmly locked in either folded or unfolded mode.
But be warned—it’s still sizable and heavy when folded, so lifting it alone may be a challenge.
Comfort and Handling
Riding the Mooncool TK1 is a comfortable experience, thanks in part to its cushioned seat and adjustable front suspension. Despite the lack of a rear suspension, the trike’s overall ride quality is smooth, and the knobby tires provide decent grip on various surfaces, including light gravel. The wide seat design and ergonomic handlebar height adjustments cater to different rider heights, enhancing comfort on longer rides.
The trike’s three-wheel design ensures stability, especially at stops, making it an attractive option for riders who may be less comfortable balancing on two wheels.
Visibility and Additional Features
Safety is a priority with the Mooncool TK1. The trike is equipped with multiple lights, including a brake light on the rear and additional lights on each fender, ensuring high visibility in low-light conditions. A bright front headlamp illuminates the path ahead, making night rides safer. Other thoughtful features include turn signals and a horn, which are not commonly found on most trikes.
Hydraulic Disc Brakes with Electric Cut-Off
The Mooncool TK1 features hydraulic disc brakes that provide excellent stopping power, ensuring a confident and safe riding experience. The inclusion of an electric cut-off feature is a significant safety enhancement, as it immediately stops the motor when the brakes are applied, preventing any unintended acceleration during stops.
Additionally, the TK1 is equipped with parking brakes that eliminate the need for a traditional kickstand. Engaging the parking brakes is straightforward—simply pull both handlebar brakes tight while pressing down on the parking brake levers. For those with smaller hands, setting one brake at a time is sufficient to keep the heavy trike from rolling away. This feature also offers added stability when mounting or dismounting the trike, making it a user-friendly option for riders of all sizes.
Rear Differential System
A standout feature of the Mooncool TK1 is its rear differential system, which significantly enhances stability and control during turns—a crucial aspect for three-wheel vehicles like this trike. The differential allows the rear wheels to rotate at different speeds, making navigation smoother and more intuitive, especially when taking sharp or tight turns.
Value for Money
Priced at $1,699, the Mooncool TK1 offers an excellent balance of features and affordability. It caters well to those seeking a practical, comfortable, and stable electric trike for urban and recreational use. While some may find the folding feature less crucial, it remains a handy option for storage and transport. The TK1’s combination of hydraulic brakes, front suspension, and a robust motor make it a standout in its category, especially against other entry-level trikes.
Issues and Considerations
While the Mooncool TK1 offers numerous advantages, there were some challenges encountered during use. Although Mooncool addressed the problem by sending a full replacement, the parts were shipped from China, resulting in a month-long delay. This could be a potential drawback for customers relying on prompt repairs, especially if similar issues arise.
While the twist throttle is a useful feature for giving riders a boost, especially on heavy trikes, it may not be ideal for seniors or those with arthritis or joint pain in their hands, as it can be uncomfortable to use over long periods.
Riding a three-wheel electric trike is different from riding a two-wheel bike. If you can, start learning to ride an electric trike with the pedal assist turned off. If physical limitations make this difficult, find a flat, quiet street with no traffic or parked cars, and begin with pedal assist set to level one. Be prepared for a small boost if you’re not already pedaling. Keep an upright posture, stay relaxed, and take it slow. Practice making wide turns and approach street dips with caution, as we initially struggled to keep control of the front wheel during these maneuvers.
One helpful trick is to turn off the pedal assist before making turns or crossing busy streets. While riding an electric trike may initially feel unfamiliar, you’ll likely find yourself adapting quickly with a bit of practice.
