The Latest and Greatest from Mokwheel, Introducing the Mokwheel Tarmac | Photo Griffin Kerwin
A new contender for the ultimate city commuter has just arrived on the block—Mokwheel’s latest release, the Tarmac. While many e-bike companies are racing to build the biggest, heaviest utility tanks, Mokwheel has taken a different approach with a sleek, high-performance hybrid that prioritizes the actual ride. This is our 4th Mokwheel review since 2023, and the brand continues to impress; the Tarmac might just be one of the cleanest rides in the industry. I recently took this tech-heavy commuter for a spin, and my full thoughts are below.
Ride Quality and Heritage
The “Secret Sauce”
The first thing you notice when hopping on the Tarmac is something rare in the e-bike world: it feels like a bicycle. I found the bike remarkably easy to ride and pedal, even with the motor turned completely off. That is a massive compliment in an era of heavy e-bikes that feel like anchors without power.
We believe this stems from the company founders’ deep experience in the traditional bicycle industry before pivoting to electrics. That pedigree shows in the geometry and the component integration. Between the 80mm front suspension and the larger 29-inch wheels, the Tarmac smooths out city potholes and cracks with ease. It’s an amazing commuter for the city, equally at home riding around town or hitting the local farmers market.
920W Peak Power Motor
Power Meets Precision
Mokwheel has outfitted the Tarmac with a robust rear hub motor that offers 750W of continuous power and peaks at a zesty 920W. But power is nothing without control. The bike utilizes a hybrid Torque + Cadence sensor system. This means the power delivery feels natural and responsive to your foot pressure, rather than the “jerky” sensation you get from cheaper cadence-only bikes.
With 75Nm of torque, the Tarmac accelerates quickly, making it easy to keep up with traffic. You can toggle the bike to a Class 3 setting, allowing for pedal assistance up to 28 mph, or cruise on the throttle at 20 mph.
Detachable Tech and Safety
World-First Innovation
The Tarmac features a piece of tech I haven’t seen before: a detachable 2.8-inch High-Definition display. Mokwheel touts this as a world first, and it’s a brilliant security feature. When you lock up your bike, you simply pop the screen off and take it with you, making the e-bike much tougher to steal (and useless to the thief). The screen itself is bright, colorful, and easy to read in direct sunlight.
Safety is top-notch here as well. The headlight is super bright for night rides, and the smart tail light ensures you are visible to cars coming up behind you.
Battery and Range
UL Certified Reliability
Powering the system is a 48V 15Ah battery that is fully UL Safety Certified—a must-have standard for peace of mind these days. Tucked neatly into the frame, it provides a solid range of 50 to 60 miles depending on how heavy you rely on the throttle versus the pedal assist. For the average commuter, this means you can likely go several days without needing to hunt for an outlet.
Sizing and Components
Built for Adults
The Tarmac rolls on large 29″ x 2.35″ tires, which provide excellent rollover capability and stability at high speeds. Some of the best e-bike Stopping power we have seen yet is handled by TKD171 Hydraulic Disc Brakes, giving you precise control even in wet weather. The drivetrain is a Shimano 8-speed setup, which, combined with the motor, offers plenty of range for climbing hills or cruising flats.
Mokwheel offers the Tarmac in two sizes to dial in the perfect fit:
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Standard: Fits riders 5’5″ – 6’5″
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Large: Fits riders 5’7″ – 6’7″
Despite its sturdy build and 350 lb payload capacity, the bike weighs in at 66 lbs. While not a featherweight, it is significantly more manageable than many utility bikes in the 80+ lb range.
Mokwheel Tarmac — Pros and Cons
Pros:
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Ride Quality: Excellent pedal feel even without power; clearly designed by cyclists.
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Security: The world’s first detachable HD display acts as a great anti-theft deterrent.
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Performance: Hybrid Torque/Cadence sensor makes for a very smooth ride up to 28 mph.
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Safety: UL Certified battery and high-visibility smart lighting system.
Cons:
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Size: With 29″ wheels, the bike is tall; even the “Standard” size starts at 5’5″, so shorter riders might struggle with standover height.
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Charging: A 3A charger is decent, but for a 15Ah battery, a full charge will still take a few hours.
Overall Impression
The Commuter’s Dream
The Mokwheel Tarmac ($1599.99) stands out as a polished, mature electric bike that bridges the gap between a fitness hybrid and a powerful commuter. It’s hard to beat the combination of the torque sensor smoothness, the innovative detachable screen, and the sheer rideability of the frame. Whether you are commuting to work or riding into town for groceries using the rear rack, the Tarmac delivers one of the cleanest, most comfortable rides on the market today.
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