Mooncool TK1 Fat Tire E-Trike Review: The Non-Folding Comfort Specialist

Mooncool has returned to the lunar landscape, releasing another three-wheeler called the TK1 Fat Tire Electric Trike. There are plenty of similarities to the brand’s original TK1 foldable trike, but it’s fair to say that this model doubles down on comfort and stability for recreational riders. I recently hopped into this electric spaceship on three wheels to test its performance— keep reading this review to learn if the most recent TK1 trike reaches stratospheric heights or barely makes it off the ground!

Mooncool Tk1 Fat Tire Electric Tricycle

The TK1 stretches beyond your typical tricycle because it’s outfitted with 4” fat tires, a large backrest seat, a foldable stem, and two baskets. Remember that this model isn’t the same as its sibling, the TK1 Folding— there’s no frame hinge and Mooncool wants to draw attention to this version’s wider fat tires. The comprehensive package ensures that the e-trike is ready for cruising around town fully loaded with groceries, gear, or whatever you need to transport. The TK1 may be the ultimate vehicle for hitting up the local farmers’ market, but it seems appropriate for many types of recreational rides, too.

Comfortable, Accessible Design

Tricycles aren’t for everyone, but electric bikes like the TK1 Fat Tire can open up a new world of possibilities for many riders. I predict this model will also be popular among recreational riders with mobility needs or balance issues. Tricycles are already more stable than traditional two-wheelers and the TK1’s oversized tires provide even more contact with the ground. The step-thru frame and large backrest seat make it even easier to hop on and enjoy a comfortable pedal-assisted ride.

Suspension

The TK1 Fat Tire has a short-travel front suspension fork to cushion the ride in addition to the large-volume tires. The generous amount of shock absorption avoids too many vibrations affecting a rider’s comfort so they can float down the bike path.

16 MPH Top Speed

A 500W front hub motor pulls the Mooncool TK1 along at a maximum speed of 16 mph. Riders can toggle through pedal assist levels or use the thumb throttle on the right side of the handlebars. 16 mph isn’t very fast for an e-bike these days, however, I think it’s plenty for a trike— the use case is more recreational in general, and taking corners at full speed on a trike is simply a recipe for disaster.

Compared to the single-speed TK1 model, this version has seven gears so riders can adjust their cadence to match the amount of assistance and avoid ghost-pedaling at higher speeds. The motor is rated at an impressive 85 Nm of torque which showed during testing— the powerful acceleration is totally fun. Still, users should take it easy on gravel paths to steer clear of burnouts or losing traction, especially due to the smooth tires.

Battery Capacity

The 14.5Ah battery pack is externally mounted to the seat tube for quick removal and off-bike charging. I think it’s a smart placement on the bike that preserves the sleek look of standard-width tubing and doesn’t interrupt the general aesthetic. Mooncool claims the range on a single charge clocks in around 30-45 miles, but that will depend on assist level, rider weight, and any additional cargo. Trikes are best suited for short trips around town anyway so the range shouldn’t be a problem for most users.

Weight

Electric trikes aren’t known for their lightweight stats and the TK1 Fat Tire is no different. Coming in at a beefy 90 lbs., the trike is still slimmer than some other heavyweight two-wheelers that break the 100 lbs. mark. The cargo-ready tricycle can handle a maximum payload capacity of 400 lbs. so feel free to load up the front and rear baskets! The one-size frame is recommended for riders between 5’ to 6’3”. Riders can choose from a wide range of colors: cyan green, navy blue, warm pink, cool black, dark red, or peacock green.

Front and Rear Baskets

The TK1 does double duty when it comes to carrying cargo and is fitted with both front and rear baskets. The front basket is constructed from sturdy tubing and mounts directly to the headtube, featuring nice wood paneling at the bottom of the basket. The rear basket, however, left something to be desired.

The rear basket of the TK1 Folding model is made from the same thick metal as the front basket, but this version utilizes thinner material with flimsy metal clips. I ended up having to use dozens of zip ties to beef up the basket and keep things from rattling so much. This rear basket is indeed bigger than the other design, but the extra space isn’t worth the hassle and lower build quality. Mooncool changed it up on the TK1 Fat Tire and I don’t think the rear basket was an upgrade— it should be an easy fix, though.

Components

There’s a Shimano 7-speed drivetrain so riders can pedal along with assistance at a natural cadence rather than spinning out and relying on the throttle at higher speeds. The fat tires are smoother than most, embracing more of a motorcycle style that’s suited for road surfaces and bike paths. There’s a horn but no brake light or turn signals which come standard on the other TK1 model. Another change is the small LCD screen which does the trick, but I was expecting a better-quality display on the handlebars.

The two TK1 models from Mooncool appear extremely similar at first glance, but a closer look reveals that the Fat Tire version actually misses out on several higher-quality parts and features. The Folding model costs $200 more but comes with a slew of nicer components including hydraulic disc brakes, turn signals, a larger headlight, and a parking brake. I’d estimate that those extra features add more than a couple of hundred dollars of value, but riders will have to make that call. Oddly, Mooncool doesn’t manufacture one trike that brings together the best of these two models, but maybe that’s coming soon.

Mooncool TK1 Fat Tire Electric Tricycle – Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Comfortable and stable design: wider fat tires, large backrest seat, step-thru frame, short-travel front suspension fork
• Powerful motor: 500W front hub motor with 85 Nm of torque for good acceleration
• Decent battery range: 14.5Ah battery pack for 30-45 miles range
• Cargo-ready: front and rear baskets, 400 lbs payload capacity
• Easy to use: thumb throttle and pedal assist levels
• Affordable: $1,349

Cons:

• Heavy: 90 lbs
• Lower quality rear basket compared to the TK1 Folding model
• No brake light or turn signals
• Small LCD screen
• Lacks some features of the TK1 Folding model: hydraulic disc brakes, turn signals, larger headlight, parking brake

Overall Impression

The Mooncool TK1 Fat Tire steamrolls through town, offering astronomical comfort and ease of use. The trike is currently priced at $1,349— $200 less than its Mooncool sibling— but misses out on several of the features of the TK1 Foldable that I think are high on the priority list. That said, this new electric trike delivers plenty of value that’s fun all around the neighborhood, city, and bike paths.

Mooncool Discount Code / Mooncool Coupon: MWN

Which Mooncool E-Trike is Right for You?

• The TK Pro: Best for Performance & Torque (750W Rear Motor). [Read TK Pro Review]
• The TK1 Folding: Best for Storage & Portability. [Read TK1 Folding Review]

Related E-Trikes We Reviewed in Tetons

1. Mooncool TK1 E-Trike Review
2. Viribus Trio E-Trike Review
3. Viribus TriGo Plus E-Trike Review