The three-wheeled cousins of e-bikes, known as electric trikes or e-trikes, are becoming more popular and available with each passing month. Similarly to e-bikes, e-trikes are powered by an electric motor. Most often the motor gets electricity from a lithium-ion battery.
The e-trike industry is growing by leaps and bounds every year. Excellent increases in sales are being seen in many countries. In the US, e-trike sales hit $6 billion last year and are expected to exceed $19 billion by the year 2030.
Storage and Safety
Electric trikes are great fun to ride for adults of all ages, but their sheer size often makes them difficult to store or transport. That’s a big reason why the folding feature is so popular. Folding e-trike frames are less common than traditional rigid frames, but they conveniently open the door to new possibilities.
If you are concerned about the safety of riding a folding e-trike, please be assured that they are harmless when the rider follows instructions. Properly unfolded and latched, the rider would never know he was riding a folding trike. Let’s take a look at two e-trikes designed with the popular folding feature for easier storage and transportation.
Mooncool Folding TK1
Mokwheel Folding Granite
Power and Torque
Everybody wants a comfortable folding e-trike that looks great, but they also want an abundance of power. Most riders are not satisfied with an e-trike that’s comfortable to ride but doesn’t have enough power to easily climb a steep hill.
How much power is enough? The answer to that question is a little different for each rider. For example, a 300-pound rider needs more power than a 150-pound rider. In general, riders who live in an area with hills are happier with a 500-watt motor than a less expensive 350-watt motor. Also concerned about power are riders who weigh in excess of 175 pounds, or who carry heavy gear when riding.
Durability of Design
Mooncool has always insisted on providing a motor that excels in both power and reliability. Mooncool engineers equipped the Folding TK1 with a very strong and reliable 500 watt motor to power the rear wheel differential drive. But what about torque? Neuton meters (Nm) is a standard measurement of torque. This scientific technique for measurement was invented by Isaac Newton, and is still very much the standard for measuring torque today.
The reliable Mooncool TK1 motor generates 55 Neuton meters of torque to let you conquer even very steep hills, Thanks to its helical gear design, this motor is exceptionally quiet and smooth.
The Mokwheel Granite e-trike is also powered with a 500 watt motor that boasts 65 Nm torque. However, its top speed is rated at 28 mph, a speed which many riders consider unsafe for an e-trike. For rider safety, Mooncool limits the motor-driven top speed to 16 mph.
Battery Range
Even the best helical motor is useless without reliable battery power. The Mooncool folding e-trike is equipped with a strong 48 volt 15 amp hour lithium-ion battery. It is ideal for treks of up to 60 miles. Of course, range will vary for each rider with terrain, wind, amount of peddling, gear and rider weight, and weather. If you like longer trips, the Mooncool comes equipped with a spacious rear basket where you could carry a second battery.
The Mokwheel Granite e-trike also comes with a 48 volt battery providing 15 amp hours. However, the Granite is rated with a lesser range of up to 55 miles.
Drive and Traction
Both of these folding e-trikes feature rear wheel drive with a differential-equipped axle. The important thing to remember about differential axles is that the two rear wheels rotate independently. This means that when making a turn, each wheel rotates at a different speed. The independent rotation vastly improves tire wear and stability.
The rear wheel drive also is great for traction. The majority of weight rests on the rear wheels which improves traction significantly. E-trike riders are likely to encounter frequent loss of traction on a trike with front wheel drive.
The Mooncool wins on both traction and riding comfort with its 3” wide semi-fat brand name tires. The Mokwheel is also equipped with tires that are 3” wide, but a brand name is not indicated on the Mokwheel website.
Rider Safety is Job One
The Mooncool TK1 has conveniently located buttons on the handlebar to activate either a warning horn “beep” or a directional turn signal. The turn signal controls brightly flashing rear signal lights. Of course, it also comes with a bright headlight and taillight. Mooncool provides an exceptional lighting package for the Folding TK1 with a total of 7 lights!
The Mokwheel Granite unfortunately is not equipped with two important safety items…a horn and turn signals. It does have a headlight and taillight. The Mooncool Folding TK1 is also equipped with integrated brake lights and a parking brake for added safety.
Mooncool Rear Lighting Package
Mokwheel Rear Lighting Package
Availability and Price
Both of these folding e-trikes are usually in stock and available to purchase. Pricing, however, is another story, and price is very important in these times of rampant inflation. Indeed, price is likely to be a determining factor in selecting an e-trike. The Mooncool TK1 Folding has a truly consumer-friendly price of $1699 and the Mokwheel Granite is priced at $1999.
Even to a casual observer, it is obvious that with Mooncool you get a better trike for less money! Plus you can choose from seven delightful colors. Mokwheel? Only two colors.
Warranty
Mokwheel provides a 2-year warranty, while Mooncool offers a 1-year warranty. When it comes to return policies, Mooncool provides 30 days and Mokwheel limits returns to 15 days.
Choosing a Folding E-trike
These are the features that every e-trike shopper feels are important:
- Build Quality
- Safety Equipment
- Power and Traction
- Range
- Comfort
- Variety of colors
- Price
All things considered, the Mooncool TK1 Folding is a wise choice and at $1699 it’s by far the best bang-for-the-buck. E-trike shoppers can select their favorite color from the comfort of their recliner and a great folding trike will soon arrive at the doorstep!
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