The TK1 Folding Electric Trike combines features like a folding frame, 1,000W peak motor operation, and three wheels — which results in a higher-than-average price and weight.
My first time touching any kind of bicycle in nearly 15 years was an e-bike I reviewed in 2022, and in the time since, I've reviewed several shapes and sizes of e-bikes. However, I had never tried out an electric trike until now.
The Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike wasn't exactly something I expected to love, especially considering how different it was from a recent favorite fat tire e-bike I reviewed. It was closer to a moped in shape and size, and the concept of a utility e-bike was new to me.
You're not buying the Mooncool TK1 to go out and tear up some off-road trails. Instead, you're likely going to cruise to a nearby grocery store to pick up some cat food — and that's fine.
When Mooncool offered the TK1 to me, I considered asking one of my colleagues to try it out instead, but then I realized there was an opportunity. My wife, Natalie, had never learned to ride a bicycle, mostly due to growing up in a neighborhood where bikes were impractical.
She had little interest in learning to ride a bike, not to mention it's not the safest activity — even without a motor propelling you to 28 MPH. So, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to let her try riding with me, but with much less fuss.
As it turns out, the Mooncool TK1 was perfect for that.
Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike review: design
There's nothing overly remarkable about the Mooncool TK1 design. It's highly similar to other e-bikes I've tested, just with an extra wheel in the back.
Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike review: an extra wheel for balance
The total width of the rear tires is 29 inches, which is slightly wider than the handlebar width of 26 inches. That means you'll need to be very aware that the wide part of the bike making contact with the road is outside of your view.
Folded, the bike is 39.4 inches long by 30.3 inches wide, by 29.5 inches high.
I wasn't sure how I'd like having a folding frame in a trike, but it cuts the storage size in half. However, the front basket is a bit awkward and may interfere with storage in some locations, like smaller SUVs.
Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike review: folds to fit for travel or storage
The folding frame does mean a bit of added weight, which totals out to 89.9 pounds. That's quite a bit heavier than most e-bikes I've reviewed, and perhaps the heaviest yet.
While this e-bike is targeted at accessibility uses, getting the thing out of the door and on the road might be a significant problem for many. Our four stairs out of the front door proved challenging enough due to the bulk and weight of this large e-bike.
The handlebar grips are big and comfortable, the seat is extra large and won't easily chafe, and the bike easily fits anyone between 5 feet to 6 foot 3 inches. The battery is mounted under the seat, behind the rider, so it is out of the way.
There is a front and rear basket, though you don't have to attach the front basket unless desired. The headlight mounts separately, and the taillights are part of the rear fenders.
Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike review: arrives nearly fully assembled
Everything is basically put together in the box minus the front tire, handlebars, seat, and fenders. The fenders require a power connection, and I didn't like that the cables didn't have a clear way to be routed to avoid rubbing the wheel.
The fenders themselves attach awkwardly as well. They're mounted behind the wheel, and the included tools don't offer much reach.
I was never quite confident in how well the fenders were attached, and one of them shook and vibrated a bit, and needed tightening. It's not easy to do in the tight space without proper tools.
Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike review: features
Something I didn't realize about this e-bike before I accepted the review was its lack of smart features. Here at AppleInsider, we tend to try to stick to objects that are at least connected to an app or the internet, but you won't find those features here.
Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike review: integrated brake lights and turn signals
The pedal assist control is on a simple digital display mounted to the handlebars. There's a switch for the signals, automatic brake lights, and a little horn button.
It uses a helical motor rated at 48V and 500W with 1,000W peak power and 65Nm peak torque. These are actually quite good specs in a motor, and likely contribute significantly to the trike's price.
Since there are two rear wheels, there is a speed differential mechanism to ensure safety and stability while riding. There aren't any gears to shift, so you're stuck at the same level of pedal resistance no matter what you're doing.
Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike review: built in parking brakes
Since there isn't a kickstand, there are built-in parking brakes. Each handle brake has a locking mechanism, though it's a bit tough to trigger without some practice.
The Mooncook TK1 can reach 16 MPH and can carry up to 450 pounds. At the highest pedal assist level, it can travel about 35 miles, and it can reach up to 70 miles at the lowest setting.
The motor is cadence-sensing, so it'll target a specific speed when you start pedaling rather than match your pedaling speed. This results in a bit of a quick takeoff, but the top speed is rather low, so it doesn't feel like it's out of control.
Riding the Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike
I didn't spend as much time on the Mooncool TK1 as I would my other review units. I did what I needed for testing purposes, of course, but I let Natalie ride it and share how she felt.
Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike review: a simple display, no connected app
First off, from my perspective as someone that rides bicycles, I wasn't aware of how different the experience is on a trike. It can be a bit disorienting when you expect to move just by leaning, but can't.
Turning the bike requires practice and thought. It's a different vehicle type with different rules, so that's the case for any trike.
Once I learned the turning radius and comfortable turning speeds, it became a bit more natural, but I still prefer two wheels over three. Natalie was able to figure out the turning much faster due to not having to unlearn two-wheel practices.
Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike review: a heavy-duty motor
Once she became comfortable with the motorized riding, she became much more confident. However, this of course led to a couple of minor accidents, which you can see in the photos.
At one point, due to the weight distribution of the bike, Natalie made the mistake of slowing too much while turning on a hill and ended up tipping the bike. She jumped right off and was fine, but the bike did make contact with the pavement, which resulted in scraping parts like the handle brakes.
Outside of that, she loved riding it around. We took it and one of my e-bikes down to a local path, and she relayed how she felt going long distances, over bumps, and using it in general.
Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike review: a built-in headlight
There are several hills here in northeast Tennessee, so of course I had to find out how this e-trike performed. That 1,000W peak motor performed incredibly, making it easy to glide up all but the most unforgiving hills.
Natalie reported having to use the throttle rarely, if at all. Pedaling was sufficient, even uphill.
Her experiences reflected my own. It was a simple e-trike to learn, especially since the only thing that can be controlled is the pedal assist level.
E-trike on easy mode
Overall, the Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike is a good get for those that have never even touched a bicycle. It's easy to learn, comfortable, and accessible through its simplicity.
Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike review: a comfy, simple, yet pricey ride
I do wish the fenders were easier to attach, and there were cableways built in for the brake lights, but otherwise, it's a sturdy trike. The price is a bit off-putting, but given the specs, it seems to earn that price point.
It's a big, comfortable e-trike that's great once it's assembled and on the road. However, getting it out of the door could prove prohibitive to some.
The lack of app connectivity might be a boon for some, but I miss them and a gear shifter. There are no abilities to track the bike beyond slapping on an AirTag, no fitness metrics, and no customization of the pedal assist features.
Tech enthusiasts that read AppleInsider might not find enough reason to purchase the Mooncool TK1, but that doesn't make it a bad product. Consider it for your spouse, child, or loved one that wants to join you on your e-biking adventures, but doesn't have the ability or skill to do so on two wheels.
Mooncool TK1 - Pros
- Easy to use and learn
- Comfortable
- Two large baskets
- Powerful motor that helps tackle hills
Mooncool TK1 - Cons
- Big, awkward, and heavy
- Fenders tough to attach tightly, no cableway for taillights
- No gear shift
- No app connectivity or customization
Rating 2.5 out of 5
The rating here means "average," so don't use it as a way of saying this is a bad product or one someone shouldn't buy. This is a result of the high price, heavy weight, lack of software features, and other oddities being present.
It's good for what it is and performs well, especially for those that enjoy this style over a traditional bike. However, there are tradeoffs for that experience.
Where to buy the Mooncool TK1
Get the TK1 Folding Electric Trike from Mooncool for $1,499.99 as of this publication. It is normally retailed for $2,099.99, so catch it while it's discounted to a much more reasonable price for the given feature set.
