Mokwheel Obsidian Review: 80-Mile Range and Big Climbing Torque for $2,000
A fat-tire off-roader with big power, a huge battery, and a throttle, built for long days across gravel, sand, and trails.
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What the stars are rated against
The stars compare this bike with other off-road e-bikes we have scored — 35 of them, priced $1,400–$2,600. They are a ranking inside that group, not an absolute grade: four stars means it beats most of that set on the measure, not that it hits some fixed standard.
Peers are drawn from a tight price band around this bike, so a $1,000 commuter is judged against other $1,000 commuters rather than against machines costing three times as much. Change the group and the stars would change with it.
The headline Genius Score is not decided by that group alone. It blends the category ranking above with a market-wide view across every bike we publish, so a bike cannot climb simply by sitting in a weak category. How we score.
If your riding means dirt roads, beach sand, gravel, and a stretch of pavement to get there, the Mokwheel Obsidian is built for exactly that mix. It leans on and a strong to climb and pull, and it backs that up with a big enough to keep you out for most of the day.
It's also a bike with a , so you can cruise up to 20 mph without pedaling or let carry you to 28. At two grand you're getting a lot of hardware for the money, which is why it lands a strong score with us.
Pros & cons
What we like
- Big climbing power: and a 750W motor pull a loaded bike up steep, loose grades without bogging down.
- One of the larger batteries you'll find at this price, which is what makes genuinely long, all-day rides realistic.
- A lets you ride without pedaling up to 20 mph, which earns its keep when you're pulling a heavy load away from a stop or grinding up a short, sharp pitch.
- give confident, easy stopping on a heavy bike loaded with gear and pointed downhill.
- Fat, puncture-resistant tires float over sand, gravel, and dirt that would stop a skinnier tire cold.
Worth weighing
- Mokwheel doesn't publish any details, so if you're eyeing rocky, technical trails, confirm what the fork handles before you buy.
Key specs
The motor & power
Climbing is where the Obsidian shows off. It uses a rated at , and it makes , a big figure for a fat-tire bike. On a steep, loose climb with you and a full pack aboard, that pulling power is what keeps you rolling instead of grinding to a walk.
The spec sheet also lists 1,000W of continuous output and a . You'll feel that peak launching from a dead stop or cresting a short, sharp rise, so shop the bike on its steady 750W and treat the peak as extra headroom for the moments you actually need it.
Mokwheel describes this motor a few different ways: 750W rated, 1,000W continuous, and 1,300W peak. They all describe the same motor. The 750W is the honest everyday figure to compare against other bikes, and the 1,300W is a brief burst it can reach, not power it holds.
Range & battery
The battery is the other half of the story. At from a 48V, 19.6Ah pack, it's one of the bigger tanks you'll find in this price range, and it's what makes Mokwheel's up-to-80-mile possible.
That 80 miles is a best-case figure, measured on flat ground with light assist and no wind. Your real-world number lands lower once you add climbs, soft sand that has you airing down the tires, or steady throttle use. Even a trimmed-back total still gives you a comfortable all-day cushion on most trail rides, so you're not hunting for an outlet after every outing.
Ride & components
The Obsidian rolls on 26-by-4-inch fat tires, and that's the part that decides where it can go. Wide, grippy, and puncture-resistant, they float over gravel, sand, and loose dirt. Like any fat tire, they add drag on smooth pavement, so this is a bike that clearly wants to be off the road.
It's a bike with a , which means two things for you. You can ride on the throttle alone up to 20 mph without pedaling, and with it'll help you along up to 28 mph. Class 3 is street-legal in a lot of places but often kept off certain shared paths, so check your local trail rules before you head out.
Stopping comes from TEKTRO TKD171 , which give you strong, low-effort braking that really matters on a heavy bike carrying gear downhill. Shifting is a Shimano 8-speed setup, a simple and durable gear range that covers most trail riding without much to fuss over.
At 77 pounds it's a normal weight for a fat-tire e-bike, so plan on a sturdy hitch rack rather than trying to hoist it onto a car roof.
Mokwheel lists a 560-pound , which is unusually high even for a burly fat-tire bike. Read it as a sign the frame is built tough, rather than a number you'd want to test to the limit.
Price & value
At $1,999.99, the Obsidian sits right in the middle of the off-road field, and the money buys real hardware: strong climbing power, a big battery, hydraulic brakes, and fat puncture-resistant tires. For everything it can do, it's priced fairly.
That balance is what earns its Genius Score of 80 out of 100, our blend of capability and value. The value is good rather than the outright cheapest, since a few rivals match the range for a little less, but you'd be hard pressed to find this much torque and battery bundled together at the price.
Who it's for
The all-day dirt-road roamer
If your idea of fun is linking gravel roads, sandy stretches, and easy trails for hours, this is an easy pick. The big battery keeps range worries out of the picture, the fat tires handle loose ground, and there's plenty of for the climbs you'll hit along the way.
The rider who'd rather not pedal every mile
If you like the option to sit back and cruise, the rolls you up to 20 mph with no pedaling at all. Just know that leaning on it drains the battery faster than pedaling does, so it trades range for the easy ride.
The pavement-first commuter
If nearly all your riding is on paved streets and bike lanes, the 4-inch off-road tires are more grip than you need and add drag on smooth ground. A lighter commuter with narrower tires would feel quicker and stretch the battery further for that kind of trip.
The technical singletrack rider
If you're chasing tight, rocky, root-covered trails, keep in mind this is a big, heavy machine, and Mokwheel doesn't spell out its . It's happier on open dirt roads and mellow trails than on aggressive singletrack.
Frequently asked
Does the Mokwheel Obsidian have a throttle?
Yes. It has a thumb , so you can ride up to 20 mph without pedaling at all. On pedal assist it will help you up to 28 mph.
How far does the Mokwheel Obsidian go on a charge?
Mokwheel claims up to 80 miles from its 940Wh battery. That's a best-case number; on hilly terrain, in soft sand, or with heavy throttle use, plan for a lower real-world figure.
How fast does the Mokwheel Obsidian go?
The throttle tops out at 20 mph on its own, and pedal assist takes you to 28 mph, which makes it a e-bike.
What class is the Mokwheel Obsidian?
It's a Class 3 e-bike: throttle up to 20 mph and pedal assist up to 28 mph. Class 3 is street-legal in many areas but often kept off certain shared paths, so check your local rules.
How much does the Mokwheel Obsidian weigh?
It weighs 77 pounds, which is normal for a fat-tire e-bike. Plan on a hitch-style rack rather than lifting it onto a car roof.
How much can the Mokwheel Obsidian carry?
Mokwheel lists a 560-pound , well beyond what most fat-tire bikes claim. In practice it means you can load up a rider plus panniers, camping gear, or a trailer without worrying about maxing out the frame.
How it compares to its siblings
The Obsidian and the Obsidian ST are identical on every spec that matters: same 750W/1300W peak hub motor, 105Nm torque, 940.8Wh battery, 80-mile claimed range, 77 lb weight, Class 3 rating, TEKTRO hydraulic brakes, 26" x 4.0" tires, and the same $1999.99 price. Nothing here separates them, so pick whichever listing or name you prefer. Step up to the Obsidian 2.0 or Obsidian ST 2.0 and you get a 10-speed drivetrain instead of 8-speed for $200 more, but the Genius score drops from 80 to 79 - that upgrade isn't a clear win.
Mokwheel Obsidian ST review Mokwheel Obsidian 2.0 review Mokwheel Obsidian ST 2.0 review
Similar bikes
Mokwheel Obsidian ST
A low step-through fat-tire off-roader with 105 Nm of torque, a throttle, and a real shot at long mixed-terrain days for $1,999.99.
Read the review Genius 79 / 100Mokwheel Obsidian 2.0
A well-built fat-tire off-roader with a huge battery, real climbing muscle, and a throttle, at a mid-pack price that reflects its capability.
Read the reviewMokwheel Obsidian is ranked on:
Guides worth reading
- E-bike classes explained: Class 1, 2 and 3Three classes, two questions: does it have a throttle, and how fast does the motor keep helping.
- Nominal vs peak watts on an e-bikeThe wattage in the headline is usually the peak figure, which can be roughly double the number the motor actually sustains.
- E-bike range explainedEvery range figure on every spec sheet is a best case. Here is how to translate it into what you'll really see.
How we score: the Genius Score blends a bike's capability against same-price peers with its value for the money, weighted for what this off-road buyer prioritises. Specs are pulled from the manufacturer's live page and normalised (nominal vs peak watts, true weight with battery). Ratings are our estimate from specs, not a lab test.