Mokwheel Onyx ST Review: Big Battery and Real Climbing Power for $3,300
A premium fat-tire commuter that spends its money on range and climbing power, not on being a bargain.
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What the stars are rated against
The stars compare this bike with other commuter e-bikes we have scored — 18 of them, priced $1,980–$4,620. 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 you're paying premium money for a commuter, the fair question is what the extra actually buys you day to day. On the Mokwheel Onyx ST it buys two things you feel right away: a big battery that stretches to a claimed 80 miles, and a that turns steep hills and heavy loads into a non-event.
It's a bike with a , so you can roll up to 20 mph without pedaling and let carry you the rest of the way to 28. The catch is the price. At $3,299.99, this is a bike you buy for the climbing power and everyday comfort, not for a bargain. Its Genius Score of 66 out of 100 lands right on that split: strong capability, tighter value.
Pros & cons
What we like
- A nearly 940 battery backs the claimed 80-mile range, so most commutes and errands go days between charges.
- The turns steep climbs and heavy hauling into manageable work, so a loaded commute up a grade doesn't leave you fighting the bike.
- A lets you pull away from stops or cruise up to 20 mph without pedaling, which is handy in traffic or on a tired evening.
- Four-piston give strong, controlled stops, which matters a lot on a loaded, heavy bike.
- Wide 26-by-4-inch fat tires soak up rough pavement, gravel, and curbs for a comfortable daily ride.
Worth weighing
- For $3,299.99 the value math is tight: you're paying for the mid-drive and the fat-tire comfort more than for miles, since cheaper commuters cover much of this range.
- At 89 pounds it's heavy even for a fat-tire bike, so getting it onto a hitch rack or up a flight of stairs takes real effort or a second set of hands.
Key specs
The motor & power
The Onyx ST runs a rated at 750W, and where the motor sits is the whole point. On a commute with real grades, it climbs and hauls loads better than a hub motor of the same rating, and that's the first place the premium price shows up.
Mokwheel also lists 210 Nm of , which is very high even by mid-drive standards. However you read that exact number, there's clearly plenty of pulling force to start on a steep hill fully loaded without the motor bogging down.
Mokwheel quotes a few power figures: 750W rated, 1,000W continuous, and 1,300W peak. Judge the bike by the 750W rating day to day. The 1,300W peak is a short burst you'll only feel pulling hard off the line or starting up a steep grade.
Range & battery
The battery is the reason to look at this bike. At 48V and 19.6Ah it works out to about 940 , one of the larger packs you'll find on a commuter, and that size is what makes going days between charges realistic.
The comes from gentle, flat riding with light assist. On a real commute with hills, a load, and stop-and-go traffic, plan on meaningfully fewer miles, and steady throttle use will trim it further. Even at the low end, though, most riders won't be hunting for an outlet mid-week.
Ride & components
The 26-by-4-inch fat tires are the comfort story here. They flatten out cracked pavement, gravel shortcuts, and curbs, and the extra rubber gives you a planted, forgiving feel that a skinny commuter tire can't. The trade-off is more rolling resistance, which is normal for the type.
Stopping comes from Tektro HD-E3940 four-piston , which is genuinely useful on a bike this heavy and this fast. Shifting is handled by a Shimano 10-speed drivetrain, giving you enough range to keep the mid-drive in a good gear on climbs and flats alike.
Mokwheel rates the bike to carry up to 560 pounds, an unusually high figure that leaves plenty of headroom for a rider plus a loaded rack or a passenger setup. It's a bike, so the throttle takes you to 20 mph and pedal assist to 28, but that speed also means many bike paths and trails are off-limits, so check your local rules before you rely on it there.
Price & value
At $3,299.99 the Onyx ST sits firmly at the premium end of the commuter shelf. What that money buys is the mid-drive, the big battery, and the fat-tire comfort, not a low price per mile.
That's why value is the soft spot in an otherwise strong bike. A handful of hub-motor commuters get you most of this range for a good bit less, so the premium only pays off if you'll actually use the climbing power and the cushioned ride. If your commute demands them, this is a well-equipped way to get them; if it doesn't, your money stretches further elsewhere.
Who it's for
The hilly long-hauler
If your ride has real climbs and you want to cover a lot of ground between charges, this is exactly where the and the big battery pay off. It'll pull you and a full load up steep grades without bogging down.
The throttle-and-cruise rider
If you like the option to rest your legs and roll on the up to 20 mph, whether that's off the line, through traffic, or at the end of a long day, the Onyx ST gives you that, then pedal assist to 28 when you want to pick up the pace.
The value-first shopper
If getting the most range per dollar is your priority, compare this against hub-motor commuters first. The premium here pays for climbing power and ride quality, not cheaper miles, so it's only worth it if your route puts those to work.
The flat-pavement minimalist
If your trips are short, flat, and on smooth streets, you'd be paying for climbing muscle, fat tires, and range you may never touch. A simpler, lighter commuter would suit that life better and cost far less.
Frequently asked
Does the Mokwheel Onyx ST have a throttle?
Yes. It has a thumb that powers the bike up to 20 mph, so you can start from a stop or cruise without pedaling.
Can you ride the Mokwheel Onyx ST without pedaling?
Yes, up to 20 mph on the throttle. Above that you use , which supports you to 28 mph. Leaning on the throttle a lot will drain the battery faster than pedaling.
How far does the Mokwheel Onyx ST go on a charge?
Mokwheel claims up to 80 miles from its roughly 940 battery. That's a best-case number; on hilly, loaded, or throttle-heavy rides, expect fewer miles.
How fast does the Mokwheel Onyx ST go?
The throttle tops out at 20 mph, and pedal assist takes you up to 28 mph.
What class is the Mokwheel Onyx ST?
It's a e-bike, based on its 20 mph throttle and 28 mph pedal-assist limits. Class 3 speeds mean it's often not allowed on bike paths and shared trails, so check your local rules.
Is the Mokwheel Onyx ST a mid-drive or hub-motor bike?
It's a , with a 750W motor rated at 1,000W continuous and 1,300W peak. Putting the motor at the cranks is what gives it its strong climbing and hauling ability.
How much does the Mokwheel Onyx ST weigh?
It weighs 89 pounds. That's a lot of bike, so a hitch-style rack is the easiest way to transport it.
How it compares to its siblings
The Onyx ST shares every spec with the standard Onyx: same $3,299.99 price, same 750W (1300W peak) mid-drive motor, same 940.8Wh battery, same 80-mile claimed range, same 89 lb weight, same Class 3 rating, same TEKTRO HD-E3940 brakes, same Shimano 10-speed drivetrain, same 26" x 4.0" tires, and the same 66 Genius score. Nothing in the supplied specs distinguishes it from the Onyx. If you're choosing between the two on paper, there's no functional reason to pay more or less for either.
Similar bikes
Mokwheel Onyx
It's a premium fat-tire commuter that spends its money on a big battery and real hill-pulling power, not on keeping the price or the weight down.
Read the review Genius 64 / 100Aventon Aventure M
The Aventon Aventure M's mid-drive and big battery make it a genuinely capable long-haul commuter, but at $2,899 you're paying up for that climbing power and comfort.
Read the reviewMokwheel Onyx ST is ranked on:
Guides worth reading
- Mid-drive vs hub motorWhere the motor sits changes how the bike climbs, what it costs, and what wears out. Neither is better everywhere.
- 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.
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 commuter 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.