We’ve at all times puzzled why, with large 1kWh batteries with equally large output capabilities, e-bikes can’t double as energy stations that would energy an off-site or again up a fridge for a number of hours. Mokwheel has our reply with its $2300 Obsidian and ups the ante with a giant photo voltaic panel that makes it nice for tenting and self-charging too…
Mokwheel despatched us their good-looking Obsidian fats tire e-bike together with a ($399)1kW exterior inverter attachment and a separate ($599) 230W photo voltaic accent.
Let’s discuss in regards to the bike first.
The Obsidian is available in tan camo, brown/black, and the intense yellow/black colorway I acquired. I liked that that is tremendous seen and comes with reflective-lined CHAOYANG 26×4.0″ puncture-resistant fats tires
The Obsidian is a well-put-together, fats tire e-bike with entrance and rear suspension that can be softened with these large fats tire wheels and a delicate soft seat. It has an enormous “UL-tested” Samsung-based cell 48V 19.6Ah battery for a near 1 kWh whole (940.8Wh formally) capability. That’s good for an optimistic 60-80 miles of pedal help vary or realistically about half that with the left-side mounted throttle solely. It additionally helps you to energy “different issues” for hours however we’ll get to that later. Mokwheel gives a mediocre 3A charger that takes the bike from empty to full in 7 hours, and once more, there’s extra right here on that entrance.
As for security, stopping is supplied by the very stable TEKTRO HD-E350 Hydraulic brakes on 180mm discs. Its entrance dual-LED mild is vivid and can mild the way in which at evening nevertheless it solely comes with a disappointing rechargeable strap-on rear mild that doesn’t brighten with brakes.
At 77lbs, this can be a beefy bike however these brakes stopped the bike and its 220+lb rider in its tracks. Rated as much as 400lbs, there’s room for giant of us or plenty of accessory-mounted gadgets (and observe the wonderful Black Friday 6 for $100 deal). Perhaps the lowest-spec merchandise is the Shimano Altus derailleur which I’d charitably name mid-range however labored properly in my testing. Kudos to Mokwheel for together with a high-end KMC stainless chain. Torque sensors spherical out what I’d name a reasonably high-end spec sheet for its $2299 worth.
The journey with full suspension, large delicate wheels, and even a delicate seat is soft, to say the least. It’s actually a giant heavy bike however the aluminum body and stable elements hold it very pedal-able. The 1000W rear geared hub motor I discovered cheap however actually not explosive and it obtained me as much as round 30mph on Stage 5 PAS on flat floor after “unlimit-ing” the level-2 setting it shipped with. Off-road, it excels, smoothing out potholes and bumps whereas these large wheels energy over small tree limbs and different obstacles with ease. It’s a little cumbersome for technical single-track driving.
Moreover the motor power-to-weight ratio slightly underneath what I’d choose, I believe the Obsidian is a implausible e-bike in virtually each means and it’s value buying by itself, particularly on the Black Friday lowered price of $2299.
As they are saying on TV, “However wait, there’s extra!”
Mokwheel e-bikes have slightly 48V DC enter/output port on the base of the bike, and on the battery if you happen to take it out, that may be related to an exterior 1kW inverter. That signifies that near 1kWh of battery storage is obtainable for backing up residence/home equipment, powering drones, picnicking, or for tenting.
The 1000W Inverter accent is a bit cumbersome however has 2x110V AC retailers in addition to 2 USB-C ports (as much as 100W), a USB-A port, and DC enter and outputs. It comes with a tough shell case which you can mount to the bike. I wasn’t capable of finding the right spot, so I opted to mount it on the again of the seat.
Talking of tenting, there’s additionally a 230W transportable photo voltaic possibility that may prime up your battery whenever you aren’t driving it. It folds away into slightly suitcase-like holder handy for packing away or placing it in a backpack.
It’s late autumn within the Northeast so I wasn’t actually capable of see what these 22% environment friendly photo voltaic panels may actually do however they did add significant share factors to my cost after a number of hours within the mid-day solar.
Placing all of it collectively
I used to be capable of energy my MacBook Professional, a tire inflator, a espresso maker, and a storage freezer with 110V retailers. I even powered my cable modem, wi-fi router, and laptop computer on the identical time for greater than an hour. However that’s weak sauce within the EV world and I assumed possibly I’d get the right photo-op by charging my Rivian with the ebike battery!
Sadly even setting the Rivian charging Amps to eight, the Rivian nonetheless tried to attract an excessive amount of energy and the inverter timed out. I took photographs anyway!
Electrek’s Take
The Mokwheel Obsidian is a superb fats tire e-bike and can certainly make its homeowners completely happy by itself. Nevertheless it actually shines with the power harvesting and sharing equipment that flip the e-bike into one thing particular.
Of us eager about having a small photo voltaic/backup energy financial institution with them always will definitely need to try the choices right here. Not solely is the Mokwheel Obsidian at the moment $600 off, they’re providing a extremely strong accent pack for a further $99.
