Mokwheel Asphalt ST Review, 2024

The Mokwheel Asphalt ST comes equipped with a fully integrated 48V, 14.7Ah (706 Wh) battery. We performed two Range Tests (as explained above) to measure the distance and time that the bike could travel using this battery and its 500W motor.

Mokwheel advertises a range of 60 miles for the Asphalt ST. Claims such as this are usually only achievable in the bike’s lowest pedal-assist setting and on relatively flat ground, but most riders (in our experience) tend to use higher settings with greater amounts of motor power (and therefore, speed) and travel over both hills and flat ground, which both drain the battery more rapidly.

We tested the Asphalt in PAS 1 and PAS 5, and determined that riders should expect a range of between roughly 26 and 53 miles depending on their preferred setting. There are many more factors that influence a bike’s range than we can account for in our testing, so the high end of our “ballpark” range is close enough to Mokwheel’s figure that we are satisfied with the bike’s performance in relation to its advertisements.

When compared to similar e-bikes we have tested, the Asphalt ST’s range results were relatively average in the minimum assistance portion, and somewhat below average in the maximum assistance test. This is further supported by our measurement of the time it took to complete the max-assist range test; judging by the motor and battery specs, we expected to travel in PAS 5 for close to an hour and a half, but measured just an hour. We explain more about the relationship between motor wattage and battery watt-hour ratings in our guide to e-bike batteries, but this shows that the motor/battery pairing of the Asphalt is somewhat less efficient than expected.

Regardless of efficiency and comparative performance, the Asphalt ST’s capabilities are still decent overall; a potential range of between 50 and 60 miles is solid for an e-bike with an appreciable level of power in its lowest pedal-assist setting.

In the grand scheme, a 500-watt motor with 65 Nm of torque is relatively middle-of-the-road in terms of uphill capability, so with that in mind, I think the bike’s specs and resulting performance in this test are right where they need to be.

In my experience on less extreme hills, the Asphalt was aptly capable; on throttle, it was somewhat slow but did not struggle even when I attempted an intimidating slope, and when pedaling, the bike climbed confidently. This is one benefit I observed from the bike’s torque sensor; the motor responded to and reciprocated the amount of effort I contributed, which was naturally greater when traveling uphill.

Ultimately, our test showed that while the Asphalt ST is not groundbreaking – and may be unlikely to win any uphill races – it is capable of handling extreme situations with poise.

The Mokwheel Asphalt ST is outfitted with hydraulic disc brakes on 180mm rotors; these are made by Star Union, which is a brand we had limited experience with prior to receiving our test bike. We performed a Brake Test to evaluate these brakes through the process explained above to insure that the system is safe and effective.

The Asphalt’s result of 23”-9” is notably longer than our average (currently 21’-2”) among similar commuter- and cruiser-style e-bikes we’ve tested, but still within our expected range. This result did not come as a surprise; I informally tested the brakes prior to seeing our brake test results and felt what seemed like slower-than-usual deceleration. However, I’m not sure that the average rider would detect much difference for two reasons. First, like the other members of the EBR team, I have the benefit of riding a new bike every couple of days, so realistically, experience is a factor. And second, while a difference of over two and a half feet may seem less-than-ideal on paper, in truth it’s a short distance when riding a bike at 20 miles per hour as we do in this test.

Overall, the Asphalt ST felt solid and stable when braking thanks to the foundation provided by its 2.4” diameter tires. In my experience, the rear wheel locked up regularly and the resulting squeal from the tires was LOUD, but aside from one instance of slight and manageable fishtailing, the bike was easy to control. With these things considered, I’m very comfortable with deeming the Asphalt’s braking system safe.

I appreciated the brightness of the bike’s dual-LED headlight, and both the visual quality and placement of the tail/brake lights on the rear seat stays fit the bike well. I found the brake lights to be plenty large and bright enough, however, on a commuter e-bike that is likely going to be traveling regularly around automobiles, I’d personally like to see turn signals included in some capacity in the future.

The Asphalt had one additional and uncommon safety feature that I appreciated; the “Safe setting that governs the bike’s throttle, which can be accessed and changed within the bike’s settings menu. In “Free Mode,” the throttle behaves as throttle-on-demand (or TOD), which allows you to activate it from a dead stop. In “Safe Mode,” the throttle acts as throttle-after-pedal (or TAP), which requires the bike to be moving before it will activate. While I personally find TOD to be more helpful and fun for my style of riding, I can appreciate that some riders may want the additional safety and security granted by TAP that ensures the bike will not run away if the throttle lever is accidentally bumped.

As one might expect from a cruiser-style e-bike, the Asphalt ST’s upright positioning and contact points are comfortable. The bike’s saddle isn’t my favorite shape, but it’s well-padded, and fans of cruiser-style bikes expecting a wide seat should not be disappointed. The pedals were generally good; I don’t often have much to remark on and that holds true here.

The sewn leather grips, however, were a pleasant surprise! They are soft, well-textured and… well, grippy. We commonly encounter faux leather grips, and haven’t endorsed many of them due to past experiences with slipperiness when riding with gloves or sweaty hands, but this was not a problem on the Asphalt! The real leather included here made a big difference.

The Asphalt ST’s step-thru frame contributes to its overall comfort

Many of the cruiser-style e-bikes we have tested tend to go in extremes when it comes to their handlebars; they’re either too narrow for someone of my fairly broad shoulder width, or they’re massive, curved-back bars resembling bull horns that can be difficult to grip and steer (in my humble opinion). The 680 mm bars on the Asphalt were a comfortable middle ground, with a sweep that felt more ergonomic than extreme, and a width that provided a refreshing amount of control over the steering.

I had an absolute blast cruising around on the Asphalt despite our test bike’s slightly excessive speed and the rapid cadence I had to employ to reach it. It’s an exhilarating ride in its current state, though considering our experience, it may be a good idea to check the settings before taking your first ride to make sure it meets legal requirements in your area. If indeed Mokwheel has corrected this and the bike does ship as a Class 3, it is more likely to be street-legal across more locations, allowing more riders to enjoy it.

Additionally, the inclusion of an 8-speed cassette, larger chainring, or both – would likely reduce the ghost pedaling we encountered at higher speeds in the bike’s upper PAS settings. This would allow riders to more easily access the bike’s thrilling top speeds!

When looking at the numbers throughout this Mokwheel Asphalt ST review, the bike may not stand out much from its peers, but despite that, I found a lot to enjoy about the bike. It’s truly one of the more fun e-bikes I’ve had the opportunity to review, and it’s also decidedly easy on the eyes!

If you are interested in purchasing the bike, or curious to learn more about it, please follow the link above to the Asphalt ST’s page on Mokwheel’s website.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions down in our comments section or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Mokwheel Asphalt ST.