Mokwheel Onyx Review | A Bike Full of Surprises

Surprise number two came in the range test, and it was a big one. This was one of the best range performances we’ve ever recorded. Seriously. One of the heaviest e-bikes we’ve tested turned in one of our longest range results to date—go figure.

The Onyx uses Mokwheel’s familiar 941Wh battery, a pack we’ve seen on several of the brand’s models. Mokwheel has already done a good job pairing this battery with efficient programming and torque-sensor tuning to stretch mileage beyond what we usually expect, but the Onyx managed to break new ground.

In our testing, it delivered 41.8 miles in PAS 1. Then, when set to PAS 5—with the top speed limited to 20 mph for local compliance and testing consistency—it went an astonishing 109.5 miles. That’s a genuinely jaw-dropping result.

That said, it’s worth tempering expectations just a bit. Mokwheel advertises a 60–80 mile range, which is a realistic starting point for most riders. As we note in the range test, PAS 1 is fairly mellow at roughly 10 mph. While the bike makes that kind of efficiency possible, many riders will naturally opt for PAS 2 speeds or a custom-programmed setting that’s a bit quicker. Even so, we test every bike the same way, and by those standards, these are excellent results.

Part of the explanation lies in the mid-drive motor. Mid-drives tend to extract more miles from the same battery compared to hub motors because they work with the rider through the drivetrain, rather than spinning the rear wheel independently. That efficiency puts big range numbers firmly on the table.

Even at higher, more realistic riding speeds, these results suggest a bike that can comfortably go one to three days between charges for most riders, which is impressive by any standard.

Surprise number three showed up in the hill test. Despite being the torquiest motor we’ve ever tested, it didn’t post the single fastest pedal-assist hill-climb time we’ve ever recorded—though it came very close for its category. It also had to “ settle” for a tie as the fastest throttle result.

On our test hill, the Onyx climbed using throttle alone in 1:53 with a 16 mph average speed. On pedal assist, it completed the climb in 1:56 at an average of 15.6 mph.

Either result is excellent on a climb like our Devil’s Backbone test hill. Given the massive torque figures, I half-expected it to rewrite the record books on the pedal test, but it ultimately finished second to a bike that weighs roughly half as much. Similarly, its throttle time tied with a much lighter competitor. Those are the tradeoffs that come with sheer mass.

Setting aside the obvious “this motor is ridiculously powerful” commentary, the takeaway here is that the Onyx is more about muscle than outright speed. It’s a bit like a bull: fast enough on its own, but defined more by strength and its ability to pull almost anything you ask of it.

That character makes this motor especially appealing for larger riders who want confidence that the bike can fully support their weight, as well as for anyone planning to push payload limits by towing or hauling gear. It delivers serious grunt when you need it, while remaining surprisingly composed in the process.

Surprise number four came in the brake test. At first glance, the results looked solid, but with a bit more context, they’re actually very good for a bike of this size and weight.

The Onyx is equipped with four-piston Tektro hydraulic brakes paired with 203mm rotors front and rear. For a bike this big and heavy, that’s exactly the kind of braking setup you want to counter all that mass once it’s in motion.

In our testing, the Onyx stopped in an average distance of 22 feet, 9 inches. Our overall e-bike average—which includes everything from lightweight commuters to bikes with more street-friendly tires—comes in at 22 feet flat, so the Onyx is slightly longer than that broader benchmark. However, when you compare it to its true peer group of all-terrain heavyweights hovering near the 90-pound mark, the average stopping distance jumps to 24 feet, 3 inches. Against those bikes, the Onyx clearly outperformed the class.

A big part of that comes down to the hardware. Most e-bikes at minimum use two-piston hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors. Some step up to four-piston calipers but keep the smaller rotors. The Onyx combines both four-piston calipers and oversized rotors, and that pairing makes a meaningful difference. In fact, it delivered the second-best brake test result we’ve seen in this category.

Out on the trail, the brakes were consistently reliable across all riding conditions, from dirt sections to longer downhill stretches. No drama, no complaints—just a strong, confidence-inspiring stopping setup.

Some brands dabble in fat tire bikes, but Mokwheel is an established veteran in the category, and that experience shows in how the Onyx is set up. It hits many of the right notes for what fat bikes are meant to be: stability, confidence, and a planted ride feel.

The sizing is mostly excellent. I liked the long wheelbase, which contributes heavily to the bike’s stable, confident character. That stretched-out length does a lot for balance, and the 4-inch-wide tires only reinforce that sense of security on the bike.

The frame itself felt solid. It’s impressively stiff, which isn’t a given on a bike that weighs what this one does. The linkage hardware is beefy and well reinforced, easing any concerns I’d normally have about durability or flex on a heavier full-suspension platform.

The suspension is effective, though clearly on the budget end of the spectrum. The DNM rear shock works well with its 50mm of travel and doesn’t readily bottom out on pavement. You’ll find its limits when pushing harder off-road, and mine developed a bit of squeak, but overall it does its job. The same general theme applies to the fork. The dual-crown design looks aggressive, and the compression adjustments help with dialing in feel, but it’s springy, can generate some noise, and—as is typical with this design—limits the turning radius. Personally, it feels like the fork is more about aesthetics than dramatically expanding the riding scenarios compared to something like the Mokwheel Obsidian. That said, it’s still perfectly serviceable and undeniably eye-catching.

The 720mm handlebar pairs well with the 26 x 4-inch tires. On many bikes that width might feel narrow, but here it strikes a nice middle ground, keeping steering predictable without feeling twitchy or overly wide.

The stem-mounted display looks sharp and adds to the bike’s premium feel. I appreciated the adjustability for dialing in fit, and the screen itself is clear, high-definition, and easy to read. There’s a good amount of customization accessible through the control pad. The turn-signal icons don’t actually function, but the controls do give you quick access to menus and settings. I still have mixed feelings about Mokwheel’s signature gel bubble grips, but they’re worth trying before writing them off—they may agree with your palms more than they did with mine. And if not, grips are an easy and inexpensive swap.

You also get some nice extras, including a dual-LED headlight and plastic fenders. The manual dropper-style lever under the cushioned saddle was handy for quick height adjustments, though I didn’t find myself using it mid-ride the way I would a traditional dropper post.

There are mounting points for both front and rear racks, and Mokwheel’s optional power inverter and solar panel system make an appearance here as well. Those accessories are optional, but if you’re the type of rider who likes getting off the grid for a day or two, being able to recharge the bike—and power other electronics from the same battery—is a standout capability that very few e-bikes offer.

I’ve tested a few hundred e-bikes at this point, so it’s rare for one to truly surprise me. Usually, a quick look at the spec sheet tells me exactly what kind of ride I’m in for. The Onyx managed to break that pattern, consistently outperforming expectations in our tests and delivering a level of control that I didn’t anticipate from such sky-high power numbers.

The Onyx is something of a rarity: a super-powerful, full-suspension fat tire e-bike that—when you account for its components and features—is fairly well priced from a value standpoint. I would have personally preferred a more traditional air fork and would likely swap the grips, but at that point we’re firmly in personal-preference territory.

At its core, the Onyx is a true powerhouse, with very few places on the map it can’t roam or seasonal conditions that are likely to slow it down. If you’re comfortable with a heavyweight riding experience and want maximum muscle paired with surprising composure, it’s absolutely worth a closer look.

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