Mokwheel Onyx ST Review

Mokwheel has built a reputation around utility-driven eBikes with genuine off-grid capability, and the new Onyx continues that trend in a way we honestly didn’t expect.

We’ve ridden plenty of full-suspension fat-tire bikes over the years—hub-drives, mid-drives, budget, premium, and everything in between—but the Onyx stands out for how smooth, comfortable, and refined it feels despite its size and intended purpose. It isn’t a bike for everyone, and Mokwheel isn’t trying to make it one. But for riders who want power, range, and real backcountry utility, the Onyx landed as one of the biggest surprises of the year.

There are both a Step Over and Step Through version of the Onyx, in a “fits all ” frame, accommodating riders 5’5″ to 6’9″ between the two frame styles. With a standard retail price of $4099, you shouldn’t be surprised to find the Onyx available with bundle packages or on sale as it is now at $3299.

At its core, the Onyx is built around a Truck Run mid-drive motor with 750w and 210Nm of power. Something unique about this mid drive is a continuous power output of 1000w and a peak of 1300w which blends very nicely with the Class 2 throttle.  It’s paired with a large 48v 940Wh battery that delivers close to 80 miles of range. Impressive considering the bike’s weight of ~88-pounds and large 26″ x 4.0″ fat tires. The motor classifies the Onyx as a Class 3 with pedal assist up to 28 miles per hour, while the thumb throttle on the left bar brings it in as Class 2 with a 20-mile-per-hour limit.

Mokwheel chose Shimano’s new CUES 10-speed drivetrain, a system built to handle the of an eBike, and paired it with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes that include a motor cutoff switch. Suspension comes from a dual-crown fork with compression and preload adjustment, along with a DNM air shock in the rear.

While the Onyx shares surface-level traits with many full-suspension fat bikes—big tires, big motor, big battery—it’s the ecosystem around the bike that makes it stand out. Mokwheel’s optional power inverter interface is one of the most unique integrations we’ve tested this year. Plugging directly into the bike’s battery, the inverter provides standard outlets and USB ports, allowing you to power tools, pumps, lights, camera gear, or camping equipment directly from the bike. Combine it with Mokwheel’s solar panels and you unlock a full bi-directional energy setup: charge your devices from the bike, or recharge the bike from sunlight without ever needing to return to your vehicle or campsite.

The frame is built with utility in mind. Bottle bosses live on the downtube, and the seat-stay mounts are reinforced to hold a heavy-duty rear rack. Up front, the head tube includes an integrated mounting point for a front rack or basket, which is more stable and more secure than handlebar-mounted solutions.

There’s also an inline shift sensor built into the cable routing, which momentarily eases motor power during shifts to protect the chain and cassette. More mid-drive bikes need this feature; on powerful systems like this one, it can make the difference between smooth shifting and snapped chains.

The cockpit is practical and comfortable. Faux-leather grips with palm pads are comfortable and the adjustable stem lets riders fine-tune reach without needing to swap spacers or components. The display is integrated into the stem and provides all the necessary ride data. I could spend a long time discussing all the menu configuration options of the eSystem, but I will save you, for those of you that do purchase this bike know that you should schedule some time to take a look at the manuals and explore the many options to tune this bike for your needs.

A small manual dropper post sits under the saddle, offering a couple inches of movement. It works well, though we’d prefer a bar-mounted remote on a bike at this price.

The Onyx is built with a very specific rider in mind. This is a utility-focused machine designed for people heading into backcountry environments where power, range, stability, and cargo capacity matter more than nimble handling or lightweight agility. Hunters will appreciate the torque, the load rating of 560 pounds, and the ability to haul equipment into and out of remote areas.

Campers and dispersed riders will value the full-suspension comfort, the fat-tire comfort and stability, and especially the availability of the inverter and solar kit.

Around town, the Onyx is still fun. We’ve jumped it, cruised it, and even sprinted home between rainstorms at 28 miles an hour. The bike truly makes the most sense for riders who will take advantage of its off-grid charging, long-range performance, and ability to carry real weight over uneven ground. A robust and large platform like this would be a bit overkill for casual riders and daily commuters.

What surprised us most about the Onyx wasn’t the spec sheet, it was how it actually rides.

Fat-tire full-suspension bikes can feel clunky or disconnected off-road, but the Onyx manages a level of smoothness and stability that made us rethink what these bikes can do.

On loose river rock and sand, terrain where skinnier tires would wash out instantly, the Onyx stayed planted and predictable. The suspension, while not high-end mountain bike equipment, is genuinely functional. With the fork and shock dialed for our rider weight, it soaked up chatter and made seated riding enjoyable even on rough surfaces.

The mid-drive system is where this bike really wakes up. With around 210Nm of torque, it delivers serious power. On steep, slick hills, the throttle struggled for traction—expected for fat tires—but switching into a high pedal-assist mode allowed the torque sensor to do its thing. Power came on smoothly, traction stayed controllable, and the bike simply climbed. Worth noting, the throttle will always be regulated by a Class 2 limit of 20mph and solely engages with the system’s cadence sensor. On pavement, the Onyx holds speed with almost no extra effort from the rider. Cruising at 28 miles an hour feels surprisingly natural, and even mild inclines don’t pull the bike down.

Yes, the bike is heavy, but off-road, that weight actually helps. It keeps the rear tire planted, improves stability, and gives you leverage when shifting your weight. On pavement, the tires hum—as all fat tires do—but the overall ride remains smooth and balanced.

We were also impressed by the consistency and power of the Tektro brakes, especially after spending time on other bikes recently that struggled to bed in properly. It’s nice to feel confident in your stopping power.

In short, the Onyx is both more powerful and more polished than we expected a bike like this to be. Delivering far more than we anticipated.

It’s not a do-everything eBike, nor is it trying to be. But within its lane—off-road utility, backcountry exploration, hunters and campers, riders who carry gear and need power that lasts. The price is significant, but the value proposition shifts when you factor in the mid-drive power, the off-grid ecosystem, and the genuine functionality baked into the frame.

Simply put… if your riding takes you far from the pavement and you want a bike that can go the distance, carry the load, and even generate power for the rest of your gear, the Onyx deserves a serious look. It’s smooth, powerful, unexpectedly efficient, and for the right rider, it’s one of the most compelling utility eBikes on the market today.

Price: $4099 $3299
Frame Style: Step Over, Step Through
Weight: 88lbs
Website: mokwheel.com