Wesley Littlefield 08.13.26
I wanted an e-bike that my wife and kids could ride around our property on, but it needed to be short and stable enough for them to feel comfortable, yet durable enough to handle the abuse of a little farm work and off-road play. When I saw the Mooncool FT1 Fat Tire E-Trike, I just knew this could be the answer. However, as you continue reading my honest Mooncool FT1 Fat Tire E-Trike review, you’ll discover why it’s a great option for many people, but fell a little short of my expectations in a few key areas.
Specs & Key Features
- Assembly tools included
- Top Speed: 15.5 MPH
- Motor: Peak 1092W
- Range: 30-60 Miles
- Load Capacity: 400 LBS
- Net Weight: 105.8 lbs
- Foldable: Yes
- Folded Size: 41.3 × 33.5 × 50.4 in
- Recommended Rider Height: 5’~6’3″
- Top Tube Horizontal: 25.2 in
- Wheelbase: 51.2 in
- Standover Height: 15.7 in
- Handlebar Length: 33.9 in
- Total Length: 70.9 in
- Total Width: 30.7 in
- Seat Height Min/Max: 30 in ~ 40 in
- Handlebar Height Min/Max: 44 in ~ 45 in
- Front Basket: 12.2 * 11.8 * 5.5 in
- Rear Basket: 18.9 * 14.2 * 5.9 in
- Wheel Size: 20.0 * 4.0 in
- Seat Size(L×W): 12.6 * 11.4 in
- Shifting Speeds: 7 speeds
- Pedal Assist Mode: 3 (1,2,3)
- Turn Signal Function: Yes
- Brake Highlight Function: Yes
- Horn Function: Yes
- Brake Park Function: Yes
- Brake E-cutoff Function: Yes
- Reverse Function: No
- Differential Function: Yes
- Fast Charging Support: No
- Classification: Class 2
- Battery: 48V 14.5Ah
- Display: LCD2.0″, Left mounted
- Controller: 20A
- Pedal Sensor: Cadence
- Charger: 2A DC2.1
- Charging Time: 6-8 hours
- Throttle: Thumb
- Headlights: Yes
- Taillights: Yes
- Position lights (Fenders): No
- Brake caliper: Mechanical Disc Brake, Alloy
- Brake Lever: Alloy 4F
- Rotors 180mm
- Shifter: SHIMANO 7-speed
- Rear Derailleur: SHIMANO 7-speed
- Freewheel: 7-speed 14-28T
- Crank Wheel: 44T
- Chain: 108/48links
- MSRP: $1,900
Motor Performance & Power Delivery
Knowing that the motor is only 1092W, I didn’t have crazy high expectations for how powerful it would be, and to no surprise, it’s not the most powerful e-bike I’ve ever ridden. However, the throttle is very responsive, with minimal delay. Under a light load (200 lbs or less), the advertised top speed is spot on at 15.5 MPH. So, I don’t have to worry about my kids going way too fast around our property. It’s just fast enough they can have fun and still be very safe.
Rating: 7 / 10
Battery Life & Charging
I’ve never gotten close to 60 miles out of a single battery charge. Most of the time it’s 30 or less, but that’s because the kids aren’t pedaling much; they’re primarily on the throttle. I have to charge this one more often than my other (more powerful) e-bikes, but it’s also pushing another wheel with a smaller motor. I generally charge it overnight to ensure it’s fully charged because it takes at least 6 hours.
Rating: 7 / 10
Ride Comfort & Handling
The seat is very comfortable. I can ride for hours without getting too uncomfortable, and my wife or kids have never complained, so that’s a win in my book. The handlebars are also adjustable, allowing for a very comfortable posture while pedaling or using the throttle. The trike design ensures that this unit is very stable. It doesn’t tip easily (unless you try a very sharp turn at top speed), but it handles pretty well, considering it’s wider than my other e-bikes thanks to the three wheels. It turns reasonably tight at slower speeds and doesn’t feel unwieldy at top speed.
Rating: 8 / 10
Build Quality & Components
The Mooncool FT1 Fat Tire E-Trike uses some name-brand parts (Shimano), which is comforting, but other parts are a bit flimsy and feel cheap.
I’ve been generally impressed with the build quality (at least the parts that matter). I appreciate that the frame is welded and feels durable. My kids regularly ride through tall grass, mud, water puddles, and across the bumpy pasture, and the only thing that has slowed them down is when the chain slipped off; nothing has broken (yet).
Rating: 8 / 10
Off-Road & Terrain Performance
Even with the fat tires, it wasn’t designed for off-roading (we still use it around the farm off the beaten path). The front tire has a shock, but there is no suspension or shocks for the back tires, so you feel every little bump. It handles small hills, mud puddles, and tall grass pretty well, but I definitely wouldn’t want to rely on it in a remote area. It’s definitely designed more for city living than country living.
Rating: 7 / 10
Portability & Storage
I originally thought that I’d be able to travel with this a little better because it folds, but it still takes up a lot of room, even when folded (but would fit in the bed of a pickup), and is very heavy. The folding design is a nice touch for storage because it helps reduce the space it takes up, even though it’s still bulky.
Rating: 8 / 10
Maintenance & Support
I’ve only had to perform minimal maintenance on this e-bike, like when the chain fell off, when I recharge the battery, and when I cleaned it after my kids rode in the mud. I haven’t noticed any additional maintenance needs.
Rating: 8 / 10
Value
At $1,900, the Mooncool FT1 Fat Tire Electric Trike isn’t cheap, but it’s also not the most expensive e-bike out there. I think it’s a great fit for kids and the elderly, who might have balance issues or struggle to hold up a heavy e-bike. It’s definitely not for anyone looking to do some serious off-roading or go fast.
Rating: 8 / 10
Overall Rating: Mooncool FT1 Fat Tire E-Trike Review
While I’ve been fairly impressed with the Mooncool FT1 Fat Tire E-Trike, I still see several areas with room for improvement. The fenders rattle over bumpy terrain (like my yard or hay pasture), which is a bit annoying, and it lacks the real power needed for off-roading. However, I think it’s great for what it was designed for: comfortably and safely riding around town. My daughter loves riding it down to our pond to fish and has even driven her younger cousin around in the rear basket.
Rating: 7.6 / 10
