Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 eBike Review: Fun and fast bike for errands and commuting
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The Mokwheel Basalt 2.0 ST eBike is a fun and fast bike for running errands, commuting and just riding around town.
The Basalt 2.0 has quite a few changes from the original version. Many of these changes focus on safety and security.
One of the most obvious changes in the 2.0 vs the prior version of the Basalt, is that it’s only available in a step-through frame. To be totally honest, I don’t remember the last time I rode a bike with a step-through frame, but the Basalt helped dispel any bias that I had toward the style. In fact, when compared with a similar size standard eBike, the Basalt 2.0 is much easier to get on and off thanks to the step-through frame design. I’m officially a fan of the style.
My biggest gripe with the Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0, and it’s a relatively minor one at that, is that the display is not viewable when wearing polarized sunglasses. Anyone who lives in Florida and spends any time on the water will likely have polarized sunglasses.
One new feature that I really welcome is the addition of turn signals. The signal indicators are built into each of the seat stays in the bike’s rear triangle. The rear triangle is also home to additional brake lights that complement the one below the rear rack. Besides looking very cool, these are definite safety enhancements. Although, when I did use them, I occasionally forgot to turn them off.
Presumably because of the turn signals, the button cluster has been redesigned. At first, I found myself pressing the turn signal button instead of the PAS adjustment button, but I soon got used to the new placement.
Instead of an electronic horn, the Basalt 2.0 is now equipped with a traditional bell. While I like the horn feature found on many eBikes, I find the bell to sound more friendly, so I’m happy with this change as well.
The LCD display is now removable. While this isn’t a sure-fire anti-theft device, it will definitely be a deterrent, since the motor will not operate unless the display is connected to the bike.
Basalt ST 2.0 Shipping/Unpacking/Assembly
Shipping from Mokwheel’s California warehouse to Florida via FedEx took less than a week. The bike was packed nice and tight. I learned from the last eBike I received that it’s easier to cut the box open rather than try to life the bike out of the box. Everything is secured with foam and zip ties.
An accessories box contains the headlight, LCD display, pedals, tools, charger, instructions and loads of spare parts bits and pieces.
It took less than an hour to unbox and assemble the Basalt 2.0. The bike ships nearly complete, you just need to install the handlebar, pedals, headlight and fenders. All of the required tools (including a torx wrench for the disc brakes!) come with the bike and the instructions are easy to follow. The hardest part of assembling the bike was securing the fenders. Help from another person would be useful securing the headlight and front fender.
The battery is pre-charged from the factory, which is a nice touch as you can get out and ride as soon as everything is assembled.
Basalt Display and Electronic Features
Besides the issue with Polarized sunglasses, the display is bright and easy to see in sunlight. It’s also very easy to detach and reattach when needed.
The main screen shows relevant ride data such as speed, pedal assist level, battery charge level, riding time and trip distance. There’s another screen that will show max speed, average trip speed and total distance and trip distance. The battery charge indicator uses a bar-graph scale that’s easy to understand.
When the turn signals are activated, a turn signal icon surfaces on either side of the control screen to remind you that the signal is on. When push assist (which is triggered by holding down the PAS – button when stopped) is activated, an icon also surfaces. Push Assist, moves the bike at 3 mph while the button is held down. It took me a while to realize that Push Assist, as the name implies, is meant to help push the bike when you’re off the bike pushing it, not actually riding it.
Cruise control is activated the same way as Push Assist, but only when the throttle is activated. It’s a little tricky to hold down the throttle and the minus button with one hand. It would be easier to activate cruise control if the throttle and button cluster were on opposite sides of the handlebar.
The display has a settings menu, which is activated by holding down both turn signal buttons, where among other things, you can change each Pedal Assist level speed as well as the max speed for the throttle. Another useful setting is that you can disable the throttle setting altogether. Both of these settings are good options if a child rides this bike and you want to limit how fast they can ride.
I was able to increase the throttle speed to more than 20 mph, which is cool, but I wasn’t able to achieve pedal assist speeds of more than 28 mph, even though I increased the speed in the settings menu. The top speed I was able to hit while all-out pedaling on a flat road was almost 35 mph.
The settings menu also allows you to configure the intensity setting, which adjusts the acceleration mode of the motor, from smooth to sporty. The ability to switch between Free Mode, which allows the motor to engage anytime, or Safe Mode, which only engages the motor when pedaling is also reached via the settings menu.
Mokwheel Basalt ST Battery, charging and range
The Basalt 2.0 range is advertised at up to 80 miles per charge. I did notice that performance began to degrade once I was at 1/4 charge, which is when I plugged it in. A full charge took about 5 hours.
The battery is removable and can be charged on or off the bike. The external charger has an LED that glows red when charging and turns to green when the battery is fully charged. The battery itself has a charge indicator on it as well.
In addition to the charging port, the Basalt battery has another port that can accept an optional power inverter, which allows you to run small electronic devices off of the battery.
We don’t have many hills on the southwest coast of Florida, but I did test the Basalt on a few bridges and the bike had absolutely zero problem riding up the inclines in either throttle or pedal-assist modes.
The torque sensor is responsive, with the motor kicking in after one or two pedal strokes. When using the throttle and the default intensity level, the bike is very peppy.
Basalt 2.0 Drivetrain, Brakes and other features
Like most eBikes in its class, the Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 uses a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain. The rear cassette has 7 speeds and is attached to a Shimano Tourney rear derailleur. Shifting is accomplished via a 7-speed Shimano index shifter. To shift to an easier gear, you press a lever with your index finger and to shift to a harder gear, you press a lever with your thumb.
I’m also very happy with the brakes. The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes are very responsive and provide ample stopping power. When the brakes are activated, brake lights on each side, above the rear dropouts, and one attached to the rear rack illuminate.
The rear rack is covered by an attractive wooden rack with “Mokwheel” engraved in it. This helps secure loads such as grocery bags and other small items that could otherwise fall through.
Another nice touch of the Basalt is that the tires have a reflective stripe on each side, which is great for added visibility at night.
Fit and size adjusting
The Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 comes in two sizes: Large (for riders 5’6″ to 6’8″) and Standard (for riders 5’2″ to 6’4″). The seat height can be adjusted by as much as nine inches. An adjustable stem allows the handlebars to be raised or lowered to the rider’s preference.
The handlebar grips have a cushioning gel insert and the saddle is pretty comfortable. Thanks to the step-through frame, getting on and off the bike is very easy.
Currently priced at $1,699, the Basalt ST 2.0 is available in White, Orange, Olive Green, or Jungle Camo color schemes. I got the Orange version and am very happy with the color and finish.
Overall, I’d recommend this eBike to anyone who wants an easy and fun way to get around town. During the testing period, the Basalt has become my teen-age daughter’s favorite bike. The step-through frame and safety enhancements are a welcome addition to the Basalt line.
Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 Specs
- 68 pounds
- Solar charging option
- Removable head unit
- Turn signals and brake light
- Dual-bulb headlight
- Wooden rear rack
- 350 pound payload capacity
- 7-speed Shimano rear derailleur
- 28 mph top speed
- 750-watt rear hub motor with 1,100 watt peak power
- Removable 48V 19.6Ah UL certified battery
- Tektro Hydraulic disc brakes
- 26×4-inch fat bike tires
- Front suspension fork
- 60-80 mile range
- Optional power station to charge devices
See more Mokwheel Electric Bikes here.