Ebike Industry Updates

The topic of Ride Quality is more subjective than our other test sections, but we will try to paint a picture of what it is like to ride the Mokwheel Granite. This section will cover elements such as sizing/fit, motor engagement, the user interface, comfort and suspension, handling, etc.

The Granite is recommended for riders from 5’0” to 6’2”. At 5’11”, I felt this to be generally appropriate; I had both the handlebar and saddle height maxed out during my testing. With 4.5” of adjustment in the former, I found it comfortable with the trike’s upright riding position, though I was not able to reach full leg extension with the 6” range in the seatpost.

Usually, this would be cause for concern, but we do not consider it a problem on an e-trike with a cadence sensor. The Granite does not require active pedaling, so maximum efficiency is not essential; its ride is instead relaxed and low-effort (if the rider chooses to pedal at all). Those seeking an effort-free experience can simply use the throttle.

In fact, pedaling the Granite was somewhat tough due to its large (but quite comfortable) saddle and non-adjustable backrest. The shape of the saddle impeded the motion of my legs when sitting fully against the backrest; I had to perch on the edge to be able to pedal. We’d prefer the backrest to be adjustable forward-backward for more comfortable pedaling.

Generally, the ride was comfortable due to the aforementioned saddle, ergonomic grips (faux leather with gel support), and the trike’s suspension. The Granite features a suspension fork with 80mm of travel to reduce the impact of bumps on the handlebars. Ours also included a suspension seatpost (an optional but recommended accessory).

The suspension is stiff and supportive, which makes it great for climbing and stable on descents, though it’s not as plush as some other setups. Our test bike came with an air spacer in the front fork, and we preferred the ride after removing it.

More than anything, we were pleasantly surprised by the bike’s agility. The 38mm stanchions and longer wheelbase make it appear larger than it feels to ride, offering better-than-expected maneuverability.

This serves as a reminder: the bike’s sizing runs large, and for the first time, I think I would have been better off on a medium rather than the large we tested. Be sure to consult the geometry chart to find the best fit for your preferences.

The brakes worked reliably. SRAM’s DB8 4-piston hydraulics have all the stopping power you need to stop in a hurry, and they have operated just fine over all of our testing. Not having a lot to talk about where the brakes are concerned is a plus when I’m reviewing a bike.

The mixed-wheel setup felt like a good choice on this bike. Since it did feel a little large to us, it was nice to have the more agil feel of a 27.5-inch tire in the rear. Overall though, the bike just felt very stable with the larger-than-most wheelbase and nice tire setup.

Ride quality encompasses many factors that influence how a bike feels to ride. We break it down into a myriad of elements, including sizing/fit, adjustability, ride comfort, handling, motor engagement, user interface, etc. We tested the Hauler with and without cargo weight on its rack to evaluate its ride quality.

Beginning with sizing and fit, I found the Hauler to be generally sized well. Its single frame size is intended for riders between 5’3” and 6’6”. To accommodate such a wide height range, it features an adjustable stem paired with 790mm BMX-style riser handlebars, allowing riders to customize the handlebar height and reach precisely.

Additionally, the seatpost offers eight total inches of saddle height adjustment, though we found that the included cargo basket prevented the saddle from reaching its lowest position when installed. The basket also prevented us from removing the second battery, so we needed to remove the basket or charge the battery on the bike.

In terms of comfort, the Hauler’s contact points and suspension worked well. I mentioned the thick, remarkably supportive saddle, but I also appreciated the ergonomic faux leather grips. The front suspension successfully softened bumps when riding, though its effect on the bike’s handling was not always positive.

When carrying cargo, I experienced a “loose” or “divey” sensation when cornering that seemed to be a combination of frame flex and the fork’s 70 mm of travel. I preferred the bike’s feel with the suspension locked out, but the frame flex issue was still present; we encourage Heybike to stiffen the frame in the future to improve the overall ride feel.