Ride quality is a complex subject comprised of many smaller elements. These include sizing and fit, overall comfort, handling, motor engagement, the user interface, etc. Together, these factors determine how a bike feels to ride and operate.
The Obsidian ST is offered in a single frame size advertised for riders from 5’6” to 6’8”. I found a comfortable ride with my height of 5’11”, but considering the bike’s limited range of adjustment—the saddle height has a range of 6 inches—Mokwheel’s advertised height range seems hopeful.
We appreciate that they added a quick-adjust dropper seatpost with 50mm (roughly 2”) of travel to add an extra inch of saddle height over the HS model, but taller riders may still experience less leg extension than expected. The bike’s motor and torque sensor will likely help to offset this to some degree, but it is something to be aware of.
In terms of ride comfort, there are two main aspects to consider: the bike’s suspension and its contact points (grips, saddle, and pedals). With a full suspension including 130mm of travel from a lockout suspension fork and a rear shock with 50mm of stroke, the ride felt extremely smooth and enjoyable even with riding over rocky, bumpy terrain.
I liked the bike’s wide, thickly padded saddle and was happy to see locking ergonomic grips. The grips themselves are covered by faux leather and include a gel pad, which I did not find well-suited to off-roading. Fortunately, this is a cover that can be removed to reveal standard rubber grips beneath.
As mentioned previously, the Obsidian ST is a large and heavy e-bike, so its handling is not as nimble as something lighter would be. It cornered and steered well for its size, and it has the benefit of stability and plantedness, so I found its overall handling to be good.
The bike’s knobby 26×4” Chaoyang tires performed well on- and off-road; they felt stable, grippy, and could add an extra layer of cushion when set to have relatively low tire pressure.
One critique I have is with the speed of the motor’s re-engagement after coasting or braking. At times, it could take a full rotation of the cranks to re-engage the motor, and the bike’s torque sensor required somewhat of an initial “shove” against the pedals to read my effort. I’d have preferred it to feel a bit more responsive.
I mentioned previously that it is possible to adjust the force and speed of the bike’s acceleration. In the highest of the five available levels, the motor felt noticeably punchier with faster acceleration. This helped the bike to feel more responsive—and I recommend this setting for off-roading—but I think there is still room for improvement.
I liked the bike’s user interface; as with Mokwheel’s other e-bikes, the Obsidian uses a custom color display that is appealing and generally easy to read. The bike’s settings menus allow users to customize the bike’s feel and functions, including throttle speed, the number of PAS settings (3 or 5), and the availability of throttle power from a standstill—in addition to the motor intensity.
To summarize, I thought the Obsidian ST generally felt great to ride, especially when off-roading, where the bike’s full power could be appreciated. It has a few areas with room for improvement, but these did not overshadow how much fun it could be to effortlessly and comfortably power through areas where other e-bikes don’t dare to go.
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