MoonCool TK1 Folding Trike

[LewTwo]

Has anyone here had any experience with the "MoonCool TK1 Folding Trike".

TK1 Folding Electric Trike

Experience secure and convenient commuting with the Mooncool TK1 Folding Electric Trike. Designed for enhanced stability with a Speed Differential Mechanism and reliable Parking Brake, this electric tricycle combines comfort and safety. Features include a powerful 48V 500W motor, a comfortable...

www.mooncool.com

There are several (I would guese over a 100) Youtube Videos but none that give much technical information or review. My interest in this particular model is because it has a rear 'differential' drive. That rear axle is actually driven by a 500 nominal watt hub motor that is mounted to the frame of the bike. Note that is also a "MoonCool TK1 Fat Tire Trike". These are NOT the same. The latter has front hub Motor.



Here are a few You Tube Videos:
Mooncool TK1 Folding eTrike - TOO MUCH FUN!

Canopy On Mooncool TK1

Rear Wheel Detail

 

[Papa]

What's your plan?

"Granny" trikes are a dangerous platform for electrification, especially at speeds exceeding 10-12 mph.

If you purchase one, trash everything forward of the rear axle and fab a stretched frame w/20" seat height, similar to an Hase Kettweasel or the Performer Futuro.

One issue with the trike's rear axle you linked, it only has a single disc brake. Maybe not a deal breaker for you, but certainly would be for me.

 

[fill]

If you have any bends or turns on your route you would like to cycle faster than walking pace DONT ride a rigid trike.

 

[LewTwo]

If you have any bends or turns on your route you would like to cycle faster than walking pace DONT ride a rigid trike.

I once heard someone say: "You Ride a Bike but you Drive a trike".

 

[Chalo]

Mooncool trikes are "tricycle shaped objects". They don't look too bad, but they are abominably cheap and janky. I've whipped quite a few of them into good operating condition, which I expect they'll retain for at least fifteen minutes of riding. Less if they sit outside all the time like most trikes do.

To be fair, there isn't really a "nice" version of granny trike available. But some are nastier than others. Husky, Sun, and Worksman are crude but reputable. That's if you want to do your own conversion. Lectric makes an e-trike that I would consider a much better bet than Mooncool.

 

[Chalo]

I once heard someone say: "You Ride a Bike but you Drive a trike".

It's actually, "you ride a bike but you overturn a trike". It's an easy mistake to make.

 

[Papa]

If you have any bends or turns on your route you would like to cycle faster than walking pace DONT ride a rigid trike.

It's actually, "you ride a bike but you overturn a trike". It's an easy mistake to make.

Not all "trikes" are created equal ..

The trike linked below, is in fact, a "granny" conversion... with over 2 decades of accident free riding.... at speeds occasionally exceeding 25 mph.

https://endless-sphere.com/sphere/attachments/1704279322388-jpeg.345441/

 

[Chalo]

Not all "trikes" are created equal ..

The trike linked below, is in fact, a "granny" conversion... with over 2 decades of accident free riding.... at speeds occasionally exceeding 25 mph.

https://endless-sphere.com/sphere/attachments/1704279322388-jpeg.345441/

I have said it before and I surely will again: Recumbents address some of the problems with trikes, and trikes address some of the problems with recumbents. If you must have one, it might as well also be the other.

Mooncool doesn't make any recumbents, and it's probably best if they don't.

Full disclosure: I have a Catrike Expedition I don't ride. But I have it for when I'm too old and busted to do things, but not dead yet.

 

[Papa]

Mooncool doesn't make any recumbents, and it's probably best if they don't.

FYI Chalo, Mooncool did NOT build the rear axle assy shown in LewTwo's links. I know, because I own one of the axle assemblies . The rear axle's frame assy (easily separable from the trike) and is fabbed from 6061t6. Mine is scheduled for customer's build this winter.

@ LewTwo,
As I mentioned previously, if you discard everything forward of the rear axle, extend the wheelbase, and lower the seat, you'll be fine.

 

[Papa]

Full disclosure: I have a Catrike Expedition I don't ride. But I have it for when I'm too old and busted to do things, but not dead yet.

Too funny Big Guy...

Some of us do 'see-the-light'.... looonnng before we're too old and busted. Apparently you caught a glimps, but are too damn hard-headed to accept reality.

 

[LewTwo]

My point about 'drive' rather 'ride': I currently have a 2011 Ranger pickup ... if I drive it too fast around a corner it will also 'overturn' (as will my Giant Revive e-bike if I can ever find the damn key). The speed limit in the 'Senior HOA Park' I currently live in is 15 MPH. Most of the old folks drive petrol fueled golf carts in the HOA. Everyone has to pick up their mail at the 'community' center. One also has to cart waste (garbage, recycle, yard) to the center for disposal as well.

The TK1 tops out at 15.5 MPH. I was more interested in information regards the rear differential (as opposed to a live axle or front wheel drive). I was thinking the TK1 might be an alternative to a gas fuming cart.

I ran head-on into that 'light' Papa speaks of about two years ago. Actually it was my left ankle/foot rather than my head. Dropping down into the seat and climbing up out of a recumbent would be a bit of a challenge these days.

 

[Papa]

Dropping down into the seat and climbing up out of a recumbent would be a bit of a challenge these days.

Most Tadpoles, YES... Most Delta recumbents, NO.

Measure the seat height of your kitchen chair. Likely near the same height as the trike I linked above,... about 20". Same goes for the two delta recumbents I mentioned above.

The seat height of the tadpole Catrike that Chalo mentioned is a lot lower (10"), and is widely discouraged for anyone with back or knee issues.

 

[LewTwo]

Lectric makes an e-trike that I would consider a much better bet than Mooncool.

Near as I can tell, they use the same rear end but Mooncool has the advantage of a suspension fork as well.

 

[Chalo]

Near as I can tell, they use the same rear end but Mooncool has the advantage of a suspension fork as well.

The trouble is, if it has the "advantage" of Mooncool component quality and build quality as I've observed it, you don't want to have anything whatsoever to do with it. Lectric bikes are definitely on the junky side, but not nearly as farcical as Mooncool.

 

[Papa]

LewTwo,

If you're serious about purchasing a granny trike, I have damn little experience with the current crop of Asian throwaways. I can, however, offer some suggestions.

1.)Track width - the distance between the 2 rear wheels contact patches. Specs (if given) usually just say "width". Look for maximum track width. Any trike below 34" wide should be scrubbed.

2.) Disc brakes on BOTH rear wheels. My axle has a pair caliper mounts so I know they're available from said axle sub-contractor.

3.) If you happen to purchase a trike with a pair of rear disc brakes, then disable or remove the front brake entirely (if so equipt) so you cannot use it.

4.) Unless you spent the bulk of your travels on sub-par asphalt or unpaved trails, fat spongy tires should not be used. They exacerbate the trike's tendency to roll/tip when corning. Tires capable of at least 60 psi should be use instead. Fat off-road rubber also decreases range significantly.

Best of luck.

 

[fill]

I once heard someone say: "You Ride a Bike but you Drive a trike".

Probably in the context of ice powered vehicles too perhaps?,

learning the term 'granny trike' in here @Papa, your excellent build is in a different class significantly lower center of gravity than any option op posted, and not an off the shelf frame either.. But what you gain in stability you loose in distance vision and awareness of the greater range more height could provide. However depending on route its something i would be more inclined to give a go

edit.. anything recumbent-ish has the legacy of the sinclair c5 and its ability to disappear under lorries unnoticed to deal with..

 

[gromike]

I have posted a picture of this trike before, and I post it again because this is style of trike that I would like to find.

 

[Papa]

Appreciate the text - thank you

But what you gain in stability you loose in distance vision and awareness of the greater range more height could provide.

My 1988 Toyota Corolla has a seat height of 21" (measured from the ground the tires are sitting on, to the uncompressed driver's butt cushion).

but that's not all...

My FOV (field of view) on the trike is significantly greater than the Corolla also. Because there's no vehicle obstacles (A-pillars, rear view mirrors, windshield stickers, junk on the dash, ect) to inhibit view.

 

[LewTwo]

I have posted a picture of this trike before, and I post it again because this is style of trike that I would like to find.
View attachment 358610

That might be called a "Reverse Granny Cargo Trike". I ran across sever similar "Reverse Trikes" while browsing you tube but none with that much cargo capacity. Among others were offerings from AddMotor and SixThreeZero.

 

[LewTwo]

LewTwo,

If you're serious about purchasing a granny trike, I have damn little experience with the current crop of Asian throwaways. I can, however, offer some suggestions.

1.)Track width - the distance between the 2 rear wheels contact patches. Specs (if given) usually just say "width". Look for maximum track width. Any trike below 34" wide should be scrubbed.

2.) Disc brakes on BOTH rear wheels. My axle has a pair caliper mounts so I know they're available from said axle sub-contractor.

3.) If you happen to purchase a trike with a pair of rear disc brakes, then disable or remove the front brake entirely (if so equipt) so you cannot use it.

4.) Unless you spent the bulk of your travels on sub-par asphalt or unpaved trails, fat spongy tires should not be used. They exacerbate the trike's tendency to roll/tip when corning. Tires capable of at least 60 psi should be use instead. Fat off-road rubber also decreases range significantly.

Best of luck.

Food for thought ....
1) most of the models that I have observed are between 29 and 34 inches wide (excluding mirrors). I think that might be so that they can fit through standard 36 inch exterior doors (which usually have an actual maximum pass through of 34.5 inches).

2) When I was in Alaska decades ago (compliments of my rich Uncle Sam) the most 'fun' vehicle was called a 'Trackmaster'. It was based on a 6 cylinder Ford Falcon drive train with two master cylinders but with tracks rather wheels. To go left one pulled on the control lever for the left master cylinder. For right one pulled on the right lever. To stop one only needed to let off the throttle ... inefficiency, drag and friction would do the rest.

On the TK1, I suspect that single disk is connected to the 'differential' rather the left or right axle. I think that I would rather have the braking force applied equally to both wheels. So a single disk might no be very bad.

3) LOL --- I used to ride a Vespa GT 200 scooter. One day the rear brake line got burned out by rubbing against the hot exhaust pipe. I had limp home with only the front brake. One does not have to always used both brake levers .... but having a spare brake is not a bad thing.

4) Is there anything other than subpar asphalt these days? Actually the pavements in Mission are generally much better that washboard, ruts and pot holes that I encountered in Houston.

As I indicated previously, my interest in this particular model was sparked by the fact that it used a rear differential. I have not been able to find any information on the technology used to implement the differential. Due to the small size, I would be surprised if it is a gear unit (similar to an automotive rear end). I suspect that is uses a pair of ratchets or slip-rings.

 

[fill]

Appreciate the text - thank you

My 1988 Toyota Corolla has a seat height of 21" (measured from the ground the tires are sitting on, to the uncompressed driver's butt cushion).

but that's not all...

My FOV (field of view) on the trike is significantly greater than the Corolla also. Because there's no vehicle obstacles (A-pillars, rear view mirrors, windshield stickers, junk on the dash, ect) to inhibit view.

It certainly sounds like it ticks all your boxes. And while your awareness and FOV is important for sure, Im more concerned about the awareness of other road users not used to such vehicles and ending up in the front blind spot of a monster vehicle in a stop start queue situation.. - But that could just be the difference between ridding conditions we are familiar with.

 

[fill]

I have posted a picture of this trike before, and I post it again because this is style of trike that I would like to find.

Nosilsu (the text on the cargo box) google tells me is a kawisaki brand name for e-trikes.. I couldnt make out the text on the bike but i didnt try very hard.

 

[gromike]

Yes, it's a Kawasaki. Don't think they sell them outside of Japan. It would need a motor makeover anyway, 350w rear hub, if IIRC.

 

[Papa]

I have not been able to find any information on the technology used to implement the differential. Due to the small size, I would be surprised if it is a gear unit (similar to an automotive rear end). I suspect that is uses a pair of ratchets or slip-rings.

It employs gears - automotive style sans ring & pinion w/2 spiders

 

[LewTwo]

It employs gears - automotive style sans ring & pinion w/2 spiders

ahhhh ... Thank thee