Why Test Riding an E-Bike Is So Important
Free · Walk-in · Tualatin & Eugene
Don't buy an e-bike
until you've ridden one.
60+ Mokwheels on the floor, and every single one is test-rideable. No appointment. No deposit. Up to 30 minutes on anything in stock.
Test ride in Portland Test ride in EugeneTwo minutes on why the spec sheet can't tell you what the first block can.
The e-bike market exploded. More models, more motors, more numbers on more spec sheets than ever. And almost none of it tells you the thing you actually need to know: what this bike feels like underneath you.
Buying an e-bike without riding it is like buying hiking boots without trying them on. The specs look great right up until you're moving and something feels off — the reach is awkward, the power surprises you, the weight leans wrong when you slow down.
So come ride one. And when you do, here's exactly what to pay attention to — whether you end up buying from us or not.
7 things to check on your test ride
Sizing and weight distribution
Mokwheels run from about 39 lbs to 77 lbs, and that spread matters more than most people expect. The Flint Pro, our lightest commuter, feels like a different machine than an Obsidian full-suspension fat tire. How that weight sits is as important as the number.
Sitting on it, your feet should reach the ground comfortably without hunching over the bars. Ask us to set saddle height before you roll — an inch changes everything under power. Then watch how it leans as you slow to a stop.
Power delivery, not just power
Every Mokwheel has five assist levels and they don't feel alike. Eco on a Flint Pro is a quiet push for flat commutes. Level 5 on an Obsidian's 1300W peak is why that bike exists. Ride the full range back to back.
What you're feeling for is how the power arrives. Does it surge the second you pedal, or build with you? Every Mokwheel uses a torque sensor, so the motor answers how hard you're pushing — which is why a loaded Scoria still feels controlled instead of lurchy.
Gearing and cadence
A motor doesn't make gearing irrelevant — it matters most on hills and on long rides where you're stretching the battery. Run the whole range. Low gears should feel easy and smooth climbing; high gears should let you push speed without the motor doing all the work.
You're looking for a cadence you could hold for an hour. Most riders settle around 70–90 RPM. If the jumps between gears feel jarring, say so — that's worth talking through against your terrain.
The display, while you're moving
The display is your command center: speed, battery, assist mode, range, trip data. Use it riding, not standing still. Is it readable in daylight? Can you change modes without staring down at your hands?
The deeper menus are where you tune max assist speed, motor sensitivity, and lighting. Ask us to walk you through them — most people don't find out those settings exist until months later.
How you'll actually build it out
One real advantage of a shop: you can see and feel accessories before you commit. Tell us how you plan to ride and we'll show you what earns its place versus what's just nice to have.
The ones that change daily use: rear racks and panniers for commuting, fenders for wet Oregon months, a better saddle for long days, frame bags for hauling. Every Mokwheel we sell already includes a fender and rear rack free, so start from there.
Getting it into your car
This one catches people. Even compact e-bikes are heavy once you're lifting them into a trunk. Before you leave, do a trial run: pull the battery first (most snap off in seconds and drop 8–15 lbs), then work out the angle and grip points.
For SUVs and crossovers, a folding ramp changes the job if you're doing it alone. A moving blanket in the cargo area protects both surfaces.
Your bike rack, if you have one
Ask before you buy. Most standard racks cap at 35–40 lbs per bike. E-bikes routinely blow past that. You need one rated for e-bikes — usually 60+ lbs per bike — or a platform rack that spreads the load.
Hitch racks: check your hitch class rating and the rack's tongue weight. Roof racks: garage clearance becomes a real problem, and getting a 60 lb bike overhead is a two-person job. Most e-bike owners switch to hitch racks after one season.
How our test rides actually work
No appointment. No deposit. No salesperson shadowing you around the floor.
Anything in stock means anything — fat tire, mountain, commuter, and our new lightweight models. Ride three if you want. Ride the one you came for and then ride the one you didn't expect to like. That's what a floor of 60+ bikes is for, and it's the only way to find out which one you'd actually reach for on a Tuesday.
Come back and ride again next week if you're still deciding. Nobody's counting.
And if you love it
Then the risk should come off you, not land on you. Every Mokwheel we sell includes a free $99 ProBuild — a 25-point checklist where our techs torque every bolt, align brakes and spokes, check the electrical, and sign off — plus a free fender and rear rack. About $280 of build and gear, at the same price you'd pay on the manufacturer's website.
Then you get 14 days to ride it on your own roads and your own hills. If it's not the one, bring it back.
See how the risk-free offer works →
Still comparing against buying online? Read the honest breakdown →
Come ride one.
Free, walk-in, up to 30 minutes. Today, if you want.
Tualatin, OR 97224
(503) 404-3986
Wed–Sun, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wed–Sun, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Test ride questions
Do I need an appointment to test ride an e-bike?
No. Walk into our Tualatin or Eugene store during open hours. No appointment and no deposit. Sign a waiver, we'll fit a helmet and give you an orientation, and you can ride up to 30 minutes on anything in stock.
Is the test ride free?
Completely. No fee, no deposit, no obligation. You can ride several bikes in one visit and come back another day.
How long is a test ride?
Up to 30 minutes on any bike in stock. That's long enough to find hills, stops, and a stretch of open road — which is what you need to actually judge a bike.
What do I need to bring?
Closed-toe shoes and a photo ID. We provide the helmet. If you're planning to transport the bike by car, bring your hitch class info and we'll check rack compatibility while you're here.
Can I ride more than one bike?
Yes, and you should. Riding two or three back to back is the fastest way to feel the difference between motors, geometry, and tire size. There are 60+ on the floor in Tualatin.
Do I have to buy the bike I test ride?
No. No pressure and no obligation. Plenty of people ride, think about it, and come back. If you do buy, you also get 14 days to change your mind.
Where do I test ride an e-bike near Portland?
Our Tualatin showroom is about 15 minutes from downtown Portland, just off I-5, at 18041 SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd #3, Tualatin, OR 97224. We also have a store in Eugene.
