Posted on 01/19/2022 10:59:31 AM PST by Red Badger
The Rungu Dualie e-bike looks like one rugged adventurer.
The evolution of the mountain bike is certainly an interesting story that can be nerded out for hours and hours on end. A lifelong mountain biker myself, I’d like to think that I know a thing or two about these go-anywhere two-wheelers. I currently have seven MTBs of different eras and types in my collection, including one with an electric-assist motor. However, even I was surprised when I saw this strange three-wheeled contraption.
The Rungu Dualie is essentially an electric mountain bike fitted with two wheels up front. However, what makes it strange is the way the two front wheels are mounted. Rather than sharing a single suspension strut on either wheel, as is the case with the Yamaha Niken, the Dualie gets two front forks situated side-by-side. That’s right, it literally uses two standard MTB forks and steers with two stems and two fork tubes. The steering is then unified with a linkage that connects the two stems. Pretty strange, if you ask me.
Now, certainly, the Dualie will have a hard time tackling technical single-track trails with tight corners and steep climbs and descents. It’s clear, though, that it wasn’t built for that. Instead, it seems that the Dualie is better suited for leisure riding on gravel roads and rural areas. Its laid-back ergonomics, tall handlebars, and luggage rack mounted at the back are a testament to this. However, I’m not thoroughly convinced that it’ll be any more capable than a decent electric mountain bike.
Nonetheless, the Dualie’s spec sheet is pretty impressive, and so, too, is its price tag. For the tidy sum of $4,899, which is the same money you'd be paying for a lightweight 400cc naked bike, you get a 52V mid-mounted motor that pumps out a claimed 328 Nm of torque. It draws power from a range of battery packs available from 780 Wh to 936 Wh, depending on the model. Rungu claims that the bike’s powertrain is capable of powering through inclines of up to 27 degrees, not bad.
Apart from the torquey motor, the Dualie also gets two suspension forks up front, as well as two hydraulic discs at the front, and one at the back. It rolls on fat bike-spec Maxxis tires, and features a wide-ratio rear sprocket and derailleur assembly for even more efficient riding. Rungu doesn’t state how many gears it has, however, based on the pictures, it looks to be an eight-speed system. The Dualie gets an LCD instrument panel, LED lights, and can even be fitted with an optional trailer hitch to fit accessories onto, or to tow a small cargo cart.
Sources: BikeDekho, Rungu
Me too................
If you are drunk the bike will not fall over when you stop?...................
8<)
I do really like Peachtree City GA’s “attitude” towards golf carts - It started of course many years ago when Peachtree City was big-time airline pilot (Delta, Eastern, etc. hub up the road in the ATL) as an out-of-city residential (and golf course heavy) town. So they laid out golf cart tracks behind all the subdivisions, crossed roads with golf cart tracks, then bridges over creeks and highways, then pretty much “officially’ let and encouraged everybody (older than 12 ??) drive the family’s golf carts everywhere to everything - without being on the regular roads.
Schools, church, shops, groceries, 4th of July fireworks, the golf courses themselves, barbershops, cleaners ... everywhere you need something there’s a golf cart trail to it.
The worst part about riding that bike is having to tell your mother that you’re gay
You’d love “The Villages”...............
Totally useless. I can’t for the life of me figure out what an extra front tire and fork can accomplish.
Maybe if it had a gas engine.
Looks to me like sticks, mud and other debris would build up between the wheels.
why not a dirt bike instead?
What? and get DIRT ON IT????.................
Mine is the mid 80's Specialized rock hopper
An interesting aside is that many of the motos seen at the Tour de France have similar ‘dual wheel’ fronts. My guess is that it is for stability as their job is to get the photographers and videographers up close and personal.
“Mine is the mid 80’s Specialized rock hopper”
I remember those they were very popular bikes. I had a Trek road bike and the trek mountains bike.
I rode nearly every single day from 1980 to about ‘93-94. rarely missed except worst of snow days. Have not rode since then. Lost interest.
We see lots of them in Florida! They ain’t cheap!...........
“It’s made for lefties wearing those goofy helmets on paved bike trails”
I wiped out my road bike on the Delaware OH State park paved trails in May 1984 right before I graduated. I remember it well. I was flying downhill about about 35 mph.
I was an accomplished biker then but lost control..I got stupid
Broke my collarbone in 2 places, major road rash, fractured bones in my wrist
That goofy helmet save my head as my head hit the pavement hard
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