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
I’m 83 and riding a bike on level ground is enjoyable.
We are a few hundred feet above the semi level roads and bike trails, and that is not fun getting back home.
Also the parking areas which are level are monitored often by the not so good people.
So something like this might be a winner for us old goats.
It’s cute but my 10 year old BMW R1200RT is more comfortable, goes faster and farther between fill-ups (charges). So, nah.
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.
Apparently, that concept is now a standard study for future project managers as a training problem/challenge/task.
I’m 83 and riding a bike on level ground is enjoyable.
We are a few hundred feet above the semi level roads and bike trails, and that is not fun getting back home.
Also the parking areas which are level are monitored often by the not so good people.
So something like this might be a winner for us old goats.
—
Biking at 83. Excellent!
Virtually every major bike brand out there now has e-bikes available in its lineup. The major catch at the moment is the crazy supply chain issues make getting a bike a hassle at the moment.
no
Looks pretty darn cool but I can’t see the purpose of an extra front wheel on a bike like that
No, no. Not “I “. Though I do know families down over that side of town, have visited them several times.
The answer is obviously YES, seriously why would you not ride one if you had a chance?
It might be $#)% but it might be really great.
people sometimes ask me what kind of car they should get, but I have learned that declining to speculate on what they might desire is always my best choice.
Is there a charger at Whole Foods?
In real tough times, these are a great asset and a blast just to cruise around on.
Btw, I came very close to getting the 650...Super bike. I opted for something and bit smaller/lighter and the 400 fit the bill.
I really admire the hot 450 singles, but the seat height is out of range for a 30" inseam. Besides, I might forget I'm 65 and do some things on a motocross track that aren't age appropriate :-). The DRZ400 is a sweet bike. It will treat you well.
Piaggio MP3 500 for 2021. See MP3 500
I almost purchased one of these for my wife in 2007. It was an MP2 model in that time frame.
There are several ways to lower them somewhat and not mess with the geometry too bad.
I don’t know, the nearest WF here is 20 miles away!.....................
The dealer in Idaho Falls did the official factory lowering work on my 2009 DR650SE. Just enough that the suspension would sag and allow me to get both feet flat. The 2015 I just acquired is stock height, so I'm just getting toes down. The rear link requires just ordinary tools. Pulling the spacer from the fork tubes requires a special tool to unscrew a retainer. I could probably do it myself, but not with ambient temperatures at +25F.
Thanks RACPE.
Do you recall about how much they charged for lowering it?
What about AC and a place to charge my phone?
... and a cup holder.................
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