Rungu Dualie E-ATV" Who is it Good For?

By Rami Cerone - 10/10/2022

Visually, the first time I laid eyes on the dual-front wheel Rungu e-bike, I thought there were two bicycles parked very close together. It was an optical illusion. As I walked closer, I saw two huge front tires attached to a tough-looking bike frame with a massive cargo rack behind the seat. If one wants to stand out and get bombarded with questions at every stop, this is the bike for you. But how does it ride?

Throwing a leg over the low standover frame feels just like any bike, until you look down and see the two massive tires under the handlebars. There is no kickstand needed as the bike balances on its own. This eliminates the worry of dropping the bike off-road when parking on uneven terrain. On the handlebars, the thumb throttle is on the left and the gear change lever is on the right side, just like on any other bike. After powering on the clear LCD screen and choosing a power level from 1 to 5, I touched the throttle and was on my way.

It takes a moment to get used to the momentum and heft from the front end, but it comes naturally soon after beginning to ride. The dualie has a different ride dynamic than a regular mountain bike or even a conventional dirt bike. With the wheels being spaced 9 inches apart, the Rungu still allows the rider to lean into turns while keeping the stability that the dual-front tires afford. The front tires are each independently suspended from the other. As a result, when riding over rough terrain, the bike keeps moving forward without the fear of washing out or following ruts in the path. During my ride, I encountered uneven rocks, hills and soft gravel. The Rungu took it all in stride, plowing over and through anything I came across.

The electric motor eliminated the need to pedal unless I wanted to be more involved in the ride and get some exercise. I kept it on power level 3 much of the time as it gave plenty of added boost for the off-road terrain I was on. Speed came effortlessly with not much pedaling. I found my sweet spot at 15-17 miles per hour, although the bike felt like it wanted to go faster. With pedal assist, the bike would accelerate up to the mid-20 mph range with ease. Due to the quiet motor, I was able to enjoy the sounds of nature on my ride.

This Rungu bike is a utilitarian workhorse with a 180-pound limit on the cargo rack and a whopping 250-pound towing capacity. At a starting price of $4400, it will likely be cross-shopped with an ATV or conventional e-bike. A rider that wants to conquer singletrack trails, downhill adventures or fast and nimble riding would be happier on a conventional two-wheeled suspension e-bike. In place of an ATV, the Rungu advantages are mobility, ease of transport in an SUV or pickup, and quiet gasoline-free performance. The Rungu is worth a look and test ride when shopping for capable off-the-beaten path transportation.