Sometimes you need more than just a standard bike. Maybe you just want to channel your inner chariot racer or feel like pedaling around mountain biking’s equivalent of a 2 headed cerberus. Either way, Rungu’s new bullfrog trikes have you covered. Why bullfrog? Well, we suppose if the quick, streamlined recumbent 3 wheeled trikes are called tadpoles, the aggressive upright stance and large footprint of the Rungu trikes is deserving of the name. So just what is a bullfrog trike and why would you want one? Built with a fatbike rear end and a split, dual head tube design, the Juggernaut and the Kilimanjaro use dual head tubes with identical front wheels and forks that are steered through a connected handle bar. Which of course is equipped with bar ends. Rungu claims this adds additional stability thanks to the shoulder width front wheel spacing and combined with low gearing, they also claim this can get you places your standard bike or car just won’t go.
Want a front suspension bull frog? Catch one after the break…
Rungu seems to think the Juggernaut will be the perfect surfing accessory thanks to its prowess on the sand. Even with a full size surf board, they’ve found a way to carry it. In addition to the tow behind method, the Rungu has a number of mounting holes for an overhead rack, like on a truck.
Our main concern with this design is how the bike will handle when turning. While the split bar’s steering brace based on modified Ackerman geometry is hinged to allow for each wheel to turn and minimize wheel slip, there doesn’t seem to be anything to account for lean. Rungu claims the shoulder width stance of the front wheels allows you to bank into turns like a bicycle, but if you bank hard enough that outside wheel is coming off the ground.
The Kilimanjaro uses the same frame but replaces the fatbike front wheels and forks with 29er suspension forks. Rungu says this will be the model for rocks and pavement, but if sand and snow is your thing then the Juggernaut is the right choice. Juggernaut pricing is set at $2,500 plus tax and shipping, with an additional $400 if you want Surly Bud 4.7 tires. The Kilimanjaro is slightly more at $2,600 but will run only an additional $100 for the Surly Bud/Michelin Wild Grip’r2 29 x 2.25″ tire package. Both bikes will come standard with Vee Rubber 4.7 Snow Shoe and Vee Rubber 29″x2.5″ Speed-R as standard. For full specs head over to riderungu.com.
Thanks to Eric Jacobson for the tip!
