Biktrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 Review 2024

Intro

One of the most exciting facets of the e-bike world is the sheer diversity consumers are presented with. Not only can consumers choose between commuters, cargo e-bikes and eMTBs, but e-bikes come with a variety of different motors offering riders different levels of power. We’re here to review the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3, one of the most powerful e-bikes we’ve reviewed, one of the more powerful e-bikes on the market.

The BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 is built with the Bafang M620 mid-drive motor, which produces a whopping 1000W and offers double the torque of many popular mid-drive motors—160Nm-worth. With so much power on tap, many shoppers will wonder what they can do with such an e-bike. In some ways, the question is, what can’t they do?

The BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 ships in one of two configurations: The Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 comes either as a fairly common Class 2 e-bike; that is, riders can either pedal or use a throttle to go up to 20 mph. Riders can choose, however, to order it in unlimited mode, which features no restriction on speed. More on that in a bit.

The Bafang motor is powered by a 910Wh battery. A high-end SRAM drivetrain provides riders with a wide enough gear range to tackle some fairly technical terrain. Hydraulic disc brakes handle the stopping duties.

Another interesting aspect of the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 is the number of options that buyers are afforded, beyond the choice in motor performance. Buyers may choose frame type and size, wheel/tire size, a range extender battery, suspension seatpost, a better suspension fork, upgraded brakes, brighter headlight, or stouter rear hub. And that’s before even arriving at the many accessories available.

Let’s start digging into this e-bike’s specs; there’s lots to consider.

E-Bike Category: All terrain

Who the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 Electric Bike Is for: Riders wanting to explore backroads and natural-surface trails on steep terrain will find this to be a rewarding ride.

Mokwheel Basalt ST E-Bike Specs

• Battery: 910Wh lithium-ion
• Expected Range: 45 mi. estimated
• Charger: 3A
• Motor: 1000W Bafang mid-drive motor, 160Nm of torque
• UL Certification:
• Pedal Assist: 5 PAS Levels
• Throttle: Thumb button
• Display: Color LCD display
• Headlight: Integrated
• Taillight: Integrated
• Frame: 6061 Aluminum
• Fork: 100mm-travel RST Renegade coil spring suspension fork
• Fenders: metal, included
• Kickstand: Included
• Handlebars: 650mm-wide alloy
• Grips: Slide-on comfort grips
• Drivetrain: SRAM NX 11-speed
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors
• Pedals: Alloy, with reflectors
• Saddle: BikTrix spring-supported comfy cruiser
• Tires: 24 x 4-in., 26 x 4-in. Or 27.5 x 3-in.

In-Depth BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 Review

BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 Review: Comfort, Handling, and Ride Qualities

The first, most important ingredient in rider comfort is finding the proper frame size for the rider’s stature. Saddle height is important, but so is the reach from the saddle to the handlebar. BikTrix made a substantial investment in rider comfort by offering the Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 in more than one size.

The BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 is made in both a traditional frame and a step-thru design, and both frames are available in two sizes, medium and large. Reach is the same on the two traditional frames, but surprisingly, the reach is shortest on the large step-thru design, which is a point to consider for anyone who has a shorter torso or wingspan.

BikTrix includes an adjustable stem so that riders can further adjust the reach and handlebar height. Because of a difference in the head tube angle between the traditional frames and the step-thru versions, the traditional frames will be a bit more nimble at lower speeds, while the step-thru designs will be calmer in off-road situations.

BikTrix allows a fair amount of customization of the Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3, more than we typically see. One choice that they offer consumers is the ability to choose between three different wheel/tire sizes. The choices comprise 24 x 4-in., 26 x 4-in. and 27.5 x 3-in. Of these, the 27.5 x 3-in. wheel/tire combo will handle best off-road because it will roll over rocks and roots most readily. The 24 x 4-in. option will offer the greatest maneuverability, and will be handy for smaller riders by lowering the e-bike’s standover height.

Riders interested in going off-road should consider what the trail conditions will be as the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 comes equipped with fenders. Fenders are awesome for keeping a rider dry, but they are a liability in muddy situations. It’s not hard to pack up the space between the tire and the fender with mud and grind to a stop. Removing the fenders is a pretty easy solution, though.

BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 Review: Motor, Battery, and Drivetrain Performance

The BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 is a standout when it comes to e-bikes. We rarely see an e-bike equipped with such a powerful motor. The Bafang M620 Ultra mid-drive motor is one of the most powerful motors we’ve seen, even more powerful than most hub motors. This 1000W motor can produce up to 160Nm of torque, making it ideal for people who live in hilly places and don’t ever want to be stopped (or even slowed) by the steepest grades.

We’d be shirking our journalistic duty if we didn’t mention that a 1000W motor isn’t legal everywhere. It won’t be legal on any trail systems because e-bikes there are all restricted to Class 1. We think it’s unlikely that law enforcement would ever examine an e-bike that closely, but it could happen and for shoppers who want to make sure they purchase an e-bike that conforms to their local regulations, we have a duty to note that this could cause issues. Law enforcement aside, tearing by hikers while throttling along at speed might not be the best way to make friends, though. Shoppers need to be aware that if they want to ride the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 as an unlimited e-bike, they need to choose that from among the ordering options, otherwise, it ships as a Class 2 e-bike.

BikTrix equipped the Juggernaut Duo 3 with a 910Wh battery, which is officially ginormous. So why did they give it an estimated range of only 45 mi.? Well, due to that Bafang mid-drive motor we just mentioned. Such a powerful motor is going to draw more energy. We’re impressed that they gave it a relatively modest range. Without having had a chance to ride this e-bike to exhaustion, our experience tells us they are probably pretty close. Anyone with range anxiety can always order it with the range-extending second battery.

BikTrix chose a SRAM NX 11-speed drivetrain for the Juggernaut. Considering the amount of torque this Bafang motor can put out, picking a high-end drivetrain like this was smart. Putting all that force into the chainrings, chain and cassette cogs, it’s important that they be strong enough to handle the force the motor generates.

For those wondering how much better and 11-speed drivetrain is than an 8 or 9-speed drivetrain is, the short answer is the difference is major. For an e-bike that is meant to ride singletrack trails and take in technically difficult terrain, a wide range of gears is indispensable. The NX cassette boasts an 11-42t range; that’s an almost 400 percent range; compare that to the 200 percent range we see with most 7-speed drivetrains.

With so much torque being produced by the Bafang M620 motor—it produces double the amount of torque of many mid-drive motors—some shoppers might think that they won’t need more than one gear to get up or down a hill. And this e-bike could probably Climb Mount Diablo in its highest gear, riding around in top gear and depending on the motor’s incredible torque to handle all the acceleration and climbing power will do something rather expensive. It will wear out the chain, cassette and chainring, in roughly that order. Of those, the cassette is most expensive. Using all the appropriate gears for going uphill, across the flats and downhill will definitely make the drivetrain last longer.

BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 Review: Braking, Safety & Warranty

Our gold standard for e-bike braking is a set of hydraulic disc brakes paired with 180mm rotors. That sort of setup will give plenty of braking power to most riders in most situations. The BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 is equipped with BikTrix-branded hydraulic disc brakes, paired with 180mm rotors. These will offer solid performance in most situations.

We said “most,” because with a 1000W motor that can be ridden as an unlimited/unrestricted e-bike, it can reach speeds above 28 mph. We were glad to see that 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes (two different options, at that) are one of the options buyers can choose for an e-bike that might go as fast as 30 mph. Riders who aren’t looking to push the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 to its limits are unlikely to have any issues, though.

There’s nothing about the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 that warrants worry. This is a well-made e-bike. What does merit some concern is the prospect of unlocking this e-bike and riding it unlimited in off-road situations. This is an unusually powerful e-bike and a rider could achieve speeds at which control would begin to suffer. We encourage prospective buyers to look at their local ordinances and locations where motorcycles and ORVs can be ridden.

BikTrix covers the Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 with a one-year warranty, which is the bare minimum. They market their BikeTrixCare+ as a way to better cover their e-bikes; BikTrixCare+ extends the warranty to either two or three years, depending on which package the shopper buys.

BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 Review: Recommendation/Final Verdict

The BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 is unusual among the e-bikes intended for off-road riding in that they usually fit neatly into either the all-terrain category or the eMTB category. This e-bike straddles those two worlds. It’s clearly superior to most all-terrain e-bikes, but calling it an eMTB is a bit of a stretch. That is a statement that deserves some additional explanation.

While there is some variety in the world of eMTBs, there are a number of features common to most eMTBs. On the eMTBs we are seeing from companies like Specialized, Trek, Santa Cruz and Ibis, there are a number of features they share. Suspension travel is at least 140mm, both front and rear (very few eMTBs are hardtails). We’re not seeing coil-spring forks like the one that comes standard on the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3. A dropper post that allows the rider to press a lever and lower the saddle for steep descents is a necessity. Tubeless tires and rims are a must-have as well. A tubeless setup cuts the risk of a flat by 90 percent, at least. It also improves traction because the rider can run lower tire pressures because the risk of puncturing an innertube has been eliminated. Most eMTBs are being equipped with a drivetrain that gives at least a 400 percent gearing range; the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 comes close, but falls short.

There’s another difference between the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 and an eMTB: a true eMTB is a Class 1 e-bike; it has no throttle and cannot assist the rider to speeds faster than 20 mph. Park systems that have granted access to eMTBs require them to be Class 1 e-bikes. The BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 in unlimited mode needs trails that are legal for motorcycles.

Ultimately, the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 is a very upscale all-terrain e-bike. Even restricted to Class 2 operation, this e-bike is much more capable than the models we see in the sub-$2000 range. Our observations here aren’t meant to disparage the Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3; it’s a remarkable e-bike, but our job in reviewing an e-bike is to help the prospective buyer right-size their expectations for the e-bike’s abilities. The rider who wants to tag along with friends who are heading out to trails for an afternoon of riding would likely be surprised by how difficult it would be to keep up with the less powerful eMTBs.

We haven’t discussed the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3’s abilities as a commuter, but it’s time. This e-bike includes all the basics we want to see in a good commuter: It comes equipped with front and rear lights, fenders, a kickstand and rear rack. The head tube also includes mounts for a front rack or basket to increase its load-carrying ability. There is no doubt that the Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 can serve as a first-rate commuter.

Here we return to the potential to order the BikTrixJuggernaut Ultra Duo 3 as an unrestricted e-bike. Set up this way, this would be one of the speediest commuters on the market. It will make short work of any reasonable commute and make some longer commutes manageable. That said, a rider going 30 mph or more on an e-bike has the potential to surprise drivers who won’t expect an e-bike to be moving that quickly. Then there’s the reality that running an e-bike as “unlimited” curtails its road use. Set that way, it will only be legal in off-road settings.

Shipped as a Class 2 e-bike, though, the rider won’t suffer for lack of benefit from the e-bike’s gargantuan power. With 1000W and 160Nm of torque, the rider will experience head-tugging acceleration and the ability to treat steep hills as speed bumps. Such power will, for the rider who wants the e-bike answer to a BMW M-series, reward plenty, even if restricted to lawful operation.

BikTrix has created a remarkable e-bike in the Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3, one that demonstrates just how much e-bike someone can purchase without resorting to spending north of $4000. Of course, with upgrades, options and accessories, the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3 can cross that line, but the base model, so to speak, is a remarkable e-bike, ready to make an e-bike believer of anyone who buys it.

Thank you for reading through our review of the BikTrix Juggernaut Ultra Duo 3. Still have further questions? Wondering how it compares to a similar e-bike we’ve reviewed? Let us know in the comments below!