Jackrabbit MG Doble review: Powerful, but not bike path legal

With a Burley strapped to haul 25 pounds of carrots, pumpkins, and discarded coffee grounds, the ride was impressively smooth and smooth even on bumpy, patchy side roads. Because the MG Doble is not Electric bike Depending on the municipality, I may not be allowed to use bicycle paths. I rode them on the city streets as if I were driving a car.

That’s when I realized how small the MG Doble is compared to a garbage truck. It was also then that I realized that, on the street, I had to be at the highest level of energy, moving at 20 miles per hour, to keep up with the pace of traffic. When starting back into third power after a stoplight, I found that the twist throttle was sensitive and would roll forward.

On my way home, with an empty trailer, I took the MG Doble to the steepest street I could find, which happened to be near my house and had a grade of about 16 percent. At full throttle, the digital speedometer reached about 12.5 mph — enough to get me up a hill, but surprisingly slow for a bike that feels like a bronco hurtling down flat surfaces.

To test his dual human ability, I took Brian on a fun ride after work one day. It took me a few blocks to get used to balancing another body on my back. After a few miles, I quickly climbed onto High, and stopped at a busy street crossing. When the traffic was clear, I revved the throttle again and the bike rose to hit the occasional wheelie.

Brian slid from behind, while the bike continued to move forward until I took my hand off the throttle – a counterintuitive action because I was simultaneously trying not to fall off. It was funny at the time, because it was our first motorized wheelie and neither of us were hurt, but it was also terrifying because if I had done it in front of an oncoming car, we would both have been toast.

Good and evil

Photo: Steve Pearson

There are plenty of practical uses for the MG Doble that will make life more fun, such as transporting surfboards to the beach through uncrowded streets; Transporting harvested apples through the orchard; Riding through a rural school or college campus with few cars; Or throw it on your bike rack to use as a camping vehicle.

But there are also some reasons to pause before purchasing. If budget is an issue, the accessories that make this bike so practical add up quickly. With no pedaling involved at all, the MG Doble provides no exercise. Since the Doble is not a legal electric bike, in many cities it is difficult to ride it legally on a bike path. If you have to drive on city streets, it’s up to you to deal with the risks that come with it.