Dualtron Mini Review

Design

Handlebars

The handlebars on the Mini will split opinions among riders. And not just because of the way they look, but how they operate.

The first thing you’ll notice is that the handlebars resemble those on a dirt bike. Initially, I wasn’t a fan of how they look, but they grew on me over time and I think they suit the simplistic style of the scooter.

The second thing is that although it’s called the Mini, surprisingly, it has the tallest handlebars of all Dualtron scooters. The deck-to-handlebar height is 40 inches, while the rest of the Dualtron lineup sits around 38 inches. This makes it more comfortable and offers greater stability for riders, especially those over 6 ft like myself.

The third and final thing is that the handlebars are made from one piece of aluminum, so they don’t fold down. This is slightly odd, as even the high-performing models in the Dualtron line – including the Storm and Thunder 2 – come with foldable handlebars. You’d expect it to be the opposite. The benefit of this, though, is that the bike-style handlebars feel solid and inspire confidence while riding.

As to be expected, the ergonomics of the handgrips are second to none. The flawless design fits plush in your hand and the EY3 display is a cornerstone in Dualtron scooters. Not only does the EY3 display serve as your throttle but also as a place to glance at top-level riding information, including your speed, remaining battery, and riding mode.

Frame

Unlike Dualtron’s other models whose frames curve from one section to the next, the Mini opts for a geometric design with sharp lines and straight edges.

Aside from how it looks, the frame is put together well. It feels solid, robust, and well built.

The quadruple springs seamlessly flow from the top of the swingarm to the wheel. Small details like how the fenders are connected to the swingarms and how the kickplate sweeps up at the rear of the deck like a fin, give the Mini a unique frame that is unlike anything else in its bracket. Even the skeletal-like neck and handle at the folding mechanism play into the Mini’s illustrious design.

Deck

The deck is an interesting size. It measures 7 inches wide and 17 inches long. So while it’s plenty wide enough, it is pretty short compared to others. That said, it is a single motor scooter, so we’ll let the Mini off.

Plus, it is slathered in grip tape which offers excellent grip while riding. This impressed me, as I recently reviewed the Dualtron Eagle Pro, and it only features three strips of tape rather than the entire deck being coated. I much prefer the grip levels on the Mini.

Plus, the kickplate is a great addition that isn’t all too common on commuter-style scooters, and with it also being covered in grip tape it serves its purpose well.

You’ll find the usual suspects on the Mini’s deck, too. This includes a kickstand, charging port, and deck lights, which look super neat when it’s dark.

Wheels

The Dualtron Mini sports pneumatic tires, and for this type of electric scooter, they’re the perfect size (9 x 2-inches).

Alongside the suspension system, the tires do a good of maintaining traction and working in tandem with the springs when it comes to both absorbing shocks and braking. They can even handle dirt paths if you decide to venture outside of the city.

Bear in mind that pneumatics are prone to punctures, and do require a little bit of upkeep to keep them performing at their best. But, because the tires on the Mini can be separated from the rim, it’s easier to change flats.

Build Quality & Durability

Dualtron has been making scooters for many years and they tend to produce models with good build quality. With the Mini, everything feels refined. From the aluminum frame to the rubber handgrips and precise clear-cut design of each component, the Mini passes the build quality standard needed for us to recommend it as a good scooter.

First off, the folding mechanism is world-class. Everything from the way it locks into place to the sound of it clicking into position is reassuring and solid. The only area for improvement here is that the folding handle tends to rattle while riding.

The handlebars are incredibly sturdy, too, and add to the riding experience.

Plus, it's great to see the unique quadruple suspension on a scooter of its price, since all of the other models in its price class opt for standard coil springs within one in the front and one at the rear. The attention to detail to create the suspension is clear to see.

The one area that is lacking is the brakes. On the one hand, it has a single drum brake that is easy to maintain, but on the other, I would have expected the Mini to come fitted with brakes on both wheels for stronger stopping power.

Overall, though, the Mini has plenty to get excited about. So, if you’re looking for a scooter that’s well-built and guaranteed to provide fun for a long time, it is a great choice.

Weight & Load

The Mini is a light scooter in the world of Dualtron models. It tips the scales at 48 lbs, making it the second lightest scooter in the range, behind the Spider at 44 lbs.

Because it’s of its relatively light weight, the scooter is nimble, agile, and responsive.

As for load-bearing, the Mini has a below-average max load capacity of 220 lbs. While it might seem like a fair amount, it’s 45 lbs less than the SLACH Twin, 80 lbs less than the Apollo Ghost, and a whopping 132 lbs less than the EMOVE Cruiser.

As a rule of thumb, I suggest choosing a scooter that can support 20-40 lbs more than your weight if you want the best performance. So with that in mind, if you weigh 180-200 lbs or more, I’d look at one of the alternatives.

Folding & Portability

Despite being called the Dualtron Mini, it is far from mini when it’s folded.

The simple folding mechanism make it easy to pack up. When you unfold the scooter, the stem locks into place with the same pleasantry as clicking your fingers. It has the mark of quality.

The only annoyance is the lack of folding handlebars. So if you’re thinking of buying the mini, don’t be fooled by its name, because it’s not the smallest scooter on the market – that title belongs to the INOKIM Light 2.

As for portability, the thin stem makes it easy to lift, however, I wouldn’t fancy carrying it over a long distance because of its 48 lbs bulk.

Assembly

As with most electric scooters, the Mini comes pretty much ready to go out of the box. There are a few simple steps you’ll need to complete:

1. Unfold the scooter.
2. Slot the handlebars on the top of the stem, then add the connector and tighten with the 5 mm allen key.
3. Attach the EY3 display to the bracket on the right handlebar with the 3mm allen key.
4. Add the bolt covers.
5. Ensure that the brake levers, throttle, and scooter controls are all secure.

Ride Quality

Is the Dualtron Mini Comfortable to Ride?

In a word, yes.

The Dualtron Mini is effortless to ride. Thanks to the 23.8 inch wide handlebars and secure folding mechanism, the steering column feels rock solid. As a result, it’s nimble, responsive, and fills you with confidence.

The only issue is the size of the deck. It would be great if it was a bit bigger but for most riders, it will suffice. Plus, the kickplate allows you to take a more aggressive riding stance.

As a single motor scooter, the Mini isn’t going to blow you away with a rapid acceleration rate or a blistering top speed but it will deliver a ride that makes cruising on the weekend or weaving in and out of city traffic during your commute a breeze. It has a great balance of power and the stability of its design, alongside its shock-absorbing capabilities make it comfortable to ride.

Performance & Safety

Top Speed

Equipped with a 1540W hub motor, the Mini can reach speeds of up to 32 mph, which is impressive for a single motor scooter.

Speed vs Price Comparison

Applying a $500 price range around the Mini’s $1,499 price tag, 23 comparable models are unveiled.

Here, the Mini takes a mid-place ranking. The primary reason for its average ranking is because the remaining models that come before it all have dual motors.

Leading the pack is the trio of the Mantis V2, EVOLV Pro, and Varla Eagle One. While all three share dual 1000W motors, the Mantis is the only one to operate on 60V, and therefore it deserves the crown since it can hit top speeds faster than the other two.

Speed vs Weight Comparison

Taking into account the factor of weight with a 10 lbs bracket around the Mini’s 48 lbs, it reigns supreme.

However, dig a little deeper into the top 4 performing scooters, and things begin to change a little. While the Mini seemingly takes the crown, the Apollo Explore, EVOLV Tour XL-R, and EMOVE Cruiser all accelerate to 15 mph and 25 mph quicker. Out of all three of these models, the EMOVE Cruiser delivers the best overall package by combining ride quality with speed and a gigantic range.

Acceleration

With a single motor, there’s only so much torque that the Mini can generate and as a result, it performs as expected.

When compared against the scooters that we recommend as alternatives, both dual-motor models (the Apollo Ghost and SPLACH Twin), come out on top with acceleration rates that are 50% and 39% faster, respectively.

The EMOVE Cruiser beats the Mini to 15 mph, but the Mini closes the gap to 25 mph.

Maximum Mileage

With a 52V 17.5Ah LG battery capable of storing 910Wh of power, the Mini boasts a maximum range of 34 miles. If you ride in the highest speed setting, this is reduced to 24-27 miles.

Mileage vs Price Comparison

Just as the Mini took a mid-place ranking in our Speed vs Price comparison, it follows suit when comparing mileage to price.

Topping the charts is the impressive EMOVE Cruiser with its huge 52V 31.5Ah LG battery and epic 62-mile range. Plus, the best part is that the Cruiser costs $100 less than the Mini, despite it sporting nearly double the range.

Mileage vs Weight Comparison

Similar to the Mileage vs Price comparison, the EMOVE Cruiser, yet again, takes the crown with a range that can’t be matched.

Hill Climbing

The hill-climbing capabilities of the Mini are standard for its motor size.

Before we get onto its performance, we should mention that the motor does make a fair bit of noise when being pushed to its limits.

In terms of performance, the manufacturer stated incline rate is 20-degrees. However, in reality, the Mini simply doesn’t have the power to climb hills as steep as this. In practice, it can climb hills of 12 degrees but anything beyond this sees the Mini slowing with the speed becoming sluggish.

Overall, the Mini lacks the low-end torque needed to push the scooter up challenging inclines. But, when you consider this scooter has a single motor, you can’t complain.

Compared to the scooters I recommended as alternatives, the Apollo Ghost is the best since its dual 52V 800W motors drive it up hills of 17 degrees with ease, while anything beyond this sees it slow.

Shock Absorption / Suspension

Dualtron loves equipping its scooters with unique suspension setups. The majority of their scooters come fitted with rubber cartridges that you can swap in and out with 5 different types (from soft to hard). The Mini, on the other hand, takes a new direction with a quadruple spring system that isn’t too dissimilar to the design that we see on the Apollo Phantom.

As we mentioned earlier, the ride quality of the Dualtron Mini is good, and this stems from the effective suspension setup. Even at high speeds, the Mini feels secure, stable, and comfortable.

It’s on par with the EMOVE Cruiser and SPLACH Twin – two of our recommended alternatives – but, it doesn’t quite hold up to the Apollo Ghost which offers more travel and can better handle the rough stuff.

Braking

From 15 mph, the Dualtron Mini took 4.9 meters to stop. Now, for a scooter with a top speed of 32 mph and a price tag of $1,499, that’s pretty poor.

The Mini is the only scooter out of all 23 comparable models in its price range to lack dual brakes. Instead, the Mini opts for a single rear drum brake and an electronic (ABS) braking system. While the ABS prevents the wheels from locking, it’s far from the best we’ve tested. You find that ABS works better with disc brakes.

The benefit of the Mini’s brake set-up is that the drum is low maintenance. Plus, it has a longer life span as the components are hidden away in the hub. It also provides the same level of performance regardless of the conditions because the drum doesn’t fade in the wet. The downside, however, is that having just a single brake puts the Mini at a huge disadvantage.

By comparison, the EMOVE Cruiser and Apollo Ghost both sport dual discs, with the former featuring a semi-hydraulic system, and the latter coming with either a standard cable-activated or hydraulic system depending on your preference. As for the SPLACH Twin, this model doubles up on the drum brakes, spreading braking power across both wheels. The result is that all of these models significantly outperform the Mini coming to a stop between 3.0 and 3.4 meters from 15 mph.

Charge Time

The Dualtron Mini has a charge time of 10 hours.

Extra Features

Color Changing Lights with Remote Control

The Dualtron Mini comes with a remote control that changes the color of the lights on the scooter’s stem and deck. The Dualtron branding lights up in the color that you choose, giving the scooter a spaceship-like appearance at night.

There is a choice of 20 colors and several different settings for changing the brightness, patterns, and frequency.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

Warranty

When you purchase through an official retailer, like Voro Motors, you get a 12 month standard warranty. Voro Motors also often have deals where you can extend the warranty for another year free of charge.

The small print that you need to be aware of is the warranty does not cover:

• Any unapproved modifications
• Environmental damage (such as water, smoke, soot, salt, and sea breeze)
• Flat tires, wear and tear, natural corrosion, and damage incurred by the application of “improper cleaners, solvents, or chemicals” or by incorrect repair or misdiagnosis of issues
• Negligence or abuse of the scooter or damage caused by accidents or collisions

It’s also important to know that you must have traveled less than 10,000 miles to still be eligible, and you can only claim on the warranty for each part once.

Post-Purchase Support

Some retailers are better than others, and Voro Motors has always impressed us. You can either reach their team by phone, email, or live chat.

Plus, Voro Motor’s level of quality control is very good. Each component of a scooter is checked before it is shipped. The company also stocks all Dualtron parts and accessories, making it simple to keep your scooter in good shape.