Dualtron Spider Review

MiniMotors Dualtron Spider Review

Performance Summary

Acceleration (0 to 15 mph)	2.6 seconds
Top speed	40.0 mph

Acceleration

The Spider features front and rear, brushless DC electric motors, each capable of burning 3000-watts peak and 1320 watts continuously of electrical power.

During our acceleration test, the Spider hit 15 mph in 2.6 seconds. This scooter accelerates powerfully, up to about 30 mph.

Top Speed

The Dualtron Spider has a top speed of just under 40.0 mph, based on our top speed test.

Range

The motor is fueled by a 60 V, 17.5 amp-hour battery pack formed of LG MJ1 cells with 1050 watt hour capacity. Note: the LG MJ1 batteries are rated for 400 charge-discharge cycles and for charge/discharge rate of 1 C.

Like all scooters, the range is heavily dependent on how aggressive you are with the throttle. Under the most aggressive riding circumstances (performance mode, powered start, frequent acceleration at max throttle, high-speed riding), the quoted range could quickly drop to a bit more than 50% of that claimed by the manufacturer. In the most eco mode, with care given for extending range (e.g., push start, gentler acceleration, lower top speed), you will more closely approach the claimed range.

Braking

The Spider has front and rear cable-actuated disc brakes. It also has dual regenerative brakes with an anti-lock brake system (ABS) that can be enabled, disabled, and tuned via the EYE LCD interface. They may need adjustments out-of-the-box. However, once dialed in, they provide excellent braking to keep this speedy beast under control. 

A few simple DIY upgrades can also dramatically improve braking quality and feel. The dual regenerative brakes also add a bit of stopping power. Like other electric scooters, they do not function when the battery is fully charged. 

The Spider also features a dual anti-lock braking system (ABS). However, it is not real ABS, and most Spider owners disable it. When the ABS system activates, it quickly modulates the electronic brake, creating unnerving vibrations throughout the scooter and potentially putting excessive wear on the drive train. 

The best bet for braking safely is to make sure the brakes are dialed in and learn how to modulate them without locking up the wheels. This will require awareness of how grippy the tires are on different terrain and in different conditions.

Rear our guide to Dualtron Spider modifications to learn about tire and brake upgrades.

Ride Quality

At top speed, you will feel surprisingly stable on the Spider. The steering is solid and precise, with no slop or wobble in the stem. This precision gives the rider immense confidence in this machine.

The suspension and modest ground clearance easily handle urban obstacles that could otherwise be catastrophic on a more civilized scooter. Potholes, road debris, uneven terrain are all easily soaked up by the scooter. Dropping off a curb is no problem, and you are at no risk of bottoming out or scraping the undercarriage.

We were skeptical of the dual rubber cartridge suspension, which seems out of place on this high-performance beast. However, if you put a decent number of miles on this scooter, you will appreciate ride quality, quietness, and durability of this dead-simple suspension. Additionally, the cartridge suspension allows customizable ride stiffness by swapping in different cartridges.

Dualtron Spider Features

Portability

Coming in at 47 lbs, the Spider is manageable for carrying up short flights of stairs or lifting into the trunk of a car. You wouldn’t want to haul this thing around for long distances or hoist it up 10 flights of stairs, but it is surprisingly maneuverable. If you’re on the smaller side or have some physical limitations, then it might be a bit much (check out comparable, lighter scooters).

The Dualtron Spider’s folded dimensions are 44-inches by 9-inches by 19-inches. This is more compact than a bicycle and should be fairly easy to stow at home or work. One drawback is that there is no built-in way to latch, fold, and carry this scooter. This can be readily accomplished with some simple modifications.

Cockpit

The Spider has lightweight carbon fiber handlebars. These can easily be upgraded to folding ones for more portability. One thing to note is that carbon fiber is designed to be lightweight and strong but not necessarily durable. 

If you plan on thrashing the scooter, swapping to a more durable aluminum alloy one may be a good choice. Some riders complain that handlebar position is too low, though this can also be remedied with some adjustments.

The handlebars have laughably bad foam grips, which can be easily and cheaply upgraded.

The EY3 LCD throttle is very functional. It has an accurate battery monitor and speedometer. The EY3 display gives immense control over performance and feel. You can set kick or powered start mode, regenerative brake strength, cruise control, auto power-off, and enable/disable ABS. The EY3 has a button to cycle through three possible power levels.

Located on the left handlebar are two push buttons for Eco/Turbo mode and Single/Dual mode. Eco/Turbo controls the aggressiveness of the throttle. In contrast, the Single/Dual mode controls whether the scooter uses one or both motors. This combination of pushbuttons and the EY3 controller give extensive customization of acceleration, top speed, and overall “aggressiveness” of the throttle. This level of throttle control does seem a little unnecessary and possibly could have been simplified. Overall, the interface is very functional, yet more reminiscent of a 90’s TimeX than the designed user experience that we’ve all come to expect in consumer products.

Lights

Forward lighting is provided by two surprisingly anemic white button lights. The rear red lights are similarly weak, and the low mounting position makes them difficult to see.

You should upgrade the lighting if you ride at night or under poor visibility conditions. Love it or hate it, you also get the steering stem mood “swag” multi-colored lighting and remote control with a zillion possible options.

For extra safety, we always recommend using additional lights.

Check out our guide for staying visible while riding at night.

Tires

The 10.0-inch by 2-inch pneumatic inner tube tires also help to cushion the ride and provide good traction on a variety of surfaces. They can be swapped out for wider tires, up to 10-inches by 3-inches, which increases stability and contact patch.

Worried about flat tires? Learn some simple tips for preventing flats.

Deck

The classic wide Dualtron deck permits a good range of possible feet positions for comfort and stability.

Build Quality

The build quality of this electric scooter is superb, with the minor exception of the stem hinge that can be a little bit squeaky. The frame is constructed of 6082 T6-tempered aluminum, a high performance, lightweight, and durable alloy with excellent corrosion resistance. 

The control arm and suspension assembly are super beefy, ensuring this won’t be a point of failure. There are a handful of non-critical plastic components, such as the fenders. Even these are heavy duty and durable. 

This model is known to suffer from out-of-the-box quality control issues, including brakes that may need to be adjusted, fenders, and tire tube valve stem issues. If you have any problems, they are likely to be minor, and a quality distributor should be able to take care of any major ones.

Unlike a decent swath of the electric scooter market, which is akin to disposable electronics, the Dualtron Spider is a piece of equipment that will easily last for thousands of miles and years to come.

MiniMotors Dualtron Spider Specifications

Make	Minimotors
Model	Dualtron Spider
Weight	47 lb
Folded dimensions	44 by 9 by 19 in
Motor power, continuous	1300 W
Top speed	37 mph
Range	42 mi
Battery capacity	1050 Wh
Battery recharge time	4 to 9 hrs
Max rider weight	220 lb
Brake type	Disc + Disc
Tire type	10.0 in Pneumatic (Inner Tube) + Pneumatic (Inner Tube)
Built-in lights	Front + Rear
Water resistance	None