The starting point for the development of the 3x3 bike was clear: if you want to ride up really steep hills, you need the highest possible gear ratio. However, at some point the speed becomes so low that the mountain biker can no longer keep their balance. The solution: a second front wheel. Thanks to this stabilization, you can effectively crank up infinitely slowly without losing your balance or tire grip.

To ensure that the two front wheels also work off-road, they are suspended and sprung independently of each other. With a stroke of 430 millimetres, they adapt to the terrain, making it possible to drive on very steep inclines. Another unusual feature is the two-piece handlebar, which is attached on both sides over the respective fork. According to the manufacturer, this should enable the rider to keep their balance at all times. The third special feature of the 3x3 bike is the gear ratio. There is a planetary gear in the bottom bracket, which effectively transforms the front chainring in the standard size into a 13-tooth ring. It is only with this extreme gear ratio (13:46) that it is even possible to master extremely steep climbs under one power.

The combination of the two front wheels, the extreme gear ratio and the unusually long wheelbase (chainstay length of up to 680 millimetres) makes it possible to climb gradients of up to 75% without any problems, according to the manufacturer. In other words, a gradient of around 30 degrees. This is a steepness at which many skiers do not dare to ride downhill on snow. Now you can ride up it on a bike. That's great!

The manufacturer of the 3x3 bike is called Ascendu. It quotes a guide price of 9900 euros for the complete bike. The weight is around 24 kilograms. And Ascendu is so convinced of their technology that they are even predicting a new discipline for mountain biking with their vehicle: after cross country, marathon, enduro, freeride or downhill, now comes climbing thanks to Ascendu.

ascendubikes.com