When Miles Arbour of Bikepacking.com put the Hudski Dualist to the test, it was an exploration of how the Dualist balances versatility, capability, and fun across a variety of terrain, with photos by Logan Watts and Tom Powell.
TL;DR
- The Hudski Dualist took everything riders loved about the Doggler and refined it with modern updates, boost hub spacing, post-mount brakes, more tire clearance, internal routing, and flip-chip geometry for adjustable handling, all while keeping weight low with a lightweight aluminum frame and carbon fork.
- On the trail, it felt more like a modern hardtail than a rigid ATB, confident on chunky doubletrack, agile on gravel, and steady under a bikepacking load.
- Versatility defined the bike: roomy frame space, plenty of mounts, and a thoughtful stock build kit made it as capable for commuting and racing as for multi-day touring.
- In the end, the Dualist stood out as a one-of-a-kind ATB, proof that Hudski created a category all its own by blending fun, capability, and thoughtful design into a single machine.
Read the full review on Bikepacking.com to explore all of Miles Arbour’s insights on the Hudski Dualist!
The Essence of Dualism
"If Hudski’s goal with the Dualist was to create a bike that exploits the dualism between gravel bikes and mountain bikes, then they knocked it out of the park. It’s not just one thing that creates the Dualist’s unwavering versatility but the sum of everything combined."
Our Take on the Modern ATB
"Perhaps the most interesting features of the Dualist are what inspired its name. It has a completely redesigned carbon fork with a flip-chip dropout. Riders can alternate between a 54mm or 44mm offset for slightly more agile handling, increased stability, or for different styles of loading. Hudski also developed a reversible rear dropout that provides two chainstay length options (435mm or 450mm), which will also tweak the bike’s handling characteristics. Run it in the shorter position for zippy, high-speed gravel rides and trails, or lengthen the rear end for long hauls and loaded bikepacking."
"To accommodate a shorter rigid fork, the Dualist has a longer head tube, which means there’s more room inside the main triangle for bags and bottles. The steering also remains responsive and free of unwanted flex, which can be a problem with longer suspension-corrected forks."
Ready to Ride, Right Out of the Box
"The fact that I rode the stock build, aside from a tubeless setup on a 450-kilometer scouting trip and had zero mechanicals speaks volumes about the overall quality of the bike. Sure, it’s possible to upgrade the wheels or shed a pound or two, but the stock build is fantastic and ready to take on whatever wacky rides you want to take on."
Miles said, “The Hudski Dualist is a joy to ride everywhere I’ve been...These days, a bike that makes me smile gets my nod of approval, and the Dualist does just that.”
Reviewed by Miles Arbour
Miles Arbour brings a mix of dry humor and real-world perspective to his bike writing, shaped by long rides, rough roads, and figuring things out as he goes. Now based in Powell River, his riding leans toward bikepacking and backroads, always chasing that feeling of going a little further than planned.
