Tires as thick as they were on a car – the RadRhino is anything but a gazelle. The bike is rock solid, stands out a lot and is pretty cheap.
The bikes from RadPower are not filigree racers, they are more reminiscent of a “moped with pedaling” than an agile bike. Nevertheless, they are extremely successful in the USA, the newcomer, who only sells his bikes on the Internet, is now the largest Bike manufacturers of the states. Because they are massive, solid and have clever detailed solutions.
With the RadRhino, the name says it all. The company became famous for the rhinoceros. There is a second generation (RadRhino 6 Plus), with some delays it is now also available in Europe. The bike is a dream, thanks to the massive fat tires in the format of 26×4 inches (Kenda Juggernaut). In contrast to the RadRunner, the impression is not softened by a small diameter. The frame looks almost delicate between the huge tires, don’t be fooled by that. It is also massive and heavy.
Hub motor
The rhinoceros is powered by a Bafang motor in the rear wheel hub. The advantage of this system: The forces of the engine do not affect the chain and gears, so they should last longer. In the USA the bikes are powered by a motor version with 750 watts, in EU Europe a weaker motor is installed. So it is not possible to use a trick to get 750 watts out of the machine. More power should go well with the beefy Rhino, but the 250 watts also bring the bike forward appropriately. After all, in Europe you are no longer used to other engines.
The engine won’t let you down even on gradients of ten percent. The typical engine noise of the inner gear is present, is not noticeable because of the rolling noise of the rough tires. In our opinion, it is not worth dismantling the motor and lubricating the pinions here.
Radpowerbikes uses a new display and a better controller for control. Ultimately, it stays with rigid support levels between 0 and 250 watts. This makes it easy to move the bike. Because of his character, you are also satisfied with a top speed of 25 km / h.
Simple and solid
A word about the Bafang motors. You are from China. As a hub motor (geared), due to their design, they do not develop the massive torque of the mid-mounted motors developed for mountain bikes. They don’t like the spearheads of development when it comes to control either, but the Bafang motors have been tried and tested a million times and are rock solid. So you don’t have to be afraid of “China-Gelump”, which breaks quickly. The simple but solid Nexus gears from Shimano with seven gears are used for shifting.
Hydraulic disc brakes are used to brake. What is new is that the 672 Wh battery with Panasonic cells is now half integrated in the frame. Big plus: It can be charged when installed or removed. It can be easily removed from the top without fiddling. 672 Wh is currently the upper limit for commercially available batteries. With high speed and full support, the Rhino can travel over 45 kilometers, with more cooperation it can also cover over 60.
Driving with tractor tires
The special feature of the Rhinos that makes the decision to buy is not the battery and the motor, it is the solid frame and the tractor tires. What is this good for? First of all, the tires are very stable. Here you will hardly drive a figure eight and a flap through thorns is unlikely. The large mass in the rotation keeps the wheel securely on track, and the thick rubbers rumble over every bump. The width is particularly suitable for soft and uneven surfaces. In a way, the RadRhino is a great off-road bike that gets further than others on meadows, mud and on the beach. It also feels a lot safer on muddy ground than narrow tires, which quickly slip away nervously. But: The Rhino is a tractor and not a mountain bike for acrobatic tricks, it is too heavy and unwieldy for that. We wouldn’t recommend it for narrow trails.
A glance at the saddle makes this clear, but a comfortable seat saddle and no sports flute is installed ex works. The Rhino is easy to mount thanks to the V-frame and the low entry. The increased comfort and safety of the V-entry is underestimated by many customers, but it pays off especially when the bike’s attachment options are used.
The RadRhino is only available in one size, the handlebars can be adjusted differently with the spacer and its position. There is also a standard handlebar and stem that can easily be exchanged for other models. With “one size fits all”, people on the fringes of the spectrum should seek opportunities to try the bike. With a leg length between 68 and 86 centimeters (inside dimension) you should be able to ride comfortably and can also stand loosely over the frame. With a leg length of up to 62 centimeters, standing over the frame becomes uncomfortable.
Think about the weight
When the bike is moved by the pedals and the motor, it feels massive. It can be pushed very well. Controlled by the rotary handle, it pushes up to 5 km / h and, unlike with mid-mounted motors, the pedals do not turn in a disruptive manner. It becomes difficult when the bike has to be lifted. Of course you can maneuver it into the basement out of season, but this is only possible every day if a ramp is available. At 33.5 kilograms, it can only be lifted by two people. It is rather unsuitable for a car wheel carrier. With adjustments to the wheel mounts, however, it should be able to be transported. You can reduce the weight by removing the battery.
The bike is delivered in a large cardboard box. If you are ready to cut the cardboard open at the edges, “unpacking” is child’s play. If you want to lift the Rhino out, you need two people. A good lead and useful tools are included for final assembly. You should have the bike ready to ride in 20 minutes. Tip: The screws are coated with a paste that prevents them from loosening later, so turning them in requires a little more force than usual.
Like the other wheels on Radpowerbikes, the RadRhino can be perfected with add-on parts. If you don’t just drive around the stand, you should definitely install the supplied mud flaps, the tires make a lot of dirt on wet roads. We have installed an optional luggage rack at the rear. The beam is made of steel and is very solid. We screwed the large metal basket, which is also available, into its threaded holes. You can also mount a wine box from it. The carrier and basket from the official accessories can also be attached to the front. But you can also mount any other box. There is a mounting plate with four holes in the head tube. This turns the tractor wheel into a load donkey.
Honest offer
What didn’t you like so much about the Rhino? The heavy bike has a stable side stand, we would have liked a strong center stand better. But that’s a matter of taste, with a center stand you have to jack up the heavy bike every time. The amount of cables on the handlebars look pretty generous. If you had your own bike, you would be reason enough to mount a front luggage rack. Then you could hide the cables in a single carbon cover and fix them to the carrier.
You have to want a bike like the Rhino. It is a dream and it attracts attention. Above all, it appears solid and reliable in everyday use. The “unbreakable” aura is pleasing, and at the end of the day the bike is anything but expensive at 1,800 euros. The luggage rack and basket are super massive. A fall cannot harm these parts. We really like the possibility of attaching containers and other accessories in the holes provided for them. With a real cargo bike you can safely transport more – but the Rinozeros can easily shoulder a child plus shopping. Compared to a full-fledged cargo bike, it is very handy.
The original parts are worth the money, but it is a nice offer that you can securely fix more individual or simply cheap modules. Above all, the RadRhino is honest: it drives exactly as it looks. And one would hardly expect a graceful sports bike with the tires.