Folding Bikes - Airnimal Rhino - anyone ride this one?

Airnimal Rhino - anyone ride this one?

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Still doing my due diligence for a folding mountain bike for a Geezer Clyde Lite. I need something like a Jeep with pedals. Not aiming for flying off cliffs, but poking about in odd corners of the West.

The Airnimal Rhino appeared on the screen. Spendy little thing. Anyone have it, like it?

In my dreams!

Here's a blog of some dude who brought his to Portugal:
http://hobcot.blogspot.com/2006/06/airnimal-rhino-and-cycling-in-algarve.html

While you are looking that way, you might consider this other (spendy) folding MTB:
TheJapanese Kuwahara GAAP:
http://www.blowater.com.hk/attachments/2008/01/4930_200801181646301.jpg

Here's another option: The nonfolding small wheeled offroad bike:

The Burro:
http://www.sandsmachine.com/p_bur_m3.jpg

The Be.Bike Haze (Japan again-they've got the coolest toys!)
http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/41NGAHRS2SL._SS500_.jpg

That GAAP looks interesting. Doubtless $$$$$. Test rides? Bikes that costly, you want to ride a bit first.

One of the local Specialized dealers has a nice test bike program. However, the bike don't fold. If it can't fit into the forecastle of my sloop, it doesn't get to come. I can afford a SwissBike at the moment - and stuff it in.

Early this year, I was thinking of how to get a cheap, offroad, small wheeled folding bicycle. I have a normal MTB, a small 16" wheeled folding bike and a minivelo-type bike with 451 wheels. I wanted a bike that would combine what I loved about all three bikes - The offroad fun from the MTb, and small travel size of the foldie, the "good enough" performance of the 451's 20-inch wheels. Of course the wife thinks I have way too many bikes, but that's another story. :)

Anyway, I didn't see a lot of choices in this area. If you need one with a suspension fork and 20" wheels, theres the airnimal Rhino, The GAAP, Dahon's Jetstream XP. All of these bikes are pricey, also not readily available. If the suspension fork isn't a real requirement, then you choice expands to the BikeFridays, other Dahon models, and the Downtube bikes.

Downtube seems to be a winner in the bang-for-the-buck department, and there are some regulars in the forum that swear by the Downtube.

Reach Offroad? (The only criticism I have so far, is the tyre clearance is rather small and a fat knobbly tyre wouldn't fit. But I don't know if fat knobbly tyres in 451 exist.)

Reach Offroad? (The only criticism I have so far, is the tyre clearance is rather small and a fat knobbly tyre wouldn't fit. But I don't know if fat knobbly tyres in 451 exist.)

Jur,

According to Bike Friday's website, they stock 451 Primo Vtrack offroad tyres, that's 1 3/8ths...not overally fat, but still with some "knobby" tread.

Jur,

According to Bike Friday's website, they stock 451 Primo Vtrack offroad tyres, that's 1 3/8ths...not overally fat, but still with some "knobby" tread.

Same for some 451 tyres Kenda and Maxxis, with the advantage in some models to work from low pressures (30 / 40 psi) to high pressures (100 psi)

Well, if you're thinking Rhino, you might consider a customized 2008 Dahon Jetstream XP like mine. It's kind of a drag to have to import from Germany or somesuch, then scrap a bunch of perfectly good parts to upgrade gearing and brakes and wheels and tires for mtb use, only to end up with a weird orhan bike without a warranty... :rolleyes:

But both logistically and price-wise, it ended up about the same as getting a Rhino nowadays I reckon. From my inquiries early this year, Airnimal will still sell you a frame and you can build up a bike, but the off-the-shelf models (e.g. White and Black) are basically history, due to lack of demand for super expensive 20-inch mountain bikes. (I cannot imagine why? :D) They apparently found something of a viable market as a "touring" bike, but not mtb'ing per se.

I strongly considered a Rhino for several years, but never made the jump, primarily because it's really a pack-it-in-a-suitcase kind of folder, whereas the JSXP is a true, compact folding bike that I reckon is pretty comparable to a Rhino performance-wise after all my upgrades.

It goes from this...

http://www.debcar.com/images-external/MTB/Jetstream-Folded1.jpg

...to this...

http://www.debcar.com/images-external/MTB/KenoshaEast/P1110426.jpg

...in 15 seconds like most other Dahons, yet has serious offroad capabilities (within the key constraint of 20-inch wheels, of course). I'm exceedingly happy with the final result so far. It's too bad Dahon won't just build such a configuration from the factory, but I reluctantly understand why they don't.

I did notice that you included the "clyde" word in your inquiry though, and I must say that I would probably be more worried about the Dahon frame and its hinges if I weighed in at much more than my 135-ish pounds. The Rhino, which "folds" at its pivots instead of having its frame chopped, would be inherently stronger for sure. As they say, everything's a tradeoff!

Anyway, you can read more about my experiences mtb'ing the JSXP in a couple of threads on here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=7805294
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=479630

Good luck in your quest for your perfect bike.

foldsinhalf said:
[But both logistically and price-wise, it ended up about the same as getting a Rhino nowadays I reckon. From my inquiries early this year, Airnimal will still sell you a frame and you can build up a bike, but the off-the-shelf models (e.g. White and Black) are basically history, due to lack of demand for super expensive 20-inch mountain bikes. (I cannot imagine why? :D) They apparently found something of a viable market as a "touring" bike, but not mtb'ing per se.]

All airnimals use 24 inch wheels, albeit it a couple of different ertro incarnations. in any case, this is much better for mtbiking that 20 inch will ever be.
ive got an airnimal joey with 40mm wide schwable marathon rubber, i go offroading with it all the time, and although i dont have much grip for mudy tracks, the 24 inch wheels are a big help getting over obstacles!

All airnimals use 24 inch wheels, albeit it a couple of different ertro incarnations. in any case, this is much better for mtbiking that 20 inch will ever be.


Check again.. the Rhino uses 406 20" wheels ..

Check again.. the Rhino uses 406 20" wheels ..

so it does, so it does!
my bad!
even so, the Joey could be set up as a foldable MTB for not-too-muddy riding. you can fit some specialized spankers or similar knobly-type rubber to it, at least up to 45mm wide, and get some good hardtail use out of it.
i have gone on quite a few trails with just my 40mm schwable marathons...

[QUOTE=FoldsinHalf;7924879]Well, if you're thinking Rhino, you might consider a customized 2008 Dahon Jetstream XP like mine. It's kind of a drag to have to import from Germany or somesuch, then scrap a bunch of perfectly good parts to upgrade gearing and brakes and wheels and tires for mtb use, only to end up with a weird orhan bike without a warranty... :rolleyes:

Can a Clyde Lite find happiness with a Dahon folder? I am enjoying my Speed 7 a great deal. It's a fun ride. However, at 220#, my Formerly Adonis-Like Body is at the outer edge of their weight limit.

"You'll look just like a circus bear on that thing," said the wife. (And your point is?) However, it folds. It fits my van when we travel. It fits my forecastle when we sail. I like it. Now I want a MTB/jeep/go outback version. So far, the SwissBike LX might do.

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You've got an interesting looking mtb there. Love the pix. Was those your posts I saw over in the MTB forum - Curt Gowdy State Park, Colorado and such? I enjoyed them. If not, someone else is riding a custom XP.

[QUOTE=rench123;7913482]Early this year, I was thinking of how to get a cheap, offroad, small wheeled folding bicycle. I have a normal MTB, a small 16" wheeled folding bike and a minivelo-type bike with 451 wheels. I wanted a bike that would combine what I loved about all three bikes - The offroad fun from the MTb, and small travel size of the foldie, the "good enough" performance of the 451's 20-inch wheels. Of course the wife thinks I have way too many bikes, but that's another story. :)

I've seen cheap Chinese mtb folders, but kept on moving. If you increase wheel size, you wind up here:

<http://www.swissbike.com/productlx.html>

One of my MTB consultant types compared their specs and suggested I am getting better than entry level components on the LX vs the Paratrooper or the MX. X0 would be nicer but 2K in a bike in this environment is a nogo.

Hi,

I ride one. I like it a lot, it is very good quality and worth the money (assembled myself). I have a mountainbike that cost twice as much, but is only half the fun to ride. I love my little Rhino! What would you like to know?

Wim

Hi,

I ride one. I like it a lot, it is very good quality and worth the money (assembled myself). I have a mountainbike that cost twice as much, but is only half the fun to ride. I love my little Rhino! What would you like to know?

Wim


I have found with folders to inquire the operator weight. I am a Clyde Lite, near the weight limit for these bikes.

Well, the frame is well-made, but I am no expert. Just think about this: it is a full-suspension bike. I put the rear shock on lock-out most of the time, but on this rear-end I (obviously) get some bob (Cloud nine, the other one does not have lock-out). Same with the front, allbeit a bit less (RS Reba). My only real issue with the bike is that I am fairly tall for it: 6'3" so I mounted a very long stem (130mm) and ride an uncut steerer. If something breaks, it will be the fork. I literally trusted my life to this bike in the mountains: it copes really well. Uphill on rocks the small wheels are a drawback, but downhill the shocks iron out everything that is of 'normal' size. And did I tell you it is just more fun than on normal wheels? :)

Wim, 85 kilos without gear

PS.: don't hesitate to contact me if more questions