Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Fatbikes
Reload this Page >

Would it replace your mountain bike?

Notices
Fatbikes Designed for use in sand, mud or snow, Fat bikes are the right choice for true all-terrain riding. Check here for the latest on these fun, adventurous two-wheeled machines.

Would it replace your mountain bike?

Old 07-26-18, 07:09 AM
  #1  
IvyGodivy
Gravel Rider
Thread Starter
 
IvyGodivy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: CT
Posts: 153

Bikes: 2019 Trek Checkpoint ALR5 | Trek Farley 5

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Would it replace your mountain bike?

This is the thought that is bouncing around in my head but I fully admit I have OCD and shopping issues; I am dead serious on this.

On top of that I am very impulsive and will throw money away just to get the urges to stop. But this time I am trying to be really logical about it so please read the entire thing before you chime in.

I had for years the same bike but hardly used a Specialized Hardtail that I purchased when married and kept for the years after the divorce. Then one day I asked my fiance if she wanted to go for a bike ride; well that spiraled down to her and I shopping and me on impulse buying a Specialized Hybrid and a Trek Fuel EX5 and keep in mind I actually wanted a fat bike but basically let myself be talked out of it; why? It really doesn't matter.

So anyway that was two years ago. Since then I found I like both things from paths that are paved or gravel and days to venture in the woods with a mountain bike for things like rocks don't go over well with a hybrid.

Now jumping to the present time, I got tired how heavy and hard it is to ride that hybrid. Yeah it's easier to build speed and go fast versus the mountain bike but still get passed by road and gravel bikes. Well since I am not a road bike kind of guy I just, well actually my fiance bought me the Trek Checkpoint ALR5 which is on back-order with an eta of September at the earliest.

So in the meantime using what I have but the itch for the fat bike is growing and growing and getting harder to ignore. So if I let myself do it the two I will consider is:
Surly Ice Cream Truck
or
Trek Farley 5

So I ask you:
1. Should I proceed knowing all of this?
2. Whether yes or not which would you choose and why?
3. Big question would this be a replacement to your mountain bike or you would keep both?

Note I am leaning towards the Trek due to me liking them and the company, plus it's a lot lighter than the Surly.
IvyGodivy is offline  
Old 07-26-18, 06:28 PM
  #2  
HerrKaLeun
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 1,923

Bikes: Giant Toughroad SLR1 and Motobecane Sturgis NX

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 900 Post(s)
Liked 231 Times in 168 Posts
I kind of lost track which MTB you currently have or have on order... or what type of riding you intend to do. Obviously the one you already have is the most sensible choice for the task.
But for non-crazy MTB riding you can use a fatbike easily. Fatbike mainly has an advantage in that it works great on snow/sand and doesn't require complex suspension. If you go where there is no trak yet, it even is better than an MTB.
One of my riding scenarios is to go over housing developments when the excavators pile up mountains of dirt and create big holes..... the fatbike is the ideal bike for that.

Can't tell of the two you proposed which is better, you didn't list why you picked these. I'm very happy with my Sturgis NX for half the cost. The only Achilles heel of most fatbikes are the weak rear hubs (including the ones you listed). The only one really better is the Canyon Dude that uses DT Swiss hubs.

N+1 always is the response you will get on this forum. but it really depends on your riding. Just keep both for a while and see which you ride the most.
HerrKaLeun is offline  
Old 07-27-18, 05:09 AM
  #3  
clubmanager
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 63
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
You could always do what’s recommended on several gun forums I frequent when asked similar questions about ‘which’ to buy......get both. Ride them both and decide which to keep, sell the other. Sure, you might lose a little money (or not) but in the end, you’re satisfied knowing you have exactly the right setup. Or keep both......even mo’ betta!
clubmanager is offline  
Old 07-27-18, 04:41 PM
  #4  
fitlerbend
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Kentucky
Posts: 59

Bikes: TREK Stache 5, 2013 Cannonade Carbon 1, DaVinci In2Ition tandem, RANS Screamer, Giant Expressway 1, 1975 Crescent Mark XX, Tern Link 7, Montague Paratrooper, Raleigh Talus 29, Trek LIFT, Novara Randonee, Specialized Fatboy

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Liked 13 Times in 6 Posts
Will it replace my mountain bike?

After looking at the fat bikes, I settled on the 29+ TREK Stache 5. It totally replaced my mountain bike. My hardtail mountain bike now has Fat Apples on it for knock around service. I do not think a 4" or 5" fatty would replace a mountain bike, though.

I run the Stache with the stock Chupacabra tubeless tires running about 20# rear, 22# front. Our single trek has lots of tree roots and the 29+ tires roll over them with little or no issue. I feel much more secure and stable, go faster on the downhills, than on my 29" mountain bike. Much more satisfying ride.

Last edited by fitlerbend; 07-27-18 at 04:50 PM.
fitlerbend is offline  
Old 07-28-18, 09:12 AM
  #5  
Hondo Gravel
Life Feeds On Life
 
Hondo Gravel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hondo,Texas
Posts: 2,143

Bikes: Too many Motobecanes

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4387 Post(s)
Liked 4,498 Times in 3,010 Posts
I going MTB biking with the fatbike. Does it replace the MTB. At times yes. If you don’t have a MTB a Fatbike will do the same thing though less maneuverability and speed. It depends on the individual rider.
Hondo Gravel is offline  
Old 07-30-18, 10:19 PM
  #6  
MarcusT
Senior Member
 
MarcusT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: NE Italy
Posts: 1,617
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 759 Post(s)
Liked 599 Times in 340 Posts
Only if you want the fat bike to replace the MTB. I am longer longer into gravity rushes, so I switched to a fat bike. It is slower and a pig on the uphill, but it will take you anywhere and with more sure footed confidence.
As I have posted before: MTBs are for single track and Fat bikes are for no track
MarcusT is offline  
Likes For MarcusT:
Old 08-02-18, 07:27 PM
  #7  
unterhausen
Randomhead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,363
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,664 Times in 2,497 Posts
I am thinking about trying some of the local trails with my fatbike. I figure some of the parts I have trouble with will be easier with bigger tires. Than again, I might rip a sidewall. If it ever stops raining for a week
unterhausen is offline  
Old 08-04-18, 07:17 AM
  #8  
ahanulec
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 123

Bikes: Felt F85, Proflex 757, Proflex 252

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
I picked up a fat bike a few weeks ago and I really feel that everyone should own a fat bike.

It's an absolute blast to ride. It's like a mix of bike riding and those moon bounce balls for toddlers.

I've ridden it on a mix of trails and pavement, including single track. It's slow, but because of the weight it's still a great work out. The reaction from those tires is endless and it has flotation to match. I took a family ride with my kids where we hit some sandy sections. I honestly felt sorry for my kids as they got the sand and started swerving about to maintain momentum as their tires sunk into sand.

I love road riding, I love my XC bike. I can really get those bikes up to speed to satisfy that desire. The fat bike, can it replace a mountain bike? It can replace all your bikes.

Last edited by ahanulec; 08-04-18 at 07:32 PM.
ahanulec is offline  
Old 08-23-18, 12:22 PM
  #9  
IvyGodivy
Gravel Rider
Thread Starter
 
IvyGodivy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: CT
Posts: 153

Bikes: 2019 Trek Checkpoint ALR5 | Trek Farley 5

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
It's been decided. I am putting the Trek Fuel up for sale and when I can buy the fat bike. I primarily gravel anyway.
IvyGodivy is offline  
Old 08-24-18, 08:13 AM
  #10  
revcp 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 1,298

Bikes: 2017 Salsa Carbon Mukluk frame built with XT, 2018 Kona Rove NRB build with Sram Apex 1,2008 Salsa El Mariachi, 1986 Centurion Ironman

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 286 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times in 65 Posts
Originally Posted by IvyGodivy
It's been decided. I am putting the Trek Fuel up for sale and when I can buy the fat bike. I primarily gravel anyway.
Good decision. A fatty can adequately do most of what a mtb can, but not the other way around.
revcp is offline  
Old 09-07-18, 06:57 AM
  #11  
IvyGodivy
Gravel Rider
Thread Starter
 
IvyGodivy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: CT
Posts: 153

Bikes: 2019 Trek Checkpoint ALR5 | Trek Farley 5

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by revcp
Good decision. A fatty can adequately do most of what a mtb can, but not the other way around.
I have a possible sale of my bike. The guy is on the fence but I can tell really interested. Being that I don't have to sell the bike I am being a stickler on the price and I know that is a sticky point for him but again I don't have to sell the bike I just want to sell the bike to cover the cost of the recently purchased Gravel and free up space for the FB once I get the credit cards paid off and I have cash for the cost of the bike and the parts I need on my bike rack so I can haul the bike.
IvyGodivy is offline  
Old 09-10-18, 06:44 AM
  #12  
IvyGodivy
Gravel Rider
Thread Starter
 
IvyGodivy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: CT
Posts: 153

Bikes: 2019 Trek Checkpoint ALR5 | Trek Farley 5

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Bike is sold. Next task: credit cards. After that Fat Bike.

In the meantime going to do the endless search. So far it's between Surly, Trek and yes Specialized. The later recently got added into the mix.

I looked at other brands and so far I am iffy about the others. I can say the Cannondale with the one bar thing is just hideous IMHO.
IvyGodivy is offline  
Old 09-12-18, 06:08 AM
  #13  
Tom L
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 70
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 9 Posts
if I had to buy another fat bike it would be the lightest one I could find, my farley 7 with a rack weighs in around 35 lbs, it is tough to move around
it is a great bike, and I enjoy riding it,
I have seen a pivot les build that was very light, and weight would be a major consideration for me.
as it stands now my fat bike has lights on it, and reserved for winter rides only, if it came in 10 lbs lighter I would use it more during the summer
Tom L is offline  
Old 02-10-19, 09:45 PM
  #14  
MTBOGRE
Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I don’t ride my mtb anymore
fatbike only
i love it

i do ride a roadbike

but all off-road is on fatbike


best purchase I’ve ever made
MTBOGRE is offline  
Likes For MTBOGRE:
Old 02-25-19, 01:34 AM
  #15  
pabbe
Junior Member
 
pabbe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
It really depends on your usage.

I personally use only a Fat bike for all my fun rides and a hybrid to commute.
pabbe is offline  
Old 11-19-19, 08:49 AM
  #16  
stormpeakco
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Rocky Mountains of NW Colorado
Posts: 60

Bikes: Fatback Corvus 1X12 (27.5X 2.8" & winter 26X 4.6"), Merlin Agilis 1X11

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by MTBOGRE
I don’t ride my mtb anymore
fatbike only
i love it

i do ride a roadbike

but all off-road is on fatbike


best purchase I’ve ever made
________
+ 1. Sold my Moots YBB when I bought my second fatty (rigid).,. contiinues to be MY only mtb.
stormpeakco is offline  
Old 11-19-19, 11:01 AM
  #17  
Happy Feet
Senior Member
 
Happy Feet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 5,126
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2236 Post(s)
Liked 1,313 Times in 706 Posts
Having just returned from Moab where I used a full suspension mtb (Trek EX7 Fuel) on various routes, including Slickrock Trail, I'd say a rigid fat bike does not replace a FS mtb - not even close. Even with my fat tires (Spesh fatboy with 4.6 Ground Controls) I would have been beaten up and far more selective picking lines. On my return it was a bit of a wake up call to again do downhill on my FB.

Doesn't mean I don't love my FB, but it isn't equal to a dedicated mtb.
Happy Feet is offline  
Old 11-19-19, 03:37 PM
  #18  
stormpeakco
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Rocky Mountains of NW Colorado
Posts: 60

Bikes: Fatback Corvus 1X12 (27.5X 2.8" & winter 26X 4.6"), Merlin Agilis 1X11

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by Happy Feet
Having just returned from Moab where I used a full suspension mtb (Trek EX7 Fuel) on various routes, including Slickrock Trail, I'd say a rigid fat bike does not replace a FS mtb - not even close. Even with my fat tires (Spesh fatboy with 4.6 Ground Controls) I would have been beaten up and far more selective picking lines. On my return it was a bit of a wake up call to again do downhill on my FB.

Doesn't mean I don't love my FB, but it isn't equal to a dedicated mtb.
______________________________________________________
I.Y.O. (to each their own)
I ride Moab (Slickrock Tr, Klondike, Phil's, Mary's, home and others) twice a year on my fatty.
All bikes have their limitations (including fatties) but I really wouldn't want to own any other bike (hated Full Squish R. Mtn and prefer rigid fatty over my former Moots YBB) and it was (IMO) the ideal ride for me on the GDMBR.
stormpeakco is offline  
Old 11-19-19, 08:27 PM
  #19  
Happy Feet
Senior Member
 
Happy Feet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 5,126
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2236 Post(s)
Liked 1,313 Times in 706 Posts
There's no doubt one can ride fat bikes as mtb's.. I do it, And I have decided as a one bike to do the most off road to choose one, but it's a stretch beyond to say they will perform as well as dedicated full suspension mtb's for technical riding (unless they are full suspension fatties perhaps). It's like people who say they can gravel bike the same as an mtb.. nah ah.

I own and love a fat bike but it's not the same as a FS mtb. How could it be. I definitely downgrade what is possible when on one. So the question is more: would a fat bike replace an mtb for less than optimum performance - probably. Wanna get the most possible out of mtbing - use an mtb.

I see you ride a Corvus 27.5x2.8 in summer. In which case you've basically turned your fatbike into a defacto rigid mtb. Does a rigid mtb replace a FS mtb? Not really. You can use one but it's not the same level of performance.
Happy Feet is offline  
Old 11-21-19, 06:19 PM
  #20  
unterhausen
Randomhead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,363
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,664 Times in 2,497 Posts
I hadn't been riding my fat bike for a while. Rode it over the weekend and I had forgotten how much the wide pedal stance bothers me. I need to ride it more to see if that goes away.

But I am thinking that a 29+ could probably have replaced the mtb and the fatbike.
unterhausen is offline  
Old 11-21-19, 07:17 PM
  #21  
Happy Feet
Senior Member
 
Happy Feet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 5,126
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2236 Post(s)
Liked 1,313 Times in 706 Posts
Originally Posted by unterhausen
I hadn't been riding my fat bike for a while. Rode it over the weekend and I had forgotten how much the wide pedal stance bothers me. I need to ride it more to see if that goes away.

But I am thinking that a 29+ could probably have replaced the mtb and the fatbike.
It does take some getting used to (the Q factor).

I've said before that I am working towards a long term goal of N=2 stable of common use bikes, 3 if you count my FG.
That doesn't include various project bikes.

In a perfect world the first would be an endurance frame all roads bike. Fit road tires for pavement and gravel tires for off road.
This covers: commuting, road riding, touring, randos, gravel riding, easy bikepacking etc...

The second would be a full suspension fat bike (26x4-4.5) with the lightest frame practical (a balance of durability and weight). Going lighter where you can compensates somewhat for the increase in weight from the suspension.
Lockouts for suspension, dropper post and second 29r wheelset.
29x3 retains the same BB height as 26x4.
This covers: Sand/snow, trails, bikepacking, technical mtb. With the 26 wheelset you are a fatbike and with the 29r set you are basically a FS mtb.

Last edited by Happy Feet; 11-21-19 at 07:20 PM.
Happy Feet is offline  
Old 11-22-19, 08:34 AM
  #22  
Kapusta
Advanced Slacker
 
Kapusta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,187

Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2749 Post(s)
Liked 2,516 Times in 1,422 Posts
The OP is long, rambling and hard to follow, so I can’t answer questions 1 and 2.

But to answer #3...

I currently own. FS MTB and a rigid Fat Bike. The fat bike is no substitute for the FS mtb. Not even close.

I bought the fat bike after moving to Upstate NY where the winters serve up 5 months of trails in various stages and combinations of muddy, leaf-choked, snowy, slushy, and icy. This is where the fat tires shine.

But outside of that, I find a standard tired bike outperforms it in every way I can think of. And if I were to move back to Virginia I would likely sell the fatty.

Granted it is not fair to compare a rigid bike to a FS, but even if I was talking about a HT, I would still go for either a standard or Plus bike over a fatty for non-sloppy/snowy riding.

Not sure if this really answers your question, because I am unclear what exactly you want to do with the bike. You mention gravel and pavement but I think you already have a hybrid.

If you could condense you question to a few sentences you will get better answers. You can leave you marital history out for the sake of conciseness.

Last edited by Kapusta; 11-22-19 at 01:53 PM.
Kapusta is offline  
Old 11-22-19, 10:53 AM
  #23  
Happy Feet
Senior Member
 
Happy Feet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 5,126
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2236 Post(s)
Liked 1,313 Times in 706 Posts
Hah hah! I think it boils down to this:

Originally Posted by IvyGodivy
...I actually wanted a fat bike...
The only question should be: Can you afford it? If so, enjoy your hobby. It doesn't have to be logical.

It's funny how people agonize about some things but think it's normal to spend similar amounts on travel for a week or two that will yield nothing but a memory and lingering sun burn after it's over. I took a "staycation" last summer and spent the money I saved on my fat bike.

Last edited by Happy Feet; 11-22-19 at 10:58 AM.
Happy Feet is offline  
Old 12-02-19, 04:40 PM
  #24  
dougiet
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Stittsville, Ontario CDN.
Posts: 18

Bikes: 2017 Farly 9.6

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 8 Times in 5 Posts
I ride a fat bike year-round, the carbon frame is a weight saver.
Farly 9.6.
dougiet is offline  
Likes For dougiet:
Old 12-05-19, 10:17 AM
  #25  
prj71
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,601
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2965 Post(s)
Liked 1,165 Times in 762 Posts
Originally Posted by Kapusta

I currently own. FS MTB and a rigid Fat Bike. The fat bike is no substitute for the FS mtb. Not even close.
^^^This. Fat tires are not substitute for suspension. I spent one summer trying to use fat bike only. Never again. Got too beat up.
prj71 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.