Hondo Gravel

I’m an avid surf fisherman and you can see stuff rust while on the beach . So how does a Fatbike survive the beach? In terms of sand getting into the chain and general corrosion issues associated with salt. I won’t ride the bike in saltwater but my main concern is rust. I was thinking of using the fat bike to surf fish I believe the stealth of a Fatbike would be a great way to sneak up and not spooking the fish. Of course I will rinse the bike off with freshwater and lube everything like I do my saltwater fishing equipment. So any of you experienced beach riders have any advice for a fatbiking noob?

reverborama

I grew up in New Jersey and have raced a car on the Bonneville Salt Flats and I can tell you nothing rusts faster than stuff that's been on the beach. If I was going to put a fatbike on beach duty, I'd probably buy the cheapest, single-speed one possible and view it as sacrificial. Everything there is pretty flat unless you're in Hawaii so no sense in trying to run derailleurs. And I'd probably keep the sprockets sprayed down with WD-40!

rumrunn6

there's surf fishing in Texas? cool, where abouts? what do you fish for? only beach I visited in Texas was Galveston which was real hard & flat so I could drive my mustang rental right on the beach & I saw a dead catfish. the water was muddy/murky, don't think I went in. was too focused on socializing. ah, the 20s ...

Hondo Gravel

Padre Island National Seashore just south of Corpus Christi. Fish for sharks, redfish, trout , pompano , jackfish , Spanish mackerel , tarpon , and many other species depending on the time of year. 63 miles of undeveloped beach requiring a 4x4 if you went to venture way down the beach. Water can range from murky to gin clear. The catfish are called hardheads and are no good to eat. The fatbike would die a rusty death down there so it will probably stay off the beach. The surface can be hard and flat one day and deep and soft the next requiring a 4x4. Here is a link Corpus Fishing.com

rumrunn6

oh man that looks like a blast. our oversand driving routes have been shrinking every year up here on Cape Cod. we go for the striped bass. I've only caught 24" schoolies but lots of monsters get brought in from shore & from the canal especially, but ssshhhh don't tell anyone

PdalPowr

So,how much bigger are the monsters?

rumrunn6

here's a good one. looks like he got it at night

and this other guy (video) caught a 46 pounder!

PdalPowr

You need a big freezer for that baby.

If you lost a fat bike tire,
you could tie wrap that baby on there.

SHOFINE

I wouldn't own a fat bike if I couldn't ride it on the beach! I'm an old salty dog been working and playing on the water for over 30+ years and I can't stand rust.

You can do a search of fat bike prep for beach riding and find many blogs, forums, etc. I just use common sense from what I've learned thru the years with boats, trailers, saltwater reels, etc.
1st thing I do is start with bottom bracket and clean and regreased with Yamaha Marine Grease. Do the same with wheel hub bearings. Then grease all the threads on all screws throughout the bike. Especially any that interface with aluminum.

For chains, some swear on squirt lube. I use Boesheild T-9. I have stainless steel chains on my Internal Gear Bikes. I wished my Fat bikes had internal gears!
I was gonna get a 11-speed stainless Wipperman chain but not at $60. I'm about to try out a KMC x11 ept eco proteq I heard was good.
After every ride rinse down with fresh water. I carry a couple of gallons just in case I can't get to any right away.

rumrunn6

this is a great picture. what is the story behind it?

SHOFINE

Over the years I had fished and traveled around St. Vincent Island National Wildlife Refuge but never set foot on it. After getting my 1st fat bike I decide to head over and check it out. I have since been over and traveled the length interior and back on the beach a couple more times. The island is about 12,000 acres and 10 miles to the other side to west pass. That pic of me is coming back from St. Vincent to Indian Pass...bout a mile.

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.6593.../data=!3m1!1e3

This is a shot of the nearby local beaches I have access to.

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.8922.../data=!3m1!1e3

rumrunn6

oh that looks like fun! water looks clear too! how's the swimming? any great whites?

SHOFINE

Swimming is great. When water temps get up in the 80s I go quite a bit. I love scuba though. Actually, a local diver had a little white shark come up to him about 20 miles south.

rumrunn6

oh man! that will wake you up! never thought about sharks when I was a kid

dove off Key Marathon when I was in college. diving up here is wicked cold but we get 'er done. haven't been in over 10 yrs tho. need a vacation

Hondo Gravel

I’ve never seen a Fatbike floating on an inner tube towed by a kayak that is cool. I have plenty of marine grease for my bass boat so if I take the bike to the beach I will use the marine grease.

SHOFINE

Have you ever seen one floating by itself?

PdalPowr

Nope,no cool factor on the video,none whatsoever.

I was hoping to see the bike being ridden in the water.

SHOFINE

Here ya go.

PdalPowr

I call a fake.

Its a fake.

He wasn't pedalling.

prj71

Bikes Direct makes junk for fat biking on the beach.

Hondo Gravel

You hurt Boris’s feelings I’m going out to the garage to reassure Boris that yes you are fat but you’re OK.

MarcusT

The deepest I got was about 3/4 wheel in the water before the tires start to float. Is that deep enough?

PdalPowr

That is pretty darned deep alright.
I guess if the tires start to float
it would be darn hard to steer.

MarcusT

I'm not sure I can post the video directly. I'll see what I can do.