View Poll Results: What's in store for your Fat Bike this Summer?
Store the Fattie until next season
1
7.14%
Sell the road bike(s) and ride Fat year-round
1
7.14%
Mix it up between my bikes
12
85.71%
Dump the Fattie, 'cos it didn't work out
0
0%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll
The Fatbike UN Sticky
10-30-14, 04:53 AM
#51
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Just some random stuff on fat biking -
I started biking this Spring after too many years of insufficient exercise and activity. I started to like it, and the nice side-effect was that I started to lose some weight.
All through summer I've been worried about the coming winter season. Last year it seemed like we had 6 months of cold and snow, and that's not far off the truth (here in N. Wisc.) For the last 17 years (the time I've lived in WI) I've hibernated during winter, gained a lot of weight and had a real 'sluggish' start to spring!
So I've been determined to avoid that this year.
Inspired by people like @scrming and @SHOFINE I went out and bought a fat bike last week! It isn't the one I really wanted (I wanted a Farley 6) but I just couldn't justify the extra money at this point, not until I see if it will stick.
The bike is a Charge Cooker Maxi 2 - here's a couple pics:
So I've only had the thing a week and it's a complete blast!
It's not without its little quirks but the sheer fun factor outweighs the minor irritations.
I've ordered new riser bars, a shorter stem and new pedals to hopefully give me a more comfortable fit. They should be here any day now.
I've slowly been picking up winter clothing and that's been a little hit and miss. Ordering online is good for bargains but it's a pain when you have to send stuff back that doesn't fit. And the return shipping cost soon start to cut into the discounts.
One project I'm having some fun with is making my own trail. To ride off-road I've been throwing the bike on the car and driving the 10-12 minutes to the State Park here in town. No big deal but when it's snowy and crappy out I'm gonna feel less inclined to get the car out. I have a 20 acre wooded lot here that's heavily overgrown in the summer but actually looks quite sparse in the winter. My land butts into a small wooded area with a very lightly used snowmobile trail and some walking trails. So I'm in the process of making my own fat bike trail! I took an old push mower out and had a 0.25m section cleared in a couple hrs. It's rough land, lots of tree roots and the like - ideal for fat biking!. I plan to do more this weekend and extend the trail on my own land so it runs into the existing trails on the adjacent land. When I'm done I could have a circuit that's close to 2 miles per lap. If I can keep it clear when the snow falls it's going to be a blast.
Anyway, fat biking is a lot of fun. Anyone who is on the fence should try to rent one from a LBS and see how they ride. Sure, they're not as nimble as a MTB and there's more effort needed, but for plain old fun and a good workout they're hard to beat.
Would love to see this section take off on the forum! Anyone with any thoughts/experiences on Fat Bikes, please share...
Cheers
I started biking this Spring after too many years of insufficient exercise and activity. I started to like it, and the nice side-effect was that I started to lose some weight.
All through summer I've been worried about the coming winter season. Last year it seemed like we had 6 months of cold and snow, and that's not far off the truth (here in N. Wisc.) For the last 17 years (the time I've lived in WI) I've hibernated during winter, gained a lot of weight and had a real 'sluggish' start to spring!
So I've been determined to avoid that this year.
Inspired by people like @scrming and @SHOFINE I went out and bought a fat bike last week! It isn't the one I really wanted (I wanted a Farley 6) but I just couldn't justify the extra money at this point, not until I see if it will stick.
The bike is a Charge Cooker Maxi 2 - here's a couple pics:
So I've only had the thing a week and it's a complete blast!
It's not without its little quirks but the sheer fun factor outweighs the minor irritations.
I've ordered new riser bars, a shorter stem and new pedals to hopefully give me a more comfortable fit. They should be here any day now.
I've slowly been picking up winter clothing and that's been a little hit and miss. Ordering online is good for bargains but it's a pain when you have to send stuff back that doesn't fit. And the return shipping cost soon start to cut into the discounts.
One project I'm having some fun with is making my own trail. To ride off-road I've been throwing the bike on the car and driving the 10-12 minutes to the State Park here in town. No big deal but when it's snowy and crappy out I'm gonna feel less inclined to get the car out. I have a 20 acre wooded lot here that's heavily overgrown in the summer but actually looks quite sparse in the winter. My land butts into a small wooded area with a very lightly used snowmobile trail and some walking trails. So I'm in the process of making my own fat bike trail! I took an old push mower out and had a 0.25m section cleared in a couple hrs. It's rough land, lots of tree roots and the like - ideal for fat biking!. I plan to do more this weekend and extend the trail on my own land so it runs into the existing trails on the adjacent land. When I'm done I could have a circuit that's close to 2 miles per lap. If I can keep it clear when the snow falls it's going to be a blast.
Anyway, fat biking is a lot of fun. Anyone who is on the fence should try to rent one from a LBS and see how they ride. Sure, they're not as nimble as a MTB and there's more effort needed, but for plain old fun and a good workout they're hard to beat.
Would love to see this section take off on the forum! Anyone with any thoughts/experiences on Fat Bikes, please share...
Cheers
Been slowly working on my cold weather apparel also... i'm trying to buy everything local since i'm oddly proportioned and not sure how well things will fit...
And finally... I was seriously nervous about spending so much money on the Farley 6... I have never spent so much money on a bike! But at the end of the day, the Farley actually makes me want to get out and RIDE MORE and PUSH MYSELF harder than i ever did on my road bike! The Farley has gone well beyond my expectations!!!
10-30-14, 07:44 AM
#52
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There are some fantastic rides in this thread and I've started looking around for a fatbike to ride on the beach here and some moderate trails (mostly everything is flat here, but lots of sand). I ran across the Origin8 Crawler and quite frankly, this one has piqued my interest, particularly with it's unique drivetrain. Does anyone on here have any experience with this bike? I'd like to hear some opinions and real life experiences as information around the web is spotty at best.
Last edited by FLJeepGuy; 10-30-14 at 07:48 AM.
10-30-14, 08:06 AM
#53
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There are some fantastic rides in this thread and I've started looking around for a fatbike to ride on the beach here and some moderate trails (mostly everything is flat here, but lots of sand). I ran across the Origin8 Crawler and quite frankly, this one has piqued my interest, particularly with it's unique drivetrain. Does anyone on here have any experience with this bike? I'd like to hear some opinions and real life experiences as information around the web is spotty at best.
10-30-14, 08:17 AM
#54
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It's just another example of what this crazy hobby does to us...or some of us...
I rode to the Park yesterday and hit the trails for an hour. It's the first time I've ridden the fat bike on the main highway here in town and boy did I get some looks!
Waiting on DHL today to deliver my new riser bars, stem and pedals. Too fun.
10-30-14, 08:25 AM
#55
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The Crawler looks like a nice bike for sand. Sorry I can't add anything more than that, I've just never seen one around here. The website says this, which is certainly appealing: the NuVinci hub is an interesting choice especially for those wanting a maintenance free drivetrain. We’ve ridden the NuVinci on a few other fat-bikes and like the combo.
10-30-14, 11:13 AM
#56
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I was thinking about this same thing too. There was a Specialized Fat Boy on Craigs with twist shifters. They claim it's easier to shift with gloves on. I've been a bit worried about the glove thing myself, but it hasn't been an issue yet. Maybe when I switch the larger Mitts. I rode my wife's old bike for a while with twist shifters and I don't recall any issues with unintended shifting, though I wasn't really doing much off-road with it.
The Crawler looks like a nice bike for sand. Sorry I can't add anything more than that, I've just never seen one around here. The website says this, which is certainly appealing: the NuVinci hub is an interesting choice especially for those wanting a maintenance free drivetrain. We’ve ridden the NuVinci on a few other fat-bikes and like the combo.
The Crawler looks like a nice bike for sand. Sorry I can't add anything more than that, I've just never seen one around here. The website says this, which is certainly appealing: the NuVinci hub is an interesting choice especially for those wanting a maintenance free drivetrain. We’ve ridden the NuVinci on a few other fat-bikes and like the combo.
Of course one thing i was just thinking of... on some of the more tougher climbs on the trails i've had so far, that involve roots, rocks and turns, have me hanging onto the grips pretty tight... and even when i have a death grip on them i can still work my thumb easily to shift... with a grip shifter, i guessing I would to loosen my grip a bit to turn the shifter... I'm sure it's not an issue, but just something i was just thinking about..
I'm guessing once you got used to the NuVinci, it would be fine...
10-30-14, 11:20 AM
#57
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Luckily there are minimal elevation changes here. Most of the stuff is more technical (logs and rocks, narrow bridges, etc.), and of course the loose sand. This pretty much eliminates the twist versus thumb shifter issue for me; either would work well. I'm looking more towards beach riding, etc. which I hope would be pretty compatible with the NuVinci. I just wish Origin8 would offer the frame in some other colors. The black, white, shades of gray trend right now is getting old. Even my Specialized is matte black with gloss gray decals.
10-30-14, 01:25 PM
#58
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I just got the parts today for my Charge Cooker. Ordered new riser bars, stem and pedals and decided to break away from the matte black finish that came with the bike. Also added a new seat and bottle holder.
I may have gone overboard, I'm not sure yet
10-30-14, 01:49 PM
#59
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Bought this used. When the guy I bought it from brought it to his LBS to have it tuned up for me a crack in the frame was found. Surly gave him a new frame.
10-30-14, 03:12 PM
#60
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Yeah, I agree, unless it's a full carbon bike I want to see a bit of color and bling.
I just got the parts today for my Charge Cooker. Ordered new riser bars, stem and pedals and decided to break away from the matte black finish that came with the bike. Also added a new seat and bottle holder.
I may have gone overboard, I'm not sure yet
I just got the parts today for my Charge Cooker. Ordered new riser bars, stem and pedals and decided to break away from the matte black finish that came with the bike. Also added a new seat and bottle holder.
I may have gone overboard, I'm not sure yet
11-03-14, 11:39 PM
#61
Senior Member
That's a mighty fine steel fat bike you got! It's amazing at the number of fat bikes that's came out since I got my fatty a little over a year ago. I kinda glad I got mine when I did cause I don't know what I would have wound up with! I am so happy with what I got though.
I've never cared about weight on a bike before but it's been fun getting this bike lighter than my Sawyer and nearly as light as my Kona. I just installed a Race Face Turbine Cinch Crankset and Surly Black Floyds saving bout 3 lbs. Replacing the Vee 8's saved 500g's per tire. Weighed now at 29.5 lbs.
I was gonna go with the Big Fat Larry's but I decided to wait on the Schwalbe Jumbo Jim's.
11-05-14, 07:27 AM
#63
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11-05-14, 02:30 PM
#65
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11-10-14, 11:33 AM
#67
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I don't know how long State Bicycle Co. has had them, but I think it's a fairly new addition to their lines - Fat Bikes & Snow Bikes : Off Road Bikes | State Bicycle Co.
I guess these would be on the lower-middle end of the line? I've got better parts I could add, and I could sell the takeoffs, so would probably be looking at a $600-650 megalith fat bike. Any thoughts on these? I get a general distaste of States around these parts, but I own a Contender with upgrades and am pretty pleased.
I guess these would be on the lower-middle end of the line? I've got better parts I could add, and I could sell the takeoffs, so would probably be looking at a $600-650 megalith fat bike. Any thoughts on these? I get a general distaste of States around these parts, but I own a Contender with upgrades and am pretty pleased.
11-14-14, 04:59 PM
#68
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The Game Changers are coming, here is one:
Bucksaw | Bikes | Salsa Cycles
I like to go fast down steep hills to get lots of speed to make it up the next hill...
If I can't find the, 'Flow' I am doing it wrong.....
Fatties will bounce all over if you get a good head of steam up and hit a bump,
Remember what they say In all the magazine reviews, "Slow and Steady gets it done"
I'm not slow or steady,
I will save my pennies for a full squish fatty
Bucksaw | Bikes | Salsa Cycles
I like to go fast down steep hills to get lots of speed to make it up the next hill...
If I can't find the, 'Flow' I am doing it wrong.....
Fatties will bounce all over if you get a good head of steam up and hit a bump,
Remember what they say In all the magazine reviews, "Slow and Steady gets it done"
I'm not slow or steady,
I will save my pennies for a full squish fatty
Last edited by osco53; 11-29-16 at 06:31 AM.
11-14-14, 11:02 PM
#69
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Fat Bike History
I thought some might be interested in the history of Fat Bikes.
Fat bikes go where no bicycle has gone before - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Outdoors
Lots of fun and profit from a special guy working in a small, remote place.
Fat bikes go where no bicycle has gone before - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Outdoors
Lots of fun and profit from a special guy working in a small, remote place.
11-15-14, 11:18 AM
#70
Senior Member
They just got done putting one together ^^^ when I was picking up my Salsa mukluk 3.
I bought it for the winter of course and that is the main reason. The way it bombs through the snow and almost any obstacle and the upright riding position, make it extremely nice compared to a mountain bike in winter. I can drift the front tire through turns without it dropping out completely and it even has a certain level of confidence on glare ice without studs. In my area getting a fatbike is pretty much a no-brainer especially since now they are grooming trails for it and last year they held the first fat birkie in hayward.
I bought it for the winter of course and that is the main reason. The way it bombs through the snow and almost any obstacle and the upright riding position, make it extremely nice compared to a mountain bike in winter. I can drift the front tire through turns without it dropping out completely and it even has a certain level of confidence on glare ice without studs. In my area getting a fatbike is pretty much a no-brainer especially since now they are grooming trails for it and last year they held the first fat birkie in hayward.
Last edited by Nick Bain; 11-15-14 at 11:22 AM.
11-17-14, 12:59 PM
#72
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I dabbled in fat biking with a single speed from July to October. That was enough to hook me but also convince me that I needed a geared fatty. For a mail-order bike this price, available in Canada I'm very happy with it!
11-18-14, 10:16 AM
#73
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need advice for fat bike tire in snow
I am looking to buy a fat bike. I see they are different widths for tires. I am looking to ride a little off road but mainly for winter riding in the snow along car travelled roads. I would like for advice from riders who have experience with different tire widths. Is a 4" tire wide enough or should I go wider? What are the pros/cons of narrower/wider tires for trail and snow roads? thanks
11-20-14, 10:15 AM
#74
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I am looking to buy a fat bike. I see they are different widths for tires. I am looking to ride a little off road but mainly for winter riding in the snow along car travelled roads. I would like for advice from riders who have experience with different tire widths. Is a 4" tire wide enough or should I go wider? What are the pros/cons of narrower/wider tires for trail and snow roads? thanks
That's not to say that you won't 'sink' into snow, even with a wide tire. It depends on the type of snow, whether it's fresh, loose, packed, previously ridden etc.
So it's better to be safe and pick a frame that will take a tire of at least 4.25" wide. Many do, but not all. I can't talk from experience on the 5" wide tires. There's obviously a trade-off the wider you go. Wider means heavier with more rolling mass and more resistance, so you may get some benefit on snow and mud, but when you hit dry dirt or asphalt you've got more to haul around.
If you're riding on 'car traveled roads' as you say, then you're perhaps not really in need of a wider tire, 4" ought to work just fine, or even the 3.8". In fact, you might even be better off with a mountain bike with studded tires as you'll have less mass and rolling resistance and therefore a more efficient and faster ride on the roads. But if you plan on hitting some trails, then that's where the fat bikes come into their own.
11-21-14, 07:59 PM
#75
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My on one fatty is here I have ridden it around the block but first proper ride tommoro.
Can't wait needs some more setup but like it a lot.
Here it is all nice and clean...for now.
Can't wait needs some more setup but like it a lot.
Here it is all nice and clean...for now.
