jefnvk

Hey all,

I am curious where the divide between junk fat bikes ends and basic, decent, serviceable ones begins.

I don't mountain bike, most of what I'd do is relatively flat rail/park trails. I'm not really concerned that fat bikes are slower or heavier than a traditional MTB, it won't be used as a MTB (and my favorite road bike comes in near 35# anyhow). What I am looking to do is winter snow and springtime muck, extending my riding season in Michigan. It may someday open some summertime MTB trail riding, but that is purely a secondary benefit.

I don't really have a budget, so I don't want to toss out any numbers and ask for what to buy at that limit. Just curious to see what sort of level of bike people recommend not going below for such riding. Wouldn't mind finding out where the cutoff is for bikes that have decent tires in the snow is at too, as my initial research indicates lower end bikes come with tires less suited for snow.

FrozenK

Around $1,000 is the cut off between good and junk. Some bikes may seem like a good deal based on drive train, but wheels (rims) and tires are worth more than a fancy derailleur. And tubeless is worth the money.

If you can go to the $1,500-2,000 level you cam get a really nice bike.

jefnvk

OK, good to know. The two I were really starting to look towards were the Framed Minnesota and the Cooker Charge, right there in that range. Having dabbled around on CL watching for a while, I know both occasionally drop into a price range I'd impulse spend, and realistically I could buy new without much concern.

NYMXer

I have the Framed 3.0 and like it but hate "The House". If you have any questions about a Framed Fat Bike, PM me and I will help you out. IF you want to buy a Framed, I have a code for free shipping or something and I get a little store credit.

OneIsAllYouNeed

I've been really happy with my Bikesdirect Motobecane Boris X7 and X9 for $700 and $800. I swapped the saddles (for preference), seatposts (for more length and better fit), and tubes (shaved a full pound) on both bikes.

Framed Minnesota were totally in the running, but frame sizing made the choice easier for us. After one test ride in the snow, I wanted bikes with really low top tubes. If you put a foot down, it's going to compress a lot of snow before it stops.

jefnvk

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind! As it is a bike style I'm not familiar with, I'm doing my best to find something locally though (and very preferably used)

Yeah, I stopped by Performance Bike on the way home just to visualize what they had. Even the 15" F@E was as intimate with my crotch as my road bikes, and I ride the biggest thing I can get on in that realm. Bit too close for comfort on something I expect to need to dismount much faster than a road bike. I was looking at the BD offerings too, but as I mentioned above this is one purchase I'd like to buy locally if possible. If not, Bike Island's scratch and dent offerings are quite attractive!

Heyspike

Just picked up this Mid-Fatty, 2.75 tires for about 1399.
So far so good and I think it looks cool too.

jefnvk

Hows it in snow though? I can shove at least to 2.5" on my existing MTB, probably a bit more if I just want fatter tires.

prj71

Specialized is clearing out the 2016 model Fatboy with carbon fork for $1200 these days.

Heyspike

Not sure yet, but a big fatty would probably be better.

FrozenK

I didn't know that. But a Fatboy for $1200 is an awesome deal.

jefnvk

Took a couple out at Performance Bike today. Man, did I have a ****-eating grin on my face when I was done (I really hope that doesn't turn out to be an uncommon phrase only heard at my university...)

But as a C&V man, how do people click through so many gears? At least the SRAM allowed me to skip a bunch, but that was completely foreign to me!

NYMXer

Even with Shimano, if you push the lever a little, it's a single shift, a bit more and its a double shift. Puch to the stops and you do a triple shift

jefnvk

Good to know. I rode the SRAM after the Shimano, accidentally found the feature, and when I told the salesman he told me he had no clue what I was talking about. I've got another two I wanna look at at another Performance, I'll try it then.

I will also say I wasn't impressed with mechanical disc brakes, but man are fluid ones nice!

Leebo

One can look for used, they would be selling them now for the new stuff. Thinking about get a sus fork? Make sure the front hub and headtube will work. Rear axle width? 170, 190, 197 mm? Wider will fit the 5" tires. The minnesota and charge will work. Check out MTB review for fat bikes. Lots o info there.

oddjob2

All comments appreciated

Salsa 2015 Beargrease 2 Fatbike in Tree Fort Bikes Complete Fat Bikes

Surly 2017 Wednesday Complete Fat Bike in Tree Fort Bikes Complete Fat Bikes

New Fat Tire Bike. Charge cooker maxi was $1740 now on sale for $799

https://www.rei.com/product/109149/c...ad-3-bike-2017

prj71

Beargrease...Carbon Fork and lightest bike of the bunch.

https://salsacycles.com/bikes/archive/2015_beargrease_2