jackb

I'm primarily a road cyclist, but I'm getting tired of sharing the road with cars and truck and would like to some off-road cycling. I would be riding primarily on establish trails with nothing technical. I'm not sure which kind of bike would best. What are your thoughts? Thanks.

Howard70

I made the same shift about three years ago. Went with two bikes. A carbon Salsa Mukluk with an extra set of 27.5 x 3" plus wheels and a carbon Salsa Cuttthroat running 29 x 2.3". Ride both about equally. The only thing I don't use much here in New Mexico are the 4" fat wheels on the Mukluk. They're great for snow, but I don't find as much of that as I'd hoped. I do run them occasionally if I know I'm going to ride a long wash with really soft sand or long wet stretches.

Howard

Cyclist0108

You might like a "gravel" or "adventure" road bike with wide (~ 40mm) tires. I have one with two wheel-sets. Originally one was for on-road, and one for off, but now both are off-road capable (with Compass tires that minimize the on-road performance hit).

I also recently built up a steel rigid drop-bar mountain bike with 27.5+ (2.8") tires, and prefer that to my (older) full-suspension bike. (It also has the capability to use a suspension fork, so I can play around with options.)

Rajflyboy

Buy a 27.5 plus bike that fits both 29 and 27.5 wheels

keep two wheel sets

27.5 plus with 2.8 Ish tires
29 with skinny tires

pretty much covers you for any type of riding

Plus tires are like riding with some suspension. Buy a Hardtail with a front fork shock with a lockout.

Carl J

This is really hard to say. If it's just non technical established trails, you may want a gravel/adventure bike (I love my Felt V85) or a mtb.
Where do you live ? Do you get snow there at all? If you get snow and will only have two bikes, the road and one other, then I'd suggest getting a fattie (it's where they're the most fun, in my opinion).
But for basic trails, it may be overkill.

jackb

Thanks for your views. I've pretty much decided against a fat bike because it looks like overkill. Now I'm thinking about a 27.5+ with 2.8 tires or just a plain old mtb with 2.2 tires. I'll think on this for a few weeks.

Pro11yN0taZeus

I think this is what is most intriguing to me - fat tires would be great (I would think) for snow covered roads in the winter. Although it sounds like you are describing dirt and sand. Maybe I should focus on hybrid tires.

Howard70

The fat tires are the best option I've found for tracks or roads with deep, freshly fallen snow - the sort of stuff you wand to compress a bit as you ride, but not reach through to the actual road surface. I'm not an accomplished snow rider so there are probably others with better advice. The thing that made the most difference for me was studding the fat tires so that I could ride ice-covered sections of roads already travelled by cars as well as riding in fresh snow. If you're thinking of already-trodden snow covered roads, a set of studded plus tires, or even 2" studded tires, might be just as effective and potentially more lively.

My wife is a timid rider on loose surfaces and fat tires have been a game changer for her. She'll ride on easy trails and desert two tracks now because she feels secure. In her case perception of adhesion is key - most off-road cyclists realize that skinny tires are fine on most surfaces, but because she lacks confidence in skinny tires the fats are what it takes to help her enjoy off-pavement rides.

Howard

jackb

I don't plan on riding on snow primarily because I don't like riding in the cold. Once the temps drop below 50 degrees, I leave the bikes in the garage and take walks. I'm thinking that I would like experiencing the "perception of adhesion." The older I get the more timid I get, so I'm still thinking fatter tires. But after looking at fat tire bikes and mid-fat tire bikes, I think mid-fat tires will be fine. As I am on the verge of a cycling trip in Europe, I won't be buying anything until June, so I still have plenty of time to think over the purchase.

Jseis 

3.0 Speedsters for the STP and then some gravel grinding. They did fine on gravel.

Beach camping.

More typical daily riding.


This was a no-brainer for me as the beach is out the backdoor. I’ve 4000+ beach miles on my full hardtail fat. The soft beach sands demand the 4.6 BFLs. If I’m on logging roads (far tougher than gravel) the 4.0 knobbies work (tire swap). I’ve debated about a 2nd wheel set. I’m used to riding hardtail but maybe as I get up their in years I’ll reconsider.

fishboy316

I love to ride my Farley 7. It works for me on all but road. I currently run 3.8 Hodags on 27.5 wheelset (Jackalope). My fatty is the go to bike for me. Ride singletrack mostly. She will roll. When there is snow I run 26 x 4.7 Barbi's. It is about the fun for me and I have found for me that the fatty is the most fun I have had on 2 wheels!

FatBikerKP

Cruzing on fat bike at around 16kmph avg is a fun. Fatties might looks like a overkill, but once u ride it on any terrain they will definitely kill your boredom. Fat Bike however isn't everyone's cup of tea, you need power and endurance to ride them.
I vote for FAT BIKE, rest is your call