Never Rode a Fatbike, Considering One as my Sole Bike
02-08-18, 10:34 AM
#26
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02-08-18, 10:35 AM
#27
Jedi Master
02-08-18, 10:40 AM
#28
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Sooo, back to the OP, demo some at a bike expo or event.
02-08-18, 10:46 AM
#29
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Do you have the rigid fork or have you gone with a suspension fork?
I'm a real greenhorn when it comes to mountain biking. When I see gopro footage of guys flying down trails with trees whizzing by real close I just think "**** I don't want to do that! I'd be going 5 km/h there!" haha. I'm more thinking places like Arches and Canyonlands in Utah or Mongolia, Russia, Northern China etc. All of those places have ****ty roads or no roads at all or what roads there are can probably be bypassed for more tranquil options. I guess my main worry is gear reliability. The handful of long-distance remote tourers on fatbikes on YouTube seem to have a lot of breakages and all quite serious stuff (Derailleurs, brakes and frames). And I'm learning just getting something shipped via DHL to random 3rd world countries from the USA or really anywhere is a LOT harder than I was led to believe. I've been through nearly 7 countries so far and still haven't found 50-622 tires for my bike and Schwalbe won't ship here...might as well be on the moon. Fatbike stuff is probably even harder to get.
I'm a real greenhorn when it comes to mountain biking. When I see gopro footage of guys flying down trails with trees whizzing by real close I just think "**** I don't want to do that! I'd be going 5 km/h there!" haha. I'm more thinking places like Arches and Canyonlands in Utah or Mongolia, Russia, Northern China etc. All of those places have ****ty roads or no roads at all or what roads there are can probably be bypassed for more tranquil options. I guess my main worry is gear reliability. The handful of long-distance remote tourers on fatbikes on YouTube seem to have a lot of breakages and all quite serious stuff (Derailleurs, brakes and frames). And I'm learning just getting something shipped via DHL to random 3rd world countries from the USA or really anywhere is a LOT harder than I was led to believe. I've been through nearly 7 countries so far and still haven't found 50-622 tires for my bike and Schwalbe won't ship here...might as well be on the moon. Fatbike stuff is probably even harder to get.
I have the rigid fork on my Wednesday and love it. I also have another fatbike with a Bluto fork and a suspension seatpost, which does make it slightly better for getting really rowdy. But I purposely wanted my Wednesday to be more of a commuter/tourer. And I'm finding that I actually prefer the simplicity and efficiency of the rigid setup to the squishy in 95% of situations. From the kind of riding your describing I think a bike like the Wednesday or the Pugsley 2.0 would definitely be the way to go if you want to go fat.
I can't really speak to the availability of replacement parts when travelling etc; except that surly seems to have redesigned the pugsley with some of that in mind; although it probably is still harder to get fat bike specific parts in comparison to a regular MTB or touring bike.
02-08-18, 08:12 PM
#30
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I have the rigid fork on my Wednesday and love it. I also have another fatbike with a Bluto fork and a suspension seatpost, which does make it slightly better for getting really rowdy. But I purposely wanted my Wednesday to be more of a commuter/tourer. And I'm finding that I actually prefer the simplicity and efficiency of the rigid setup to the squishy in 95% of situations. From the kind of riding your describing I think a bike like the Wednesday or the Pugsley 2.0 would definitely be the way to go if you want to go fat.
I can't really speak to the availability of replacement parts when travelling etc; except that surly seems to have redesigned the pugsley with some of that in mind; although it probably is still harder to get fat bike specific parts in comparison to a regular MTB or touring bike.
I can't really speak to the availability of replacement parts when travelling etc; except that surly seems to have redesigned the pugsley with some of that in mind; although it probably is still harder to get fat bike specific parts in comparison to a regular MTB or touring bike.
Well thanks for your advice, I guess I'm going to have to try some of the options out before buying, sounds like a very personal decision.
02-08-18, 08:16 PM
#31
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My fatbike friends that ride gravel grinders and like suspended forks like the Lauf: https://fat-bike.com/2015/07/lauf-carbonara-tested/
I think I'd like to go with a CF fork for some weight saving and damping without going suspension. I find the tires take out most of the buzz and rarely felt the need for more suspension on the fork*
* There's a local gravel race called LML that is the start of the gravel season every year. The gravel roads are just thawed and full of pot-holes. On LML ... I'd like more suspension.
I think I'd like to go with a CF fork for some weight saving and damping without going suspension. I find the tires take out most of the buzz and rarely felt the need for more suspension on the fork*
* There's a local gravel race called LML that is the start of the gravel season every year. The gravel roads are just thawed and full of pot-holes. On LML ... I'd like more suspension.
02-08-18, 08:22 PM
#32
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Not so far at least. More weight and complication to add to the mix. The tyres do help of course.
02-08-18, 10:24 PM
#33
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02-08-18, 11:18 PM
#34
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It's just how I see it. The road bike is for fast, sporty rides like a sports car. The touring bike is for long loaded trips like a mini van and the fat bike, even though it can be used on the road, it's slower and sucks more gas, but for off road, there is no substitute.
02-10-18, 09:05 PM
#35
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I hope this was not taken in any way negative.
It's just how I see it. The road bike is for fast, sporty rides like a sports car. The touring bike is for long loaded trips like a mini van and the fat bike, even though it can be used on the road, it's slower and sucks more gas, but for off road, there is no substitute.
It's just how I see it. The road bike is for fast, sporty rides like a sports car. The touring bike is for long loaded trips like a mini van and the fat bike, even though it can be used on the road, it's slower and sucks more gas, but for off road, there is no substitute.
You're right!
I'm definitely going to have to rent a fatty tho first. Spent all day crawling up hills like a snail and spinning out on the loose dirt every 50 feet. Kept thinking it might be even harder on a fatty. Who knows. Losse dirt over hard stone is a PITA at the best of times lol
02-11-18, 05:12 PM
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I have a fatbike and it is my only off road bike. I do not regret buying it for a minute but I might get a set of 27.5+ or 29+ wheels for it to make it more versatile. Based on what I have read, you seem like you must be at least reasonably strong and, likely, more. Considering what you plan to do on it, I think a fatbike will fit the bill. If, and that is a big if, you feel like you are lugging it around, you can always get plus wheelset and go from there.
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02-11-18, 08:39 PM
#37
Jet Jockey
I think most people, if picking one bike to rule them all, would go for a cross bike, or one of the newer "gravel" bikes.
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02-13-18, 11:11 PM
#38
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02-14-18, 09:52 AM
#39
Jet Jockey
But, everyone has their thing. Maybe it could work for some.
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02-14-18, 10:37 AM
#40
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I was a hybrid rider in the 90's when they were only known in Europe. And the story was; The comfortable, upright position, robust wheels of a MTB and the light weight and handling of a road bike. Over the years I've noticed that many road bikes with flat bars are called a hybrid.
This year, my fat bike is tied with my touring bike for mileage. I train and tour with the touring, but for fun it is senòr fatty.
03-20-18, 10:13 PM
#41
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Well yesterday I got to ride a fatbike! It was a REALLY cheap one (4000 mxn) but it was still the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden by a landslide. It was like pedaling a couch! LOVED it. I'm hooked. 
03-20-18, 11:14 PM
#42
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03-22-18, 06:25 AM
#43
Full Member
With you being 6'8 you probably need an XXL. I am 6'6'' and and ride a Surly XXL ICT but I had to add a stem extender to prevent me from leaning over too far....this extension made a significant improvement in feel and the way I ride.
Will have to admit, the ICT can crawl over anything and everything but the Surly Bud/Lou tries are rough on pavement. However, you can change the tires to a less aggressive tread like the Surly Knard 4.8 which will help with the road but from what I have read the Knards are not good for deep snow.
When trail riding my fat bike is the only bike I use but if I replace the tires to Knards I would seriously consider only using my ICT as my primary bike.
I dont have a front suspension as I dont think it is needed as the large tires normalize the bumps but I may add one as I am riding more and more trails and less roads.
Will have to admit, the ICT can crawl over anything and everything but the Surly Bud/Lou tries are rough on pavement. However, you can change the tires to a less aggressive tread like the Surly Knard 4.8 which will help with the road but from what I have read the Knards are not good for deep snow.
When trail riding my fat bike is the only bike I use but if I replace the tires to Knards I would seriously consider only using my ICT as my primary bike.
I dont have a front suspension as I dont think it is needed as the large tires normalize the bumps but I may add one as I am riding more and more trails and less roads.
03-31-18, 08:05 PM
#44
Junior Member
Nice! I find that I ride my fatbike a lot - gravel trails and picking up my 8YO from school on the trail-a-bike.
I'm your same height and found that the Specialized Fatboy was the best fit I could find. Many have super short top tube/reach so beware. I've had it for over two years and love the ride, feel like a kid on a bmx bike again.
LAXPatrick
I'm your same height and found that the Specialized Fatboy was the best fit I could find. Many have super short top tube/reach so beware. I've had it for over two years and love the ride, feel like a kid on a bmx bike again.
LAXPatrick
04-04-18, 11:12 AM
#45
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I ride my fatbike a lot in the fall too (before the snow) and I love it for the simplicity (no suspension) in the back country but it's still comfortable, and it rolls over anything so I can pay more attention to the view than the trail.
You can also as has been suggested, run smaller rims/tires on it. One bike, but different options depending on your goal that week.
However, if your goal is to ride the GDMBR, you probably know the two most popular bikes on the line are the Salsa Fargo and Salsa Cutthroat, for a reason. I'd suggesting checking them out if you don't plan to do any winter/snow touring.
You can also as has been suggested, run smaller rims/tires on it. One bike, but different options depending on your goal that week.
However, if your goal is to ride the GDMBR, you probably know the two most popular bikes on the line are the Salsa Fargo and Salsa Cutthroat, for a reason. I'd suggesting checking them out if you don't plan to do any winter/snow touring.
04-05-18, 08:56 AM
#46
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just reading out of curiousity (my fat bikes are cheapies, mostly cut up and turned into cruisers), but i'm just wondering at 6'8" how big a wheel/tire you can get on a dirty-sixer mountain bike (give it a quick google if you haven't heard of one). plus whatever tire you could could find/fit, i guess easy replacement availability would be a problem too.
Last edited by Philphine; 04-05-18 at 08:59 AM.
04-19-18, 10:39 AM
#47
Senior Member
04-19-18, 11:51 AM
#48
Jedi Master
If I could keep three bikes I would add my old schwinn cruiser that I use for commuting to the train station, and my Jury that I use in the winter and bad weather.
Since my touring is in the Midwest, off-pavement just means gravel roads and dirt bike trails. If it's mostly roads with some gravel I take the Rivendell. If it's mostly dirt and gravel with some roads, I take the Miyata dirt-drop.
04-20-18, 11:46 AM
#49
Senior Member
If I could only keep one bike it would be my Rivendell Sam Hillborne. It's the most versatile of my bikes.
If I could keep three bikes I would add my old schwinn cruiser that I use for commuting to the train station, and my Jury that I use in the winter and bad weather.
Since my touring is in the Midwest, off-pavement just means gravel roads and dirt bike trails. If it's mostly roads with some gravel I take the Rivendell. If it's mostly dirt and gravel with some roads, I take the Miyata dirt-drop.
If I could keep three bikes I would add my old schwinn cruiser that I use for commuting to the train station, and my Jury that I use in the winter and bad weather.
Since my touring is in the Midwest, off-pavement just means gravel roads and dirt bike trails. If it's mostly roads with some gravel I take the Rivendell. If it's mostly dirt and gravel with some roads, I take the Miyata dirt-drop.
Last edited by Clem von Jones; 04-20-18 at 11:59 AM.
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