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Newbie here, fat bike fork suspension options?

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Newbie here, fat bike fork suspension options?

Old 10-16-20, 12:09 AM
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Sembikes
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Newbie here, fat bike fork suspension options?

any suggestions?
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Old 10-30-20, 07:46 PM
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Generally speaking, that isn't really a need for a suspension on a fat bike. I run tubeless tires at 4 to 6 psi. All bumps are easily absorbed.

I asked the same question when I first started looking at fat bikes and the long time riders told me "No need" and I do think that is the case for most everyone. Another thought is that I do need full suspension on my mountain bike as I'm riding much faster and hitting things harder. Few people ride their fat bikes at those higher speeds that would make suspension worthwhile.
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Old 10-30-20, 09:39 PM
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"Need" is relative. If you ride singletrack and over roots and rocks, suspension is nice.

Mastodon or rigid CF fork. Nothing else.
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Old 10-30-20, 10:08 PM
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Originally Posted by HerrKaLeun
"Need" is relative. If you ride singletrack and over roots and rocks, suspension is nice.

Mastodon or rigid CF fork. Nothing else.
Agreed. I'm used to primarily fat biking in the winter at average speeds of around 8 mph. With winter riding, especially with our local singletrack, there aren't a lot of roots and rocks I'm hitting negating my need for a suspension. Now, if I were riding at speeds similar to my typical MTB riding, I'd more carefully evaluate whether to spend on a suspension for my fat bike.

Mastadon is great. Rigid carbon fork (and hopefully handlebars to go with it) - yup - the next best or alternative choice.
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Old 10-30-20, 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted by zorax2
Agreed. I'm used to primarily fat biking in the winter at average speeds of around 8 mph. With winter riding, especially with our local singletrack, there aren't a lot of roots and rocks I'm hitting negating my need for a suspension. Now, if I were riding at speeds similar to my typical MTB riding, I'd more carefully evaluate whether to spend on a suspension for my fat bike.

Mastadon is great. Rigid carbon fork (and hopefully handlebars to go with it) - yup - the next best or alternative choice.
If you only ride snow and slow, a CF fork maybe be better. Some people remove suspension fork in winter. Salt etc.
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Old 11-05-20, 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by zorax2
Generally speaking, that isn't really a need for a suspension on a fat bike. I run tubeless tires at 4 to 6 psi. All bumps are easily absorbed.

I asked the same question when I first started looking at fat bikes and the long time riders told me "No need" and I do think that is the case for most everyone. Another thought is that I do need full suspension on my mountain bike as I'm riding much faster and hitting things harder. Few people ride their fat bikes at those higher speeds that would make suspension worthwhile.
Tires aren't a substitute for suspension. So many people falsely try to make this claim.

The "no need' stems from the fact that most of use fat bikes in winter and suspension isn't required.

Rockshox Bluto and the Manitou Mastadon are the only two I'm aware of. Not a big market out there for them due to the nature of how and when fat bikes are used.
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