Optimizing for trail riding
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Optimizing for trail riding
So I’m planning well in advance for this, but I want to get an idea for how to set up my fat bike for riding trails in the spring/summer. My Spec. Hellga came with 90mm wheels 135mm/190mm QR and 4.6 Ground Control wire bead tires. My goal is to get a somewhat lighter wheelset with narrower rims to fit smaller tires.
From what I’ve seen I have a couple of of options: 26 x 4.0, 27.5 x 3.8, 27.5+ (2.8-3.0), or 29+ tires/wheels. I don’t know what I would “need”, however I don’t plan on adding a front suspension to my bike as I don’t think it’d be cost effective for me, nor do I know if one would work on my bike. So with that being said I want to see what would be an optimal wheel+tire combo for riding single track on a (rigid) fat bike.
From what I’ve seen I have a couple of of options: 26 x 4.0, 27.5 x 3.8, 27.5+ (2.8-3.0), or 29+ tires/wheels. I don’t know what I would “need”, however I don’t plan on adding a front suspension to my bike as I don’t think it’d be cost effective for me, nor do I know if one would work on my bike. So with that being said I want to see what would be an optimal wheel+tire combo for riding single track on a (rigid) fat bike.
#2
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That's a good question. As you may have seen the thread about a fat bike being the only steed in the corral.
I personally no longer have an MTB, the fat bike replaced that, and other than some more effort on the uphills, I am more than satisfied with that.
As far as which wheels? You may consider just getting new tires, (3.8") if cost is an issue. A wheel set will cost $400-1,000, plus the tires, cassette, rim tape, tubes, discs. Double that if you want to go carbon.
Any way, in the end, I think a 27.5" X 3" would be a good match to your bike. Just not sure how common a 27.5" rim comes with fat bike hub widths
The 27.5"X 3.8", I don't believe would give you any weight savings.
Let us know what you do. Cheers
I personally no longer have an MTB, the fat bike replaced that, and other than some more effort on the uphills, I am more than satisfied with that.
As far as which wheels? You may consider just getting new tires, (3.8") if cost is an issue. A wheel set will cost $400-1,000, plus the tires, cassette, rim tape, tubes, discs. Double that if you want to go carbon.
Any way, in the end, I think a 27.5" X 3" would be a good match to your bike. Just not sure how common a 27.5" rim comes with fat bike hub widths
The 27.5"X 3.8", I don't believe would give you any weight savings.
Let us know what you do. Cheers
#3
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I'll second the suggestion of MarcusT for a set of 27.5 x 3.0 or 2.8" wheels/tires for spring/summer/fall. My wife and I have two Salsa Mukluks with a total of 3 sets of wheels: 26 x 5 (stock, tubed, which I studded for snow), 26 x 4 (stock rims, tubeless Jumbo Jims, wifes usual setup) and 27.5 x 3 (built by Mike Curiak at Lacemine29.com, tubeless Rocket Rons, my usual set up). I've put about 6,000 miles on the 27.5 x 3 with no suspension on the bike & I love them. If starting over again, I might consider 29 x 3 or 2.8" to help with long stretches of washboards while bikepacking. I wouldn't worry about what is commonly available. Contact Mike & he'll build what you need at a reasonable price. I definitely recommend going tubeless for any setup outside of snow.
Howard Snell
Howard Snell
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I was thinking of just getting new tires for my bike but the rims are 90mm internal and from what I've seen 4.0 tires would work better on 65-70mm rims. If getting new wheels ends up costing more than $500 however I might have to reconsider as I don't think I would be able to spend that much in the next few months... so that might also be a problem
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Rim Width Versus Tire
I was thinking of just getting new tires for my bike but the rims are 90mm internal and from what I've seen 4.0 tires would work better on 65-70mm rims. If getting new wheels ends up costing more than $500 however I might have to reconsider as I don't think I would be able to spend that much in the next few months... so that might also be a problem
There are tons of fat bikes out there with 80-90mm rims and 4" tires. Surly's rims for their 3.8" Nates stock were on 82mm rims. I see on 45NRTH's website for the Dillinger 4's, they specify that they are for rims of 64-94. If you want new rims in the 65-70 size to shed weight, that's a whole other ball game.
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There are tons of fat bikes out there with 80-90mm rims and 4" tires. Surly's rims for their 3.8" Nates stock were on 82mm rims. I see on 45NRTH's website for the Dillinger 4's, they specify that they are for rims of 64-94. If you want new rims in the 65-70 size to shed weight, that's a whole other ball game.
#8
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Just to throw this into the discussion. Perhaps you could get a used 27.5+ MTB. Price would be about the same
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What I ultimately decided was to ride what I have. I picked up a pair of Maxxis Minions in 4.8 to swap out for my Ground Controls when spring rolls around. I’m not worried about weight al too much at this point and since I’m running rigid I think I’d prefer the extra volume of the 4.8s.