Fat tire or fad tire?
12-17-12, 08:08 PM
#26
Certified Bike Brat
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 4,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
Probably depends more on the individual. My brother-in-laws Zipp wheel equipped CF flash-bike has spent far more time hanging on the wall than it ever has on the road. Could call that a 'fad' too - at least in his case.
12-19-12, 10:59 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Burnaby, BC
Posts: 4,144
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I think you're right on, and in fact, I'm kind of counting on the bandwagon-ers tiring of their fatbike for just tooling around town so that I can buy a used one at a lower-than-new price!
Unfortunately, here in MI, I don't see much urban fatbike use, and I think most buyers are hip to the fact that the bikes are brilliant on our sandy trails and amazing coastline, so they're getting used right and all year 'round.
I remember seeing my first fat bike, a Wildfire Designs, probably 7 years ago in the middle of the summer on one of the sandiest trails here in my neck of the woods. I spoke to the owner, who let me spin the bike around the parking lot, and he said he was stoked and delighted with how well the bike handled the sand, and said that he could clean the trail in about the same time he could on his MTB because he was rolling right through the sand without giving up much speed.
Unfortunately, here in MI, I don't see much urban fatbike use, and I think most buyers are hip to the fact that the bikes are brilliant on our sandy trails and amazing coastline, so they're getting used right and all year 'round.
I remember seeing my first fat bike, a Wildfire Designs, probably 7 years ago in the middle of the summer on one of the sandiest trails here in my neck of the woods. I spoke to the owner, who let me spin the bike around the parking lot, and he said he was stoked and delighted with how well the bike handled the sand, and said that he could clean the trail in about the same time he could on his MTB because he was rolling right through the sand without giving up much speed.
12-19-12, 11:57 AM
#28
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,627
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3870 Post(s)
Liked 2,563 Times
in
1,577 Posts
12-19-12, 12:02 PM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 461
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If this product blitz is channeled into winter cycling on back roads and existing cycle trails, that's fine. If it's another attack on the hiking and XC trails - and remote, peaceful wild places - like what happened with 'mountain bikes' in the 80s, that's definitely not fine.
Bike makers want to sell more bikes, and one way to do that is to push cycling into areas where it isn't happening (or allowed) now. Similarly, Segway, and makers of electric mopeds, have been lobbying hard to get their products onto bike trails.
It cuts 2 ways.
Bike makers want to sell more bikes, and one way to do that is to push cycling into areas where it isn't happening (or allowed) now. Similarly, Segway, and makers of electric mopeds, have been lobbying hard to get their products onto bike trails.
It cuts 2 ways.
Last edited by jim hughes; 12-19-12 at 12:07 PM.
12-19-12, 12:45 PM
#30
You gonna eat that?
Not good as an "only" bike, but they're a lot of fun as an extra bike if you can afford it.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
12-19-12, 01:01 PM
#31
Senior Member
12-19-12, 01:29 PM
#32
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,783
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12736 Post(s)
Liked 7,646 Times
in
4,054 Posts
I think it's pretty cool that this type of bike is getting more mainstream. Back in the early 1990s you had to special order this stuff from Alaska, IIRC. There were people lacing two rims together for fat tire rigs.
Now I can pop into several shops around town and grab one if I so desired.
Now I can pop into several shops around town and grab one if I so desired.
12-19-12, 01:34 PM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Ithaca, NY
Posts: 4,852
Bikes: Click on the #YOLO
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
12 Posts
https://forums.mtbr.com/vintage-retro...uff-71602.html
Part of the build process was to shave 5.5 pounds off an 11 pound ATV tire for bicycle use. whoa.
__________________
Shimano : Click :: Campy : Snap :: SRAM : Bang
Shimano : Click :: Campy : Snap :: SRAM : Bang
12-19-12, 01:35 PM
#34
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,783
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12736 Post(s)
Liked 7,646 Times
in
4,054 Posts
Oh, I'll never forget the Hannebrinks. I think he's still doing those, but mostly electrics.
12-19-12, 07:14 PM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Boston, MA.
Posts: 112
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Here is one on Craigslist that showed up today:
https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/bik/3476878727.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/bik/3476878727.html
12-20-12, 02:25 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 461
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When motorcycles outnumber bikes, do they get the bike trails?
Last edited by jim hughes; 12-20-12 at 02:31 PM.
12-20-12, 04:14 PM
#37
Senior Member
What is the typical width of cuts for these types of trails? I would like to think there is room to share, though I would hope fat bikers refrain from riding straight down a xc trail messing up the tracks. Presumably snow shoers also use the same trails, is it an equally contentious issue?
12-20-12, 05:11 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 461
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As we all know, serious X-C trails are 'groomed' to have 2 tracks at just the right width. IMHO there's no way bikes wouldn't screw up those tracks. We could talk about etiquette and consideration, but all it takes is 2 thoughtless clods on those giant knobby tires and it won't matter that the other 90% of the cyclists were careful. I doubt showshoers are appreciated either.
It shouldn't be up to us, anyway. The skiers advocated and lobbied for the creation of ski trails. In some states they buy seasonal X-C passes. So they're the ones to decide what's allowed on their trails. Maybe the ski groups think it's ok if it brings in money and support for the trails.
It shouldn't be up to us, anyway. The skiers advocated and lobbied for the creation of ski trails. In some states they buy seasonal X-C passes. So they're the ones to decide what's allowed on their trails. Maybe the ski groups think it's ok if it brings in money and support for the trails.
Last edited by jim hughes; 12-20-12 at 05:22 PM.
12-20-12, 09:01 PM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Cambridge, MN
Posts: 75
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck, Haro Mary, Redline Monocog, Trek 930
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
We have trails in our areas that the X-C ski club in town built. So they put up signs saying (in a nice way), stay off our trails until the snow melts. They aren't the best for riding in the summer, but they are close. And we can ride bicycles on the snow mobile trails in the area, so more reason not to go for the ski trails.
12-21-12, 01:45 PM
#40
Full Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 359
Bikes: Salsa Fargo, One-One Inbred 29er, Blue Norcross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If it is on public land and ungroomed trails (or even groomed trails if the skiers aren't paying for it), then I don't think it is so easy. The mountain biking trails at a local county park were almost entirely built by a mountain biking club, but are shared with snowshoers in the winter and hikers in the summer. Both get the right-of-way over mountain bikers. It's called sharing, while trying to preserve the experience for everyone as much as possible (ie not riding in the classic tracks, etc).
12-21-12, 03:52 PM
#41
Banned
Sun has a modestly priced 2 speed coaster brake Gordo-fat tire beach cruiser..
I could live without the tread pattern
but seeing an imprint of a Spider does show where you went.
Just would be better if there was a chaincase to keep the sand out.
I could live without the tread pattern
but seeing an imprint of a Spider does show where you went.
Just would be better if there was a chaincase to keep the sand out.
12-21-12, 06:25 PM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 461
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If it is on public land and ungroomed trails (or even groomed trails if the skiers aren't paying for it), then I don't think it is so easy. The mountain biking trails at a local county park were almost entirely built by a mountain biking club, but are shared with snowshoers in the winter and hikers in the summer. Both get the right-of-way over mountain bikers. It's called sharing, while trying to preserve the experience for everyone as much as possible (ie not riding in the classic tracks, etc).
12-21-12, 08:04 PM
#43
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Eastern Washington
Posts: 440
Bikes: 1978 Raleigh Competition-1974 Raleigh Folder-1983 Austro Daimler-198? Fuji Monterey-Surly LHT-Surly Karate Monkey-Surly Cross Check
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 43 Post(s)
Liked 97 Times
in
54 Posts
I agree. I love my Pug but would really only recommend a fat bike to someone who is already an avid rider. Not good for commuting but keeps you on the mountain bike trails winter, which is what I love to do.
12-21-12, 08:35 PM
#44
Senior Member
12-22-12, 12:05 AM
#45
totally louche
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: A land that time forgot
Posts: 18,023
Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
9 Posts
no, skiers say the same thing when people walk or snowshoe in the ski trails.
Winter trail users on groomed x-c ski tracks are not supposed to mess up the ski track. QED. the road is both a significantly more durable surface and there's the whole 'road rights' thing going on, compared to a ski track, which is a recreational trail maintained on snow for a specific use.
grooming trails specifically for skiing costs states and ski clubs millions of dollars a year.
Winter trail users on groomed x-c ski tracks are not supposed to mess up the ski track. QED. the road is both a significantly more durable surface and there's the whole 'road rights' thing going on, compared to a ski track, which is a recreational trail maintained on snow for a specific use.
grooming trails specifically for skiing costs states and ski clubs millions of dollars a year.
Last edited by Bekologist; 12-22-12 at 12:11 AM.
12-22-12, 12:32 AM
#46
Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Last time i saw one bike race in Kenya Safari place is good but the mud is heavy to not easy ride in that place which bike is more comfort to racing in road and mud place.
12-23-12, 07:55 AM
#47
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 185
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So, from the point of versatility, they are hard to beat.
Regarding the fad/not thing, I guess it depends how the big market players go into it. I think in the next 2 years will start to see a big brand playing.
Cannondale have showed some attention, doing a photoshoot with the official xc team and a camouflaged 907 fatbike. This was most likelly related with the Sandman team (a belgian fatbike brand) beating Cannondale on the Ruta last year.
About the usefulness of a fatbike, it depend on what you want from a bicycle, and how open minded you are. If everyone gave that much importance on speed vs fun/capacity than no one would drive Land Rovers or Jeeps.
Fatbikes can really expand what you can ride, and that's important for some people. They also make riding a rigid bike agressively more viable, for the ones who don't like suspensions. And yet, they are not much slower than regular bikes when riden on regular biking conditions. Just make sure you play well with tire pressure
12-30-12, 08:06 PM
#48
Did I catch a niner?
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: a van down by the river
Posts: 542
Bikes: Vassago Fisticuff/Surly Ogre/Surly Pugsley/Surly Pugsley 29+
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I think you're right on, and in fact, I'm kind of counting on the bandwagon-ers tiring of their fatbike for just tooling around town so that I can buy a used one at a lower-than-new price!
Unfortunately, here in MI, I don't see much urban fatbike use, and I think most buyers are hip to the fact that the bikes are brilliant on our sandy trails and amazing coastline, so they're getting used right and all year 'round.
I remember seeing my first fat bike, a Wildfire Designs, probably 7 years ago in the middle of the summer on one of the sandiest trails here in my neck of the woods. I spoke to the owner, who let me spin the bike around the parking lot, and he said he was stoked and delighted with how well the bike handled the sand, and said that he could clean the trail in about the same time he could on his MTB because he was rolling right through the sand without giving up much speed.
Unfortunately, here in MI, I don't see much urban fatbike use, and I think most buyers are hip to the fact that the bikes are brilliant on our sandy trails and amazing coastline, so they're getting used right and all year 'round.
I remember seeing my first fat bike, a Wildfire Designs, probably 7 years ago in the middle of the summer on one of the sandiest trails here in my neck of the woods. I spoke to the owner, who let me spin the bike around the parking lot, and he said he was stoked and delighted with how well the bike handled the sand, and said that he could clean the trail in about the same time he could on his MTB because he was rolling right through the sand without giving up much speed.
This is my hope too, I'm looking to pick one up used from somebody who bought into the 'fad'. There are a lot of extremely technical trails around here that would be fun at a slower speed on a fat bike. Also, some on the coast and on Vancouver Island that are very sandy. Much of this terrain lends itself well to fatbike use, I think.
12-30-12, 09:50 PM
#49
perpetually frazzled
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Linton, IN
Posts: 2,467
Bikes: 1977 Bridgestone Kabuki Super Speed; 1979 Raleigh Professional; 1983 Raleigh Rapide mixte; 1974 Peugeot UO-8; 1993 Univega Activa Trail; 1972 Raleigh Sports; 1967 Phillips; 1981 Schwinn World Tourist; 1976 Schwinn LeTour mixte; 1964 Western Flyer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
I ride a lot of muddy forest trails around here with my current MTB (2.1" 26" tires), and could see a lot of use for a fat bike with both summer trails and with snow in the winter (and would probably use it as a go-to commuter), but you can't fit fenders for them! What's the purpose of a "snow bike" when you can't keep the snow off of you?
12-31-12, 03:38 PM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 775
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I ride a lot of muddy forest trails around here with my current MTB (2.1" 26" tires), and could see a lot of use for a fat bike with both summer trails and with snow in the winter (and would probably use it as a go-to commuter), but you can't fit fenders for them! What's the purpose of a "snow bike" when you can't keep the snow off of you?
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...68&category=78
