Fatbikes are fun and here to stay.
02-06-23, 11:24 AM
#1
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Fatbikes are fun and here to stay.
I thought it might be nice to put a positive post at the top of the page. I've been living around Fairbanks, AK for ten years, and after all this time seeing fatties out and about, I finally bought a pair for my wife and I.
We have a Kona Wo and a Kona Woo. I'm having fun learning tire pressure vs. snow/trail conditions.
There is no substitute for a fatbike if you want to ride a bike on snowpacked trails. I've tried lol.
We have a Kona Wo and a Kona Woo. I'm having fun learning tire pressure vs. snow/trail conditions.
There is no substitute for a fatbike if you want to ride a bike on snowpacked trails. I've tried lol.
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02-06-23, 12:30 PM
#2
Senior Member
I purchased my fatbike in 2015 specifically as a snowbike for comuting. Now that I'm retired, I ride it through the snow to the gym and around town.
I experimented with tire pressure a lot riding at 4 psi a long time. I think it's at 8psi now. Too low and the rolling resistance will really drain you.
My last long ride was 37.5km for about 4 hours but that includes 45min at McDonald's for a Big Mac meal to fuel up before returning home.
I experimented with tire pressure a lot riding at 4 psi a long time. I think it's at 8psi now. Too low and the rolling resistance will really drain you.
My last long ride was 37.5km for about 4 hours but that includes 45min at McDonald's for a Big Mac meal to fuel up before returning home.
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02-06-23, 12:37 PM
#3
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I don't know what pressures I'm using because it's all just by feel. Basically I'm figuring out that there is a balance between resistance from sinking in snow at higher pressure, and resistance from the tires at too low a pressure.
02-25-23, 09:11 AM
#4
Junior Member
It's a process, learning what pressure to run for what surface and how much you weigh. Tubeless helps a bunch with resistance but so does tire design...use120 tpi tires for low pressure riding.
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02-25-23, 12:28 PM
#5
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I've also figured out that I can run a softer front pressure to keep the tire from cutting into the trail as much, and a somewhat firmer rear to compensate for my weight over the tire.
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02-28-23, 12:37 PM
#6
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Optimum pressure depends a lot upon what you’re riding on. Deeper soft snow I might be around 3-4. Firmer snow and ice 4-5. Dry trail 7-9.
Also, some tires roll much slower than others as pressures drop. High TPI casings with more supple sidewalls don’t slow down as much at lower pressures as tires with thicker, stiffer sidewalls.
Also, some tires roll much slower than others as pressures drop. High TPI casings with more supple sidewalls don’t slow down as much at lower pressures as tires with thicker, stiffer sidewalls.
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02-28-23, 01:02 PM
#7
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Optimum pressure depends a lot upon what you’re riding on. Deeper soft snow I might be around 3-4. Firmer snow and ice 4-5. Dry trail 7-9.
Also, some tires roll much slower than others as pressures drop. High TPI casings with more supple sidewalls don’t slow down as much at lower pressures as tires with thicker, stiffer sidewalls.
Also, some tires roll much slower than others as pressures drop. High TPI casings with more supple sidewalls don’t slow down as much at lower pressures as tires with thicker, stiffer sidewalls.
03-01-23, 03:36 PM
#9
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I have studded Snowshoe tires for ice season and Jumbo Jim tires for snow season. Both are fine for how I use them. I am a recreational trail rider and commuter.
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03-01-23, 03:56 PM
#10
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03-01-23, 04:01 PM
#11
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My riding is all for recreation and fitness, as well as dogjoring with huskies now and then. I envy those of you that go to work on your bikes ( in winter too! ).
03-01-23, 04:09 PM
#12
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03-01-23, 11:00 PM
#13
Senior Member
I know many fat bike owners ride snow, snow, snow, but believe me when I say, even without snow they are a blast. The flotation, sure grip of the tires make almost any terrain rideable.
Yes, there is the weight issue, but for the fun, it's worth it.
Yes, there is the weight issue, but for the fun, it's worth it.
03-02-23, 12:10 AM
#14
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I've only had my fatbike since well into this winter but I'm definitely looking forward to try it on other surfaces this summer!
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03-02-23, 05:22 AM
#16
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A fatbike is one of the few modern bikes that I think I'd like to buy one day.
03-02-23, 07:05 AM
#17
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I have only ridden my Surly Wednesday once in snow (a race). Although I've owned it for approx. five years, I'm just recently beginning to ride it regularly on mtb trails. It is so fun. I have approx. 10 psi in the tires (3.8" wide).
03-02-23, 09:41 AM
#18
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03-02-23, 09:42 AM
#19
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Heck yeah. I'll be doing some of that!
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03-02-23, 11:41 AM
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I have a Kona Woo. The tires were dumped within a month for Surly Bud and Lou. Light years better than the Vee tires.
My Specialized Fatboy is equipped with 45nrth Flowbeist and Dunderbeist. Close to same grip as Bud and Lou but roll better.
Last edited by prj71; 03-02-23 at 11:46 AM.
03-02-23, 12:38 PM
#21
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Thread Starter
It's common knowledge among fat bike enthusiasts that the Vee tires are junk. Manufacturers put those low grade tires on to keep the price of the complete bike down. The tires have poor grip in snow, they wash out easily and snow sticks to them instead of shedding. They would be OK for summer riding in dry conditions, but in anything else they're kind of useless.
I have a Kona Woo. The tires were dumped within a month for Surly Bud and Lou. Light years better than the Vee tires.
My Specialized Fatboy is equipped with 45nrth Flowbeist and Dunderbeist. Close to same grip as Bud and Lou but roll better.
I have a Kona Woo. The tires were dumped within a month for Surly Bud and Lou. Light years better than the Vee tires.
My Specialized Fatboy is equipped with 45nrth Flowbeist and Dunderbeist. Close to same grip as Bud and Lou but roll better.
03-04-23, 08:19 PM
#22
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(sarcasm) I was told that fatbikes are a dying breed (sarcasm)
My monstrosity is always used in a place where there is rarely snow.
1. Because I do what I want
2. Because it's hilarious...
My monstrosity is always used in a place where there is rarely snow.
1. Because I do what I want
2. Because it's hilarious...
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