Tiagra77

Hello everyone. I hope everybody is doing fine. This winter will be the third winter that I use a bike all winter long for my transport. I live in the suburb of Montreal so a lot of snow is falling but there is a good clearing. However, the snow plow leaves a lot of sand and salt and destroys my bike. For that reason, I buy a really cheap and really used/rusty MTB for like 50$ in classified ads. Unfortunatly, these cheap bikes do not last long, especially the brakes stuck. I am afraid the bike I bought last year will not stand another winter long, eventough I made a good tune up now and few times during last winter. I live in an appartment and I don't have any garage, the bike is on a balcony not really protected from snow.

So my questions are, should I buy a fatbike ? I know it will be more confortable but how about the durability ? I have a strict budget of around 100$/year. Will a 1000$ fatbike last 10 years in these conditions ? Which one do you suggest me if so ? Or should I just buy a used ~80$ mountain bike almost every year like I did ?

Thanks in advance.

MarcusT

I believe a more expensive bike will not significantly out last a cheap bike with the conditions you are describing. A $1,000 fat bike is still vulnerable to the abuses of salt and weather.
As far as comfort goes, the fat bike on asphalt would be a little more comfortable but not enough to justify the price.
I suggest stay with buying used. Try to look for plus sized tires (2.4" or bigger) and disc brakes.
Wash off the bike after bad weather rides and keep parts lubed.
Cheers

prj71

If your budget is $100/year...You won't be buying any fat bikes soon.

As noted a more expensive bike isn't going to be more durable against salt and sand.

ClydeClydeson

My experience in riding on plowed/salted/sanded roads in the winter is that you don't want the widest possible tires - narrower tires will more effectively cut through the mashed potato slush and contact the pavement underneath.

Also, as said above, the salt will destroy your $2000 fat bike as fast as it destroys a $50 dumpster bike - the only difference is that it doesn't hurt as much to throw the $50 bike back into the garbage bin where you found it.

I bought a nice fatbike for winter riding, but I am planning on only taking that bike to the snowshoe trails. I built myself a winter 'beater' bike with 1.75" wide studded tires because I don't want to ride my fatbike on the road in the winter.

prj71

Up your budget and buy one of these. 11 speeds...no chain...no cassette.

https://spotbikes.com/products/acme-bike

Hypno Toad

I can echo most of the posts above.

I've commuted via 26er and fat bike (ref pics below). IMHO, for your budget goals, an older 'beater' bike is your best bet and I suggest, focus MTB with on disc brakes and buy yourself high quality winter tires.

Fat bike tires without studs aren't any help with ice, but nice on fresh snow and old slush ... studded fat bike tires will easily kill your budget ($200+ per tire).

For durability, my Pugsley has been great. I've logged 8,000 miles since buying new during winter '14-'15. These miles include summer and winter. Most components are holding up well to challenging conditions I ride through.

Retired Marin Nail Trail 26er (frame cracked)




Pugsley (drop-bar conversion for gravel/endurance riding)

5teve

Good fender coverage and frequent/regular cleaning of your drivetrain, brakes, wheels and lower frame would probably be the most effective approach to surviving salty, slushy commuting.
If you can manage a singlespeed set up it would simplify your life.

Hondo Gravel

I bought a Motobecane Boris for 700 modified it some and has been a decent ride. 2x10 Sram. Fun bike to have some fun on but I’m not a hardcore fat biker.


First real snow since 1985

MarcusT

Nice looking bike
Not sure what you mean by a "hardcore" fat bike rider. You're riding it in the snow, and that is one of it's intended purposes. I would suggest that you try riding it sans snow, on trails, it is quite fun. You may just become a hardcore fat bike rider

JehD

I bought a Dolomite ALX back in the spring. While I’m not a foul weather rider I really like the bike.

changed out the touch points for adjustments and comfort and have been happy with the bike. The shifting has been good and the braking more than adequate. For what I paid it’s been worth it.

Chubakazubaka

I bought a Pride Donut 6.1 fetbike and realized that riding a bike in winter is a special pleasure that I had never thought of before.

Speedway2

If I lived in an apartment where space is limited and I had to maneuvor the bike thru the halls/elevator/stairs, etc., a fatbike wouldn't be at the top of the list.
A poperly geared SingleSpeed with "winter" tires and disc brakes would be my choice....but that's me.