Discussion
It might depend on the kind of mud, but a proper mountain bike with the right type of tyres would certainly weigh less and need less effort to keep moving.
I think Fat bikes are best on sand or ice where the width of the tyre spreads the weight better and of course gives you more grip. If your commute was marshy or wet mud rather than that in between mud-state it might work ok.
I think Fat bikes are best on sand or ice where the width of the tyre spreads the weight better and of course gives you more grip. If your commute was marshy or wet mud rather than that in between mud-state it might work ok.
Fatbikes in the main come down to correct tyre pressure, i usually run 6.5 psi which is good for all round, but when it gets very sloppy and wet or snowy I've found 4 psi to be closer to the mark. They are a heap of fun to ride, and are good for more than just sand or snow. As for speed, you find that fast people are fast on what ever they ride. There is a wealth of choice in the fat bike market, depending on whether you are looking for a trail blaster or an all week adventure bike. I've got a specialized fatboy, which I've done loads of race miles on, it's just like riding a very big 29er, once you get your head round how to ride it, they are very capable and certainly not slow, in fact I have had instances where I have been seriously underbraked due to the sheer momentun being contained in the wheels.
The Calibre Dune at GoOutdoors for £600 less various regular discounts is getting fantastic reviews atm.
There's some cheap heavy s
t out there, but this has been put together sensibly at sub 15kg and can be reasonably brought down to about 13kg still with the stock wheels. Beats the OnOne Fatty for sure.
I've gone half fat, a 3" wide front tyre on my 29er SS about 12psi. It's a blast, so I imagine a full fat would be hilarious
There's some cheap heavy s
t out there, but this has been put together sensibly at sub 15kg and can be reasonably brought down to about 13kg still with the stock wheels. Beats the OnOne Fatty for sure.I've gone half fat, a 3" wide front tyre on my 29er SS about 12psi. It's a blast, so I imagine a full fat would be hilarious
I've not tried one in the environment for which it was designed, but from a quick bimble around a loamy forest clearing, I'd have to say they're not for me. It just felt heavy and ponderous, and I felt I had to exaggerate every single control input.
As has already been mentioned, unless you're riding across a bog, then I'd try a change of tyres first. I've got Panaracer Fire Pros on my full susser, and they just seem to cut through anything. On my hardtail, however, I've got a Maxxis High Roller on the front, and an Ardent on the back, and on the exact same trails, riding back to back, I'd be squirming and slithering all over the place.
As has already been mentioned, unless you're riding across a bog, then I'd try a change of tyres first. I've got Panaracer Fire Pros on my full susser, and they just seem to cut through anything. On my hardtail, however, I've got a Maxxis High Roller on the front, and an Ardent on the back, and on the exact same trails, riding back to back, I'd be squirming and slithering all over the place.
It's home. I haven't had time to ride it yet except from the shop to the car. The first job I've done is to replace the mechanical brakes with hydraulic ones and swap the pedals as I had both laying around. Can't wait to have a proper ride, hopefully tomorrow.
Photos as collected
It's difficult to convey the brightness of the paint in a photo.
Photos as collected
It's difficult to convey the brightness of the paint in a photo.
Edited by muckymotor on Saturday 26th December 19:52
I've just brought a Surly Pugsley Ops back from the US. They have an incredible offer running in the US at the moment... the UK price for these is around £1700... I bought mine new in the US for £700 including all taxes. And the kind men in the Red Channel at Heathrow decided I didn't need to pay any VAT or duty either so very pleased with the outcome
Absolutely fantastic piece of kit and lots of fun in winter too.
Absolutely fantastic piece of kit and lots of fun in winter too.
I watched a couple do this the other day: http://www.gannetbikes.nz/
Basically, a self-guided fat bike tour along a beach made up of a mixture of hard and soft-packed sand, loose stones and rock. They looked like they were having a lot of fun, and were riding easily across areas where a normal MTB would have got bogged down. It really was the perfect environment for a fat bike. I think I'll have to give it a go myself at some point...
Basically, a self-guided fat bike tour along a beach made up of a mixture of hard and soft-packed sand, loose stones and rock. They looked like they were having a lot of fun, and were riding easily across areas where a normal MTB would have got bogged down. It really was the perfect environment for a fat bike. I think I'll have to give it a go myself at some point...
muckymotor said:
It's home. I haven't had time to ride it yet except from the shop to the car. The first job I've done is to replace the mechanical brakes with hydraulic ones and swap the pedals as I had both laying around. Can't wait to have a proper ride, hopefully tomorrow.
You had it out yet whats it likeI bought a Cube nu trail just after Christmas. I've not ridden anything else since. They're like snowboarding - in the right conditions, they're the most fun you can have on a slope. However, the window in which they work is small. Going up is like running up hill in clown shoes for example.
I can honestly say I haven't laughed so much on a bike in years. They are also very fast dh. The grip and lean angles on hard pack is incredible. They also float well over the soft stuff. However corner grip on soft ground is terrible.
I predict we'll all be riding 2.8 - 3.0 tyres in 18-24 months.
I can honestly say I haven't laughed so much on a bike in years. They are also very fast dh. The grip and lean angles on hard pack is incredible. They also float well over the soft stuff. However corner grip on soft ground is terrible.
I predict we'll all be riding 2.8 - 3.0 tyres in 18-24 months.
rhinochopig said:
I bought a Cube nu trail just after Christmas. I've not ridden anything else since. They're like snowboarding - in the right conditions, they're the most fun you can have on a slope. However, the window in which they work is small. Going up is like running up hill in clown shoes for example.
I can honestly say I haven't laughed so much on a bike in years. They are also very fast dh. The grip and lean angles on hard pack is incredible. They also float well over the soft stuff. However corner grip on soft ground is terrible.
I predict we'll all be riding 2.8 - 3.0 tyres in 18-24 months.
I was riding 3" tyres around 15 years ago with a nokian gazzaloddiI can honestly say I haven't laughed so much on a bike in years. They are also very fast dh. The grip and lean angles on hard pack is incredible. They also float well over the soft stuff. However corner grip on soft ground is terrible.
I predict we'll all be riding 2.8 - 3.0 tyres in 18-24 months.
rhinochopig said:
I predict we'll all be riding 2.8 - 3.0 tyres in 18-24 months.
I've got the future sat in my kitchen as I type then. Got a Specialized Fuse on demo this weekend, already own a Specialized Fatboy, so will be interesting to compare, and yes I've got a 650b in a more normal width to compare to. Will try and do a bit of a write up with pictures at the end of the weekend. First impressions are it's very long, even longer than the fat bike.BadgerBenji said:
rhinochopig said:
I predict we'll all be riding 2.8 - 3.0 tyres in 18-24 months.
I've got the future sat in my kitchen as I type then. Got a Specialized Fuse on demo this weekend, already own a Specialized Fatboy, so will be interesting to compare, and yes I've got a 650b in a more normal width to compare to. Will try and do a bit of a write up with pictures at the end of the weekend. First impressions are it's very long, even longer than the fat bike.Graham said:
muckymotor said:
It's home. I haven't had time to ride it yet except from the shop to the car. The first job I've done is to replace the mechanical brakes with hydraulic ones and swap the pedals as I had both laying around. Can't wait to have a proper ride, hopefully tomorrow.
You had it out yet whats it like
I've hardly used my Canyon since I bought the Dune.
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