Do I 'need' a fat bike?
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Do I 'need' a fat bike?
I quite fancy the idea of a fat bike for a wintery ride in Scotland.
I've got a couple of bikes that are boost already. Will I be blown away by the fatter tyres capabilities?
I rode one at Strathpuffer in the slop one year, and it probably wasn't the best bike for the course, though it was ok to ride.
I've got a couple of bikes that are boost already. Will I be blown away by the fatter tyres capabilities?
I rode one at Strathpuffer in the slop one year, and it probably wasn't the best bike for the course, though it was ok to ride.
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Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Need? That's a difficult one.
There are times of the year (for me) when the fatbike is out and out the best, or even only, option.
For "slop" it's not the best choice. Until its so deep that floatation is better than cutting in.
There are times of the year (for me) when the fatbike is out and out the best, or even only, option.
For "slop" it's not the best choice. Until its so deep that floatation is better than cutting in.
Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Out on the fatbike today for the first time in a while.
Living in North London I definitely don't need it, but it's just so much fun. If I'm going mainly off road, it's my first choice bike.
I can't decide whether the grip going uphill or the steamroller effect going downhill is the best.
Living in North London I definitely don't need it, but it's just so much fun. If I'm going mainly off road, it's my first choice bike.
I can't decide whether the grip going uphill or the steamroller effect going downhill is the best.
May satan walk with you
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Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Rich... IMO no you don't (although I've not had one and the closest I got is with some 3.0 semi fat tires)... Apparently 2.6 tyre width is the 'middle path'...
I've gone 2.6 (actual width as the tyre is 2.8 stated) and couldn't be happier.
Not sure if it answereth your q but if it helps then![Cool :cool:](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
I've gone 2.6 (actual width as the tyre is 2.8 stated) and couldn't be happier.
Not sure if it answereth your q but if it helps then
![Cool :cool:](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
- Escape Goat
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Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Hey rich.
Well done on the Tour Devide ride. Well pleased for you.
I asked this question. After a poll and chat. Yes was the answer.
I'm a little skint right now, waiting for one to pop up that requires no work to it. Then I'll join the crew.
The signal is 2.6 and the hunt is 3.just makes sense for 4.
Well done on the Tour Devide ride. Well pleased for you.
I asked this question. After a poll and chat. Yes was the answer.
I'm a little skint right now, waiting for one to pop up that requires no work to it. Then I'll join the crew.
The signal is 2.6 and the hunt is 3.just makes sense for 4.
Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Thanks for the replies.
I obviously do need such a thing.
Feel free to let me know if you read this thread and have something that you no longer need.
I obviously do need such a thing.
Feel free to let me know if you read this thread and have something that you no longer need.
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Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Size?
My 9zero7 is currently at backcountry.scot in Andys consignment store. It's a Medium.
No way of obtaining a Vir Fortis?![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
My 9zero7 is currently at backcountry.scot in Andys consignment store. It's a Medium.
No way of obtaining a Vir Fortis?
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
What I need is a 29er singlespeed fat bike running 1.5 tyres for the winter mud clearance where I live.
Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
I have found that the Vir Fortis in x2 has replaced my Susser and HT totally. Fast on DH and XC, and you can go anywhere on it that a bike would go. If I lived where you did, It would most likely be my only bike, apart from a Camino for road and gravel.
Don't get put off by riding a "heavy" fat bike or riding in bad conditions. They are fat bike not a f**king miracle bike.
Don't get put off by riding a "heavy" fat bike or riding in bad conditions. They are fat bike not a f**king miracle bike.
Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
I picked one up recently and I'm hooked.
Already have a 29er that also runs 3" 650's but have always been fat curious.
Admittedly its a light fatty, 11kg. Its seriously fast, floats over stuff the 3" one rattled my teeth on. Only a fraction slower up hill but over the course of a ride its just as if not faster with far less physical fatigue due to the comfort (4.8 JJ's)
Its a keeper and will probably sell the 650's as I cant see them getting used.
Hoping for a really snowy winter![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
Already have a 29er that also runs 3" 650's but have always been fat curious.
Admittedly its a light fatty, 11kg. Its seriously fast, floats over stuff the 3" one rattled my teeth on. Only a fraction slower up hill but over the course of a ride its just as if not faster with far less physical fatigue due to the comfort (4.8 JJ's)
Its a keeper and will probably sell the 650's as I cant see them getting used.
Hoping for a really snowy winter
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
If you can try some, 4.0 JJ's are much lighter and feel far less draggy than 4.8's.rufus748 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 4:50 pm I picked one up recently and I'm hooked.
Already have a 29er that also runs 3" 650's but have always been fat curious.
Admittedly its a light fatty, 11kg. Its seriously fast, floats over stuff the 3" one rattled my teeth on. Only a fraction slower up hill but over the course of a ride its just as if not faster with far less physical fatigue due to the comfort (4.8 JJ's)
Its a keeper and will probably sell the 650's as I cant see them getting used.
Hoping for a really snowy winter![]()
I can't honestly say I feel any more grip or they are more comfortable ride wise from the 4.8's over the 4.0's.
As a result, I never use the 4.8's unless I was going to go somewhere with snow and have 4.0's on all year round.
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Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
I've been around a few fatbikes and my two cents worth is that they're absolutely brilliant and what they're best at, great/fun at a lot of stuff and horrific in a few instances.
If the "wintery ride in Scotland" involves snow then yes, you probably do need one.
But if not then you might really enjoy one and even be faster on one but you might not need one.
To put it in context, I don't get mine out if there's >10cm of fresh snow (with soil or a very firm snowy base underneath) as my 29+ is better/faster/funner in those conditions.
Once things get beyond 10cm or are icy or are on a softer base or are crusty or if I fancy it then the fatty comes out and it excels.
Hope that helps a little.
If the "wintery ride in Scotland" involves snow then yes, you probably do need one.
But if not then you might really enjoy one and even be faster on one but you might not need one.
To put it in context, I don't get mine out if there's >10cm of fresh snow (with soil or a very firm snowy base underneath) as my 29+ is better/faster/funner in those conditions.
Once things get beyond 10cm or are icy or are on a softer base or are crusty or if I fancy it then the fatty comes out and it excels.
Hope that helps a little.
Oooooh, what you got?
.....or someone you could go visit who lives in a snowy area?Hoping for a really snowy winter
- whitestone
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Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Err, did you really mean "more than 10cm"?I don't get mine out if there's >10cm of fresh snow
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
- gairym
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Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Nope.whitestone wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 6:58 pmErr, did you really mean "more than 10cm"?I don't get mine out if there's >10cm of fresh snow![]()
![Thumbs up! :-bd](./images/smilies/113.gif)
I don't get it out if there's more than ~20cm of fresh snow but between 10-20cm is great.
And the dream is obviously a rideable crust but those only come around a few times per season.
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Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Can deliver to the Lakes and chuck in a set of spare lightly used white (well, as white as any soft mountainbike component can be) floaters?
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=15563
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=15563
Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Oooooh, what you got?
Its just a generic Chinese carbon frame (made up for a guy who raced it and won the British Fat Bike Championships on it). Carbon rims etc.. This one https://www.liosbikes.com/bomber Bloody love it
.....or someone you could go visit who lives in a snowy area?
[/quote]
Who's that then?![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
Its just a generic Chinese carbon frame (made up for a guy who raced it and won the British Fat Bike Championships on it). Carbon rims etc.. This one https://www.liosbikes.com/bomber Bloody love it
![Thumbs up! :-bd](./images/smilies/113.gif)
Hoping for a really snowy winter
.....or someone you could go visit who lives in a snowy area?
[/quote]
Who's that then?
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
- gairym
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Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Your use of quotes is sadly lacking ![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Colin, I could get a killer deal on a Vir Fortis obvs, but it would still be a bit rich for my wallet (possibly).
Size I'm usually medium though I'd size down maybe for a fat bike.
The On-One too heavy for me, thanks for the offer though.
Size I'm usually medium though I'd size down maybe for a fat bike.
The On-One too heavy for me, thanks for the offer though.
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- In Reverse
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Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
First dibs on that please Andy when you decide to get rid in a few weeks.rufus748 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 8:20 pm Its just a generic Chinese carbon frame (made up for a guy who raced it and won the British Fat Bike Championships on it). Carbon rims etc.. This one https://www.liosbikes.com/bomber Bloody love it![]()
![Very Happy :grin:](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Very kind of you.In Reverse wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2019 8:18 amFirst dibs on that please Andy when you decide to get rid in a few weeks.rufus748 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 8:20 pm Its just a generic Chinese carbon frame (made up for a guy who raced it and won the British Fat Bike Championships on it). Carbon rims etc.. This one https://www.liosbikes.com/bomber Bloody love it![]()
![]()
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
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Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
There is certainly a tradition about looking for a lower top tube when selecting a fatbike. That's based on the notion that you stop somewhere, put your feet down and find they sink into the snow.
My old 9zero7 might have been ideal for you if it wasn't quite so far away. If you want I can scribble down some stuff on specification etc and get some photos to you. Andy has had it in his store for a couple of weeks but I guess that interest will increase as we get the first snows.
- fatbikephil
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Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
Its not about need, its about want
If you are planning on hitting snow then a fat bike will generally be the best option. Very wet, shallow snow is the exception....
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
If you are planning on hitting snow then a fat bike will generally be the best option. Very wet, shallow snow is the exception....
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Re: Do I 'need' a fat bike?
On further reflection, what John said
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/Gpjsjkx/DSCF2535.jpg)
Yes, you do
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/Gpjsjkx/DSCF2535.jpg)
Yes, you do