Hi All,
happy with my fat front- a Surly Nate on a 47mm trials rim-, but for the hopefully drier summer, could I put a Big Fat Larry on there, or is that asking too much for a 47mm wide rim? Also, any experiences of the BFL compered to Larry for trail riding?

I wouldn’t bother, I’ve tried a BFL on my fat front Cotic, but soon took it off and put the Nate back on. I ride on dry hardpack with a layer of loose gravel on top, the BFL just washed out without warning in the corners. Much more grip from the Nate.

I’m thinking about possibly giving a Husker Du a try at some point, lighter and less aggressive than the Nate.

Normal Larry would be fine, BFL wouldn’t be any different with those rims.

I used normal Larry on a 50mm rim this weekend and although the normal WTB tyre of the back was slip sliding on the wet lakeland slate the Fat Larry on the front stuck like sh!t to a stick

Husker Du’s – lovin’ ’em. I can’t see what possible advantage a BFL would have – an have you checked tyre clearance?

Thanks guys, clearance ok up front for BFL, but point taken that prob not much advantage over normal Larry. Good to hear reports on Huker Du’s. Saw some at the Bristol bike show and yeah, looked less aggressive than Nates, but grippier than Larry. Need to check out weight differences too.

My Husker Du’s are about the same weight as an Endomorph – i.e. lighter than a Larry.

druidh- the Husker Du’s did look a bit ‘slim’ being as they were unmounted. Do they mount up and inflate to a good size compared to the Surly’s ie 4″? Don’t want to steepen the front end by having a less high volume tyre.

I’d say they were slightly skinnier – but then I can’t believe you’re actually being serious about head tube angles……

Run them front and rear and it will make no difference?

Its on a 29er/fat front only, just thought that if the total wheel/tyre diameter comes up much smaller up front, it would be like riding a 69er in reverse!

But yeah, maybe I am being a bit precious!

hi there,
really like the look of a fat front, are you riding them because of the ability to ride in soft areas, or / and because the suspension the huge air volume provide?

how much slower are they on the flats and up hill??

Using mine as a general trail bike. Gives a fair bit bit of squidge and tons of fun. Grippy too. There is a weight/drag penalty, but the fun factor if you are not a race-head is well worth it.

cool, i like fun factors, and i cannot keep up with my geared friends that well anyway..

just my calculation in my head it cannot add more than a 1 kg or 1.5kg to my curret setup??

HD comes in around 1350 grammes.

sheephills- just for your info, as you are running ss aswell, I went from 34-18 to 34-20 to account for the extra weight/drag. Seems about right to me.

peanut, yes ride ss, but for now only have 26″ – for my coming 29″ i had planned on riding 30-20 cause of the steep hills we have..

Cool, thanks druidh.
Sheephills, thats sounds pretty low to me, but guess you just have to try it out.

sheephills – Member
hi there,
really like the look of a fat front, are you riding them because of the ability to ride in soft areas, or / and because the suspension the huge air volume provide?

how much slower are they on the flats and up hill??

Forget it for snow and sand fat fronts are fine but normal rear wheels will just sink in, get a full fat bike for snow or sand not a half fat.