[Closed] Can Fat Bike be a 'do it all' bike?

I'm planning on riding my Fatty everywhere I can this year, as far as riding it with people on more pedestrian bikes goes it all comes down to fitness. I'm currently riding with people who're a bit out of shape and on Harold or fs and I've had no issues holding my own.

They climb muddy routes and any other terrain better than anything you've ridden.

Lots of owners will tell you that they now have redundant bikes as the fatbike gets taken everywhere.

Is it the right thing for you though - who knows!

Any bike can be a do-it-all bike : )

And in the 80s every mountain bike was a do-it-all. If you like riding it, all the stuff about keeping up in this terrain or doing that as well as my mate's bike is less important. Fitness varies in groups anyway, I tend to ride a rigid ss with people on gears and sus and it all works out. No one spits in my tea at the end of the ride, that I know of )

Get a Fatty. You'll love it! 😀

Was chatting to someone on one at Parkwood Springs today, seemed to be enjoying it, was faster than me (not hard), wasn't any mud or snow and he didnt die
First fat bike I've seen 'in real life' looked like fun

yes mine has been an every day bike since feb 2013 wiht the nukeproof obly being rode three times since having it .

yes they can do all terrains just some better than others .

Tarmac not keen on
all other surfaces they are great
i will soon be getting another bike.
yep a Puffin fatbike to go with the OO Fatty
The Mega will be history
Buts thats me. you will certainly be different so maybe scam a few rides on one before committing

I reckon this could do 90% of what a fat bike does (in this country) and 90% of what a 'normal' bike does as well (well I hope so).
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It's my do it all bike these days.
There's a Tallboy LTc languishing in the shed, which is a bit troubling. I should really just bite the bullet and sell it.
I can't see any downsides to it having ridden one for a year and a half, except a few pounds in weight.

I'd happily ride a Krampus everywhere.

That Singular is going to be ace.

I do hope so 8)

Definition of a Do It all bike - one thats good enough for everything you do - that is the optimist way of looking at it, the other way is it's never quite right for what ever your doing.

I have a Blur LTc which is my do most bike, I also have a Commencal Supreme DH to build up in the garage and looking at 100mm 29r FS for some out and out XC stuff.

The other factor is how broad you call all... I'm looking at a range from multi day XC to DH and everything in between.

the fatty is my only mtb now, get a set of the on one fat not fat 29er wheels as well and it is as close to a do it all bike as you'll get. one bike two sets of wheels is really all I need.

got a set of the on one fat not fat 29er wheels as well

Yes.

End of thread 😀

Mine is anyway! Wait for my for sale items coming along when I can be bothered! A scale 10 and a duster ss!
They will fund a second fat bike 😉

Ok if you live anywhere flat damp yet to see one in proper riding country!!

29+ is no good in sand I am told.

Where is "proper riding country" I do wonder 🙄 For me it would be the higlands of Scotland, where there are a few.

I am based in the midlands miles from any beach. My moonlander has been my go to bike since I got it couple years ago. Sold my orange 5 as it just was t getting any use at all.

They are superb in the forest especially during all this rain and the mud it creates

The On One fatty has made my main bike (TallBoy LT) redundant. I have always wanted to own a Santa Cruz and custom build it to my spec but since getting the fatty it's just sat there because the Fatty pretty much is a 'do it all bike'.

So....The fatty has to go so I start riding my SC.

Surely it depend on what constitutes doing [I]"it all"[/I]...

Fat bikes have their place, they make most sense for bike packing/Adventure touring or whatever, anything where you spend lots of time lugging loads across Snow, Sand or Swamps, but here in the UK once the novelty of riding one through a muddy winter wears off you'll just get pissed off riding the thing all Summer, and so would your riding mates, waiting for you to drag your Niche-core monster truck up every hill, waiting for you at the bottom, only for you to tell them how great it is on the Descents...

I'm sure you [I]can[/I] use one all year round, but that doesn't make it a good idea...

All IMO, YMMV, etc of Course...

So, in summary, pressing the button on wide girth'd rubber wouldn't seem to be such a bad idea.

EDIT:

cookeaa

Fat bikes have their place, they make most sense for bike packing/Adventure touring or whatever, anything where you spend lots of time lugging loads across Snow, Sand or [b]Swamps[/b]

Can't see the 'swamps' we have at the moment going anytime that soon.

you'll just get pissed off riding the thing all Summer, and so would your riding mates, waiting for you to drag your Niche-core monster truck up every hill, waiting for you at the bottom,

...but is that really true? Have you got / had a fat bike? Genuinely interested in your view, not having a troll!

Selling mine with lots of extras 😉

twoniner - what's the reason for selling?

Cheesyfeet - I'm an overweight 55 year old with no skills, yet even I cam overtake riders on "normal" MTBs going both uphill and downhill at Glentress. I'd suggest that, as with any bike, it's as much to do with the rider as it has with what wheels they are using.

Interesting. The steeper and looser the trail, the better the fat bike is for climbing in my experience. I'd always opt for it over any other bike for that kind of riding. Put simply, they are fun. I happily rode mine down the Clyde Walkway from Glasgow then rode up a snow peaked Tinto Hill before spinning back to Lanark to catch a train home with another few miles of riding at the end for good measure. It was definitely the right tool for the job. 😀

For the naysayers, why the assumption that the fat bike is going to be so much slower? Is it not the rider that makes the difference more than the bike?

Piedi

Just get one. They are fun. No point in worrying about what other people think. That's all that really matters. 😉

Sanny

I reckon they'd be great for steep and loose trails, as above, even in the dry.

I can imagine they'd be slow on roads or fire-roads, but does that matter? My Patriot isn't exactly quick on those either but I still ride it 🙂

Great fun like many other bikes if you want then get one and enjoy.

twoniner - what's the reason for selling?

I was in a position last year where I was able to build up the bike I wanted to my own spec (I already had the Fatty)and since then I've hardly ridden it because the Fatty had always been my go-to bike. My bikes hardly get ridden as it is because I work away and when I'm home I spend time with my daughter.

I have reluctantly decided to sell the fatty because I need to ride the other rather than it sit in my shed.

I am also looking at getting a CX bike.

Common misunderstandings:

Terrain:

They are great for mud: no they aren't you will plane on it and its actually their worst terrain IMO

They are for snow: only packed snow that is fresh stuff gets impassable soon but its still fun.

Speed:

They are slow: not they aren't

They suck on road: no they don't ok they are slower then a 29 with 1.75 inch semi slicks but not by very much say 10-15% uless you put massive knobbly's on(ie nates or floaters but the the 29'er with downhill tires is a slug too.

Get your self a front suspension fork it takes the fatbike to another level on the rough stuff.

They are great for passing people downhill as you can ride many lines and the tires make a lot of noise(I have lots of people pull over thinking there is a motorbike sneaking up on they lolz)

I simply don't have room for all the bikes I'd like to ride. Even the track bike is pushing it for space and you need one of those to ride track.

Shirley any bike can be a do it all bike just depends on whether you can handle the compromises.

For the naysayers, why the assumption that the fat bike is going to be so much slower?

*it's got 2 wheels and pedals ergo I want a go, if anyone wants to lend me a large fatbike for a few weeks I'll give it a go 🙂

Sounds like your mind is made up.. All you'll get on here is a broad range of differing views(good thing)

So stop fannying about and hit "Buy" 😉

D0NK - Member
Shirley any bike can be a do it all bike just depends on whether you can handle the compromises.

No*. They can't climb the likes of the start of the Coulags track (on the way to the bothy) anywhere near as easy as a suspension bike. My 100mm travel and 140mm travel bike's climb this type or baby head boulder climb far better with the rebound slowed down 2-3 clicks front and rear.

The rebound of the tyres causes havoc on this type of trail once you start climbing the steeper stuff. Stuff that you can climb with a fair bit of effort on 4-6" of travel becomes near impossible due to zero rebound control of the tyres even at rim tapping pressure.

*when a 4" travel full suss fat bike arrives, it could easily be the best all round mountain bike to have. Just got to hope that tyre pressure sweet spots can be found to work with the travel and they could possibly nail these types of climbs. I know the tyre rebound due to its girth will still be there but we'll just have to wait and see how the tyres coupled with suspension front and rear cope with it all. Fingers crossed.

Postierich..

Scotroutes on a Grand Day Oot in proper country.. and I dont recall waiting for the wee scrote anywhere on the route (Loch Morar btw)...

[img][url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/7149526843_af1fe1ebab_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/7149526843_af1fe1ebab_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/musselburghbikers/7149526843/ ]P1160461[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/musselburghbikers/ ]Andrea & Rick[/url], on Flickr[/img]

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/musselburghbikers/7003535172/ ]P1160452[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/musselburghbikers/ ]Andrea & Rick[/url], on Flickr[/img]

sorry should have added a 😉
Seen two in the Lakes and they are both on show in Wheelbase gathering dust 🙂

There's a wee vid (can't link from work PC) available from BikeVillage on FB. Mate Dan riding his Fatty in Chamonix last week on proper terrain. With added snow. My own experience on a borrowed Pugsly was superb fun and managed to stay with a fit buddy on a Cannondale Prophet. Up, down and across a steep forest on old skool singletrack descents after fire road climbs. No hesitaion in saying it is great fun and isn't that what it's really all about..?
If I could afford it, I'd have one tomorrow.

I have a onone fatty and must admit it is terrible to ride on the road, but I've been round sherwood pines this morning and set 15 personal records! It was a bit muddy but the times I've just beaten were set on a orange gyro in the dry! It makes no sense, but seems to work well in the mud or going dh. It climbs ok, but on dry trails for big days out I will ride the gyro. I used to have a orange five and have beaten a few dh times on the fatty in the peaks and the Yorkshire dales, strange how big fat tyres run at 15 psi can beat 140mm of suspension travel.

postierich - Member

sorry should have added a
Seen two in the Lakes and they are both on show in Wheelbase gathering dust

The other FIVE got sold ! - You're welcome to try one around the carpark - more fun than your roadbike ! 😀

I've had fat, half fat and full suss and hardtail etc.. I rode the Trans Provence on a fat front Jones rigid.
.I loved my full fatty and really wanted one but sold it quite quickly. With other similarly fit riders on mix of singletrack, road, fire road, roots/rocky I was dying in comparison.

They grip around (smooth) corners fantastically, you just can't crash them, they do give you a massive grin, you could use it as your only bike.
All that grip results in a massive slowing down on the straits compared to a normal mtb even with 2.4 or 2.5s and, whilst great fun and doable, they are much slower in rough terrain and get out of control with the lack of damping...doesn't stop it being any less fun.

In mud they are ok until it gets very muddy then yes they plane and float, in just soft they are great.
In snow they are good but unless It's more than a foot deep my mates were just as fine on their normal mtb but like some sort of reversal it's more effort on the normal bike in snow.

In summary great fun but as soon as I swopped to my 'normal' 150mm AM 29er on jumpy, fast flowy and rough stuff it was like switching to the Millenium Falcon from a WW2 fighter plan...for me. Just trying to add some balance
Like all bikes, it depends what you want. I think. I really really wanted a full fat but the reality did not match up to the fantasy for me.

brumsgrove 😀

What road bike? 🙂

The answer to you question is "yes" if you buy the right bike.

I ride mine all year
I ride in all conditions

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Now with 2nd 29er+ wheelset

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Tis for me 🙂
But i ain`t normal

A fatbike which is also 29+ capable is the way forward for UK xc trails if you like to ride a rigid bike, and if a fatbike for regular trails tickles your boat. Fat is fun-monster grip, get onto faster flowing singletrack and 29+ is faster 🙂
29+ needs more than just the Knard tyre option though!

The rebound of the tyres causes havoc on this type of trail once you start climbing the steeper stuff.

I was thinking about this, then I thought you could do with a tube of closed cell foam inside the tyre taking up some of the volume but not all of it. This would provide a two stage damping effect.

Just did a bit of googling and found out that as with many things it already exists in the motorcross world:

http://motocrossactionmag.com/mobile/News/MXA-WRENCH-TECH-THE-PLUSES-AND-MINUSES-OF-THE-BIB-3005.aspx

However they use it to replace the inner tube. I reckon you'd be better off with one inside a tubeless fat tyre, so you could still top up via the valve as normal. Fitting might be a bit of a faff tho 🙂

Bit like those Schwalbe tyres last week as well? One high pressure tube to provide cushioning, with a low pressure one on the outside to provide grip.

I want a fat bike, but the tyre cost put me off. Say I bought a fatty, with the floaters which are apparently an all rounder but not so good in mud. I'd then want 120tpi Nates for the winter, at $150 per tyre! And inevitably something semi-slick for dry days, the fatty equivelent of SB8's. I'd be afriad to commute on them at those prices!

Unless fat bikes really take off and mainstream manufacturers bring out tyres at mainstream prices, I'm 🙁

Bit like those Schwalbe tyres last week as well?

Not quite, as rebound would still be fast. The foam would have slower rebound than air.

Unless fat bikes really take off and mainstream manufacturers bring out tyres at mainstream prices

Vee rubber... 😉

And floaters, made by vee rubber, a very good in new forest mud!

I reckon you'd be better off with one inside a tubeless fat tyre, so you could still top up via the valve as normal. Fitting might be a bit of a faff tho

Why not? Too heavy?

That and the dead feeling they give.

You could maybe try to improve the feel by drilling holes straight through them and the tyre if you were feeling flush...

Seems to be what a lot of people are doing now at events like Hellsgate.

I've used my Beargrease for my usual N Downs epic loop. It was harder work on the hills than the usual ti 29er hardtail but lot more fun on the downs!

I've also used

I've used my Beargrease for my usual N Downs epic loop. It was harder work on the hills than the usual ti 29er hardtail but lot more fun on the downs!

I've also used it for a 4hr XC enduro and was winning for 2.5hrs, at which point the effort required to race a 28lb fat bike really started to show and I ended up 2nd.

So they aren't as flat out quick as a normal bike on normal trails but are a lot more fun.

postierich - Member

brumsgrove

What road bike?

The one you were too embarrassed to tell me about in the shop ! 😆

That and the dead feeling they give.

Hmm but don't MXers run only the foam and no air? I was thinking of air and foam together. So you'd still be riding on air somewhat.

I was thinking of air and foam together. So you'd still be riding on air somewhat.

Why not just make the tyre smaller instead of trying to make the volume of air in the tyre smaller. 😉

TBH I don't have a problem with my tubless nates as long as the pressure is "just right"
I'd have no interest in adding extra weight and expense to make it feel like a smaller volume tyre.

Hmm but don't MXers run only the foam and no air

There are some mousse tubes with a small air tube inside. That's so that you can make them feel harder though not softer.

how would a fatbike be to ride the chalky wet clay stuff that makes up my local riding terrain (wiltshire).

wouldn't it just clog up and weigh 1/4 tonne 😕

What's it like lifting one over a stile? Do you need pulleys?

Depends if you an 8 stone strip of piss or not. 😉

Why not just make the tyre smaller instead of trying to make the volume of air in the tyre smaller

It wouldn't feel like that.. it'd be more like having the wheel mounted on some kind of swingarm with a damped spring at the other end 😉

Seriously though, a soft fat tyre could in theory give you amazing traction as it moulds to the ground, and if you could control the rebound that would solve the problems mentioned above.

iain1775 - Member
Was chatting to someone on one at Parkwood Springs today, seemed to be enjoying it, was faster than me (not hard), wasn't any mud or snow and he didnt die
First fat bike I've seen 'in real life' looked like fun

that was me 😀
and you're absolutely right, it is fun.

Rorschach - Member
I reckon this could do 90% of what a fat bike does (in this country) and 90% of what a 'normal' bike does as well (well I hope so). (Pic of 29er+)

Possibly true, but that 10% you can't do with the 29er+ is the more interesting 10%

I'd agree a fatbike doesn't feel as fast as an ordinary 29er, yet in the 'Puffer I have twice done my PB on a fatbike weighing twice what my pretty Ti bike does.

Is it any good on the road? If you know where this is - it's a very long way from anywhere... 🙂

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All types of bike on this local ride last summer 🙂
Fatbike, 29+ KramPug(me), 29er hardtail, 26" hardtail, 26" full suss, CX bike, all good in their own way on this ride around some local xc trails,
The Fatbike/29+ were never lagging behind despite nearly twice the weight of the cross bike 🙂
All these bikes are fun to ride though, esp with good mates 😉

birdage - Member
What's it like lifting one over a stile? Do you need pulleys?

Yes

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birdage - Member 
What's it like lifting one over a stile? Do you need pulleys?

If "do it all" includes riding down the World Cup DH track at Fort William, at night & in the snow, I guess they can 😉

Right bike for the job.....probably not! 😆 But deffo the most fun!

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I must say they look absolutley ridiculous with full mudguards on.

Rickmeister

That looks mint! Have you a brief description so I can find your route on a map?

So has the OP bought one yet? 😀

Sanny - that's the route out from Morar to Tarbert along Loch Morar. We did it as a there-and-back but you can also link it up with a Bruce Watt Cruise trip.

More photos here... http://www.flickr.com/groups/morar7/

molgrips - Member
I must say they look absolutley ridiculous with full mudguards on.

Not as ridiculous as a fashion conscious rider sprayed with emulsified dog and cow shit....

epicyclo - Member
molgrips - Member
I must say they look absolutley ridiculous with full mudguards on.
Not as ridiculous as a fashion conscious rider sprayed with emulsified dog and cow shit....

Sanny, Colin is right, it was a grand day out too... (apologies Colin...)

Chips and Beer after also ace..

Not as ridiculous as a fashion conscious rider sprayed with emulsified dog and cow shit....

Fashion conscious? You're the fatbike rider not me 🙂

With over 30 fatbikes around North Berwick now-including a family with 5 bikes with 3 XS Pugsleys for the kids, no one ever looks at me anymore on my fatbikes 😥 just not niche enough now... 🙄

ordered a fat bike today, gonna be interesting...hoping it will give me a new perspective to what have become bland local trails.

molgrips - Member
"Not as ridiculous as a fashion conscious rider sprayed with emulsified dog and cow shit...."
Fashion conscious? You're the fatbike rider not me

Ha! The day I'm a fashion follower, the trend has long gone...

Besides, my daughter frequently lets me know I am deeply unfashionable.

If you don`t want fat all the time just fit 29er rims and tyres 🙂

Rabbit Hole 29x 50mm rims and 29x 2.55 tyres...
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/coastkid71/12276952574/ ]2nd Feb; 29er & 29+, Messing around in the Garage 019[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/coastkid71/ ]coastkid71[/url], on Flickr

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/coastkid71/12277135186/ ]2nd Feb; 29er & 29+, Messing around in the Garage 014[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/coastkid71/ ]coastkid71[/url], on Flickr

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/coastkid71/12276980454/ ]2nd Feb; 29er & 29+, Messing around in the Garage 016[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/coastkid71/ ]coastkid71[/url], on Flickr

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/coastkid71/12276936604/ ]2nd Feb; 29er & 29+, Messing around in the Garage 021[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/coastkid71/ ]coastkid71[/url], on Flickr

First ride out on the fat bike today at the local jump spot. Its no slower than my old Mojo HD but in the interest of balance these aren't rough trails.

The grip is amazing, but the bike is going to have to go on a diet. Cable disc brakes....much better than expected but will be the first thing I upgrade.

Will see if i can get the tyres to run tubeless as this will save 1.5lbs!!

Overall though lots of fun, think its going to be pretty sweet on the local single track.