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Fat bike ponderings
 

[Closed] Fat bike ponderings

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[#6624341]

Hi

I have been tempted by the Fat side!

The thought of a relatively simple bike with no "what tyre" issues, no which bike shall I take for this type of riding etc issues attracts me.

Whilst I appreciate it is not a downhill rig, XC race machine I am thinking about one for the Derbyshire dales, peaks etc as a bit of a go anywhere sort of bike. Pack up - 20-40 miles come home happy.

Is this a silly idea? I am also thinking of making this my only bike.

Now that I have looked into FB's more, I now realise that it is not that easy.

What size back end, tyre size, standard equiptment or not, will it take + size wheels and tyres too?

Is it too early to get on the FB train? will they be going 27.5, 29" rims?

Advice, thoughts or comments.


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 10:45 am
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Don't overthink it. Have a look at a few, pick one you like, buy it and use it. Even if you end up hating it, at least you will get a large chunk back selling it on.

Fat bikes are like every other bike, they will all do what you want to and a lot more - it's down to the rider to make the magic happen though.


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 10:56 am
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Borrow or hire one , have look at 29er plus - stooge looks luvly.


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 10:59 am
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Get one, they're really rather good. The main downside is that they make your other bikes feel really quite weird. My on-one Fatty only feels heavy when chucking it over gates and stuff. It isn't noticeably harder work than my hard tail, it climbs brilliantly and is a laugh going down (but can be a little unruly).

Here's a bit of a bargain -
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOFATLTD/on-one-fatty-limited-edition-fat-bike

Get a pair of proper tyres for £30 each, and maybe the carbon fork, and you're all set

Edit... the on one inner tubes weigh a *lot*. Drilling the rims and getting light tubes will make the experience even more agreeable


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 11:01 am
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This:

Edit... the on one inner tubes weigh a *lot*. Drilling the rims and getting light tubes will make the experience even more agreeable

weighed one... 580g. Looking forward to trying out the Schwalbe Jumbo Jims. 990g per tyre! 🙂

As above... try a couple out, see what you like and just enjoy riding.


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 11:37 am
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If you ride fast rocky trails get one with a Bluto on the front, it is still a rigid bike. For autumn woodland trails mine is a lot of fun, also on anything sandy, smooth jumps etc. When it gets really fast and rocky you risk pinch flats, I really need to get mine running tubeless, but that is another faff to deal with.


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 11:45 am
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Never had a pinch flat on mine and I'm running thin tubes with low pressures on some fairly rocky terrain. And I'm no whippet.


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 11:55 am
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Where are you? There's bound to be someone with a fatty near u, 2 weeks ago there were non by me, now there are three!


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 11:59 am
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The fact you use the word 'ponderings' suggests to me that you and fat bikes deserve each other.


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 12:02 pm
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Cranks and bb pretty weighty too, raceface do some decent ones for not stupid money.


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 12:02 pm
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mrbelowski, it is only a matter of time then surely? I have no confidence with lightweight tubes now, I'm not excessively heavy and would consider myself a reasonably smooth rider, two blow outs in a month for me.With the tyres being so big it is a nightmare to flat on the trail, it takes about a week with a mini pump!


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 12:23 pm
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I've been using Specialized 2.5 - 3.0" tubes for the past 3 years with zero pinchflats.

Mountain Morph is what you want....


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 12:26 pm
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Maybe it is a matter of time, but it's not happened yet. I did have a massive lump of slate crash through the tread into the tube last week on a cold wet night in the woods. Getting any ridable pressure into fat tyres with a mini-pump is a ****ing miserable experience. Getting enough pressure for bead to pop into place is just impossible. Lesson learned, Lezyne Micro Floor Drive HV Mini Pump in the way.

ljs1977 - you can have a bezz on mine if you like. I'm in Loughborough.


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 12:31 pm
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Have a good look at

http://www.icanbikes.com/

All the really expensive bits, frame, fork, wheelset at great prices and in carbon. Getting good reviews as a company to deal with.

Can be found on ebay but cost a little more.


 
Posted : 11/11/2014 12:38 pm