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GolfChick
Free MemberAlready had a hardtail with an acceptable spec and there was nothing it did better and more enjoyable
Aye, it's the last word really. For my riding, the fatbike is almost always "worse". There's been a few exceptions but, I have a kickass hardtail and a fantastic #endurobike and that's basically what's best for 99% of what I do.
But I've always liked the variety you get with a bike that's not as "good". Same as gravel for a lot of folks I guess? I can ride the same trail twice in a row on the fatbike and the solaris and the solaris will almost always be better at it but the thing is that the two rides will feel really different despite being literally the same trail. And it's really hard to do that with two really suitable bikes, and really easy to do it with a less suitable bike, as long as it can still do it. (I tried the same with a retro xc bike and didn't dig that at all, it definitely ticked "unsuitable" but it was just so much work, I just didn't smile much on it)
But it's totally reasonable that other people just don't enjoy that the same, and that the best bike for the job is always going to be the best bike.
and that the best bike for the job is always going to be the best bike.
not the one thats most fun? for me its all about smiles per mile and the fattie provides that
I bought a s/hand Scott Big Jon during lockdown for a bit of fun and really enjoyed it. Sold it on and bought a 2020 Farley 5 (same as 2021 model but without dropper post) and love it. For general riding I find the 27.5” wheels roll better and the Gnarwhals seem a very decent tyre allround - at 15psi they’re surprisingly sprightly on tarmac, quiet too.
I Found the paint scuffs just by looking at it so spent today putting some matt frame protection tape on the vulnerable bits. Rims and tyres are tubeless ready so have ordered some tubeless rim tape and valves tonight. Brakes are basic SRAM Level but they worked ok - Galfer Green pads improved them no end, no squeal now.
tjagain
Full Membernot the one thats most fun?
For some people, that'll never be the "less good" bike, is the point. I like it when it's me + bike against world but I also like it when it's me against world + bike, but it's not like there's a right or wrong way to ride bikes. Some folks will just not dig riding a fatbike like I do
I have a carbon Farley on which I've only run 27.5 wheels. The 27.5 Gnarwhals are great tyres, really really grippy, work well in mud, and with studs in them epic on ice and snow, but they are however heavy and slow and noisy on hard surfaces. Barbegazzis are plenty grippy, lighter, and much faster but I find they are more of a hand-full in mud. I've recently put some minions on (FBRs are at bargain price of £42 from Maxxis at the moment https://shop.maxxis.co.uk/collections/minion-fbf-fbr), and they are working well - much better mud tyres than Barbegazzis, fast and quiet on hard surfaces, handle nicely. I don't notice the reduced width or volume so much but they are ~2cm smaller in diameter than the Bontrager tyres and don't quite have the same steam roller ability over rough terrain.
I run them all tubeless at 5.5-6.5 PSI on mulefut 80 rims. As others have said even half a psi pressure change makes a big difference. Lower than 5 and they may feel a bit wandery on hard rolling, more than 7 bouncing off rather than absorbing the terrain. I'd recommend getting a low pressure gauge - 0-15psi accu-guage from eBay worth the money IMHO!
HTH
they turn boring terrain into fun terrain
I don't know what this means.
I've ridden one a few times although I don't own one. I wasn't overly impressed - bouncier and less positive feeling than my rigid bike, but nothing like proper suspension. The only intriguing thing was leaving the trail and riding on the chossy grass and not slowing down at all. This is the reason I'd get one - for riding on crappy moorland trails that are unrideable otherwise, and we have plenty of those.