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Putting my Brompton up for sale / trade very soon to fund my first fat bike
budget will be whatever I can get / trade for my Brompton (with a little added if need be) looking at the used market with the following fat bikes coming up regularly at around the £700 (or less) mark
Voodoo Wazoo
Kona Wo
On One Fatty / Trail Fatty
Specialized Fatboy
Genesis Caribou
Trek Farley 5
couple of questions for the more experienced here if I may…
at 5’6-ish I seem to be right on the line between small and medium frames, my other bikes (surly 1x1, Identiti AKA & Ragley Trig) are all small frames with no complaints so what’s the general consensus with fat bikes? Size up or size down?
if looking at any one of the above bikes, which would prove the least troublesome in finding replacement parts (hubs, crank / chainsets, BB’s etc) if / when needed?
any other frame / bike suggestions that I may be overlooking greatly appreciated
anything else I should be aware of when buying a fat bike?!
TIA
anything else I should be aware of when buying a fat bike?
I've got several fatbikes. Used for winter type rides or bog bashing.
I've come to the conclusion that a bike with 3" tyres can do about 95% of what a fatbike can.
On the other hand going really fat means there's not much need for pricy fripperies like suspension, so you save money there.
The most important thing on a fatbike isn't the make of the frame but how supple the tyres are, otherwise you'll feel like you're dragging a sandbag behind you. Good tyres and light rims are where to start in speccing out a fatbike.
The really nice thing about a fatbike IMO is that it is a great skills compensator. The ability to steamroll over stuff that would make me nervous on a skinny bike adds to the fun.
Edit: size - I size down. Envisage the scenario where your fat bike is transporting you over snow and you stop to put a foot down, and your foot goes down and down through the snow and your gentleman's accessories come into contact with the toptube. As little standover height as possible IMO.
A Wazoo was my first fatbike. I changed it to a Calibre Dune which is a much better bike and I still have and love it many years later.
I wouldn't go Wazoo personally.
Yeah, other than the Wazoo I reckon any of the others will be fine though I've seen a couple of broken Konas.
As regards parts, you're either going to end up with something that can only do a 4" tyre or something suitable for 5". The consequences are seen in hubs and crank width, where a few standards emerged. I'd opt for the wider tyres/rims. so you're looking at 197mm rear end and a 100/121mm crank axle.
Don't dismiss front suspension, it turns an "adventure" bike into a rowdy MTB with more grip than you know what to do with.
I'm 5'7" and currently ride a medium Cube Nutrail*. There's a lot to be said for sizing down though (as epicyclo suggests) especially if you're used to small frames already. The heavier steering will be easier with a smaller reach.
* TBH if you can find one of these I'd snap it up. I bought mine at a bargain price with the intention of using the parts on a custom Ti frame. Several years later, the Ti frame hasn't even been ordered as the Nutrail is just so good.
Be warned you will be asked about the bike every single place you go to, and on regular loops people will recognise the bike (and you) in that order.
Parts wise you have it covered above and most fat bike parts you can get via ebay or international even if it is something weird.
The advice on tyre pressures is bang on, get used to a 6 or 7 psi pressure range and being able to tell that single psi difference when you ride between riding a bike and bouncing like a moonlander video game.
BUT (intentionally big but) the ability to ride up stuff as you have so much grip is hysterical, if you do find front suspension, if you want, but not essential, you can give trail bikes the scare of their life 🙂
James
Thanks for the comments, folks,
definitely plenty to chew over and consider
starting to lean towards a trek Farley as, looking at the used prices feels like there’s a lot to be had there for not much money, always a win in my book 🤣
plenty of time to mull things over whilst I try and shift the Brompton
I’ve got a medium Fatboy for sale in the classifieds… some upgrades including dropper post and better brakes.
Like buying a second tractor, get one with decent tyres as they are properly expensive.
I've got a 27.5*3' Salsa Beargrease, surprisingly light and surprisingly good on the climbs. At 'only' 3' though I'm looking suspension for it.
Size down - more frame clearance is better.
On the subject of component compatibility, don’t be tempted by bargain offers on anything like the On One Fatty or original Surlys with offset wheels, odd brake disc spacing or QR wheels as components are increasingly scarce. Go for something 135/197mm hubs with through axles to be sure.
Fitting a weenie chainring like 28 or 26 means you can take advantage of the huge grip or riding in places you can’t take a regular bike like Hebridean beaches
Like buying a second tractor, get one with decent tyres as they are properly expensive.
I've got a 27.5*3' Salsa Beargrease, surprisingly light and surprisingly good on the climbs. At 'only' 3' though I'm looking suspension for it.
I had seen there are 27.5 versions about, think I’ve decided to go with a 26” wheeled one for the ultimate in fatbike-ness 🤣
I’ve got a medium Fatboy for sale in the classifieds… some upgrades including dropper post and better brakes.
I had seen that, still trying to work out if a small frame would be better for me and going on the comments received, I think it might be a wise choice, shame though as yours looks pretty good
plus I still have a Brompton here waiting to be shifted
I'm 5'7" and currently ride a medium Cube Nutrail*.
At least 3 friends have Cube Nutrails, they were definitely very well spec'd for the money & one to look out for.
I’ve got a medium Fatboy for sale in the classifieds… some upgrades including dropper post and better brakes.
I had seen that, still trying to work out if a small frame would be better for me and going on the comments received, I think it might be a wise choice, shame though as yours looks pretty good
plus I still have a Brompton here waiting to be shifted
I’m 5ft10 and have a large one of these, and I wouldn’t want it smaller… At 5ft6, the medium will be perfect for you…
Mine will be for sale again very soon (keep changing my mind on it, but it’s not been ridden in 3yrs, so…) for anyone interested…
I’m 5’8” so a little taller than you, stand over is perfect for me (I’ve got short legs too) and reach also fine. You’re more than welcome to come and check it out for size if you’re anywhere near Huddersfield.I’ve got a medium Fatboy for sale in the classifieds… some upgrades including dropper post and better brakes.
I had seen that, still trying to work out if a small frame would be better for me and going on the comments received, I think it might be a wise choice, shame though as yours looks pretty good
plus I still have a Brompton here waiting to be shifted
You've not said (unless I've missed it) what you want it for. You could well say "the obvious"....but I have been genuinely amazed how versatile mine is. But they are not all the same. Like any bike genre I guess some are better at some stuff than others. I actually own two now. I bought the first in the winter lockdown to play in the snow from someone here - an On One Fatty. It's actually really good in many many ways. It's head angle makes it's really fun around the twisty woods but at just under 178cm tall in a medium it's just a touch short in reach as a mile muncher - I quickly discovered they make great bikes for rough highland estate tracks and I'm lucky enough to be able to do a 45mile there and back loop of 95% beach and with a roadie background like a bit more of a stretch position.
I've bought a Canyon Dude now too, not because I did hours of research and it was the winner but because someone local was selling it at a great price. It's better on a straight line but the On One is better in the twisties. The fetish has grown arms and legs as I've now got two sets of 26inch wheels one with 4" and the more aggressive 4.8" that a significantly draggier but grip and float like nothing else. I've also got some 29er+ wheels with 3inch tyres which make it quicker still over tracks whilst giving away a bit of the pillow ride. Oh and it's now got a Wren suspension fork. Total waste of time in mega snow and not great for the beach but does make a difference on trails. And the On One still lives.....but is relegated to 2nd bike when biking friends come and stay - because everyone wants a play.
I think I'd go one of two ways - On One Fattys do come up for sale pretty regularly at very good prices and they are very very good. But everything on them are outdated standards - but if it's in good nick and you don't ride it into the ground who cares... Or spend a bit more for something with 135/197 bolt through hubs so upgrading/replacement of parts is much easier.
I still have, and often ride, my Dune- bloody love it tbh.
But the thing is, fatbikes can do lots of different jobs, so a lot of advice just doesn't apply for one person that might be great for another. I got a ton of good, well intentioned advice from sand riders that was completely useless for me, because I just use mine as a normal mountain bike. I very rarely get to ride it on snow, and I very rarely choose to ride on sand, so likewise my trailbike build would be bad for a lot of "traditional" fatbike riders. Like, my Minion FBF is not a great "fatbike" tyre, but it's a very good "trailbike" tyre.
So you do have to know what you'll do on it. I would say that for me 4.8 tyres aren't negotiable, more is more for me. And fatbikes really live and die on the tyres, bad/inappropriate ones will make your rides suck. A cheap bike with expensive tyres ordinarily is a bad idea but here it's arguably better than an good bike with crap tyres. I thought I'd get Blutos but I never have. Everything else I have on it is just normal mountain bike stuff.
But most people will just never ride what I ride on it. That's not some dick swinging statement, it's just that I am an idiot and my idea of fun is "ride a rigid fatbike down enduro world series stages", my second ever ride on it was at innerleithen dh.
Seems everyone has said similar.
my 2p
Absolutely amazing fun, work on sand, mud and dry dirt/gravel.
They tend to have lower stand over but if you’re looking to have a frame bag or proper waterbottle I wouldn’t necessarily size down from the suggested size. I’d be more keen to look at the frame shape.
definitely go for a 150mm x 15mm front wheel - much easier to find, hope do fatsno hubs and halo do one too.
Back end is either 175 or 197 being 4 or 5” max tyres respectively (although there are anomalies)
my old on one fatty and fatty trail and current singular puffin have 175 rears and I’ve never really found them wanting however beach fun is infrequent and occasionally they come a cropper (half the fun).
axle spacing dictates crank axle and bb length etc
id look for a complete bike mentioned above, in good order with branded parts and try to stick to the above measurements.
always fancied a smoke stone Henderson, my fatty was fantastic and is still going strong with a mate. My singular puffin is heavy but a lovely steel build that will hopefully last and last.
I love my Kona Wo! 26” x 4.8” Surly Bud and Lou tyres are phenomenal, run at between 4 & 5 PSI, Schwalbe Jumbo Jim for dry and hard. The bike makes up for my lack of skill and I can clean climbs I couldn’t 20 years ago. I hammer it in the Peak District on DT Swiss rims and hubs. The original KT hubs kept chewing bearings - I suspect the axle was flexing. The original 24mm Race Face bottom bracket and spindle didn't last long but the 30mm Turbine is doing well. I am 5’10” and the medium is perfect. It puts a grin on my face and it makes others smile too - with me or at me - I don’t care!
You should be able to find a medium size Smokestone Henderson for that sort of budget. Great bikes, similar to the On One Fatty but bolt through at the rear. I've got 26x4 and 29+ wheelsets for different uses.
But everything on them are outdated standards - Or spend a bit more for something with 135/197 bolt through hubs so upgrading/replacement of parts is much easier.
The fatty started as the obvious choice but then I started reading about outdated standards which did put me off a bit, think I’d rather initially spend a bit more if parts are easier to come by
You've not said (unless I've missed it) what you want it for. You could well say "the obvious"
to be honest, I hadn’t thought that far ahead, I’ve an itch for a new bike, always liked the idea of a fat bike and there’d be no overlap with what I already have. Not many beaches or snow round these parts so the plan (if there is one) is just general larking about on my regular rides with an option for another something different to ride on
You’re more than welcome to come and check it out for size if you’re anywhere near Huddersfield.
Unfortunately being in the depths of Essex it’s a bit more than a brisk walk but thank you for the offer, starting to think a medium mightn’t be SUCH a bad idea after all, I may well be in touch if / when the Brompton sells as Huddersfield isn’t too far to drive or jump on a train to
id look for a complete bike
Definitely the plan at this stage, parts can then be swapped / upgraded as required whilst I have a working bike
looking at the comments above, from my initial list I’m down to
Kona Wo
Specialized Fatboy
Trek Farley
currently leaning towards the Trek but wondering if there are any other frames with slightly more updated standards that I might’ve missed
(also keeping eyes peeled for Cube Nutrail as per suggestions)
I suggest not worrying about 'outdated' standards'. One advantage of the offset frame in the likes of the Pugsleys and the Alaskan 907s is the rear hub is a universally available part, as used on millions of mtbs, and you can get a high quality one that is much lighter and cheaper than anything fatbike specific. You don't have to pay the fatbike 'tax' for a specialised part.
I have fatbikes old style and modern, and my preference generally is for the older style with QR hubs. Makes for quicker dismantle with no worry about dropping a greasy axle in the dirt if you have to do trailside repairs or have to dismantle it to transport/store.
The only reason to be absolute about new style is if you want to max out tyre width to the 5+" category.
It's my opinion, so there will be plenty who disagree, that once you hit about 4.5" in tyre width there are diminishing returns for more width. Remember, you have to provide the energy to turn those wheels and the extra grip comes at a price in energy consumption.
On the other hand that may be offset against the whoopee joy as you point a superfat down hill and straightline over everything. 🙂
(I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I'm about to eBay most of my fatbike stuff, and what I'll be retaining is the oldstyle bikes.)
Couple of pics for encouragement 🙂
Ive read similar in various places, as I understand it between 4” and 4.5” is quite often the “sweet spot” for a fatbike so not sure I’d be looking to go any bigger than that at this stage
I now have an ebay search set up for Cube Nutrails and Trek Farleys.
Damn you all.
Shame about the sizing I have a large smoke stone Henderson I'd gladly swap for a Brompton. Slx gearing and brakes, salsa carbon fork and DT Swiss rims set up tubeless just in case you grow a bit 😄
gary@ukgravelco.com
Shame about the sizing I have a large smoke stone Henderson I'd gladly swap for a Brompton. Slx gearing and brakes, salsa carbon fork and DT Swiss rims set up tubeless just in case you grow a bit 😄
gary@ukgravelco.com
I’ll get myself on the stretch machine tonight…. 🤣🤣
I've left it far too long to try and source replacement cranks for my 2016 Voodoo Wazoo, after the driveside sheared through the pedal axle on the way to work in summer '20, when any bike parts and even complete bikes became a nightmare to find.
The other week I randomly discovered that Halfords online had a fat Sram Eagle DUB BB and crank that I think could work, but it was well over £150 just on parts iirc.
Is a plus wheeled e-bike going to be better than a conventional fatty on shingle that lorries have compacted?
I have a spare RaceFace fatbike crank but I think the axle length would be too long for your bike
