I think Kerley has it. Although I see more around now than in recent years, there’s far fewer manufacturers still making them.

Plenty of activity on the UKFatbike Club Facebook page, and global fatbike day round the corner so we all get to meet up, do the ‘bike compare posture’ thing, ride a bit and drink beer together.

Round my way it’s a idealr bike for the bogs and beaches so there’s quite a few around. Probably less visible if all youve got is gravel tracks or rocky mountains. Horses for courses, innit?

27.5+ has more-or-less killed mine off

Rolls along almost as well and has 90% of the grip without the spacehopper ride. If the fat bike was 29×3″ and had a fork it would be pretty close but at the moment it’s in the shed with a patina of summer dust

I think the fatbike being the next big thing manufacturer rush has finished.

I still know people that love theirs though.

And, on the other hand, people who own them and smugly take them out in the tiniest dusting of snow, where a road bike could cope, feeling special until they’re passed by a road bike or normal mountain bike. (edit – passed either way, not necessarily overtaken)

I’d like to have one but it wouldn’t get enough use with my current riding diet.

I think the reason I love mine is that it feels so different to my Rocket.

Same here, except I don’t have a Rocket.  I’ve got a few bikes from fads of yesteryear: gravel, fat, rigid ss, 26″ straight steerer 2×9 hardtail, I like riding them all not because they do a job the best, but because they do it differently.  I ride one for a bit, think it’s flippin’ brilliant, and just ride that one for a bit, then get an itch to give another one a run out.

Occasionally there’s a ride where “the best”, is required, then it’s the fatty:  snow, sand, rubbly rock, frozen chunder.  And, in a month or so, it’s going to have a yepp mini kiddie seat on the front and I’ll be talking the little one out for his first bike rides.

I met two guys riding them at an uplift day. Tyres pumped rock hard. THey LOVED them, but siad they were “terrible on roots”

I just had to walk away

I’m still riding mine and tbh after 5 years of riding fat I’m enjoying more and more each month that passes.

My bivvy a month this year has been on my fat bike

link to video’s:

https://www.youtube.com/user/jefbricks/videos

And a few pics from this years jaunts:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/26ZqMF6]20180507_095827[/url] by Jeff Price, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/25BWHPT]20180507_110106[/url] by Jeff Price, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/25UKqm1]20180627_051909[/url] by Jeff Price, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/26DbggE]20180529_145807[/url] by Jeff Price, on Flickr

looks shit summittoppler Definantly the wrong bike for the job and dont let anyone tell you different* 😉

*Quality photos 😀

Depends on your viewpoint.

Fatbikes are no longer a big ‘thing’, but they certainly have not gone away and seem to have a greatly increased user base from where they started.  There are huge benefits to fatties if you can live with the overall package, traction and floatation being the two most obvious.

From a purely trailbike POV, plus has probably eaten their lunch.

Had my wednesday for nearly 3 years now and my other bikes haven’t been used since I got it, commute on it every day too.

It’s a pretty simple term, but by all means enlighten me?

Okay, sure.  A plateau means it has leveled out and is staying there so the slow death you refer to has actually finished rather than begun.

And to answer your other bitter comment, I have never owned a fat bike but do ride a niche bike (fixed gear).  I was happy that my niche choice became very popular as it made frame choice about 10 times bigger.  The only downside was people referring to my bike as a ‘fixie’

It’s a pretty simple term, but by all means enlighten me?

<div class=”dDoNo gsrt”><span data-dobid=”hdw”>plateau</span></div>
<div class=”vmod”>
<div class=”lr_dct_ent_ph”><span class=”lr_dct_ph XpoqFe”>/ˈplatəʊ/</span><span class=”lr_dct_spkr lr_dct_spkr_off” title=”Listen” data-ved=”2ahUKEwjAstS11c7eAhUDLa0KHcNvBnMQlfQBMAB6BAgEEAg”><input height=”14″ src=”data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAA4AAAAOCAQAAAC1QeVaAAAAi0lEQVQokWNgQAYyQFzGsIJBnwED8DNcBpK+DM8YfjMUokqxMRxg+A9m8TJsBLLSEFKMDCuBAv/hCncxfGWQhUn2gaVAktkMXkBSHmh0OwNU8D9csoHhO4MikN7BcAGb5H+GYiDdCTQYq2QubkkkY/E6CLtXdiJ7BTMQMnAHXxFm6IICvhwY8AYQLgCw2U9d90B8BAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==” type=”image” width=”14″ /></span></div>
<div class=”vmod”>
<div class=”lr_dct_sf_h”><i>noun</i></div>
<div class=”xpdxpnd vk_gy” data-mh=”-1″ aria-hidden=”true”></div>

1. <div class=”vmod”>
   <div class=”lr_dct_sf_sen Uekwlc XpoqFe”>
   <div>1.</div>
   <div>
   <div class=”PNlCoe XpoqFe”>
   <div data-dobid=”dfn”>an area of fairly level high ground.</div>
   <div class=”vmod”>
   <table class=”vk_tbl vk_gy”>
   <tbody>
   <tr>
   <td class=”lr_dct_nyms_ttl”>synonyms:</td>
   <td><span class=”SDZsVb” tabindex=”0″ role=”link” data-term-for-update=”upland” data-ved=”2ahUKEwjAstS11c7eAhUDLa0KHcNvBnMQ_SowAHoECAQQCg”>upland</span>, <span class=”SDZsVb” tabindex=”0″ role=”link” data-term-for-update=”tableland” data-ved=”2ahUKEwjAstS11c7eAhUDLa0KHcNvBnMQ_SowAHoECAQQCw”>tableland</span>, elevated plain, <span class=”SDZsVb” tabindex=”0″ role=”link” data-term-for-update=”mesa” data-ved=”2ahUKEwjAstS11c7eAhUDLa0KHcNvBnMQ_SowAHoECAQQDA”>mesa</span>, <span class=”SDZsVb” tabindex=”0″ role=”link” data-term-for-update=”highland” data-ved=”2ahUKEwjAstS11c7eAhUDLa0KHcNvBnMQ_SowAHoECAQQDQ”>highland</span>, <span class=”SDZsVb” tabindex=”0″ role=”link” data-term-for-update=”table” data-ved=”2ahUKEwjAstS11c7eAhUDLa0KHcNvBnMQ_SowAHoECAQQDg”>table</span>
   <div>
   <div>
   <div class=”vk_gy”>”a windswept plateau”</div>
   </div>
   </div></td>
   </tr>
   </tbody>
   </table>
   </div>
   </div>
   <div>
   <li class=”xpdxpnd” data-mh=”-1″ aria-hidden=”true”>
   <div class=”lr_dct_sf_subsen”>
   <div class=”PNlCoe XpoqFe”>
   <div data-dobid=”dfn”></div>
   <div class=”vk_gy”></div>
   </div>
   </div>

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

2. <div class=”vmod”>
   <div class=”lr_dct_sf_sen Uekwlc XpoqFe”>
   <div>2.</div>
   <div>
   <div class=”PNlCoe XpoqFe”>
   <div data-dobid=”dfn”>a state of little or no change following a period of activity or progress.</div>
   <div class=”vk_gy”>”the peace process had reached a plateau”</div>
   <div class=”vmod”>
   <table class=”vk_tbl vk_gy”>
   <tbody>
   <tr>
   <td class=”lr_dct_nyms_ttl”>synonyms:</td>
   <td><span class=”SDZsVb” tabindex=”0″ role=”link” data-term-for-update=”level” data-ved=”2ahUKEwjAstS11c7eAhUDLa0KHcNvBnMQ_SowAHoECAQQEg”>level</span>, <span class=”SDZsVb” tabindex=”0″ role=”link” data-term-for-update=”stage” data-ved=”2ahUKEwjAstS11c7eAhUDLa0KHcNvBnMQ_SowAHoECAQQEw”>stage</span>; <span data-log-string=”synonyms-more-click”><span class=”lr_dct_more_btn”>More</span></span>
   <div>
   <div>
   <div class=”lr_dct_more_txt xpdxpnd xpdnoxpnd” data-mh=”-1″ aria-hidden=”true”></div>
   <div class=”lr_dct_more_txt xpdxpnd xpdnoxpnd” data-mh=”-1″ aria-hidden=”true”></div>
   <div class=”lr_dct_more_txt xpdxpnd xpdnoxpnd” data-mh=”-1″ aria-hidden=”true”>
   <div class=”vk_gy”></div>
   </div>
   </div>
   </div></td>
   </tr>
   </tbody>
   </table>
   </div>
   </div>
   </div>
   </div>
   </div>

</div>
<div class=”vmod”>
<div class=”lr_dct_sf_h”><i>verb</i></div>
<div class=”xpdxpnd vk_gy” data-mh=”-1″ aria-hidden=”true”></div>

1. <div class=”vmod”>
   <div class=”lr_dct_sf_sen Uekwlc XpoqFe”>
   <div>1.</div>
   <div>
   <div class=”PNlCoe XpoqFe”>
   <div data-dobid=”dfn”>reach a state of little or no change after a period of activity or progress.</div>
   <div class=”vk_gy”>”the industry’s problems have <b>plateaued out</b>”</div>
   </div>
   </div>
   </div>
   </div>

</div>
</div>

[edit] dammit 9 seconds, and  whole load of new and improved forum crap.

I spent a fortune trying to make my fatty as light as possible.

Then you get people who do this.

Bloody hell, where do you even sit on that thing?

Fat bikes have a few specific use cases, but they also look crrrazy.  The latter has worn off a bit, but the former hasn’t and never will.

I’m not thinking of snow and sand – those are even more niche for most of us – but I’m thinking of the non-existent paths under ROWs across moorland, the stuff that’s just too chossy to ride on a normal bike.  Fatbikes open up loads more locations you’ve always discounted here in Wales unless you love pushing.  That’s why I still want one.

We will be all over them again when Cotic announce a Long, Low, Slack Fatbike.

My fatty did give me one of the best days I’ve ever had on a bike though.

Okay, sure.  A plateau means it has leveled out and is staying there so the slow death you refer to has actually finished rather than begun.

So you’ve misunderstood then.

Take up and interest has plateaued at a low level, so the slow death has already begun.

Take up and interest are two different things, but they have both plateaued.  It’s the level of ‘interest’ that it has plateaued at, that is key.  It’s low.  Low enough that mainstream support isn’t going to happen.  The slow death (caused by this low interest) hasn’t finished yet, its on-going.  Niche interest means that limited support and interest will continue, but it will diminish.  Do you think we have seen the last new fat bike design?  I don’t, but there is going to be less and less development (i.e. a slow death!), in line with the plateaued interest.  Hope I’ve explained that in a way you can understand.  You are welcome.

I think you’re clutching at straws to justify your original statement. If interest and sales have plateaued at a low level then that by definition isn’t a slow death, it would be a plateau.

Given that Surly have released two new fat bikes and a new tyre this year, manitou released the Mastodon last year I’d say the niche is still very much alive, just not in the Specialized Concept Stores.

Im always impressed at the levels of passive aggressive crap on here.

Well it looks as though we are heading for page three on this thread in less than a day, so draw your own conclusions.

I was out on mine over the weekend as it happens. My usage is simiar to @Mugboo except I have a FlareMax rather than a Rocket as I’m not as gnarr 🙂 When the weather is fine I’ll take the full suss and enjoy trying to ride the rockier more technical stuff a bit faster. But when the weather is not so good (especially if I’m wrapped up in multiple layers) then I still love bimbling along the tamer trails on the fatbike. It just makes the easier stuff more fun for me. I also prefer it as a fully rigid setup (more different to the full suss) so appreciate the lack of maintenance required in the winter. Finally it’s great for exploring places where the trails may be almost (or completely) non-existant and it’s lighter than the full suss, which is an advantage when I do have to carry it any distance.

Incidentally I tried a plus bike (for six months) and it wasn’t for me. Most of the drag but none of the fun of a fatbike was my take. But we are all different and for some people plus is ideal. That’s the point though. If you’ve tried fat and didn’t like it then fair enough, but if you’ve not tried it then why not give it a go?

I’m not even going to try to speculate on whether enough other people like theirs enough to suistain what size of market though.

Remember that there are large ares of the world that get lots of regular snow each winter and where traditionally cyclists hung up their bikes for the winter.  I reckon fatbikes will have a guaranteed niche there.  Hopefully enough to keep the industry going.  XC skis and snowshoes continue to be manufactured, so perhaps it will 🙂

my only mtb (ecr) is a nearly fat bike, so in my eyes, no, they are still out on the course.

It was just a question, didn’t mean to be a debate. But this is STW so I suppose I should’ve known better. Someone said to me the other day they really wanted to try a fat bike but didn’t ride enough to justify getting one. Question was on the back of that comment. Some interesting points though.

The slow death (caused by this low interest) hasn’t finished yet, its on-going.  Niche interest means that limited support and interest will continue, but it will diminish.  Do you think we have seen the last new fat bike design?  I don’t, but there is going to be less and less development (i.e. a slow death!), in line with the plateaued interest.  Hope I’ve explained that in a way you can understand.  You are welcome.

I can’t understand why someone could be so desperate to be correct about something so unimportant, just odd.

Did geex send you here in his absence? 🙂

Track bikes are pretty niche.  I don’t know anyone who has one and I’ve never seen one on a shop floor.

Last I heard they are still readily available if you want one though.  Plateau, not death.

I don’t understand why this is a question. Mountain biking itself is an inherently bonkers idea, so trying to point out some kind of sub niche is more silly/stupid etc is just pointless. I’ve never ridden one but I am glad they exist and that people love them. Long may it continue.

I think you’re clutching at straws to justify your original statement. If interest and sales have plateaued at a low level then that by definition isn’t a slow death, it would be a plateau.

Nope.  The plateau in interest has caused the slow death.  You still haven’t got it, but I can’t explain it in any simpler terms, so I won’t bother repeating myself, but I’m prepared to avoid the semantics on plateau (which is depressingly STW), and concentrate on the original argument.

Given that Surly have released two new fat bikes and a new tyre this year, manitou released the Mastodon last year I’d say the niche is still very much alive, just not in the Specialized Concept Stores.

So still alive, but dwindling in mainstream terms.  I’d describe that as a slow death.  It’s a niche that flirted with the mainstream, but didn’t quite make it.  People will continue to enjoy fat bikes, but fewer and fewer new models will be produced.  In terms of the original post, yes, fat bikes have run their course (in terms of mainstream interest, at least).  Doesn’t mean you can’t continue to enjoy yours, so no need to be so sensitive about it.  Or does approval from others shape how much you enjoy your bike to that extent?

You’ve managed to contradict yourself, in your own post, again.

@gnusmas – if I hadn’t been doing a fat bike race then it’s more than likely I wouldn’t have bought one and would use my hardtail in “plus mode” for the things I do use it for in this country. Having got one I don’t see me selling it but equally I wouldn’t want one as my only bike.

@molgrips and @roverpig – pretty much my main use case in this country, peaty untracked moorland with or without ROW 😉 There’s a ROW track here in the Forest of Bowland but shortly afterwards there wasn’t and it would have been a right pain on a “normal” MTB.

Occasionally we do get some of the white stuff and there’s opportunities to play in that.

There’ll be people who’ll evangelise them, folk who have one and use it occasionally, folk who’ve tried them and decided it’s not for them and folk who have no need for them. So what?

View this post on Instagram

First proper snow for 5 years, this is what it means! Bike & forks were awesome. Mudguards worked perfectly. Glasses kept my vision clear and eyes safe. Dropper post was a godsend. Stuff kept dry all day in the frame bag. Thanks to @smokestonebikes @wren_sports @themudhugger @extra_uk @crankbrothers @cranknutsuk @rad8mtbglasses @ @beerbabe_uk for making it all possible #fatbike #mtb #NWAlpsCC

A post shared by Low Speed Adventurer (@rocketdoguk) on Dec 10, 2017 at 7:16am PST

You’ve managed to contradict yourself, in your own post, again.

I can only suggest you read the posts more carefully.  Thanks for your interest though.

Good Big-Hitting there guys.

Really do not care, Fat Stooge fully rigid with a truss fork here, just makes me smile , always impressed with how it rides. Slower than a full suss but more enjoyable- full stop.

Fat bike is my only mtb, I’ve also a ‘gravel’ road bike which also (in road terms) has fat tyres.

The Fat Bike was bought on a whim of n+1 but within 6 months completely replaced my full sus gnar bike as I was just having more fun on it. OK there are times I wished the tyres would fit in a uplift trailer, but other than that I’m happy with it. I cant see my self dropping below a 3′ tyre in the future – it’s seems the industry as a whole is getting fatter and wider year on year.

but I’m thinking of the non-existent paths under ROWs across moorland, the stuff that’s just too chossy to ride on a normal bike.

That is the draw for me and was looking at them a few months back.  I stick to the gravel roads and easy singletrack around where I live but there is loads of stuff I could ride on a fat bike (the undergrowth in the tress, the open moorlandy stuff linking up singletrack)

Damn, it has not got me thinking about them again, thing is I don’t like gears so maybe missing the point in having a singlespeed as the gear would need to be pretty low to cater for the terrain I would look to ride on making it ridiculous to ride on faster stuff.

Guess my choices are also now more limited as they seem to be on some sort of death plateau that is spiraling out of control..

I had my fat for ‘only’ 3 years. Still ride it loads. Absolutely love it. It is an old fashioned Pugs but that is part of the appeal to me, something a bit different.

I do miss the old UK fat bike forum as an aside.

Love my Fatbike, a handfull have bought them local to me in the last few weeks alone 🙂

GLOBAL FATBIKE DAY North West Uk
Formby beach ride, 9AM, Lifeboat Rd carpark, who’s in?

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjm8ubbhs_eAhXKJsAKHabCCKQQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffat-bike.com%2F2018%2F08%2Fglobal-fat-bike-day-2018%2F&psig=AOvVaw0rvaIPEpQ5WRYcaRBTGlZy&ust=1542118895395805

Damn, it has not got me thinking about them again, thing is I don’t like gears so maybe missing the point in having a singlespeed as the gear would need to be pretty low to cater for the terrain I would look to ride on making it ridiculous to ride on faster stuff.

I’ve still got a Surly ICT (steel) frame in the shed that I haven’t managed to sell yet. It comes with some track style dropouts that can be put on in place of the “normal” ones. But does anybody actually make a 190 (or is it 197?) width SS hub?

@Lawmanmx – as discussed in my thread on the BB forums we’ll be there.

@Normal Man – there was talk of starting a new one. I’ll have a dig around.

I don’t think they ever took off I have one and use it in the winter as a mud plugger always makes walkers smile so they have some use never see them much anymore I have a Trek Farley the Staches are great bikes though.

Well I just took mine out for a half hour spin and I fell off due to you lot!  there is a steep slippy muddy rooty bank with zero run in I like to climb and can only get up it on the fatty.  Instead of concentrating on it I was thinking ” I can use this as an example to show those STWers and I ruddy fell off.  so its all your fault I have muddy trousers!  rotten lot!