Fat bikes - reassure me...

[Bill]

I'm looking at getting a (cheapish) fat bike on cyclescheme. I've fancied one for ages as the gloop limits my options come winter time and I live a shortish ride away from a beach. I don't like road riding due to the numpties although I have put some road tyres on my old 26" MTB as an experiment...

But now I'm getting slightly cold feet as spending just under £500 on a whim seems OTT. I'm looking at one of these: https://www.evanscycles.com/norco-bigfoot-3-2020-m...

Anyone got any views, either positive or negative?

[GOATever]

They are monster heavy, and sluggish, due to the massive tyres. They were originally designed for riding on snow. If you’re not riding on snow, it’s an odd idea to buy one.

[Bill]

Is probably the sensible answer. But for half the year (or more) I can't ride a lot of the trails I would like. Plus I'm near a beach, although that might get dull after a few rides.

[AndyDRZ]

I reckon if you spend enough on one, they'll be awesome.

Evans are not.ally pretty good with test rides, can you borrow one for long enough to see if it is what you hope?

[shirt]

They’re fine on soft sand, ride one in the desert here. One go was sufficient to work out that I didn’t want one, albeit it would be a damn good workout.

[Pupp]

If the gloop you refer to equates to any form of mud that clings and builds on tyres, I reckon you would have very short rides...

[troc]

Yeah, wouldn’t go near mud with those huge tyres. My 2.5” Maxxis ones are bad enough in mud compared with the narrow stuff the mud specialists ride here in Holland. 4” tyres covered in a layer of mud would add noticeable kg of weight to each wheel as well as providing approximately zero traction.

[Bill]

Isn't that the thing? Widespaced knobbles should clear better?

I know a couple of guys who have them round here so I'll have a chat...

[tuffer]

650B with 3" tyres is a good compromise, we have them on a pair of Stumpjumpers and they are good fun but you wouldn't want to do 50 miles on them.

[Bill]

That feels a bit close to the 27.5" and 2.4" tyres I have already.

[C0ffin D0dger]

Every time I see someone riding one of those things

[Daveyraveygravey]

AndyDRZ said:

I reckon if you spend enough on one, they'll be awesome.

Evans are not.ally pretty good with test rides, can you borrow one for long enough to see if it is what you hope?

Unless they have a different policy with fatbikes compared to roadbikes, Evans were the best retailer I found when I wanted to demo various bikes. You have to pay a deposit and they take your card details, to make sure you don't just ride off with their bikes, you have to book it and it may take a few days to get the specific model in, but you can demo as many different bikes as you want with Evans.

[Brads67]

They are rubbish, and a £500 one will be even more than rubbish, it will be super heavy rubbish.

Hth

[Bill]

Brads67 said:

They are rubbish, and a £500 one will be even more than rubbish, it will be super heavy rubbish.

Hth

They don't have any in currently, but I'll see about a test ride and feedback.

[Kermit power]

Bill said:

Brads67 said:

They are rubbish, and a £500 one will be even more than rubbish, it will be super heavy rubbish.

Hth

They don't have any in currently, but I'll see about a test ride and feedback.

The main problem they face is that they need to get a special Police abnormal load convoy every time they want to move one from their central warehouse to your local store!

I tried one out a few years ago. I wouldn't bother again. I'd rather be on skis if it's snowing, and deserts are too bloody hot for cycling!

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

I love a fat bike. Would still have mine if it wasn't for some thieving unt.

First the negatives:

• You either love or hate them. There is no middle ground so try and borrow one if you can.
• Despite the low ground pressure allowing you to float over gloop they take some skill to ride in winter. Down the fall line they fly. But... And it's a big but.... Throw in some corners and they understeer like mad. So better for xc use in winter.
• Bluto forks are noodly. Mastodons are way way better.
• Geo is a little old-school.

The pros:

• Subjective I know... But they're awesome fun.
• They are surprisingly very very fast on a DH track in the dry. Grip is giggle inducing.
• Ignore the draggy tyres / mud clogging comments... I ran both schwalbe and spesh tyres and neither clogged. Rolled well too.
• They're super plush down a rocky path due to 7/8psi TP.
• You can also run them as a 29er normal bike for the cost of a wheel set - so two very very different bikes in one.
• Geo is old-school.

I had a cube. Amazing value for money, and rode very well - way better than on-one I tried. Can vouch for them.

[Pupp]

take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:

The pros:

• Ignore the draggy tyres / mud clogging comments... I ran both schwalbe and spesh tyres and neither clogged.

Would love to see one attempt a north Northants bridleway when the clay is hydrated... going to be one hell of a carry out

[Bill]

Well, you'll be thrilled to know I ignored (almost) all your advice and it's ace! It's not agile, but it steamrollers lumps, ploughs through gloopy puddles and deals with sandy brilliantly. I need to play with tyre pressures but deep gloop is manageable if you don't pedal too hard and just spin up.

Very happy.

[keith2.2]

Bill said:

Well, you'll be thrilled to know I ignored (almost) all your advice and it's ace! It's not agile, but it steamrollers lumps, ploughs through gloopy puddles and deals with sandy brilliantly. I need to play with tyre pressures but deep gloop is manageable if you don't pedal too hard and just spin up.

Very happy.

Pics or it hasn't happened!!

Great news - could feel the grin through your post

[Simes205]

Something to try?!

https://youtu.be/9Hg7vjmlCuA