Discussion Topic |
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| Messages 1 - 64 of total 64 in this topic |
Peter Amend
climber
Visalia, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 7, 2013 - 03:00am PT
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I took the new fatbike on it's maiden voyage yesterday morning around the valley. This thing handles like a BEAST! I don't know why every climber doesn't own one of these yet - this is the ultimate approach rig!
Anyway, this is just a brag post about how fun it was to pedal around in the snow this morning while everyone else was sleeping ;)
The part about it taking 45 minutes to defrost my feet??...yeah let's forget about that.
But seriously, isn't she purdy? Still yet to be named.
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briham89
Big Wall climber
san jose and south lake tahoe, ca
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Super rad. I've been so tempted to get one myself.
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Ghoulwe
Trad climber
Spokane, WA
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Salsa Mukluk owner up here in Spokane. I'll be out riding today celebrating Global Fatbike Day in 10 degree temps. Super fun!
Eric Barrett
Spokane WA
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Looks like you forgot to order the "heated seat" option, but otherwise she looks total "kick azz ™ ™ ™".
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stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
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Yeah, if I hadn't just bought a cyclocross/gravel road bike, one of those would be high on my list.
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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I took the new fatbike on it's maiden voyage yesterday morning around the valley.....pedal around in the snow this morning
Just the mental image of how beautiful that must have been has me smiling.
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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I saw a Surly Moonlander like that in the window of my LBS a couple of days ago. I'm wondering how much of an improvement it would be over my FreeRide bike. My FR bike isn't good in sand, but even my Cross bike will do snow.
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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The hottest invention since snow shoeing and paddle boarding..One tire costs only 100 bucks but they never wear out as you grind thru the snow and sand at 2 mph...
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sempervirens
climber
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No suspension? Is this bike specifically for snow and sand?
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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Yeah...Snow and sand and for enthusiasts that haven't discovered skiing....
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cragnshag
Social climber
san joser
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I don't know why every climber doesn't own one of these yet
Because it costs about $1400 if you equip it with halfway decent components. I came close to buying one many years ago, but I just couldn't justify the expense for something I would only use a few days per year. I already have too many bikes...
I tried to find a used one, but no dice. Not enough of them out there. That may change since now Specialized makes one:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/fat-boy
I have always wanted to ride the glacier point road on a Pugsly fat tire bike. Who has one they want to rent for $50/day?
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kaholatingtong
Trad climber
Nevada City
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yeah, riding bikes in the snow can be quite entertaining. that one seems it would up the fun factor by a bit.
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Floorabove
climber
The Gunks y'all
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[photoid=333970]
Snow riding is fun, but beach riding is unreal!
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Floorabove
climber
The Gunks y'all
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(surly necromancer if anyone cares)
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Norwegian
Trad climber
dancin on the tip of god's middle finger
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the rolling resistance offered
of these fatty tires is
enough for my huff on the hillclimbs,
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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Fat bikes are the 11 on the spinal tap loudness scale...
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weezy
climber
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no nordic skiers bellyachin' about fat bikes on the groomer yet?
seems like fat bikes are the new thing. i see lots of them around these days and apparently trek sold out their whole run of their new fat bikes before eurobike. other companies are selling out of them, too. gotta love that kinda hype. you know every other bike mfg is going to jump on the bandwagon just like 650b this coming year.
jeff jones makes some cool steel frame fat bikes that accept both narrow and wide tires. i love the spaceframe design, classic curves and that titanium truss fork. hope to build one next year.
stupid ass bikes. putting me in the goddam poorhouse. why can't i just get into trail running?
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wilbeer
Mountain climber
honeoye falls,ny.greeneck alleghenys
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Yep,we are in to FADBIKES up here to,
Especially when we cant SKI.
Have you ever seen a custom,worth 6k,from Form Cycles,USA made
With a Lefty,we have the fork clamps machined locally
Or one made in Colorado by Lenzsport,a 29er
The shop[the mendon cyclesmith]is chock full of them.
Me ,I would rather BC ski.
But ,Hey, what ever blows your hair back.
Brownies anyone?
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Geez,
When's someone going to put 225/50R16's on a bike!
Looks like it's not exactly a new idea!
I'd rather have a bike that can get me to the beach, not one to ride on it.
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Peter Amend
climber
Visalia, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 7, 2013 - 07:28pm PT
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Fat bikes are the 11 on the spinal tap loudness scale...
Right?? It's hard to imagine a bike that can be so fun.
For being such a beast, this guy only tops out at 31 pounds.
You'd be surprised at how versatile a bike like this can be...super fun on regular singletrack...floats over stuff like you wouldn't believe. And then sand, snow, mud as a bonus.
As someone who's not accustomed to cycling in below freezing conditions - I did learn a lesson about hard turns on black ice. I have a nice hip bruise to show for a tighter than necessary right turn.
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ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
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fat bikes are so much fun to ride
it's not so much the XC skiers that get pissed about fat bikes as the snowmobile crowd, who "do not like" bikers on "their" trail.
and that's funny. because snowmobile people singlehandedly ruin the winter experience for everyone else. [by "everyone" I mean: snowshoers, XC skiers, ice climbers, birders, fat bikers, winter campers, photographers, ... ]
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wilbeer
Mountain climber
honeoye falls,ny.greeneck alleghenys
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So true ^^^^^
Jim ,the Cannondale Lefty fork [mono] has stood the test of time,it is plush ,yet rigid.
The shop I work at is one of 3 in the world that is an authorized Lefty service center.
Sure we fix them ,mostly seals and dampers,but I have worked there 5 years and have yet to see one fail [see broke in half].
edit:And we all ride the allegheny's,a slag and root fest that leaves the trails to the real riders.
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mike m
Trad climber
black hills
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They do look fun and it is amazing how light they are. After the 4-5 foot dump we got in early oct the black hills have been perfect terrain for them. The snow was rock hard it looked like you could ride anywhere.
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wilbeer
Mountain climber
honeoye falls,ny.greeneck alleghenys
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Just saying.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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you haven't named it? What's that on the bar. . . surly????
sounds like that to mee!
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
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Saw one of the first of these in the mid nineties at Kamikaze Mammoth. Motorcycle tires on a MTB. Glad to see it caught-on.
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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mine is more like Norwegians
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Floorabove
climber
The Gunks y'all
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Mar 11, 2014 - 11:18am PT
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Any winter riding going on? Just catching the end of the ice here on the Hudson.
Lots of people enjoying the end of winter. Breakup expected any tide now.
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Todd Eastman
climber
Bellingham, WA
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Mar 11, 2014 - 11:24am PT
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Remedial sport for people who have trouble with the coordination required for XC skiing...
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Mar 11, 2014 - 05:07pm PT
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hey there say, peter amend... don't think i saw this, the first time... very interesting share... thanks...
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Jaysen
Trad climber
NY
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Mar 11, 2014 - 06:29pm PT
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I once had the best bike in all the valley, i purchased it from someone i worked with at the cafeteria for 20 bucks and it was a piece of sh#t mountain bike, that (stay with me here) had a VINTAGE Glacier Point sticker covering up the no name brand of the bike original origin.
CLASSIC
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Mar 11, 2014 - 06:33pm PT
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Love seeing those fatties around the beaches here. I've never ridden one...I should give it a try...
Susan
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speelyei
Trad climber
Mohave County Arizona
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Mar 12, 2014 - 10:09am PT
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Great pics, great bikes.
I plan to buy one eventually. Fad-schmad, fun is fun.
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looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Lassitude 33
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Mar 12, 2014 - 12:03pm PT
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Cool bikes...and they look like fun. But, not something I could really use in the temperate So Cal area.
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Elcapinyoazz
Social climber
Joshua Tree
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Mar 12, 2014 - 01:10pm PT
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I looked at one at one of the LBS in Redlands the other day, just out of curiosity since I was already in there. Way lighter than I expected.
There were a lot more winter bike commuters in Fairbanks than you would expect. Not a single one I ever saw was on one of those fatboys. They were all running std mtn bikes with 2.3 or 2.4 studded tires.
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dave729
Trad climber
Western America
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Mar 12, 2014 - 01:15pm PT
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With those tires looks like it will float like a life raft. Good option
when swimming across those annoying rivers that get in the way of a good
fat tire tour.
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neverwas
Mountain climber
ak
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Mar 12, 2014 - 03:14pm PT
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There were a lot more winter bike commuters in Fairbanks than you would expect. Not a single one I ever saw was on one of those fatboys.
I resemble that remark, but these things are just approaching mainstream. I've commuted on a regular mtn bike, relatively short (<5 miles) pretty flat commute, and resisted going fat, but then someone essentially forced me to borrow his fatbike and I was sold. They really are different, work better, handle soft snow, snogo churn, dicey single track much better than skinny/regular tires. I still resisted, but my better half pointed out that the cost was still less than a car, and we'd need another car if I didn't bike-commute. The field is still in flux, with different 'standards' being tried out and adopted, they're very pricey, but you can't do what they do for cheaper, for now. They are also surprisingly much lighter than I assumed, which is part of what you're paying so much for.
Technically, to me, the fat wheel puts the load away from the edge of a soft single track, sort of like the sides are feelers. In contrast, it's pretty easy to have a regular mtn bike tire grab into the trail edge and down you go. In practice, my old trails tended to be firm in the center but crowned, and it takes effort/zen to stay away from the sides; vs with the fat tires the edges tend to be more concave, a little packed, and it's a lot easier to stay in the trail.
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mynameismud
climber
backseat
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Mar 12, 2014 - 06:49pm PT
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never thought I would see a Moth with a Lefty.
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wilbeer
Mountain climber
honeoye falls,ny.greeneck alleghenys
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Mar 12, 2014 - 06:56pm PT
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I ride that lenz now and then and it absolutely rocks.
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neverwas
Mountain climber
ak
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Jan 16, 2017 - 04:43am PT
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Working toward being able to ride a few miles of singletrack involves snowshoeing to set the trail,
ideally making several passes, then riding on the still-soft trail to push further on snowshoes. Low tire pressure helps a lot, and I think going tubeless probably helps, too, at least quieting the tire/tube noise at low pressures.
The set track is perched higher than the ground, the edges are still soft, and the snow can be very slippery when new or when warm, so the riding is slow and often interrupted by falls into the soft snow.
Signs of other area inhabitants appear, including moose and snowshoe hare, but not yet the lynx which should start increasing in numbers any time now.
Woodpeckers are loud and easy to call in, and overwintering songbirds like chickadees, redpolls, and ravens are often in the area.
A day or two later, despite another bit of snow, the trail is in great shape, thanks to more snowshoe traffic, and also thanks to colder temps making the snow much less slippery. -15F up on the hill is pretty pleasant compared to -35F at home, and the traction is good where the trail is firm.
With time and traffic the trail should set up well, with a sort of U shape and with sides than can deflect the wheel back into the track rather than sucking it into the void as when it's new. New snow will eventually reset things back to scratch again, but in interior Alaska that might not happen for weeks, and what's bad for biking is good for skiing, so it's all good.
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Jan 16, 2017 - 06:35am PT
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Love the phat. Check out this beast!
BAd
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AKDOG
Mountain climber
Anchorage, AK
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Jan 16, 2017 - 09:55am PT
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Fat bike open up a lot of winter terrain, unfortunately they are expensive
Last winter, rode out to the Chris McCandless bus made famous by Krakauer's's book, Into The Wild. river crossings are much easier in the winter.
[photoid=486418]
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10b4me
Mountain climber
Retired
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Jan 16, 2017 - 10:35am PT
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been wanting to try that
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
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Jan 16, 2017 - 12:17pm PT
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Too bad they haven't put a ski on the front fork...might go faster..!
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
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Jan 16, 2017 - 01:48pm PT
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Great phat rides! I'm so jonsing to do the winter phat.
I've been seeing a lot of phats over the years on the beaches in Santa Cruz...the last few years a big increase in Moab. Man the tires are PRICEY!!!!
Is that a recumbent phat? What a rig!!!!!
Not me, but my friend Barb who builds winter trails in Wyoming
Another way to do the winter
Susan
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10b4me
Mountain climber
Retired
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Jan 16, 2017 - 03:16pm PT
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Let's go Susan.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Jan 16, 2017 - 03:45pm PT
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where does the motor ride? ;)
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jan 16, 2017 - 04:06pm PT
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hey there say, sue... wow, neat snow shot, of your friend...
wow, guys, snow and bikes, :O
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Jeff Gorris
climber
Not from Portlandia
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Jan 16, 2017 - 08:50pm PT
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My Portland Snowpacolypse commuter (Surly Moonlander)
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
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Jan 16, 2017 - 08:51pm PT
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neat...!
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Cragar
climber
MSLA - MT
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Jan 17, 2017 - 09:56am PT
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What do y'all think about the undamp suspension that the tire creates? It probably isn't an issue on snow, sand, sandy/rocky coastlines, etc. I see folks riding them in the summer and I can see them bouncing whilst pedaling squares(another issue but some other time)...looks flexy..
My new rig goes to 27.5+ and I am not sure I'll ever pony up the $$ for 2 2.8 tires but hey, they're an option! I did a 3" front tire back in my freeride days and it was nice in the BC loam but not so good in the drier N.Rockies as it kinda bounced(even at <10psi) and was a beast to climb with..
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knucko
climber
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Jan 17, 2017 - 10:54am PT
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Got a Salsa Mukluk this summer and had a blast. Tons of trails right from my house that are quite sandy and this bike does great. Especially after/during a rain storm and the dirt packs in!!
Snow riding is good too......
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
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Jan 17, 2017 - 12:05pm PT
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Absolutely killing me seeing these.
At this age I don't know if I can justify another bike.
But I'm trying!
Yes Steve! We'll ride like the wind....er well at least over impossible stuff!!!
Susan
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AKDOG
Mountain climber
Anchorage, AK
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Jan 17, 2017 - 11:26pm PT
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F
climber
away from the ground
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Jan 18, 2017 - 08:21am PT
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^^^
Nice to have Portage locked in this year.
Had a good kite session there Sunday. Looks like the wind did its number on the surface out there the last few days though.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Jan 18, 2017 - 02:42pm PT
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Fat Bikes look like they are for people in places where it's snowy in the winter,
but they still want to ride a bike really badly (and they have lots of spare cash)!
Here is the California version of oldish men on a boy's toy - Drift Trikes on Old Priest Grade!
[Click to View YouTube Video]
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neverwas
Mountain climber
ak
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Jan 18, 2017 - 03:49pm PT
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What do y'all think about the undamp suspension that the tire creates?
I think it could be an issue, but I'm chicken and don't ride that hard. The danger would be if you happen on some bumps that result in resonance, then maybe it's 'hello tree' or something. Front suspension seems to be getting popular, but apparently the seals won't survive cold temps. I don't buy the argument that suspension (i.e., damping) isn't necessary since the tires are soft and bouncy; I pump the tires as hard as trail conditions permit, so the ride over roots and such can be brutal w/o suspension. But if I'm not trying to keep up with folks with suspension over roots or frozen tussocks, and just go at my own pace, it's not that bad.
Lately I've been running at very low pressure on soft trails, and it can get pretty bouncy on the uphills, but I figure that'll help drive the lugs into the snow so maybe helps a bit with traction.
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