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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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