Fat bikes can go places most bikes can only imagine, making them the monster trucks of the cycling world.
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However, what are fat tire bikes precisely, and are they even sensible? We shall discuss their applications, benefits, and drawbacks in this post.
We’ll also go over the important factors to think about when purchasing parts for fat bikes, such as what to look for in fat bike tires.
A fat bike is what?
A fat bike is, to put it briefly, a bicycle with unusually wide tires, often measuring at least 3.8 inches across.
Though they come in many forms and sizes, they are often designed for bikepacking and off-road adventure riding.
Though full-suspension fat bikes are also an option, most fat bikes rely on their large volume tires to cushion trail bumps.
What are the uses for a fat bike?
The large contact area between the tires and the ground allows fat bikes to float on top of soft terrain, when other bikes quickly sink and become stuck. Originally intended to be ridden on sand and snow.
But fat-tyred bikes aren’t only for winter riding and beaches; they have amazing traction on every surface.
Because of its large capacity, fat bike tyres can be inflated to very low pressures (between 5 and 15 psi), which gives the bike a smooth ride as it picks up any debris or roots it encounters on the route.
Adventure riders and bikepackers also love fat bikes, especially on routes with sandy or icy sections. They are also frequently made with mounting points for additional equipment and bikepacking packs.
What drawbacks do fat bikes have?
The weight gain from the large tires, rims, and bigger parts is the most noticeable benefit (more on that later).
Fat bikes are constrained on difficult descents, despite their airy ride sensation.
When precision riding is needed, their broad tires might seem somewhat hazy. When the terrain get steep and fast, the enormous undamped air volume may provide for a ride that seems like a pogo stick.
Similar to other mountain bikes, it performs poorly when it comes to stopping on steep slopes.
Due to their enormous spinning mass, fat bikes need a lot of braking force to bring their wheels to a stop.
Other important elements to take into account include component choice and cost.
Specialty components for fat bikes include tires, rims, hubs, and cranks.
There is less option when it comes to customizing your bike because these parts are sometimes harder to get and might be more expensive than equivalent parts for conventional motorcycles.
Is it difficult to pedal a fat bike?
I sometimes get asked if fat bikes are more difficult to ride than standard mountain bikes because of their large tires.
Depending on whether (relatively) skinny-tyred mountain bike is chosen as a point of comparison, the answer is not totally clear-cut.
It is true that fat bikes often weigh more than non-fat bikes. This may make pedaling them more difficult, particularly uphill. Their limited acceleration and additional rotational mass also make it more difficult for them to accelerate.
But in other circumstances, like slick steep climbs, fat bikes’ enhanced grip helps them easily navigate obstacles that ordinary riders would find challenging.
What kinds of fat bikes exist?
Fat bikes are created with adventure riding in mind and are made to take you off the beaten path.
There are three main categories under which they may be divided, even though they all use broad 3.8 to 5-inch mountain bike tires.
Hardtail or rigid fat bikes are available.
Due to their reduced weight and ease of upkeep, hardtail frames are the most popular option for fat bikes.
Hardtail fat bikes don’t have any rear suspension, thus their enormous tires are their only source of comfort and grip on the path.
Although some fat-tyre mountain bikes are specified with a specifically made suspension fork, it’s as usual to find a fully rigid fork instead, especially on less expensive models, as the bikes aren’t made with aggressive trail or enduro riding in mind.
Fat bike with full suspension
On the trails, full-suspension fat bikes are uncommon. Compared to hardtails, full-suspension frames are inherently heavier and more intricate.
The distinctions between regular and fat bikes are accentuated by the fact that fat bikes’ frames are made to fit extremely wide tires, which means that axle spacing, bottom bracket junction width, and tire clearance must come before suspension design optimization.
Although some riders with fat tires might find the additional grip and control provided by rear suspension useful, the general purpose of fat bikes makes them rather obsolete in comparison to the lighter and more straightforward designs made feasible by hardtails.
Fat bike electric
It’s hardly unexpected to see fat bikes join the ranks of electric bikes given how electric innovation is sweeping the cycling industry by storm.
But it appears that the market for mid-to high-end fat bikes has been sluggish to pick up on the trend. Given their original purpose, it’s understandable why.
Sand, mud, and snow-covered terrain are no match for the extremes that fat bikes are built for—they are adventure bikes.
Although they may be able to cover ground faster with an electric bike engine, their performance and adventurous goals are hampered by the additional weight and limited battery life.