biking in the snow

General Discussion
#1

I just picked up a Fatbike for some winter time trail riding. Took it out yesterday, and got soaked. Everything was melting creating some ‘ponds’ along the trail. The rest was a slushy, icy, mess.

Today, another winter storm blew in, so it is all fresh snow. It is a lot harder to plow through then yesterday, and real slow going.

Almost every person that you ride by stares in amazement at the tires, and laughs and makes comments. Fatbikes have been around for awhile, but are just kind of taking off this year with a bunch of the big bike manufacturers finally on board. Even Walmart sells a model in the US.

The Surly Moonlander I have takes it to the extreme, with five inch tires and 4inch wide rims. You run the tire pressure as low as 4psi, and flatten the tire across the terrain for mega grip. On deep snow, the bike will only sink so far, providing floatation. They are really the Monster trucks of the mountain biking world.

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10704221/p4pb10704221.jpg

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10704222/p4pb10704222.jpg

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10704224/p4pb10704224.jpg

#2

they have those in Paris. Fatbike tours. Pretty cool and easy to ride.

#3

Yeah, they are a lot of fun :slight_smile:

#4

They are a surprising amount of fun on rocks too. I demo’d one on one of the local chunkfest trails and it was all smiles. Crazy amounts of traction (with the right tire pressure). I didn’t like it quite enough to displace anything else in the stable just yet, but certainly a hoot.

#5

You’re right, crazy traction. One of the funnest things on them is climbing, as you can just put it in the lowest gear and keep spinning.

#6

I still see the “Fatties fit fine” remain on the chain stay. looks heavy, but fun!

#7

I think the Moonlander runs about 38 pounds. But on the trail it doesnt feel that bad. That being said, you arent going anywhere fast