2 years ago I searched all over to uncover experiences of older fatbike riders who just ride on trails, not intense riding. So, in case someone else is searching, here are my experiences. I ride on gravel or dirt trails and roads, all seasons. I own a Motobecane Boris 4.8 inch tire fatbike with hydraulic brakes and bluto suspension, a Specialized with 2 inch tires, and an older K2 700c bike converted to direct drive brushless electric. I am on social security and my body feels like I deserve it.
1) What the fatbike works well for: I got a fatbike because I got tired of my 2 inch tires sliding out when I hit soft sand, rocks or ice patches. The fatbike solved those problems and extended my riding by several months every year. It is great when I hit those patches of ice and hard snow on the trails. I don't fall over. I usually use 15 psi on these hard trails.
2) Snow: It is fine in light snow cover or ice. It is great riding on the frozen lakes without a lot of snow cover. Packed snowmobile trails are fine too (except some snowmobilers don't want to swerve around a bike, so watch out!). I will leave riding through snow over 2 inches to the younger riders. It is harder than heck for me, even with low pressure in the tires. My hat is off to those riders who can peddle through deep soft snow. I stopped working that hard when I retired (that is a joke). I did expect it to be easier in the snow. But deep snow riding isn't necessary in my case.
3) Mud and water: Yep, when I hit mud and puddles I no longer worry about sinking down and getting stuck. I can just plow right through the potholes that my 2 inch bike would have problems with. Oh, I found out on my first couple rides that fenders or waterproof clothes are necessary. I no longer ride around puddles.
4) Peddling: Yes, it is about 30% harder to peddle my fatbike than my Specialized 2 inch tire bike (rough estimate). But, hey, I can go out when I normally couldn't and so what if I need to go slower? I am retired and there is no place to be. If I am using a bike to actually get somewhere on city streets I use my 2 inch or my converted ebike. Unless there is ice. Then I will take the security of the fatbike.
5) Bluto: Ok, they are worth the price for my old abused body. 2 years ago some df did a rolling stop with his car and ran me over, breaking my neck and pelvis. I was walking on the sidewalk. That is another story. This meant no more motorcycles, horseback riding or snowmobiles for me. The bluto gives me a much more comfortable ride than my rigid frame bike. Even on a good trail I notice that it moves up and down about 1.5 to 2 inches. Neck doesn't hurt and neither do my shoulders. Under-inflated tires do not make up for the bluto suspension. My bluto survives the cold fine, but I am not jumping off cliffs, etc..
6) Hydraulic brakes: Got them, don't go fast enough to need them. But, they sure stop nice! Disc brakes are probably necessary since my rims get too covered with stuff for rim brakes to work (I think). BB5 or BB7 mechanical brakes would be perfectly adequate.
7) Derailleur: Even though I do not abuse my bike like it is designed to do, the better derailleur I got really makes for a smoother and more comfortable ride. Hey, learn how to tune your derailleurs. It is fun. I only use a small number of the 18 or 20 speeds I have.
8) Tires: I think in my case the 4" tires would be just as good as the 4.8".
9) I probably overbought for what I needed. I could have gotten a bike without the hydraulic brakes, a good - but a step down derailleur, and 4 inch tires for about $400 less and been just as happy with it.
I hope this helps someone else who is wondering if they should get a fatbike and what to get on it. I like mine a lot and enjoy it when hikers on the trails say, "You got some fat tires there"! Sometimes I am tempted to say so do you, but not sure how it would be taken.
1) What the fatbike works well for: I got a fatbike because I got tired of my 2 inch tires sliding out when I hit soft sand, rocks or ice patches. The fatbike solved those problems and extended my riding by several months every year. It is great when I hit those patches of ice and hard snow on the trails. I don't fall over. I usually use 15 psi on these hard trails.
2) Snow: It is fine in light snow cover or ice. It is great riding on the frozen lakes without a lot of snow cover. Packed snowmobile trails are fine too (except some snowmobilers don't want to swerve around a bike, so watch out!). I will leave riding through snow over 2 inches to the younger riders. It is harder than heck for me, even with low pressure in the tires. My hat is off to those riders who can peddle through deep soft snow. I stopped working that hard when I retired (that is a joke). I did expect it to be easier in the snow. But deep snow riding isn't necessary in my case.
3) Mud and water: Yep, when I hit mud and puddles I no longer worry about sinking down and getting stuck. I can just plow right through the potholes that my 2 inch bike would have problems with. Oh, I found out on my first couple rides that fenders or waterproof clothes are necessary. I no longer ride around puddles.
4) Peddling: Yes, it is about 30% harder to peddle my fatbike than my Specialized 2 inch tire bike (rough estimate). But, hey, I can go out when I normally couldn't and so what if I need to go slower? I am retired and there is no place to be. If I am using a bike to actually get somewhere on city streets I use my 2 inch or my converted ebike. Unless there is ice. Then I will take the security of the fatbike.
5) Bluto: Ok, they are worth the price for my old abused body. 2 years ago some df did a rolling stop with his car and ran me over, breaking my neck and pelvis. I was walking on the sidewalk. That is another story. This meant no more motorcycles, horseback riding or snowmobiles for me. The bluto gives me a much more comfortable ride than my rigid frame bike. Even on a good trail I notice that it moves up and down about 1.5 to 2 inches. Neck doesn't hurt and neither do my shoulders. Under-inflated tires do not make up for the bluto suspension. My bluto survives the cold fine, but I am not jumping off cliffs, etc..
6) Hydraulic brakes: Got them, don't go fast enough to need them. But, they sure stop nice! Disc brakes are probably necessary since my rims get too covered with stuff for rim brakes to work (I think). BB5 or BB7 mechanical brakes would be perfectly adequate.
7) Derailleur: Even though I do not abuse my bike like it is designed to do, the better derailleur I got really makes for a smoother and more comfortable ride. Hey, learn how to tune your derailleurs. It is fun. I only use a small number of the 18 or 20 speeds I have.
8) Tires: I think in my case the 4" tires would be just as good as the 4.8".
9) I probably overbought for what I needed. I could have gotten a bike without the hydraulic brakes, a good - but a step down derailleur, and 4 inch tires for about $400 less and been just as happy with it.
I hope this helps someone else who is wondering if they should get a fatbike and what to get on it. I like mine a lot and enjoy it when hikers on the trails say, "You got some fat tires there"! Sometimes I am tempted to say so do you, but not sure how it would be taken.
