[kosmo]

Any other older fat bike converts? After 62 years of proclaiming that winter is for skiing, I took the plunge a bit reluctantly last winter and ended up loving fat biking. Far more than my previously-beloved xc skiing (some seasons saw me on the skinny sticks upwards of 50 days).

I was amazed at what was rideable on studded tires. There were a few rides where walking back in the event of a breakdown would have been very sketchy.

Who else?

 

[celler]

Looks like the trail in the picture is one that is later in the spring after some snow melt and freezing. closer to ide than snow. I can see that would be great with studded tires. No experience with fat bikes but years ago I had a motorcycle with studded tires and after a major ice storm I went out and road and it was an excellent experience.

Where are you located?

 

[baker]

51 here and I've been riding fat bikes for quite a while. Just another tool in the shed for me. In perfect conditions, a fat bike ride feels magical. On most days, it is just hard work that I prefer vs riding a stationary bike indoors...

And, yeah, breakdowns in poor conditions can be miserable. I'm always prepared to just hoof it and suffer.

 

[Crankout]

I'm aging, but am lean for my age.

 

[joeduda]

I'm aging, but am lean for my age.

LOL. Riding on the snow has become my favorite.. Actually picking up a snowdog and singletrack groomer this weekend to groom the local trail here. Got the permit to do it from the State Park last week. Hoping for some good snow this year!!

 

[Sparticus]

Who else?

Not me. I have zero interest in fat bikes. That said, I wish I lived someplace close to where it snows in the winter because fat bikes on snow look / sound like an absolute blast! But I've only thrown a leg over my buddy's fat bike on dirt (well, more like mud) and didn't find the wheel mass / handling to my liking compared to a 29" wheel with 2.5-2.8" tires. But if I ever move to a place where it snows in winter, I'm going to have to bust out Mr. Wallet bigtime, cuz I'll be all over a capable snow bike not to mention a snowmobile.

LOL. Riding on the snow has become my favorite.. Actually picking up a snowdog ...

Snowdogs look like fun! In fact, maybe if I had a snowdog I'd skip the snowmobile. I mean, IF I lived someplace where snow accumulated.
=sParty

 

[ddoh]

Actually, I switched over from rider studded MTB to Fat Bike. Sooo much better.

"In perfect conditions, a fat bike ride feels magical."

That!

 

[Sparticus]

Actually, I switched over from rider studded MTB to Fat Bike. Sooo much better.

"In perfect conditions, a fat bike ride feels magical."

That!

What does "rider studded MTB" mean?

 

[ddoh]

I meant to say 'riding studded MTB'. But I do like the sound of 'rider studded MTB'.

 

[Crockpot2001]

Got a fat bike last year to keep at my mountain cabin where snow for 3-4 months is pretty common but not consistant. Otherwise it's often muddy there. I ended up riding ALL last year as it was the snowiest in years. I then rode it frequently in the summer using smaller tires. I absolutely love it. It's not better than my Hightower or Stumpy when the trails are dry but it sure is fun!

 

[Scott O]

What does "rider studded MTB" mean?

Here's a recent one I did, Sparty. Let me know and I can put some sparkly studs on your MTB too.

 

[ZX11]

Any other older fat bike converts? After 62 years of proclaiming that winter is for skiing, I took the plunge a bit reluctantly last winter and ended up loving fat biking. Far more than my previously-beloved xc skiing (some seasons saw me on the skinny sticks upwards of 50 days).

I was amazed at what was rideable on studded tires. There were a few rides where walking back in the event of a breakdown would have been very sketchy.

Who else?

The Gnarwhals on my Farley seem to truck over anything. Lots of traction even at the 8psi I keep them at. They are studded on in case there is ice under the snow. I got into biking just before winter so a fat bike was a good way to keep riding. A winter storm warning was an invite to me to go riding.

 

[nOOky]

I biked some in the winter in prior years, but last year decided to make the investment in actual riding gear and tires to ride in anything. Except very deep snow I mean. I am a runner mostly, but the season is over, and I have already been on the fat bike getting ready for winter riding. I actually miss going out after work in the dark, riding trails or rails to trails almost entirely by myself. Often I bring the girl dog with me and she loves it. I particularly like either new snow, or glare ice on the lakes and marshes. It's a lot of work pushing through deeper snow, I suspect a decent young runner could beat me in a fair race.

We don't have any groomed trails around here that don't have snowmobiles on them, which I avoid. I can head out and ride for hours either listening to book on tape or just the wind. The worst is when the top crusts over and you break through, that makes it tough no matter what the tire pressure. I think I weigh about 190# fully geared up, and I run 5 psi to 8 psi depending on the trail.

 

[cyclelicious]

I manage to ride all winter (since 2007) on a regular hardtail and skinny studded tires. There are slight advantages and disadvantages to fatbikes vs regular bikes (my husbands has ridden both in winter and prefers the skinny hard tail) Studded tires are best where we ride (southern Ontario) because of the freeze thaw weather. To each his own. Ride what you got.

 

[Sparticus]

Here's a recent one I did, Sparty. Let me know and I can put some sparkly studs on your MTB too.
View attachment 1954228

Nice! Hook me up, bro — meet me at Picard’s place, he’s gonna want the same treatment fur shur.
=sParty

 

[Blue Dot Trail]

Love riding in the winter now. Along with the Fat Bike, buying some good winter specific clothing and shoes makes a huge difference. I ride the same technical trails I ride in summer, albeit I spend more time on my butt. It’s like slap-stick comedy. Even easy “green” trails are an adventure in winter.

 

[Sparticus]

… buying some good winter specific clothing and shoes makes a huge difference.

^^^ this times infinity! Even tho I don’t ride in snow much (cuz we hardly ever get any here in the Willamette Valley), it’s often cold during the winter months here and I do like to ride year ‘round. Couple years ago I invested in some 45Nrth Volvhammer boots and OMG! — sooo worthwhile. Whenever it’s 40°F or below — which happens a lot Dec thru Feb — I wear these boots and life is good.

I also learned a long time ago that it’s okay to bring multiple pairs of gloves on a winter ride. And a buff or headband, etc. Years ago my riding buddy shiggy told me that staying comfortable on long winter rides isn’t as much about staying dry as it is about staying warm.
=sParty

 

[ZX11]

^^^ this times infinity! Even tho I don’t ride in snow much (cuz we hardly ever get any here in the Willamette Valley), it’s often cold during the winter months here and I do like to ride year ‘round. Couple years ago I invested in some 45Nrth Volvhammer boots and OMG! — sooo worthwhile. Whenever it’s 40°F or below — which happens a lot Dec thru Feb — I wear these boots and life is good.

I also learned a long time ago that it’s okay to bring multiple pairs of gloves on a winter ride. And a buff or headband, etc. Years ago my riding buddy shiggy told me that staying comfortable on long winter rides isn’t as much about staying dry as it is about staying warm.
=sParty

Those Wolvhammer boots are nice. I looked into them with all their fancy features for bikes. They were kinda unavailable. I'll get some if they ever go on sale.

But, if you don't need speed laces and clipless ability, any light-ish winter goretex boot will do. Mine are Cabela's store brand that I have used down to 6f degrees . The heavy lugs of the typical $100 winter boot work well with flat peddles and their spikes. As much as my front tries to pitch out on some snow snow conditions (frozen foot prints, frozen dog poo), I want my feet not clipped in. Are people clipped in on snow?

 

[BlackPenquinn]

53 years old, been riding Fatbike for years. Snow is some of the most fun riding you can do.

 

[BlackPenquinn]

It’s just such a beautiful sport. We often bring a BBQ and cook up some food