[mtnbkrmike]

So...I was contacted by a major, high end bike manufacturer who had seen my posts about my pair of Norco Bigfoot VLT 1s. I will apparently be involved to some degree in the design and manufacture of their yet to be manufactured e-fatties.

Let’s be clear - I’m not delusional. I expect whatever contributions I am able to make will be infinitesimal in the grand scheme of things. Nonetheless, it’s exciting, and certainly a privilege for me to even be contacted.

I have amassed quite a few miles on mine, and have my own ideas about things. That said, to the extent any of you have any thoughts about geo, battery, drivetrain, suspension/non-suspension, brakes, dropper, tires, motor or anything else, please let me know. Just looking for any further ideas. I want to make sure I am prepared as much as I can be.

My first meeting is on January 6. Super stoked and excited to talk about anything with anyone that is biking related.

Thanks.

 

[Gutch]

Cool man. Don’t worry about it, I’m a brand ambassador for Captain Morgan, I tell them to lower prices and increase volume! Jk, your bikes are badass. I wish I had experience on an e-fattie. I no longer live in the snowbelt. Just think of your dislikes of your bikes.

 

[ZX11]

Cool man. Don’t worry about it, I’m a brand ambassador for Captain Morgan, I tell them to lower prices and increase volume! Jk, your bikes are badass. I wish I had experience on an e-fattie. I no longer live in the snowbelt. Just think of your dislikes of your bikes.

Nice. Tell Captain Morgan to bring back the canon ball flavors. The fat ebikes should have onboard tire pressure monitoring reported right to their dashboards.

 

[mtnbkrmike]

Nice. Tell Captain Morgan to bring back the canon ball flavors. The fat ebikes should have onboard tire pressure monitoring reported right to their dashboards.
View attachment 1963482

…and heated grips. Heated saddles would be a nice touch too.

 

[mtnbkrmike]

…removable battery for indoor heated charging.

And no $hit components.

 

[Gutch]

…and heated grips. Heated saddles would be a nice touch too.
[/QUOTE

Heated grips for sure, Integrated headlight maybe? Never tried the cannonball flavors..

 

[mtnbkrmike]

Heated grips for sure, Integrated headlight maybe? Never tried the cannonball flavors..

Not crazy about the lights idea. I am very picky about my lighting. I bet most are. I wouldn’t be interested in whatever crap they would install.

As for removable batteries…

Being in Canada with an unheated, uninsulated garage, I have to wrap car battery warmers around the downtube to charge the bikes. I would much prefer to remove the batteries and charge and store them indoors. It’s been as cold as minus 42 here, the last few weeks. Removable battery and heated grips/saddle would be good FOR ME. Not sure about the rest of the market though.

 

[pushinpixels]

It seems like very few fat bike manufactures are updating their geometry. Or just dropping their fatties altogether.

After a summer season of riding long, low, slack, I'm sold on this concept. I don't know how much of those design values will work with Fat bikes. Headtube angles seem to be a contentious topic. They range from 67 on the RM Blizzard to 69 on the Norco Bigfoot. The argument seems to be floppier handling at low speed in the snow the slacker you get. Some say the fatbike will handle more like a regular hardtail if HT is slackened.

The Pole Taiga fatbike had wild geometry. Too bad it was cancelled so quickly. It seemed to excel on fresh powder with the floatation of 100mm 26" rims and a crazy long wheelbase.
I've ordered a more conventional Norco Bigfoot this year to replace my old Specialized Fatboy. It should work well for the groomed conditions I usually ride in.

 

[mtnbkrmike]

It seems like very few fat bike manufactures are updating their geometry. Or just dropping their fatties altogether.

After a summer season of riding long, low, slack, I'm sold on this concept. I don't know how much of those design values will work with Fat bikes. Headtube angles seem to be a contentious topic. They range from 67 on the RM Blizzard to 69 on the Norco Bigfoot. The argument seems to be floppier handling at low speed in the snow the slacker you get. Some say the fatbike will handle more like a regular hardtail if HT is slackened.

The Pole Taiga fatbike had wild geometry. Too bad it was cancelled so quickly. It seemed to excel on fresh powder with the floatation of 100mm 26" rims and a crazy long wheelbase.
I've ordered a more conventional Norco Bigfoot this year to replace my old Specialized Fatboy. It should work well for the groomed conditions I usually ride in.

My Bigfoot VLT 1s are 68 degrees. But point taken. Thank you.

 

[pushinpixels]

Yeah the VLT's geo is a little different to the analog Bigfoot for whatever reason. Your a little bit longer, lower and slacker
From the research I've done, Wyatt fat bikes are getting lots of kudos for modern, well thought out progressive geometry. The value and parts spec of the Bigfoot 1 was the deciding factor for me.

If I had the funds, a full suspension e-fattie would be a dream ride. I hope Foes does this to their Mutz.

 

[crank1979]

Al wheel drive!

 

[Bigwheel]

Al wheel drive!

Simpler than you might think? Put a 135mm rear Bafang G series geared hub in the front wheel and pedal away to your hearts content in the rear. Presto.

Want just a regular fat bike with no motor? Swap out the front wheel and leave the battery at home. Double presto. Or better yet put one on a sus fork and just swap out forks....https://www.amazon.com/Fork-Travel-Aluminum-Alloy-Material-Mountain/dp/B07LDD6GZQ/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B07LDCHZPV&psc=1

Cost of conversion, under a grand.

HNY boys....

 

[Jack7782]

So...I was contacted by a major, high end bike manufacturer who had seen my posts about my pair of Norco Bigfoot VLT 1s. I will apparently be involved to some degree in the design and manufacture of their yet to be manufactured e-fatties.

Let’s be clear - I’m not delusional. I expect whatever contributions I am able to make will be infinitesimal in the grand scheme of things. Nonetheless, it’s exciting, and certainly a privilege for me to even be contacted.

I have amassed quite a few miles on mine, and have my own ideas about things. That said, to the extent any of you have any thoughts about geo, battery, drivetrain, suspension/non-suspension, brakes, dropper, tires, motor or anything else, please let me know. Just looking for any further ideas. I want to make sure I am prepared as much as I can be.

My first meeting is on January 6. Super stoked and excited to talk about anything with anyone that is biking related.

Thanks.

Optional 'snow and gravel' wheels and tires on offer - example would be 26 x 4.0 snow and 27.5 x 3.0 gravel, without messing up the geo and bb height etc

 

[Jayem]

I see quite a few E-fattys, but they aren't designed with true-fat-bike travel as a goal most of the time IMO. Being able to take at least 4.8x26 and 4.5x27.5, but that creates quite the disparity if you use a smaller 26" tire. Adjustable dropouts, at least dual position, are a good way around this. The consideration of tire size though seems to be the biggest issue, design it first as a fat-bike IMO.

 

[kntr]

Full suspension, 900wh removable battery, Mastodon ext 150, room for 26x5.0 or 27.5x4.0. They could sell it with a summer 29er wheel set too. One bike with a few wheel sets would be awesome. I have a Mutz with 26x4.0, 27.5x3.0 and 29x2.6. 3 bikes in one.

Something exactly like the Maxx Huraxdax or Foes Fat e-ticket with a bigger battery.

DH brakes to keep up with weight.

Air or spring dropper post, so it works when its cold.

Transferable 2 year warranty like Specialized does with their ebikes.

I ride year around and have ridden a fat bike for a long time and I really want a full suspension fatty ebike.

 

[33red]

If i can express my view they should offer a basic affordable EFatbike.
No dropper, about 550W, 10S. Honestly a 11/46 cassette is plenty.
Unless they offer a lower price they loose customers to the many very affordable options.
Most of todays bike are too long, go shorter.
PS. Why not offer a 29+ it would be a great all seasons practical toy.

 

[mtnbkrmike]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. My first call is tomorrow. I am super excited. I hope I don’t disappoint these guys.

 

[Gutch]

Full suspension, 900wh removable battery, Mastodon ext 150, room for 26x5.0 or 27.5x4.0. They could sell it with a summer 29er wheel set too. One bike with a few wheel sets would be awesome. I have a Mutz with 26x4.0, 27.5x3.0 and 29x2.6. 3 bikes in one.

Something exactly like the Maxx Huraxdax or Foes Fat e-ticket with a bigger battery.

DH brakes to keep up with weight.

Air or spring dropper post, so it works when its cold.

Transferable 2 year warranty like Specialized does with their ebikes.

I ride year around and have ridden a fat bike for a long time and I really want a full suspension fatty ebike.

View attachment 1964088

Did you jump the gap? Lol!

 

[Gutch]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. My first call is tomorrow. I am super excited. I hope I don’t disappoint these guys.

You won’t, you’re not on their payroll, are you?

 

[mtnbkrmike]

You won’t, you’re not on their payroll, are you?

No. I’m getting nothing. But there’s a long list of important sounding people on this call. I hope it’s not a waste of time for them. Chief Product Officer, Director of R&D Chassis, Director of R&D Powertrain, R&D Engineer, Product Line Manager, Director of Marketing, and Brand Manager. I’m a little nervous actually.