[jrob300]

Been riding road bikes, then MTB's and now gravel bikes for over 40 years. I now live in the land of the 6 month winter. I put almost 3000 miles on Zwift last winter and cannot bring myself to be indoors all that time again this year.

I rode a fat bike one time and did not consider it cycling, so I know there is a mindset shift required.... but first I need a bike.

My full squish MTB and Gravel bike are top level. I have the highest expectation of their performance, but I tell myself that a Fat Bike is not the same. I'm hoping that I can buy a budget "tool" to get outdoors this winter.... my wife will need one as well.... but we know literally NOTHING about them. I don't WANT to put a ton of money into this, so I need to know where the price/performance crossover is.

So... regale me with your wisdom, stories and advice. Thanks in advance.

 

[BlackPenquinn]

There are so many different opinions on this one. Get the popcorn ready

Fatbikes are a huge amount of fun. I much prefer riding out in the cold than on a trainer. I have convinced some of my roadie friends to ride all winter with me (I’m not a roadie)

Ensure you have the right gear. Proper clothes that breath well. Layering and wicking are important. Keep your hands and feet warm. You dont want gloves that are too thick and you need to keep your feet dry and have a sole that works with pedals or cleats.

Like you I expect a lot out of my bikes and I have bikes for very specific jobs. My first Fatbike was a Specialized Fatboy with a pretty middling spec. I didn’t know much about Fatbikes (no one really did) and I fell in love with the bike and riding in snow. The bike had rigid fork, a 2 x 10 chain ring, 26x5” rims and tires and a older school XC geometry.

I rode it for years with a smile.

It was replaced two years ago with a Rocky Mountain Suzi-Q. I immediately started to set PR’s on trails that I have ridden hundreds of times. This bike felt much more like a Mountian Bike than the Fatboy. It had a much narrower Q factor (spacing between the pedals) and narrower tires on 27.5” rims. The geo is not modern by MTB standards, but it was more modern and race like. It was the best fat tired bike since my Salsa Bucksaw.

The Suzi-Q is an aluminum bike and has a Bluto on it. For winter riding, I dont think the Bluetooth is worth it. Fatbike tires are heavy enough.

For me the narrower 4” tires are not an issue because I prefer harder pack trails that are fast and fun. I also don't weigh a lot. Some folks like to ride fresh snow and slog along, so this bike wouldn’t work for them.

I have an Otso Voytek coming in November. I chose this bike because it has a more MTB like geometry, a narrow Q-factor, is carbon and can be built up nice and light. I prefer my Fatbike to be light because its basically an XC bike that rides on snow

My Otso is being built up with carbon rims and BERD spokes, so it is not a cheap build. Fatbike tires are heavy, these rims with Onyx hubs should come in around 1900 grams. I have also decided to keep a rigid fork. We will see if that was the right idea, but I don’t think I need to add the weight of a suspenseded fork in the snow and frankly there aren’t any Mastodons available.

After a couple of Fatbikes I have realized I like light bikes, even if they are being ridden on the snow

__

You dont have to spend a lot of money on a Fatbike to have fun, just like you dont have to spend a lot on a MTB to have fun. But if you are a knowledgeable rider with picky tastes and fetish for parts and gear, your fatbike will end up being judged just like your other bikes

 

[jrob300]

I love popcorn!!!

There's a lot in your post, and I'm mostly afraid that you're telling me what I suspected was true... I love light bikes too.... I'm pretty sure that if I bought an entry level Fat Bike, I would have a wandering eye pretty quick.

What is the price point for your latest bike and the bikes you're looking at now... I'd really like to keep this low budget, but my worst nightmare is spending $3k on 2 bikes and bailing back to Zwift.

 

[BansheeRune]

Been riding road bikes, then MTB's and now gravel bikes for over 40 years. I now live in the land of the 6 month winter. I put almost 3000 miles on Zwift last winter and cannot bring myself to be indoors all that time again this year.

I rode a fat bike one time and did not consider it cycling, so I know there is a mindset shift required.... but first I need a bike.

My full squish MTB and Gravel bike are top level. I have the highest expectation of their performance, but I tell myself that a Fat Bike is not the same. I'm hoping that I can buy a budget "tool" to get outdoors this winter.... my wife will need one as well.... but we know literally NOTHING about them. I don't WANT to put a ton of money into this, so I need to know where the price/performance crossover is.

So... regale me with your wisdom, stories and advice. Thanks in advance.

RSD Mayor... They are reasonably priced and rather nice at that. Aptly named after the Toronto Mayor that got his fat ass into trouble!

 

[ZX11]

I rode a fat bike one time and did not consider it cycling, so I know there is a mindset shift required.... but first I need a bike.

What? Not sure what it means but,..."Not consider it cycling" is probably an area you need to look at when deciding on a fat bike. A fat bike that is very unlike a fat bike and more like a gravel bike you ride, perhaps?

 

[jrob300]

What? Not sure what it means but,..."Not consider it cycling" is probably an area you need to look at when deciding on a fat bike. A fat bike that is very unlike a fat bike and more like a gravel bike you ride, perhaps?

Slow, kinda sloggy, lots of vertical bounce like a dually with poor pedal or low shock pressure.... very different feel from the xc ish, road and gravel bikes I've ridden which were more direct, high cadence... less remote??? It's hard to describe, but I'm resigned to the fact that it won't feel like any of those.... just on snow. And that's ok.

 

[BansheeRune]

Slow, kinda sloggy, lots of vertical bounce like a dually with poor pedal or low shock pressure.... very different feel from the xc ish, road and gravel bikes I've ridden which were more direct, high cadence... less remote??? It's hard to describe, but I'm resigned to the fact that it won't feel like any of those.... just on snow. And that's ok.

Never confuse an SR5 with a rock crawler! It is solely about the Jeep factor as well as the uniqueness of fat going over terrain that narrow tires would drown in sand and loam or perhaps snow!
I ride my fatbike year round since I love to hit some backcountry that the plus bikes would have difficulty with. Daily driver, not so much, lest I just need a different experience that day.

 

[justin70]

I suggest tempering expectations. This first part is cynical. Snow is more complicated than pavement or dirt. There are dozens of types of snow. Groomed trail, three inches fresh wet snow, 8 inches crusty popcorn snow with a hard layer on top, 12 inches dry powder, rutted and potholes left by hikers now frozen solid and likely unrideable. Groomed trail is the most fun IMO, because you don't sink and can actually move at a decent pace. Also, fresh snow 3-5 inches deep is great. When the snow gets too deep it can be tough going. Some snow is just not rideable. And if you live anywhere with trails that go up, traction is always a challenge. And the going up part is actually not as challenging as descending on slippery snowy trails when you have limited traction.

The best trails I've found are relatively flat and see limited foot traffic, because the foot prints end up freezing and you have a hard time riding over them, bumping along. I run 4.8 tires I studded with grip studs and those have been great. The studs are nice if you hit icy sections, especially icy pavement to avoid falling. I found my favorite trails include a loop on the local golf course because the topography is fairly flat. And rides are usually much shorter as in the snow I find I'm putting out 2-3x the work to go the same distance as on the dirt. I had initially hoped the fatbike would allow me to hit all my normal summer trails in the winter, but most of the normal trails are just too steep to ride when covered in snow.

 

[Steewen]

What is the price point for your latest bike and the bikes you're looking at now... I'd really like to keep this low budget, but my worst nightmare is spending $3k on 2 bikes and bailing back to Zwift.

I do have an Otso as well. Its a great bike, possibly the best fatbike I have ever had. But, the price for an Otso Voytek on carbon wheels with goodies, will be north of 6k usd at least.

 

[Wirides]

I was in the exact same boat as you last fall. I stumbled onto a Trek Farley 5 at a local shop. Since then it has become my absolute favorite bike and I ride it year round. It's on the entry end but checks a lot of the boxes for me, especially to try it out. You'll lose very, very little on resale of a Farley. The problem is they are pretty much unobtainable new at this point. I have seen new Salsa Beargrease on the floor locally though. I'd also suggest a hard look at the Canyon dude for the bank for buck aspect. As has been said, there's lots of great options out there, even on the lower cost end.

 

[laurawho7]

I was in the exact same boat as you last fall. I stumbled onto a Trek Farley 5 at a local shop. Since then it has become my absolute favorite bike and I ride it year round. It's on the entry end but checks a lot of the boxes for me, especially to try it out. You'll lose very, very little on resale of a Farley. The problem is they are pretty much unobtainable new at this point. I have seen new Salsa Beargrease on the floor locally though. I'd also suggest a hard look at the Canyon dude for the bank for buck aspect. As has been said, there's lots of great options out there, even on the lower cost end.

I had a gravel bike and sold it to get a fat tire bike. I can tell you as a Zwift rider as well, taking the fat tire bike on the same gravel trail, its real cycling. You work a bit more because of the tires but the looks I got and just the comfort Cush of the ride. I love it. I can't wait for the snow to fly to try it out.

If you want a Trek, I got one at a bike shop 50mins away from me, check Treks website. They list the bike shops in your area that have the bike in stock. You might have to drive a bit but you'll get your bike. I recommend Trek as well. In my area a 2020 Trek 5 sold for nearly the same as a new one. I think it was $100 cheaper. If you don't like it, you won't have any issue reselling it. There is a cult following with Trek. Check out the Trek Farley FB page. Another reason why I went with Trek. If I don't like it, I'll be able to sell it for nearly what I paid.

 

[Wirides]

If the Farley is trickling back to the market I'll as a few more thoughts. First, don't let the aluminum frame deter you. It's comparatively light and tubeless tires will take it under 30lbs. The Farley comes stock with 4.5 in tires which are essential in Wisconsin snow. The beargrease and dude are 3.8 and may not clear wider so a 26in set may be a consideration. I was initially turned off by 10 speed gearing but in reality haven't found it lacking or limiting. I will say the brakes suck but I just haven't cared quite enough to address it. I'll probably try larger rotors before swapping to something better entirely. Stock dropper is nice. I don't use it a ton but it's nice it's there when I do. Long story long, figure out what you want and go from there. I'd start with tire clearance of deeper snow is on your plans.

 

[Pipeliner]

If you are riding high end bikes now, a low end fatty won't stay around long. Whatever you get, make sure the rims are tubeless friendly. The difference between tubes vs tubeless on a fat bike is dramatic. If you ride with higher pressures you can cut back the tire bounce quite a bit when spinning but then why buy a fat bike if you can't run low pressure for snow or sand float? Fat biking in soft stuff is not really a high cadence affair.

You may want to consider a 29+...

 

[SteveF]

What? Not sure what it means but,..."Not consider it cycling" is probably an area you need to look at when deciding on a fat bike. A fat bike that is very unlike a fat bike and more like a gravel bike you ride, perhaps?

Same. I don't consider "Zwift," or other indoor bike-like cardio workouts to be cycling so there's a disconnect there somewhere. Fatbikes are a blast but riding in the snow is more a matter of balance and handling, combining momentum and float and cadence and, well a fair bit of walking if you're riding ungroomed snow. It's hard and it's definitely a whole body workout. I enjoy it, usually. Sounds like the OP needs to try some groomed snow trails, it would feel a lot more like "real cycling," I think.

 

[kosmo]

I was in exactly your shoes last year. Bought a fairly cheap Beargrease NX. Ended up loving fat biking. Threw some "lightening money" at it and couldn't be happier.

MIkesee carbon wheels, 120 tpi studded tires, ti post and bars, and done!

 

[Wirides]

In our area any proper or groomed trail will be limited to 3.8in tires or wider. 29+ is out. I do feel pretty strongly there's a point of diminishing returns in the fat bike circles. That would especially be true if his goal is to get outside and stay active during the winter. There's lots of sub 3k bikes that one would be happy with. Sadly, that's near "low end".

 

[jrob300]

Lots of great replies in here and a lot to digest... tons of thanks... but before I go off shopping... 'splain to me the Fat Bike World of wheel diameters and tire width. I can ride my dually on really hard pack/icy trails, but the narrow (2.6") tires plunge in at the hint of deeper or less packed snow. I watch fat bikes ride over the same thing "easily"... at least they can make it... We typically get small, steady snow that has from 6" to 1.5 ft. accumulation on the trails I ride. And it does get steep in places. I weigh 210lbs kitted. My wife is 130. I already saw the words "tubeless" and "carbon" and that part of my brain that ultimately costs me a lot of money is pulling at the reins. What are the different sizes for and what would you recommend for us???

 

[rlee]

You live in the land of 6 month winter and you do not have a outside hobby yet? I mean you do not ski or snowshoe? Why do you think you want a fatbike?
I am not judging you just asking a question because of my own experiences,
I bought a mid range fat bike in the theory that it would get me out. It didn't. Being out riding alone in the cold and dark winter was not fun. There is a group I can go with but my Saturdays are busy with work.
It was a excellent bike for early season when the trails were wet, muddy and had patches of snow. And if I didn't have to work during the days it would have gotten more use but ultimately I ended up selling it.
Back to the trainer and snow shoeing with the wifey.

 

[Wirides]

At your size I'd again strongly recommend you pause before going in on a bike that only clears 3.8in 27.5 wheels. For truly hard packed groomed trails you'll be fine, but anything looser could be a challenge. Your wife is light enough that she'll be fine either way.

26 vs. 27.5 Fat Bike Wheels | FAT-BIKE.COM

fat-bike.com

 

[jrob300]

You live in the land of 6 month winter and you do not have a outside hobby yet? I mean you do not ski or snowshoe? Why do you think you want a fatbike?
I am not judging you just asking a question because of my own experiences,

This is a super legitimate question.... and why I have put it off as long as I have. I LOVE Montana when it is not winter and I'm not moving again. So that part is fixed. When I ski, it is for other's to point and laugh. It's bad. And doesn't matter if it's XC or downhill. My wife/best friend/training partner hates snowshoeing. Probably because we get so little snow that we literally have to drive to a place so we can snowshoe. Seems like a lot of work. So we hike on the packed trails and ride Zwift. A lot. Hence my conundrum...

It gets really icy here, so we stud our shoes. Watching studded fat bikes ride on the same stuff is making me think that it would be really neat to have something that is powered by an engine we already have, we can ride the local bike paths OR we can ride up to the local trails do a spin and then ride home. But some really good questions that I have wrestled with and probably won't really know the answer to unless we dive in... hence the question about entry level bikes.... but I know me and this could easily become a $10K investment before long.