'
Off the Beaten Path' is an adventure cycling film from First Tracks Productions celebrating the journeys bikes allow us to take. The project specifically focuses on how fatter tire bikes are allowing riders (
from pros to weekend warriors) to venture to places cyclists have never been able to ride before. Fat bikes may still be seen as mountain biking's goofy cousin, but really, they represent part of the evolution of mountain biking. Early mountain bikers who were building Clunkerz were trying to create bikes that allowed them get off the roads and ride bikes in new terrain. We got to experience first hand how fat bikes are doing the same sort of thing...and we were both stoked and surprised in how much we could ride on these bikes that we'd not previously been able to ride. We also got to meet a lot of people along the way that were using these bikes in really creative ways to do their own things.
Now, I'm not saying that fat biking isn't still mountain biking's goofy cousin or that it's cool. But, it's fun. A lot of fun. And, it can take you to places you never thought you'd be able to ride and let you get out on a bike on days that you'd normally be couch surfing. So, maybe it's at least kinda, sorta cool in a way that you don't want to admit. Find out more about First Tracks Productions
here.Supported by: Travel Nevada, Turner Bikes, Fatback Bikes, KHS Bicycles, Canyon Bikes, Lauf Forks and VEE Tire CO
MENTIONS: @ACwithFT /
@Canyon-PureCycling /
@VeeTireCoUK
Anyway, awesome to see it made Pinkbike and I am glad to be a part of it! Also cool to see a shot with the KillerShot GoSwivel ( www.killershot.com ) made the cut, looking forward to the full movie!
But, in addition to using the fat bikes on more variable terrain, I now find myself riding fat bikes more often that I thought I would even on singletrack just for fun. That's one thing we don't really touch on in the film - trails. We wanted to do as little singletrack as possible for the project. Though when things get loose here in Tahoe (by mid-summer usually), those tires actually help you ride faster on the descents. For example, I gotta brake before going in to sandy berms on the Ibis whereas I don't on the fat bike. And, even when conditions aren't loose, it's a really fun change - just a different ride. Thanks! ac
For myself, the "fatbike" is probably the most practical and utilitarian bike I have ever owned, and has kept the window for riding open year round. Rides that are some of the most memorable I have ever done. Consistently doing 10-15 mile rides in the middle of winter on three to four feet of loosely packed snow, in the dark, at 5 degrees F! Make you say How the F*ck am I out here doing this right now!? For me the fat tires are one of the most practical and versatile developments in Mtb in a looooong time.
As a trail bike, they make an incredible hardtail for someone that loves a long travel FS trail/all-mountain bike.
I, personally, just got sick of my own ignorance and two days ago rented and rode my very first 29er. I rode two hours longer and faster than i ever have. But also not a moron, there's more to a 29er than big wheels and i could feel that instantly. As for the wheel size i could WATCH it staddle the holes between tree roots that usually stop my 26 and even my 27.5 tire in its tracks. I believe in it now. For technical trail riding.
Fat tires also have their place. The thought that they excel everywhere is just fan boy talk. They were created for a reason, flotation. They will excel where flotation is needed, that's all. We've seen fat bikes on rock, bikes on slack lines, and road bikes in Whistler. Anything can be ridden anywhere. Everyone relax.
Not because 'Fat Bikes', but because it made me want to go and ride some proper adventure terrain. Sure Fatbikes are great for some very particular terrain but i'd like to ride most of that on my Bronson, bar the snow and sand maybe.
Liked the vid a lot either way. Gave me a few goosebumps at the though of riding through a waterfall on some high mountain pass. Something thats not really an option in the UK, at least definitely not with the sun out. ;-)
I've got 3 friends that have them, they are super fun but I can't go back to 2005 fork technology if I'm gonna buy one.