I don't really care what bike I'm on in snow, so long as I'm in it! I'll ride my daughters tiny pink BMX with stabilisers if I have to, so long as I'm roaring with laughter ploughing down a hill, knee deep in the stuff we only seem to get once a decade here in the UK!
Yea man...agreed. In a perfect world we can all have a bike for any condition; make the best of what you got. For me, I have three. Skinny, plus, fat...
That looks like an AWESOME event. Mass start race, individual start DH, biker-cross 4X, sledding and just free riding. I'd pay to do all that in a day. But like everyone I'm looking for spring and warmer days pedaling.
You can have fun on any bike in snow, depending on the conditions. A fat bike would've smoked them all though. While those conditions still sucked, a fat bike is definitely better than a Dh bike in that stuff.
@Leppah: no it wouldn't lol the the tire resistance would be like pushing a dozer blade through the snow. Despite what people think fat bikes don't just roll over snow if you don't believe me go try one yourself and you'll find out quick they just sink as much as a normal size tire.
@freerider11: name these certain conditions then bud. Why dont you go check out the article from a few weeks back with all the fat bikes that had to go to a dh track just to ride the things and they are all crashing all over the place. Go read the comments buddy told me you can only ride them on hard packed snow trails. I can ride my normal bike on hard packed trails too lol.
@mhoshal: I prefer my fat bike in any snow condition or slush that won't support my mountain bike(which is studded). So yes, condition does matter. You should go ride a fat bike and enjoy life
@mhoshal: Again, you obviously have no clue, bud. I'd suggest not commenting on something you obviously know nothing about. I ride a fat bike at least 3 days a week through the winter. Allows me to keep riding all winter long when everyone else can't get out due to snow conditions. Sure, some days a normal bike would be fine, but fresh snow 6" or less it's way better, crusted snow it's way better because you don't break through the crust, loose snow over hard pack is way better as you're not constantly sliding out, even on ice with studded tires it's way better due to the additional traction. Even in the spring mud it's way better. The fat bike serves a purpose and I only use it for winter riding, but saying normal tires are as good in snow as fat tires (at very low pressures) is just ignorance.
As some others have said; you seem like a fat bike hater. This is like saying 160mm Enduro bikes prove there's no need for DH bikes. Sure, certain conditions, certain tracks, certain riders and you can be faster on an Enduro bike. Same goes for fat bikes. Having a fat bike doesn't allow you to just run out in a foot of snow and ride like its summer, but having one in your stable will give you more time on the trails if you are in an area that gets snow, guaranteed. I live this all Winter long and can tell you many of your comments are flat wrong. A fat bike is NOT ALWAYS better in the snow, but OFTEN it is. The big thing to remember is that it doesn't destroy groomed trails. A 2.3" tire at 27psi destroys a groomed trail, I've seen it. A 4.8" tire at 6psi does not.
@aaronaaron: I have riden fat bikes they are sluggish and hard to pedal on any terrain so no I won't be out riding one ever. The day I stop passing fat bikers on trails and they start passing me then maybe but that will never happen because fat bikes are a bigger joke then e bikes. At least e bikes have an actual purpose.
Sounds like someone doesn't have the skill and fitness to ride a fat bike properly. Sorry to hear that, keep working on it and one day you might. You come ride anywhere near me in winter fat bike snow conditions and I guarantee I will be passing you on my fat bike.
But usually, on hard packed snow, thin mud tires are the best.
So yes, condition does matter. You should go ride a fat bike and enjoy life