My buddy’s fat bike looks stupid. Ridiculous actually. Sure, it’s all tricked out: titanium frame, carbon fork, dropper post, the works. And it is a bike after all. But those wheels. Those ridiculously obese, monster truck lookin’, mud bog, butt-ass ugly wheels. An abomination of the "noblest invention" I say.
It’s like my pal has gone all redneck on the cheap. In the same arrogant vein as those Joey’s who drive around town with a 12-inch lift kit and massive treads, a motorbike or a snowmobile in the back, gun racks, loud motor, shitty music, all that “look at me I’m so big and awesome” crap that makes me fearful the apocalypse will drive right over us.
Of course, I realize that my friend's ride still is a human-powered machine. Not quite the Gravedigger. Which makes the whole fat wheel thing look even more asinine. The bike looks about as spry as Jabba the Hutt after an eating binge. I imagine a nightmarish, perpetual state of riding in bark mulch, with the brakes rubbing, never able to shift out of granny because it’s such a pig. And when we think of efficiency, speed and grace—all things the bike stands for—to the uninitiated, the fat bike looks plain wrong. Even the name itself is an affront. Please agree with me here, the words “fat” and “bike” should never even be used in the same sentence, let alone right beside each other.
Most action sports have a long history of blasphemous one-offs and bizarre gimmickry. Bicycling is no exception. If you’ve ever been in the basement of Interbike, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Weird recumbent styled contraptions where you lie on your stomach and pedal with your arms, booths with bolt-on-boob, fake tanned chicks jumping around on atrocious inventions that look like a bike, a thigh buster and a shake weight had drunk sex. Bikes that fold into a briefcase, bikes made out of cardboard…it never seems to stop.
When it comes to riding on snow, inventors have been down this road before. A few years ago, an Austrian fellow wanted me to try some snow bikes he was importing from Europe. He showed me pictures of the contraption, and a
video. He kept telling me how awesome it was. How the faceshots never stopped, how it was way more fun than actually skiing. Buddy had taken a downhill bike and replaced the wheels with some cut-off skis. If you were really pro, like Austrian guy, you wore little ski blades on your boots, “For ze extra carve.” When he first phoned me, saying, “Ziss vill be a great story, the sport is about to take off!” I was skeptical to say the least. Guess what dude, there’s already a sport that’s got snow pretty dialed. It’s called skiing, and it’s only about 100 years old.
Not surprisingly, I never did try the ski bike. Nor do I see evidence of it “taking off.”
So I come back to the fat bike. Fact is though, my buddy is having a grand old time, even though the residents of our mountain town stare at him with stunned confusion, interrupting his peaceful ride with thousands of questions. There’s a little tribe of fatbikers (seriously?) in our town. After a snowfall they pack down the local trails with snowshoes, then ride. They say it’s a blast, except for the icy bits. “Ice is still ice,” they say. “Nothing works on that stuff.”
And hey, I don’t want to be the guy who knocks on creative exploration, but at a certain point, after you've seen many gimmicks—even sports—come and go, I’m left a bit of a cynic. For those of us who live in or near the mountains, there’s no need to hybridize the two sports. When there’s snow, go skiing (or snowboarding if you like dragging knuckles, cross-country if you like wearing tights). When there’s no snow, ride the bike. The two sports are actually very similar when it comes to physical mechanics.
But now these snow bikes are taking off. A local distributor can’t keep them in stock. And I’m torn. I love riding, but if I want to participate I need to buck up $3,000 for a bike that is only worth riding when it snows? Really? I’ll tell you what, when it snows, I go hit the slopes. I’ve already got the gear, and that gear happens to be super dialed. Maybe if I lived in Alaska, or Minnesota, where it’s cold and flat I’d get a fat bike. But why would I live someplace like that?
So I yield hesitantly. Even if I’m pretty sure I’ll never participate in this particular niche, I'm fascinated to see where it goes. It’s a little bit cool, I guess, even though the bike looks profoundly wrong. And the more I think about it, I bet it rides through bark mulch pretty damn well.
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Mitchell Scott POV Image by Margus Riga
If you wish to learn more about fat bikes, check out
NRG Enterprises in Nelson, BC. You may even run into author, Mitchell Scott, next door picking up some coffee on his "standard width" bike.
Fat bikes are for the truly passionate weirdos that don't want to give up the mountains to the snow.
(Seems like the author of the article is bike-curious). Next time ride a bike in its element before you critique it.
Sure they both go on dirt, but there is no way you're going to get that Rally Car across the Sand or on Punchy Snow.
Fatbikes are for FLOATATION. For going places a normal bike can't.
News section? Seriously?
You shouldn't be concerned by this, it's bad for your health. Nagging about something you don't like is a loss of time. Time you could have spent encouraging something you actually DO like. If you had something valuable to share, with reasonable explanation, I would have gone with "ok, it's how he sees it, and at some points, he's right" but this makes me feel like "go f*ck yourself. I hope you get ran over by a fatbike's gigondo tires."
And seriously, if people want to drive overconsuming SUV's and buy a new cellphone before release date because they get 4 more pictograms on the screen, let them do so. I don't care. I invest money in what I like, and they invest in what they like.
Haha! awesome! Ya, he must be a politician in the US government
I don't disagree with you. Purpose is relative. My comment was only clarifying what I was interpreting to be the author's point, because others commentors seem to be focused on the arguing the functionality of the bikes (ie. that they float in sand/snow) whereas the author seemed to be commenting more towards the usefulness (ie. why would you want to float in sand/snow?).
But, to each their own. Personally, if I'm in the desert, I'll get a camel, and if I'm on the beach, I'll get a swimsuit. But if someone would rather enjoy those locales on a bike with big fat tires, hey, why not?
I know this from first hand experience. I used to put 2.4 or 2.5 tires on my old Spesh Hardrock in the winter to go out for rides in the woods, and while I could get around, there was no way in hell I was going to be out there very long. The father of a friend of mine has two Surly Pugs and we went out for a ride a few times last winter on them (they built a little.... I guess bike park on their property with a nice XC loop we'd ride them on) and the difference was so unbelievably huge. I still wouldn't want to stay out too long on one of those things, but it was MILES better than a 2.5 tire, no matter the PSI in it.
(Goofy fun stuff = riding through streams, snow, flooded roads, sand, and other bizarre places that you would have a hard time getting your trail bike through)
You need to be institutionalized.
Now, for fatbike haters, watch and cry:
singletrackworld.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/09/IMG_6266.jpg
"My buddy has a fat bike and - I´m not sure if I like it"
So in the words of Dude: well that is just your opinion man. Please, next time do ride it for longer period of time and tell us how it feels, because you see, we don't get much other stuff here than 650B, XX1 and drama on Team-soap-operah - Next is the confessions of Rachel Atherton about Ben Reid, and Aaron Gwin - what he thinks of Lance Armstrong. Would be nice to get something fresh - trust me, anything: fat bike, wireless brakes, DH fixie. Get those contraptions out from interbike cellar because this gets really beige.
And Billy Connolly said it: wann know how beige you are? Go to the tattoo convention - these are the least beige people on the planet.
" Is it me or this article can be shortened to:
"My buddy has a fat bike and - I´m not sure if I like it ? p.s. Please Pinkbike, give as more interesting, fresh news"
end of comment;] I have seen so many of your comments. Each of them is as least 10 lines long, plesae stop it
Shakespear's 12th night can be shortened to "It's really a girl you fool, kiss her", but that would not be the point. I actually like this article not as a review of FAT bikes, but as a nice piece to read. Some of the language is very colorful and creative and I think that's nice to see on PB.
Se whoul sing is´ a one beeg pees of merrde! Ounly a bastah´d like Loic could ride sis sing...
Look Jimmy - got´ym wee fat tyres from a Lassie from Aberdeen for a tenner, took a bevy, went to a lavy and I'm Rrready to gooou, jerkin away on the path to the clide. Apparently, a good wee track to test, rough as baggers arse!
And the part is on negative side towards something so, with too little backing up argumentation - so. I went this way and my own short experience tells me: want to criticize something in an open article and make people appraciate you for it: you got to make them laugh or forget it. People must feel light in their chests after an "offtopic" endeavour.
Other than the fact that fatbikes are just plain awesome I think they are a different way to tackle technical terrain with a similar result (speed and control). Writing them off as some useless contraption for bearded people is pretty dumb and only shows how short sighted the PB crowd is.
Remember Pinkbike slating 29ers a couple of years ago?
Cheers!
Abomination? How does putting bigger rims/tyres make it an abomination? Sorry. Poor, pointless article IMHO.
How can you write so much rubbish about a bike you have not ridden?
P.S
$3,000 nope: www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOFATX5/on_one_fatty
It's too bad this author is so overly concerned with fashion and the status quo that he's not interested in giving some snow riding a try. When the snow conditions suck I get the fatbike out and shred XC ski trails & packed down snowshoe trails. It's a blast, seriously.
Hell, I drove to Alaska from Oregon a few years back and shredded the dry singletrack in Pemeberton on my fatbike. It wasn't any less fun than my suspension bikes, just different.
Props to PB for posting more than just the mainstream reviews and opinions, though... this was a great article to read.
I thought it looked like a bike with fat tyres but you've described it as a plate of vomit.
How about for the sake of fairness you write an article about your friends 29er calling it a ugly wagon wheeled monster truck and name the article "29er? Seriously?"
BTW I don't hate 29ers
I think Mitch is just f#*kin with us. Lots of riders think wtf when they see these bikes and he's addressing that perspective.
Time to get to Interbike!
I mean, this sounds like you want one but you can't have it! I don't like how they look a lot of 'new bike standards' but i'm not complaining all over the internet about it. It's great to give space to all opinions but in a clever way, not this, this is simple and plain hatred to (in this case) fat tyre bikes and doesn't take anyone to any place.
What' stopping you from borrowing a fat bike from a friend AND THEN write this article ?
Hopefully the article was meant to be "tongue-in-cheek," but was a bit too long to come off that way by the end. Actual writing wasn't that bad.
Fat bikes look interesting to me. The argument that you save weight with suspension (the lack of it, but suspension is rreplaced by the squish of the massive tyres) but replace it with a large traction tyreskind of makes sense (cue rotating mass comments) bit I see them as similarbto 29ers - heavier wheels but traction is better. I'll reserve judgement on each until after I've rode them both!
Get out there and ride... Whatever you like riding and whenever you like riding!
Peace
Easily the most useless thing I have ever read from the front page of this website. The former “most useless” article from the front page of this website was the instruction manual on how to replace zip ties with wire twisties, but at least that article had some instructional substance to it.
It is probly one of the coolest bikes I've ever ridden. The flotation, the monster truck size tires, and the buttery soft feel of 10psi so your not taking it in the spinal cord are in my book positive reasons to buy one.
But I'd at least want to put a small travel fork on it. But how would that affect handling? Would it make it too wallowy (if that's an accurate description) in corners??
Yeah, opinionated article for sure, this guys head must be in his ass. I'm sorry but you can't in todays bike world get stuck on one type of riding. There is just too much to offer.
While I completely disagree with 99% of what is in the article it was still pretty friggin' funny. At the end of the day it's not going to stop me from riding fat-bikes either(They are just way too much fun not to)!
I would be offended if I was your buddy and probably ignore your phone calls.
Oh yeah 'noblest' should spelt knobbliest I guess?
Seems you rushed writing this article.
Bad form jack.
Did you just insult everybody that doesn't live near a mountain? Some of us prefer to live near our favourite people rather than our favourite geography.
Spend a bit of time thinking about what you've written before publishing. It's part of good author hygiene, just like proof reading .
We have three of them for anyone to try @ the Bike Co in Pemberton
check out our facebook site to see it for yourself
www.facebook.com/bikeco.ca?fref=ts
Fat bikes need love too !!
Honestly, that was pretty damn funny. I think if the writer left out the last section about the uselessness of the bike, it would have made a great satirical piece.
Made me laugh out loud in my college's computer lab. Not many things can make me do that.
"Those ridiculously obese, monster truck lookin’, mud bog, butt-ass ugly wheels."
"The bike looks about as spry as Jabba the Hutt after an eating binge."
" It’s called skiing, and it’s only about 100 years old. "
LOL
www.fattiremassive.com
Or you can search for the mtb videos on YouTube (m933swg in search will bring them all up) I also have a few posted on PB.
Though last weekend the site crashed and had to be rebuilt. So a lot of info photos video etc is still not online.
Yep maybe I should send something in.
The best part about these bikes is how they don't tramline badly crossing ruts in snow. So relaxing and easy to ride. Faster than my 29" MTB in the deep snow, of course.
PB guys. More storytelling articles please. Some of us can actually tell the difference between a review / media release and an actual story.
If this guy has been in the "mountain culture" business for so long he should know better.. The predictable response that all the"haters" live somewhere flat or have never skied 40cm of fresh is juvenile. First off 40cm ain't shit and second I guarantee hundreds of PB users can out bike and/or out ski you. Hopefully someone from Nelson will chime in and dispel the notion that this guy is exposing the culture there.. And now that your precious Nelson is named best ski town get ready for the flood of " gapers " to invade and hopefully force to be exposed to diversity
I think the main point of what he was saying was that there are already established winter/snow sports options that are quite fun. There isn't a huge demand for a highly modified niche product like a fat bike to allow people to do a 'summer' sport in the winter. When I see a fat bike it makes me think of 'mountain boards' which are those ridiculous snowboard looking things with the skateboard trucks and off road wheels. That was the opposite, it was snowboarders trying to make a snow sport into a summer sport. While cool and enjoyed by some, it (not surprisingly) did take off because if someone wanted to ride down the mountains in the summer there was already a well established option, a mountain bike.
Kudos to the PB readers for an open mind. The On-One is a great example of an affordable ride, and most of our bikes are under $3K (Yes, if you want XO and a lot of carbon, it's going to be pricy).
BTW, Alaska is not exactly flat, and BC tends to get a lot of snow.
Fatbikes ? Something you ride on trails,sand , snow mud, that's just as capable as full suss on certain types of trail ? What's not to like.
All through the 'article' I was thinking here comes the switch, he's going to actually try one and have good things to say but no. The guy remained a bigotted dick from beginning to end.
If you don't get it, your not cool... whatever douche. I'm not fringe enough to hang with your dumbf*ck fat bike...likely story. Swing on nutswinga! Swing on!
and he is FAST. I don't know where anyone gets the idea they are only for snow riding... Mr N rides his Pugsley at Enduro races and even on DH courses. He has an inverted Shiver on it for some extra bounce, not that he needs it because he is so smooth anyways.
When I have been able to take one out all I can say is that I think it would take me some time to get used to but once you are, like Mr N, you can rip with the rest of the 5 inch crowd and even more!
Currently i dont own a fat bike cause i havnt bought one due to $$$ but its in the plans, i do ride a 2001 norco fluid around mind you. all winter long.
and they do work in the right snow pack check out the bike facebook page here
www.facebook.com/bikeco.ca?fref=ts
Fat Bike need love too !!!!!
I think the point if the article was really just that these things are niche sports, not something thats going to take off. That there are already sports geared toward each season. Like he said, if you want to ride down a snow covered mountain, skiis and snowboards already have that covered. I think the opposite of this is something like a mountain board, which is basically a small snowboard with skateboard type trucks and big wheels thats used to ride down mountains in the summer. This was the same concept, snowboarders looking to do a winter/snow sport in the summer. Its cool and has a small following but most people just ride mountain bikes instead.
Downside to Fat-Bikes is the weight....and unless there is snow or you are riding on sand at the beach they just don't make much since to ride. But they DO fill a spot in the market and I am betting they are here to stay.
Ride on!
This kid should give up on his barely budding "career" of journalism.
Unlike many of us you are fortunate to live in a full on wonderland having access to every type of ski and bike terrain right out your door. So yeah, I could understand not understanding the fat bike niche. But what of the winter time when you live someplace with poor snow coverage, no access to backcountry or nordic ski areas what then? Wait for the snow to melt OR get out and ride while there is riding to be had?
1st that terrible story about the dirt jumpers that went to Iceland and only hit a few jumps.
2nd any wright up by RC.
3rd that stupid video few days ago with the orange cones (so bad).
PB you need to bring up the quality of the journalism you publish. Instead of publishing this rubbish story why not do a wright up about Fat Bikes and the tech or do a shoot out. Something productive.
Now for positive reinforcement, here is a list of great publishing you have done lately.
1 st that great story about the group that went to Iceland and rode the back country.
2 nd your coverage of the Gwin move to the BIG S.
3 rd I really enjoyed your Nova Tec inside story.
www.dirtragmag.com/webrag/video-spotted-trail-salsa-full-suspension-fatbike
fat-bike.com/2012/11/new-carver-trans-fat-dual-suspension-fatty/#comment-7208
Why?
I mean you basically started without a point, and ended without a point, and told two ends of a burning match and walked away leaving me wondering what one benefits from reading or writing such a piece?
If you like fat bikes ride fat bikes, if you don't like them don't, and if you think fat bikes are for snow riding purely or lack understanding of how versatile and awesome they are, don't bother trying to tell people what they are, you have no idea and clearly don't want to learn.
ll never get back....
Why is this ridiculous rant in the news feed?
Over and out!
www.pinkbike.com/photo/5796893
www.pinkbike.com/news/A-Day-With-Nick-video-2013.html
@everyoneelse...agreed, pretty weak and pointless article.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/7802056
drunkcyclist.com/2013/01/16/fat-bike-actually-just-have-fat-tires
drunkcyclist.com/2012/04/24/tuesdays-with-dirty-new-bike-stoke
"Bigger equals better. Plain and simple. "
Hypocrite ...
Ignorance is bliss.
Is that common sense on Pinkbike ?!!!
I swear i could actually like the guy if he wouldnt ride a Kona.
www.pinkbike.com/video/302080
Rode them on an ebike called a stealth bomber.
www.stealthelectricbikes.com.au/bomber.html My seat stays are too close for such a wide tyre but, I reckon they'd fit some burlier bikes in a 24 inch size and the actual outer diameter would be similar enough to avoid geometry issues.
shop.titusti.com/product-p/cboofatx5.htm
www.ericlarsenexplore.com/expedition/cyclesouth
Sometimes it makes sense to choose a fatbike
However, I suppose the same argument could be made for "mud tires" and I realize the larger tires distribute the weight more evenly over the trail so perhaps my concern is unfounded.
Part of trail user-ship is being an active member of your trail crews(Showing up and volunteering on trail days). It's also about educating people on proper trail use.
For instance "Why should I stay off the trails while they are thawing?" A: Because the trail thaws in layers. While the top layers become all slimy the bottom layers remain frozen. When you ride over these top layers that are thawing you are effectively separating the top layers from the bottom layers frozen layers and after that it doesn't take much at all(light rain or somebody sneezing on them) to erode and remove the now loose top layers away.
There are a lot of cool articles on PB and other similar websites but I think it would be really cool to see some articles along these lines to educate the new up and coming riders and also the old ones who may not know or may not give a frig.
Drool.