by "The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
Published 02/08/2017 at 19:38
by "The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
Published 02/08/2017 at 19:38
No Tags
STARS: 7
Fat bike evangelist: level one achieved
Full review coming after I put some more hours in the saddle. AMA.
"Nothing" (nothingatalluseful)
02/08/2017 at 19:46, STARS: 0
Do fat tires require significantly more effort?
"ThePenguin" (ThatOtherGuy7)
02/08/2017 at 19:50, STARS: 0
Ive always thought these looked cool but what is the actual benefit? Better traction in mud/sand/snow?
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/08/2017 at 19:52, STARS: 1
Yes. I was running front at 6 psi, rear at 4 tonight. It gave me flotation and traction to ride greasy wet snow with ease, but it’s not what I’d describe as “fast”. The transit from my house to the trail head was particularly brutal. I had to pedal downhill a few times... Speed and weight are the tradeoffs for a bike that will go absolutely anywhere.
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/08/2017 at 19:56, STARS: 2
As long as you supply power, they will go absolutely anywhere. They climb like a goat, soak up rocky, rutted technical singletrack like a full suspension rig, and make even the sketchiest “bad idea” lines rideable. I’ve been riding off road in the northeast for 30 years, and I’ve never had more fun on a bike.
"S65" (granthp)
02/08/2017 at 20:05, STARS: 1
How many 90s Specialized bikes could you have bought for the price of it
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/08/2017 at 20:10, STARS: 0
This was inexpensive by modern standards, so probably not as many as would be assumed.
"TooLazyToNotBurner" (iatemyyoung)
02/08/2017 at 20:11, STARS: 0
I did an 80km paved charity ride one day and watched a poor guy struggle to maintain any speed at all with one of those rigs. Great for terrain, bad for distance.
That being said, I’d love to add one to my stable.
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/08/2017 at 20:19, STARS: 0
Yeah, that sounds unpleasant. My xc hardtail isn’t going anywhere for decent trails, but most around me are complete shit thanks to atvs, and this is the only way to make them rideable.
"Scouting For Zen" (scouting-for-zen)
02/08/2017 at 20:40, STARS: 1
Always nice to see a fellow cyclist on Oppo
"JeepJeremy" (jeepjeremy)
02/08/2017 at 20:45, STARS: 0
That’s a really cool bike!
So if it’s harder to go long distances with the fatty tires...does that equate to a better workout?
"TooLazyToNotBurner" (iatemyyoung)
02/08/2017 at 20:46, STARS: 0
I’m still holding off on a new bike. My XC or CX take care of most of my needs, and I’ve got a proper road bike for the long days. I’m really tempted to get a full susp for rougher trails though. My bones aren’t appreciating the abuse like they used to.
Is this the first winter riding a bike? I’ve often considered it, but just end up going out on snowshoes with the dog instead. I can’t imagine the added wind chill is all that pleasant.
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/08/2017 at 20:59, STARS: 1
Thanks! It depends on the terrain and tire pressures, but generally, yes. Tonight I spent an hour pedaling low psi tires through fresh snow, and was pretty well soaked upon returning home. I still don’t have the gear dialed in for wintertime, but I’m getting close.
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
02/08/2017 at 21:22, STARS: 1
I want one but I can;t really justify the expense for the amount I’d actually use it. I would have had 1 ride so far this winter and i went out anyway.
however I was standing here after walking to the top of a hill thinking a rig like yours would have been awesome. down hill or flat ground was ok but a 1% incline was tough
"osucycler" (osucycler)
02/08/2017 at 21:34, STARS: 0
Welcome to the fat bike family! I’ve mtn biked on mine, gravel grinds, and bike packed around MN. They are truly do all machines!
After 100 miles of rainy KS gravel!
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/08/2017 at 21:37, STARS: 0
Winter mtb clothing definitely has a learning curve, and properly filling in the gaps in my technical wardrobe is proving expensive. I used to do environmental research so I’m no stranger to spending time outside in challenging conditions, but this is proving challenging to properly equip for.
"JeepJeremy" (jeepjeremy)
02/08/2017 at 21:46, STARS: 1
I keep seeing the fat tire bikes and I think they are cool. I’d like to get a new bicycle for excercise purposes....but I don’t want a road bike or mountain bike. I may have to go fat tire!
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/08/2017 at 21:49, STARS: 1
Thanks! I was in the market for a new bike for about a year, and was really having trouble deciding between another xc hard tail or a full suspension all mountain rig. Then a friend recommended I borrow his fat bike for a few weeks last summer. I rode it on fast rolling singletrack, technical single track and rock gardens, a modest trials course, beach sand, granite sea walls, and on improved rail trails with my kids. It’s the Swiss Army knife of bicycles.
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/08/2017 at 21:52, STARS: 1
I ride because it’s the only form of exercise I actually like doing now that I don’t run anymore. It’s a hell of a drug.
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/08/2017 at 22:09, STARS: 0
It’s geared so low that climbing, even with the rolling resistance and weight penalties, really isn’t bad. I just threw it into the granny gear and spun my way up hills. It’s suited to winter, but I plan on riding it year round. It’s a means of being able to ride the same trails I did 20 years ago, albeit a little slower these days. Consider it my tacit acknowledgement that there are very few old bold mountain bikers.
"Frank Grimes" (FrankGrimes)
02/09/2017 at 01:26, STARS: 0
can you still bunny hop one?
"TooLazyToNotBurner" (iatemyyoung)
02/09/2017 at 02:08, STARS: 0
Where are you wintering?
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/09/2017 at 07:24, STARS: 0
I’m riding flats for winter, so probably not. Once I’m back on clipless for summer, maybe?
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/09/2017 at 07:25, STARS: 0
Maine
"PotbellyJoe and 42 others" (potbellyjoe)
02/09/2017 at 07:58, STARS: 0
http://www.bicycling.com/training/skills/how-bunny-hop-boss
Bunny hopping on platforms teaches you the “right” way to do it.
"TooLazyToNotBurner" (iatemyyoung)
02/09/2017 at 08:48, STARS: 0
Right on. I’m up in northern Alberta.