If Phat bikes aren't ridiculous enough already

[legrandefromage]

Riding a Jones fat bike through a leafy forest was eerie - nothing happened. You started at one place and ended up in another without anything in between.

 

[bikesandwatches]

Having not ridden one, I'm guessing, but would these big low pressure tires not be excellent for smoothing out the small, constant vibrations of trail riding, better then suspension would. Just wondering as I'm not familiar with the latest suspension tech. Yeah, bog slow rolling with that much contact surface, but not everyone is concerned about speed. I must admit, I like the monster truck kinda look of these bikes and would think they'd be a nice smooth ride.
I also wonder, if they do eliminate the vibrations, if they'd be good for those of us that have chronic hand numbness while riding, or at least help.

Yes, provided the tyre pressure is low. Instead you hear a growling noise and (as you say) it's like pedalling through porridge. To see the full horror have a look at the rolling resistance data at bicyclerollingresistance.com
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.co ... ke-reviews
A road bike will have rolling resistance at around 15W per tyre...fat bike is up there at 40W. :shock:

:shock: ouch

I hate it already when the pressure drops below 5bars in my Kojaks, feels mushy, I probably would not like riding these things on pavement (my old GT is actually my street bike, great for potholes, various obstacles and treacherous bike paths).

 

[velomaniac]

Suspension on fat bike not as stupid as you think. Know a guy who tried to ride hard and fast down the red grade trail at Glentress on a Surly Pugsley. He found that as the tyres compress and rebound without any form of damping he might be airborne as he entered a corner consequently having no steering or brakes. A bit of suspension damping would have been a godsend.
I have ridden one and at lower pace you can literally ride over anything, it's quite addictive. Unfortunately the rotational mass and drag of the tyres is very energy sapping so electric motors also make sense.
They are not retro and not what we are about but they are an experience and in the right situation great fun.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

That needs a better tyre, probably better sidewalls to improve the damping.
I assume the tyre was not designed for it it.

I can still hear Salty riding his fat bikes around Dalby and the Moors Railway coast tracks.
That, the ground is getting slightly ripped up as I pedal gentle along, plodding and plodding and enjoying itself ripping the surface apart rumble.

I here it's great for loosing weight too.

 

[The History Man]

I run my front at 35psi. Now that’s fat. Once it spins up it’s hard to

 

[Tootyred]

Re:

Only rode one once. that was plenty. Knackered after 15 mins, had enough after 20 and wanting to kill the owner for lending it to me after half an hour.

If I lived on the beach in California maybe....

 

[Bert the Weldor]

Having not ridden one, I'm guessing, but would these big low pressure tires not be excellent for smoothing out the small, constant vibrations of trail riding, better then suspension would. Just wondering as I'm not familiar with the latest suspension tech. Yeah, bog slow rolling with that much contact surface, but not everyone is concerned about speed. I must admit, I like the monster truck kinda look of these bikes and would think they'd be a nice smooth ride.
I also wonder, if they do eliminate the vibrations, if they'd be good for those of us that have chronic hand numbness while riding, or at least help.

Yes, provided the tyre pressure is low. Instead you hear a growling noise and (as you say) it's like pedalling through porridge. To see the full horror have a look at the rolling resistance data at bicyclerollingresistance.com
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.co ... ke-reviews
A road bike will have rolling resistance at around 15W per tyre...fat bike is up there at 40W. :shock:

Perfect if you're looking to burn through Cal's and not KM's.....

 

[Prodigal Son]

26x 2.0 tires on rough trails is way worse than a fat bike.

 

[hamster]

26x 2.0 tires on rough trails is way worse than a fat bike.

How did we manage for the first 20 years?

 

[Retro Spud]

Anyone fancy an FS1E with off road tyres and riser bars