What is the point of 'fat bikes'

[Kudoscycles]

There seems to be a trend towards bikes (e-bike or non assist) with big fat tyres.
Are these a fashion trend or is there any point?
I suspect Eurobike will be full of them.
Would any Pedelec member wish to buy one?
KudosDave

 

[JamesW]

for the right price, I have seen them used in Scotland and can see them as a viable method of commuting when it snows, or messing around on the beach where you could not normally ride - so for a cycling fisherman perhaps to reach remote areas?

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

They are the ultimate n+1 bike. There isn't really a point, other than having a laugh and enjoying riding for the sake of it. I can see the point of the e ones more than the non e if I'm honest, but they are great fun, and they do roll surprisingly well.... and for a lot of people a bicycle isn't a form of transport, its a toy, and if you want a toy why not get a fun one.

 

[Croxden]

There is a woman currently trekking across the Antartic on a fat bike.

Rather her than me.

 

[cwah]

I wish for a dealer selling decent cargo bike for decent price. something similar to the odk v3 or xtaxcycle edgerunner

 

[Sherman]

Fat bikes are the ultimate exploration bikes. They go everywhere any time of the year. And with e-assist they do it with ease. So much fun.

Yes the 4-5" tyres are an overkill for many situations, slightly slimmer 27+ will be the hottest thing at Eurobike this year.

 

[RobF]

Fat bikes are the ultimate exploration bikes. They go everywhere any time of the year. And with e-assist they do it with ease. So much fun.

Yes the 4-5" tyres are an overkill for many situations, slightly slimmer 27+ will be the hottest thing at Eurobike this year.

I have an acquaintance who is a keen mountain biker.

He has a couple of £2K+ mountain bikes and then bought a titanium framed fat bike for even more money.

He tells me the fat bike is a bit slower on well made easy trails, but overall he now prefers it to his other bikes.

As Sherman says, it is a misnomer that fat bikes are just for snow and sand.

 

[Cyclezee]

I don't think there is much of a market for electric fat bikes in the UK...yet.

But the e-Rex is selling well in North America and Australasia.

 

[TZC]

But the e-Rex is selling well in North America and Australasia.
View attachment 11740

I just tested this today:

I'm thinking of buying one and making it 2WD. You'd be surprised if you havent tried one how little resistance the tyres give when fully pumped, the only big difference was the level of grip and the need to turn into corners at even lower speeds like a motorbike It was a lot of fun around halfords car park.

It's a pity the E-REX isn't available here because I'd consider that too.

 

[EddiePJ]

I personally hate the things, but out of interest, what is the average weight of one.

 

[TZC]

I've seen full carbon ones at about 12kg up to 22kg (I think), it was not a pedelec either!

so 17 I guess.

The one I posted a picture of is 16.5kg, if I remember correctly

 

[Cyclezee]

It's a pity the E-REX isn't available here because I'd consider that too.

We can get the e-Rex if there is demand for it in the UK, a single order would not be a problem order, we would just add it to our next shipment.

 

[TZC]

We can get the e-Rex if there is demand for it

I think the ezee motor I have now is really good. If I wasn't looking for a front drive this time I'd just put that on a new bike.

But still, being a whole new bike I'd want to give it a test ride before putting the money down. Could you tell me the price of one though and the battery size just out of interest please? Possibly I may be able to visit sometime if you're willing to get one in. Otherwise though I wouldn't like to buy unseen.


And to be more on topic, fat bikes are for people who live close to a beach and/or wood trails if you're talking UK. Not much snow here. It happens I'm near both. Also perhaps look on it as a cheaper alternative to full suspension - it costs a lot to get decent shocks all round but the fat low pressure tyres are a cheaper alternative that wont go wrong in a couple months

A lot of the trails around here have serious inclines though so I think I could do with some help leading out.

 

[tillson]

I personally hate the things, but out of interest, what is the average weight of one.

I've never been anywhere near one of these bikes, but my guess is that the wheels and tyres are the main contributors to the overall weight.

Like you, I'm not keen on them and time will tell if they are a fashion item or if they have a place in the bike market.

 

[trex]

the wheels and tyres are surprisingly light, not much heavier than normal wheels and tyres. I rode one with rear 24" rim, the front has been fitted with a woosh BigBear 26" kit. It's comfortable, no need for front suspension.

 

[Cyclezee]

I think the ezee motor I have now is really good. If I wasn't looking for a front drive this time I'd just put that on a new bike.

But still, being a whole new bike I'd want to give it a test ride before putting the money down. Could you tell me the price of one though and the battery size just out of interest please? Possibly I may be able to visit sometime if you're willing to get one in. Otherwise though I wouldn't like to buy unseen.

Hi TZC,

The price of the e-Rex is £1595 with a 36v 11Ah battery and £1720 with the 14.5Ah. Colours are red, green or black.

I am fairly sure we will have a couple on our next shipment.

Because Cyclezee are not a "stack em high sell em cheap" outfit we find that more and more we are ordering bikes to customers individual specifications, i.e. frame colour and components.

 

[TZC]

Thanks for the info John (is it John) that's a bit of a save up or me though. And I'm not sure but is that with 24" wheels? I suppose I'll be a cheapskate and build my own

I see that there's no disc brake option as of yet on a front wheel drive xiongda motor. I thought that would be a good motor for helping a fat bike up hills plus 2WD but I guess I'll have to wait and hope for a disc brake version.
Because that Voodoo Wazoo I posted doesn't have mounts for V brakes or other. Anyone know of another good option that wouldn't interfere with hydraulic disc? Oh, and go onto a 132mm ish front fork

 

[wonderer]

If I road on sand or snow a lot I would consider a fat tire bike.

But because the rolling resistance would be higher I wouldn't get one for regular biking.

Also no converting a existing frame to fat tire because the frame (& fork) is specially made for the wider tire size, one of my neibors kids has one..............what can I say, to most its a fad.

wonderer

 

[Cyclezee]

Thanks for the info John (is it John) that's a bit of a save up or me though. And I'm not sure but is that with 24" wheels? I suppose I'll be a cheapskate and build my own

Hi TZC,
Yes it's John.
The e-Rex has 26" has 26" wheels, Vee Rubber Speedster 26" x 3.5" tyres and Weinmann Rigida 65 mm wide rims.
BTW, it is 2WD, electric front wheel and human powered rear wheel

 

[Croxden]

The E-Rex is the sort of winter bike I was looking for, ended up with the Haibike instead.

I have insufficient room and a difficult wife or I might be tempted to go for one.

But riding on compacted snow and ice the Delite with the Marathon Deluxe tyres never slipped. And going uphill on loose stone track it goes better than Hans Dampf tyred Haibike, the nobly tyres flirt the stones backwards causing slippage.