Fat bikes have turned into a pretty mainstream option for all different types of off-road riding. Whether a person wants to take on the challenging snow in the winter, or the challenging sand in the summer, a fat bike is pretty much the only option. Even on trails, fat bikes can excel in a variety of ways.
Are fat bikes good for trail riding? Fat bikes have many benefits while trail riding. Their wider tires with lower PSI can make the ride more comfortable than a hardtail going downhill. The fat tires also make it easier to roll over rocks and tree roots!
Thinking about a fat bike purchase for riding? Here are the main reasons why it makes all the sense in the world. If this describes the type of riding you plan, don’t hesitate to invest in a fat bike over a traditional mountain bike.
8 Buying Tips Foor Choosing The Best Fat Bike For You!
Not all trails are created equally. The bumpier they are, the harder it is to handle them on a traditional mountain bike. Yes, mountain bikes provide some level of comfort, but fat bikes take them to another level.
How does this work? It mostly comes down to the tires themselves. These tires are much fatter, which automatically spreads out some of the impacts.
A much more comfortable ride means that instead of going around certain objects, it can go just right over them instead. The tire is thick enough that they are much harder to puncture, so riders do not have to worry about that either.
The key to really having success with comfort is lowering the PSI as much as possible. Fat bikes need very little air inside them, as the tires can give a little bit so that nothing feels too tough.
Some might think that this will only slow riders down, but there’s something to be said for not having to worry about the terrain nearly as much.
Beyond the tires, the rest of the bike is geared towards comfort as well. It provides a very relaxed way to sit on the bike, and a lot of it comes down to balance and control overall.
Beginner riders can start to get a feel for certain trails because they don’t have to worry about balancing. With thick tires and a very sturdy build with the frame, everything comes together as it should.
A fat bike offers the best versatility on trails. There’s a lot to be said for having a bike that can work for any type of weather, and goes just about anywhere with relative ease.
The versatility of a fat bike is one of the main selling points for people who are thinking about getting a new bike in general.
When everything is relatively calm, a fat bike and a mountain bike are pretty similar. Yes, it might be true that a mountain bike is slightly better for pretty well-maintained trails, but it’s not like riders can’t use fat bikes.
People who want the fastest speed possible will drop down to a lighter bike, but there is still work out to be had with a fat bike.
The versatility really shines in extreme weather, particularly in the snow. Fat bikes first became pretty big in the winter weather, because they can handle just about anything during those months.
People found out that they also do a great job on the sand, which means that riders in all climates can benefit.
Fat bikes compare in a lot of ways to a jeep. They can go anywhere, and the durability is great for anyone who wants to test themselves without being in harm’s way.
The price for a brand new fat bike may be a little high, but for them to last as long as they do, that helps offset the cost.
Being on a bike that is able to handle anything is great for confidence. With extra confidence comes the ability to try a few different things and not worry about messing up a brand new investment.
With a fat bike, everyone pretty quickly gets over that first spill.
Fat bikes might seem like the perfect option to have for any type of trail riding, but the fact of the matter is, there are times when fat bikes are a bit too much.
In order to get a ton of success out on any type of trails, getting the right bike makes sense. These are a few reasons why fat bikes might not be good for specific trails out there.
Fat bikes excel when they are challenged. Without a challenge, they can sometimes be more harm than good. That is exactly the case with a trail that has some hills to climb, but it is pretty smooth overall.
On trails like these, riders don’t necessarily need those tires to survive. It’s pretty easy to navigate without them, which means that the extra weight of a fat bike isn’t needed.
Going with a lighter bike makes it easier to pick up speed and knife through certain trails.
The nicer the weather conditions, the better off regular mountain bikes are in general. Fat bikes have made a name for themselves as bikes that can survive the cold winters and still provide quality riding.
However, if the weather is nice, having an outstanding grip with tires might not be as needed.
Fat bikes need a challenge in order to stand out from the crowd. Otherwise, they are coming in as overweight and overprepared.
Riders will get very frustrated with bikes that don’t perform well at all times, which would be the case if the trails were always clean and nice.
Mountain bikes are classic off-road options that so many people have utilized throughout the years. Fat bikes are relative newcomers, and while they help in some areas, it’s hard for others to justify the price.
There’s no way to put it other than the average fat bike is going to be considerably more money than the average mountain bike.
Yes, the components are usually better than standard, and there are other materials that go into building a fat bike that is not found with other setups.
However, the vast majority of riders won’t notice too much of a difference between a fat bike and a mountain bike. With no real difference in actual use, what is the point of spending all that extra money?
Fat bikes make a great companion when it comes to tackling trails. Just make sure to consider the location of the majority of rides that are planned. The right terrain makes the difference.
It’s always tough to make a pretty hefty investment in a bike, but fat bikes are built to last a long time. That initial investment can really start to pay dividends for those who do a lot of trail riding and start using their bike on a consistent basis.
Use them the way they are meant, and they become the off-road solution of choice.
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