How To Choose A Fat Bike: Bikepacking, Full Suspension, Trail And More | Fat Bike 101

While you might think that all fat bikes are designed similarly to just handle snow riding, there's actually a pretty wide spectrum when it comes to fat bike design. From full suspension monster trucks like the Lenz Fatillac to the utilitarian Surly Big Fat Dummy cargo fat bike, there's a fat bike for every use case.
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[@vulpixgrant]

I bought a Mongoose "Beast" off Marketplace for $100, the ad wasn't very hopeful. Older dude bought it and road it a couple times, then got tired of moving it around his Garage for years. 56 pound steel frame, single speed, pedal brake, no suspension, basic. I picked it up as a joke to show my riding friends, then the weird thing is I fell in love with this thing! The 'Walmart Bikes' at the lowest end spectrum can still be fun, even at 15mph my top flat surface speed lol.

[@Gusto0172]

Great informative & succinct video. Thanks for developing & sharing.

[@thomasmuller986]

Great Video! Always wanted to understand this better. Cheers from Germany

[@johnnydoe66]

I see a guy pretty regularly on one of our local trails riding a full suspension fatbike, I believe that it's a Salsa. One of my LBS workers ride fatbikes quite often on the trails instead of normal XC/trail bikes just to change it up and make it interesting

[@RideYearRound]

Probably a Bucksaw then...I wish they still made those they look pretty fun.

[@johnnydoe66]

@@RideYearRound You're probably right, I couldn't see the model name, only the brand. It was green in color, but it would make for a good bike for the trails we were on. I ride a plus hardtail, Trek Roscoe 8.

[@vellotrol]

Awesome video!

[@madmaxbike3446]

you miss the Mad Max fat bike haha great video thanks and big hug from "Punta del Este"

[@turboelephant6298]

Some nice bikes in that vid! I'd give my left nut for one of those angry black and red Trek Farley EX's. The trend over here at the moment (UK) is buying the ICAN SN04, they're carbon frames, super cheap, and by all accounts incredibly reliable. I actually ordered one but because of the backlog there was a 4 month wait. Just while I'm rambling on (sorry...) for me by far and away the most exciting bike release coming up is the new RSD Sergeant 4, it's basically a plus bike that can run 4" tyres. All we need to go with it are more fat oriented forks like the old Fox 34's. 🤘

[@RideYearRound]

I actually had a deposit in on the Sergeant but once the expected delivery got pushed back from April to end of July I went for the Timberjack instead. It’s a really cool bike and I’m sure I’ll own one at some point. The only things i don’t love about it is that 29x3.0 only fits in the longest chain stay position and that the suspension fork that comes on it isn’t 4.0” or 29x3.0” compatible. Otherwise that bike is pretty much exactly what I’d want in a plus hardtail.

[@alpinglow]

Fat bikes for everything but snow! A few years ago I had an entry level aluminum Specialized Fatboy with rigid fork and Fox Transfer dropper post that bought on a whim. I added the dropper and converted it to a 1x10 later after tacoing a ring on a rocky ride. I mostly rode on dirt trails outside Seattle. Then in the city, stairs became my prime interest. Put on some metal and send it!. I sold the FB all too soon, just before Covid hit. Looking back I'd go for thruaxles, tubeless, skinnier tires and a suspension. Long travel fb's? BMX fb's?

[@VICTORESPINOSA7]

Very good

[@mattweaver3632]

i spent last winter riding my lenz fatillac all over the backcountry at Perisher resort here in Australia.Due to its super short rear stays it climbs brilliantly as the back tire is sort of right under your bum.Descending is a hoot as well.I was running 26x4,4 Shwalbe tires on 55mm wide rims and could go anywhere my mate riding his titanium Salted hardtail that has 100mm rims and 4.8 JJ.s on it.Also i found having the rear susension(my fatillac is 130mm rear 150mm front) negated that pogoing effect that you get from running really low pressures.i ride rocky rooty trails and mamanged a lodge at thredbo australias only lifted bike resort over summer and it slays everything there as well.Lenz naik led it with this bike

[@OldManFatBike]

Very cool! This video will be very beneficial to anyone looking to get into a Fatty!! It's s thumbs up from me RYR :-)

[@toniedvardsen8169]

for mtb, I only ride fatbikes. Winter AND summer. I have 2. One in alu and one carbon. My advice for people who wanna use it as an allround bike...Get one without suspension at all. It put too much weight on the front. The big volume tyre is usually enough for most people. Carbon fork and the right tyre, makes it so much more inspiring and fun ;)

[@RideYearRound]

The suspension fork can for sure add significant weight, but when things are really rough or the trail has a lot of jumps, drops, etc. it helps a lot with maintaining control (and it's easier on the wrists!). I agree though, riding a rigid fork is incredibly fun.

[@jeremyclutterbuck4665]

I have a Norco Sasquatch that came with a rock shock bluto suspension fork. I ride mostly groomed XC trails. I swapped out for a carbon rigid fork to shave some weight out of the bike and I love it. Next year I will be riding a Rocky Mountain Blizzard Carbon fat bike. Almost can’t wait 😝

[@Peter-rc8wy]

What is your opinion of the KHS 4 seasons 1000? new to biking and just bought one...6'0.. 300 lbs any advice?

[@kostyafedot551]

Great explanation! Would trail fat bike still handle packed snow trails? I'm looking for all seasons fat bike to run on local forest trails without too many rocks.

[@RideYearRound]

Yeah most should do fine, but I’d definitely recommend getting one that can run a 4” tire.

[@mjsmjs7905]

If you can find a hub motor that's geared low enough for Trails they make insane trail bikes, for about two grand I'm smoking $10,000 specialized Turbo levos.

[@Platano_macho]

How about mounting a toddler seat on the back? Is that ok?

[@user-sl5fn8md8b]

How do you categories the Borealis Crestone?

[@FifthAssassin]

Are there any Fat bikes that could be ok on suburban streets or bike path pavement?

[@antonroux6737]

what category of the ones you described do you put the Surly Ice Cream Truck into?

[@RideYearRound]

Probably mostly the adventure category with a little bit of trail mixed in.

[@antonroux6737]

@@RideYearRound great thank you!! - sounds like I'm on the right track in looking at one - I was hoping it was more in the adventure category

[@IsraelMagalit]

Shouldn't the RM Blizzard be under the trail category? It has one of the slackest head tube angles and has a small front triangle. RM have also marketed it as "the mountain biker's fat bike" IIRC.

[@RideYearRound]

There’s quite a bit of overlap in categories, but I do feel like the Blizzard isn’t as trail oriented as some other fat bikes out there. It’s got the long reach and slack HTA, but the rear center/chain stay length is also really long so I can’t imagine it being the most playful bike out there.

[@lucywucyyy]

my dream bike is a cargo fatbike for hauling camping gear

[@mitchelljones7251]

Norco bigfoot. What category would that fall into?

[@jeffdakiller5671]

There's another category i saw on internet , which is "jaguar fatbike"

[@mtbboy1993]

What is your opinion, experience with fat bike geometry. What should I aim for?

[@RideYearRound]

Like all bikes, it totally depends on what type of trails/terrain you plan to ride. I currently have on bike on each end of the spectrum...an RSD Mayor and a Salsa Mukluk. The RSD has more "modern" geometry which makes it still really fun in the summer. The Mukluk has a steeper head tube, shorter reach, longer chainstays, etc. so it's great on flatter, less technical trails which most snow trails are.

[@mtbboy1993]

@@RideYearRound I will ride everything, so need a good all rounder. But my concern is having too long wheelbase, some say that replicating the geo of my Geometron G1 won't work well on a fat bike. But then there are the reviews of Pole Taiga., which has hardcore hardtail, enduro geometry, so conflicting info. I want only one fat bike for one purpure riding on difficult snow conditions, deep snow conditions, and should steer well like my G1. I want to be able to go on gnarly trails, and ride on deep or difficult snow. Not be restricted to city centre and bike path rides. Ride some rock hardens, techy terrain, in and out of the snow conditions, as I can experience different conditions trough the ride, not only due to weather change but due to different areas having different conditions, some trails can have wet snow, some deep, some hard packed, some loose snow. But suspect and have been told the super wet and heavy snow can be hard or impossible with any bike.

[@mtbboy1993]

@@RideYearRound But I see Pole Taiga is discontinued, but guy has it, not asked if he is willing to sell it, but not sure if it's the right fat bike for me. Pole Taiga. I don't think I will need a full suspension fat bike, as snow will tame the trails, and the big tyres will cushion some. As the second hand market seems to be hopeless now I will likely build one, unless the guy will sell the Taiga.

[@stefanhansen5882]

Thanks! How about hardtail fat bikes with only front suspension? Is that not a good idea?

[@RideYearRound]

I love having a suspension fork on a fat bike, especially in all of the non-snowy months. It’s a great choice!

[@stefanhansen5882]

@@RideYearRound Thanks. How come you didn't mention them in the video? And can you recommend some fat bikes with front suspension? Thanks!

[@RideYearRound]

I didn't mention them specifically because almost every fat bike in all categories can run a rigid or suspension fork. I only called out the full suspension specifically because they're more uncommon and sort of go against the original design purpose of fat bikes in general. If you go check out my "fat bikes" playlist there are quite a few on there that I've reviewed or owned.

[@stefanhansen5882]

@@RideYearRound Thanks! I'll have a look! Are some bikes better than others from climbing?

[@RideYearRound]

Yeah generally lighter is better, but so much depends on the rider.

[@machine7767]

What range of tire works well on groomed snow trails? Diameter? Width?

[@kelkev85]

for snow your going to want to go big, 100mm wheels with 4.8+ tires. With that said I would really consider what your local conditions are like during the winter. Do you get snow that sticks around all winter and will be groomed? if not then I wouldnt count on occasional snowfall being worth buying another bike for. I have had multiple fat bikes and I love them but I also live 1/2 miles from the beach and I also get some snow in the winter.

[@RideYearRound]

Tire and wheel width is highly dependent on the type of snow you’re riding in. I had 4.8s on 100mm rims and found it was overkill for where I live and the type of snow I ride in. 27.5x4.0s on some narrower 65-80mm rims has been perfect for the groomed trails and type of snow I get here.

[@kelkev85]

@@RideYearRound I personally ride 65mm with 4" tires and I feel it does well in everything. I picked up my fat bike over 7 years ago and have stuck with it while others went to bigger wheels and tires. I did. Notice a difference when switching bikes during snow rides with larger wheels and tires but not enough to sway me from my current setup. If someone plans to buy a bike for snow riding I would still suggest going on the larger side.

[@HerrenGamingNews]

You forgot E fatbikes!

[@mjsmjs7905]

Full suspension Fat Tire Bikes and ebikes are pointless. As if a rigid fat tire bike isn't heavy enough.