I am still not convinced about the fat bike, but I want to go and look at some. Apart from the PUG, which is in at under 2K, is there anything out there I should be looking at. I think all the Salsa offerings are a bit more money. I don't really care about components all that much. I have a lot of higher end stuff that can go on the bike as things break or wear out. I don't want to go with Norco though. Damn you Oggie,BCD and the rest of you enablers.
If anyone knows of LBS in the GTA with bikes in stock, please let me know. I really need to get a leg over a couple of them. It will save me running around and doing a lot of calling.
If anyone knows of LBS in the GTA with bikes in stock, please let me know. I really need to get a leg over a couple of them. It will save me running around and doing a lot of calling.
Rock and Road Cycle in Burlington has a couple large and medium pugsley's in stock.
As an FYI, I was talking to the owner of Rock and Road, not sure what stock is like for other other manufacturers, but it doesn't seem like Surly has anything left to deliver. Last year, once the snow started flying, the calls start coming in and they flew off the shelf.
I had a friend who had to drive to huntsville to get his last year in January (this year probably won't be that bad), but if any one is truly interested in a fatbike, you'll stand a way better chance of seeing a few, trying them out before winter really sets in.
I've seen the Kona, not a bad lookin' bike - weird handlebars, and if I recall not a whole lot of braze-ons. Priced along side the Pugs if memory serves.
The Pugs is nice - the swiss army knife of fat bikes I guess. Rode one (used) bought it for a day and returned it. (the fit was off). So I too am circling around the fatty's.
If riding one is not paramount before purchase - i hate to recommend something I haven't tried - but folks are pretty happy with their Motobecanes... If I can't find a used Pugs that fits, it may be the route I go.
If it was me looking to get in on a budget I would have the Norco Bigfoot top of my list. They go for ~$1500 and I know several people have bought them this year, they are probably flying out the door. It's a sharp looking bike. After Bigfoot, next up on my list would be the good old Surly Pugsley. My MY2005 still puts a smile on my face every time I throw a leg over.
It's all about feel on a bike for me. I have never seemed to do well on Norcos. Not the fit or feel I like. I liked the feel on your PUG for the 5 minutes I was on it. I am going to have to do some research. Hopefully I can get out to a couple of shops this weekend. Just a really busy time of the year to have a look around. I am pretty sure I can zip into Burlington to have a look this weekend.
Here's my take on fat bikes, your millage may vary…
Bought an on-one fatty frame to build up… for a couple of reasons
-front suspension corrected geometry
-asymmetrical rear end
-shorter chain stays
-overall geometry that fits me better
-aluminum
-really good price
I stayed away from carbon because of possible salt corrosion/delamination issues regarding the aluminum/carbon interfaces in the bb, etc. A custom steel/ti was just to pricey (for now). I didn't buy a complete bike because none came with the wheel set and suspension fork that I wanted. My tire size will be limited to 4.0. I feel any bigger tire won't really help me when there is a lot of snow since the paths won't be packed down. My rim width is also limited to 47mm to save rotational weight and to provide a more rounded profile for riding in the spring/fall and to the trail head.
I wanted a OnOne fatty so bad since I've got several of their bikes. But the duty and taxes on a complete bike made it more or less the same price as buying locally and fat bike components are so expensive I didn't think I could build a bare frame for a reasonable price.
I wouldn't dismiss Norco that fast. My buddy bought one and is loving it. Apparently the bigfoot is a joint effort with a Finish (I think I have the country right) bike company. My kind of bike Fat Bike Growler Style - The Fat Bike Brewery Run - YouTube I suspect that many of these bikes are going to be sold out. I do know of a used Pugsley (medium) for sale, not me.
I would definitely consider a used one, but it would need to be large. I don't think there are that many out there. I think It will be between a PUG, NORCO or Mukluk, if I can find one at a good price. I have to go out and ride them. The NORCO would be fine if it fits well. Thanks for the suggestions and confirming what I have been finding out in my online search. I like the look of the Salsa's best, but that does not mean it will fit properly. They are also a little higher price, but I might have to bite the bullet and drive out to Niagara.
If you come to Muskoka you can probably test ride at least the Surly, Salsa, Norco, Kona, 9ZERO7, and Borealis offerings on snow all within at most a half hrs drive
Oxygen Bikes in Etobicoke has a Norco Bigfoot that's available for demo rides. It's hard to say if the fit & geometry will work for you but it doesn't hurt to try. To me at least, fat bike fit & handling is different enough from normal bikes that my usual preconceptions on brands & fits go out the window.
Hardwood Hills as of today has KHS fatbike rentals provided by Bike Zone in Barrie. Their a very affordable option as is the Kona (both offered at Bike Zone). I'm kind of partial to my 9 Zero 7 as you can see from Black Canoe Dog's photo up above of me on my 1st fatbike ride with the Gravenhurst crew. I loved the bike so much in the winter & in the summer that I purchased Rabbit hole rims and Knards to enjoy it in the summer
Dukes has a couple of fatbikes in stock (large and medium) by a British company called Charge. I don't know anything about the manufacturer but they are priced at around $1700
I am going out this weekend and check out some shops. I may just come home with an early Christmas gift. I am liking the look and geo of the Mukluk. Anyone know of any shops closer to Toronto than Niagara that have Salsa in stock? Thanks for the heads up the bikes at Dukes, but I have not heard of them at all and I am already out of my comfort zone with fat bikes, so I think I will stick with some local brands.
Just spoke to them. They only have one large Mukluk in stock right now. Hopefully it will be there on the weekend. I am not going above that budget no matter what carbon they throw at me. Still have to go to Burlington to check out their selection of PUGs as well.
If you do end up at Pedal with a Mukluk bring your riding gear and ride the Hood right from the shop. You will be able to follow our tracks from last nights group ride. You will not regret buying a fatbike. I love my Muk and have a set of 29" wheels for it. I mount some racks and it serves as my rail trail commuter for the warm weather.
I picked up a Norco Bigfoot last week and can't wipe the grin off my face after riding it all weekend. FWIW they fit on the small side, I usually ride 19-20" frames but fit perfectly on an XL Bigfoot (6' tall, 33" inseam). If you're in the GTA and having trouble finding one to test ride you are welcome to take mine for a spin (Richmond Hill). I'll be riding AF/HF on Sunday morning as well, the snow dump we're supposed to get on Saturday should make for great fatbike testing conditions.
I was also looking at the On-One but after shipping/duty it would work out to the same as buying the Bigfoot from my LBS, plus the Bigfoot comes with wider rims.
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