Fat Bike FAQ's

[rschultz101]

regular MTB bike and 65mm rims,

thinking it should fit, got a giant reign bike,
and 2.5 tires fit.
so what about some large marge 65mm wheelset ?
and where to get 15QR front ?

other than that, would like some studded tires,
at least in the front. do have nokian, but they seam skinny ?
any options ? or tools to do some kendas ?
cheers, Rob

[Smallfurry]

Could'nt quite decide wether this or the demo....sticky, was the correct thread for this. So I'v just gone for this one.

Fork lengths for the various fat frames?
There seems to be two main lengths. ~450mm ATC, and ~470mm ATC. But browsing the various stores/sites, its seems difficult to track down which frame is designed for which. I like the idea of a shorter front end, because I myself am short, so it aids fit. But the option to swap to a suspension fork, is a nice piece of versatility. Could people please fill in the gaps, and apols if this has been covered (I could'nt find it).

Salsa Mukluk - ATC = 468mm
Surly Pugsly - ATC = 447mm
Surly Moonlander - ATC = 447mm
Alu 9zero7 - ATC = ???mm
Alu fatback - ATC = ???mm
Sandman Gobi - ATC = ???mm
On-one - ATC = ???mm

[Ricky J]

Rolling Darryl rim, in Surly's limited edition lime green finish: 870g

[Anaerobic]

The other day I was riding in Caspers on Westridge and a guy came through the gate from Coto De Caza on a crazy looking bike with tires that were about 12" wide and only about 2/3's the height of a normal tire. they looked like tires off a dune buggy.
The fat tire bikes I see on the forum have much taller wheels that aren't as wide.
What the heck is this bike? Where can I get one or at least learn more about them?

[Drew Diller]

Anaerobic, I believe you're thinking of a Hanebrink.

[apbtlvr]

Anaerobic, I believe you're thinking of a Hanebrink.

Pretty cool

Gallery - Fortune Hanebrink

[Anaerobic]

Yes, that is what it looked like as far as the tires and wheels, but does that mean it was an electric bike? The bike I saw was a rigid frame, no suspension. Do they make a non-electric version?

[Drew Diller]

Couldn't tell ya. I think you want the Fat Bike History thread, or put in an inquiry to the current company.

[CS2]

While it's doubtful that you will see Lance riding one in the Tour de France the things roll pretty darn good on softer surfaces. And surprisingly well on hard surfaces too (but I still swap out with 29er wheels in the summer)

Isn't the OLD longer on a fat bike rear than standard MTB wheel?

[beninak]

what are pros and cons of aluminum, steel, and titanium frames for fatbikes? Which is best for snow and sand riding?

[Smallfurry]

Isn't the OLD longer on a fat bike rear than standard MTB wheel?

If you have a non-offset frame. You can build a 29er wheelset, with the wider hubs.

[griplimited]

I have a 2011 White Pugs that came standard with Large Marges on Deore hus. Anyone know which front gear style cog we are suppose to use for it? Fixed or Freewheel only?

I bought a 22t Surly fixed cog but after installing it, realized that there is no reverse thread for a locknut.

[maxus]

Innova Spider:

80-82 mm on doubletrack
approx. 96 on sheba.

[griplimited]

I have a 2011 White Pugs that came standard with Large Marges on Deore hus. Anyone know which front gear style cog we are suppose to use for it? Fixed or Freewheel only?

I bought a 22t Surly fixed cog but after installing it, realized that there is no reverse thread for a locknut.

Anyone.

[ebnash]

How come no one seems to run Hydraulic Brakes on Fat Bikes???

[Smallfurry]

How come no one seems to run Hydraulic Brakes on Fat Bikes???

Those using their fatbike as a snowbike. Might be using the bike in temperatures cold enough to thicken the fluid. Hydraulics use two different oils. One of which thickens at a far lower temperature, DOT4. Hope tech use DOT4, and I'm planning on running them. In theory mechanical discs can be effected by ice build-up too. So there's no silver bullet.



Freezing point for DOT 4 is -75F(-59C)

Freezing point for mineral oil: -30F(-22C)

[Dr Feelygood !]

I killed a pair of Hayes brakes due to beach riding, the pistons seized solid

'Generally' cable discs are less prone to these problems, but YMMV

[MauricioB]

I killed a pair of Hayes brakes due to beach riding, the pistons seized solid

I had a similar experience last winter with the pistons on my Hayes MAG XC not wanting to retract after being exposed to road salt. I've since rebuilt them and put them on a different (non-winter) bike and they're back to their old bombproof selves.

Trying out some BB5 calipers on the snow bike this year...

[Kev-Bot]

Neither system is completely foolproof in all conditions. I've used both and returned to BB7's for ease of adjustment. I'd rather use a 60/wheel brake in freeze/thaw/salt/ice/sand than trash a pretty set of expensive hydros.

The upside with mechanical brakes is trail side service if/when something happens.

Sure, you may have to pull the cable and warm up over your stove or with a lighter (you do have an E kit with you don't you?) to remove ice. You can also slide the warm cable into the housing to melt any buildup and then blow out the water.

Also, you can find brake cables and housing almost anywhere if you absolutely need to replace.

[SRALPH]

How come no one seems to run Hydraulic Brakes on Fat Bikes???

I ran some old Hayes hydraulics last year as I had them kicking around and they had an extra long Goodridge hose on the rear brake, which was needed for my Mukluk due to the long run for the rear brake. I was riding in snow and temps down as low as -30. No issues with the fluid, though the front piston seized, I suspect from road salt from carrying the bike on a roof rack.

This year I have installed some Formula K18's, had DOT5 put in them and installed Goodridge lines again. They are bomber so far but we've been riding is temps between zero and +10 degrees C so far. I'll also be transporting the bike inside my vehicle this year as well as I found the road salt from road spray did cause some corrosion inside my shifters which I think caused an early death for the first one.

[Ricky J]

Larry 3.8 with white "120 tpi" sidewall markings- 1630g (+200g from an earlier Larry 3.8/120)

three Surly 26x3.0-4.0" inner tubes, 1.3mm thickness- 450/450/470g

[BansheeRune]

A friend of mine rides his Pugsley year round. He street sessions, trail rides and even occasionally rolls thru the skate park. I rode his Pug and found it to be a problem...Now I highly desire one!
He says the Pug being a single speed makes you strong fast.

[Smallfurry]

Whats the external diameter of a BFL on a 80mm rim?

Calcs say its approaching 800mm. But that doesnt sound right.

[bobkorn]

I'm looking for a frame / pack pump to carry with me. Any suggestions? The one I've always used for my mtb doesn't work to well with the Larry's and Nate's

[BansheeRune]

I'm looking for a frame / pack pump to carry with me. Any suggestions? The one I've always used for my mtb doesn't work to well with the Larry's and Nate's

Don't know if this will help, but I use a Topeak Mtn Morph on 2.4 & 2.7.
I realize they are nothing like Larry's or Nate's tho' you are going low pressure!

BTI | products matching "pump" (page 9)

Hope this helps!