Fat bike appears to be an unusual title to classify a bicycle range, but this bike naturally derives its name from its fat tyres. It is a one of a kind bike designed to traverse terrains and for every season. No wonder fat bikes are now a rage amongst cycling enthusiasts. You must be wondering what makes the bikes so coveted.
What Are Fat Bikes?
Fat bikes are off-road bikes having oversized tyres. Initially, these were invented to tread over sand and snow smoothly, but the versatile bikes have been great to explore other terrains also. In different words, you may depend on fat tyre bikes to ride above anything any time.
Defining Feature of Fat Bikes
As we all know, the distinguishing feature of a fat bike is their tyres. Conventional bikes have tyres with a width varying between 25mm and 30mm. Compared to them, fat bikes have broader tyres. Normally, fat bikes are equipped with tyres with 97mm or more in width. In addition, the tyre rims are around 55mm or wider than that. These wider rims help in supporting the fat tyres that emphasize huge wheelbases.
Also, fat bikes have tyres intended for low ground pressure. It can enable cyclists to comfortably ride them on soft, unstable terrains like bogs, sand, and snow. But one may quickly boost the air pressure to make the bike proper for trail riding.
What Are The Advantages Of Fat Bikes?
Fat bikes have great advantages. It has contributed to widespread popularity.
One of the biggest advantages is the versatility when it is about handling various terrain. It is possible to go cycling in the winter, even when the roads are rough and snowy. They also handle rough trails, sand, and mud easily.
One more advantage is how comfortable this ride will be on the bike.
They are usually taken through uneven terrain, and riding one of them seems to be a dream. It’s like holding the traction of a tank blended with the comfort of a foam pillow. The soft tyres absorb almost any bump that is there, which leaves you with a wildly smooth ride.
It will also increase your skills when it is about rough trails.
Many people can not handle more challenging trails because, with traditional biking, an obstacle and rock might unseat them and lead to injuries and disasters. With the traction of the tires, riders will be able to take on more challenging trails without worrying about an unseen rock that can throw them off the frame as the tires easily glide over the issues.
One more advantage is the versatility. Fat tires are able to handle almost every condition or terrain. Be it rainy, ice, snow, rough trails, or any other obstacle, there is no problem. You will be on a literal roll. Bogs and mud can make traction impossible, but these tires are able to handle it.
Advancements in Fat Biking
As fat bikes have become much more popular, improvements in technology can make them more accessible. Their tyres continue to grow wider as the frames manage to get lighter instead of increasing weight along with the tyre size.
Appreciations to the increasing popularity, they are not a niche in the market anymore. Companies have ascertained that their mass production is profitable enough to invest in the foundation.
As a result, prices have declined significantly.
When one takes pleasure in exploring their hobby, they usually find it alluring to be aware of its evolving trends. But just like everything in life, the trends have got pros and cons. It applies to bike riding too. One main example of that type of trend is this fat tire bike. Originally, some accepted them out of curiosity, as on the opposite side, some did not see the practicality of that.
But within time, the public saw the utility, and fat bikes constantly got more fans. Yet you can find a few people apprehensive of that idea, but the ones who experienced the fit bakes know what that hype was all about and have become fat bike advocates. Some went so far as to trade their old bikes to get fat-tire bikes.
Whether a fat bike will be good for you or not depends on some reasons you must keep in mind before getting one.
Exploring on a Fat Bike
Fat bikes are enticing to people who are outdoor adventurers. Fat tire bikes give improved traction and grip on the trickiest of terrain. Although if it’s meandering hills, wet stone, or muddy paths, the bikes will tread everywhere. Leaving the bike locked to a pole and then going the remaining way on foot is now ancient history.
Fat tires have been designed to decrease the overall pressure of the bike. Also, to provide the rider extra contact surface. This is the reason a fat bike will drop a good impression when the ground is not good. Fat bikes are perfect to ride on the smoothest of sandy beaches, something a normal MTB might not provide. In addition, fat bikes will never skid on slippery areas.
Ride through any weather
Many people like a challenge, and no weather scares them from completing the training routine. The bikes are likely to adjust to any weather. They can not slip on tarmac or wet surfaces. Neither will they sink in the mud, proving to be a classic mode of transport from point one to point two, particularly when public transport is not an option. As Fat bikes are bigger than regular MTB bikes, they will be more resistant to high winds without any damage to the tyres.
Comfortable Rides
Fat tires do not need to be blown up everywhere, as they provide high comfort at a very low tire pressure. The pressure may go as low as to 10 psi, maybe lower than that.
The bikes are perceived to be rigid and not equipped with any suspension system. The logic behind no suspension is that suspension is blended into their tyres. You have read it correctly, fat tires are bouncy when they are at lower pressure callus, and the rubber’s elasticity helps take in the shocks, enhancing the comfort.
Low maintenance
As everyone knows, the fat tires are rigid; the manufacturers have not put a lot of work into the bike’s frame. It means there are not a lot of parts that have to be changed.
Even though it can cost more than any regular bike, you don’t have to give your bike regular maintenance when purchasing a fat bike.
Conclusion
Just as fat bikes are comfortable to ride on different surfaces, riding them a lot easy, many fat bikes have just one speed, and you have to move forward. Additionally, the fat tire adds more weight to your bike, because of which the bike will move slower and is tough to handle.
Saying that, there is no lack of exercise you will receive for the lower body and the upper body as well. No matter if cycling is just your passion or if you are stepping into the adventurous world. Despite whether you are a pro or a novice, a fat bike can enhance the pleasure of riding by several notches.
