Some people think fat bikes are more challenging to ride than skinny ones. Others claim that they’re much easier and more fun. It’s a heated debate, and we decided to put this question up for the test to determine once and for all: is fat-tire biking harder than skinny-tire biking?
To answer that question, we’ve compiled a list of 6 reasons you might think fat bikes are more complex than any other bike. Before we get started, though, let’s clear one thing up. We’re not suggesting that you have to be an expert to ride fat bikes. If you enjoy the sport, you can do it regardless of your skill level.
Must Know: What are Fat Bikes Good for
The Ultimate 6 Reasons
1. Fat bikes are heavier than skinny bikes
This is the only fact anyone comparing fat bikes with skinny tires can agree on. New or old, big or small, fat tires will always be heavier than skinny ones. This is a physical law of nature, and no number of debates can change it. One thing that may surprise you, though, is just how much this matters.
The Law of Diminishing Returns tells us that for each unit added or removed from a system, the effect on the overall system decreases over time. As a fat bike is compared to skinnier bikes, it becomes apparent that this law is in effect.
So how much does it matter? What’s the difference in weight between a typical skinny and a typical flat tire? The difference is about 1/3rd of a pound per inch of tire width. For example, an average fat bike tire will weigh 8-9 lbs. An average skinny bike tire will weigh 5-6 lbs. That’s a difference of 3-4 lbs.
Related: How to Prevent Flat Tires on Bike
If these figures are accurate, where does the misconception that fat tires are heavier than anything else come from? The answer is that people who ride fat bikes are more severe than those who only ride skinny tires. For example, many riders who put 6 inches of rubber under their feet are above 6 feet tall and well over 200 lbs. They may be riding an 80-90 mm bike, so their tire could weigh 10 lbs. in worst-case scenarios.
The turn in heavy bikes can feel dull and unresponsive for these riders. After all, what’s the point in building a long-range fat bike if it will be so sluggish in corners?
But, take a rider who rides a much more typical mountain bike that weighs in at 30 lbs. with 28-30 mm tires. This person weighs 150 lbs., and they’re less than 6 feet tall. This rider will likely enjoy their fat bike at or near their comfort level. This rider may want to build a slightly longer, faster bike for their needs, but they don’t need to create something that weighs 30 lbs. just to be able to ride it more quickly.
Fat bikes typically weigh less than skinny bikes, but they deliver the same ultimate performance.
2. Most fat bikes are higher than skinny bikes
When it comes to wheel placement on a fat bike, most folks put them somewhere between wheel placement on a regular mountain bike and a standard road bike. For example, most fat bikes have a wheel in the middle of the cycle.
This wheel’s a prime location for a rider who has a long reach to cut a wheelie. This wheel’s an awful location for a rider under 5 feet tall and has a short distance.
Fat bikes can seem monumental to riders who aren’t used to such a big bike, and they can feel more complex than anything else for this very reason.
3. Fat bikes have 5-12 inches of front suspension
Most regular mountain bikes have a front fork designed to be a single piece of steel that creates a rigid fork. This rigid fork is a great way to promote a responsive steering geometry for a mountain bike. Fat bikes have a knife that combines wood and suspension, making them feel like they constantly want to turn.
Typically, two things control how a fork behaves under load: the rake of the divisions and the fork’s compression damping. The rake is the angle at which the head tube is sloped from the top of the frame to where the front wheel connects to the fork. Compression damping is the rate at which the fork stiffness decreases over time after applying a force.
Some forks compress faster than others and continue squeezing more with more complex and demanding loads. These forks will be more sensitive to an initial input than forks that compress slower, and they’ll also be more sensitive to small changes in information than forks that compress slower.
The new genre of suspension forks generally has compression damping that is harder than the stock forks found on most mountain bikes. They also usually have a reasonably excessive rake, which makes them behave like suspension forks. This relatively low compression damping ratio is why fat bikes typically feel like they don’t want to turn when you lean the bike.
4. Fat bikes change angles on the downhills
When riding a fat bike, many riders put more weight on the front than the back downhill. They’ll need toe straps and drop bars on their bike to maintain the back wheel and steer the bike with the front wheel on the ground.
5. Weight on the uphill first on fat bikes
When getting started downhill, the weight on the bike should be centered along the bike’s axle. But, once the cycle has built momentum, the importance will want to return to the back wheel. How much this should happen depends on the rider’s preference, bike width, bike tire width, bike tire diameter, bike pedal diameter, and bike crank. Extra weight will move to the back wheel for the fat bike.
6. The Laws of Physics still apply to fat bikes
There is no such matter/thing as a “fat bike-specific” trail. Any trail that includes sharp turns, steep hills, and rough terrain may be more challenging than a stand-alone trail designed with one thing in mind. The closer a trail designer can keep to the Laws of Physics, the easier the ride will be.
Any extreme skill level must demonstrate comfort at riding across all terrain.
Pros and Cons of Fat Bikes
Fat bikes are unique bicycles with super-duper wide tires. They have become quite popular because they can go on different terrains like sand, snow, and mud. But like everything else, fat bikes have their own set of good and not-so-good things. Let’s take a look at both sides of the story!
Pros of Fat Bikes:
- Fat bikes have big tires, which means they can ride on different surfaces like sand, snow, and mud. It’s like having a superbike that can go almost anywhere!
- The big tires on fat bikes help you stay stable and balanced, making riding over bumps and obstacles easier. You won’t fall down as quickly.
- Fat bikes are great for exploring and going on adventures. You can ride them on the woods or the beach trails. It’s like having your own little adventure vehicle!
- The big tires on fat bikes give you a smooth and comfortable ride. It feels like you’re gliding over the ground, and it’s a lot of fun!
Cons of Fat Bikes:
- Fat bikes are heavier than regular bikes because of their big tires. This means you need to use more energy to pedal and go fast.
- Fat bikes have wider tires so they might be slower than regular bikes on smooth roads or pavement. You should be able to go faster than your friends riding traditional bikes.
- Fat bikes can be more expensive than regular bikes because they have special tires and parts. This means they might only be affordable for some.
- Riding a fat bike might take some practice because they handle a little differently than regular bikes. It might feel a bit strange at first, but you’ll get the hang of it with practice!
Remember, although fat bikes have some cons, they can still be a lot of fun and a great way to explore the outdoors!
Ultimate Conclusion
Hopefully, you found this article helpful and answered some questions about whether or not a fat bike is a good bike for you and whether a fat bike would be a good bike for your snow-bike adventures. The best way to find out if a fat bike is for you is to try one! Several bike shops will let you take a fat bike out for a test ride. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please comment or contact us.
As you can see, fat bikes can be ridden anywhere, regardless of your skill level. Whether you’re a new/beginner to the sport of mountain biking or an experienced rider, fat bikes are an excellent way to experience the great outdoors. They are increasingly popular daily, so more people are jumping on the bandwagon. If you’re considering buying a foaming bike, we would be happy to help you reach your goal.
We have written many articles on the topic of fat bikes. According to our website, are fat tire bikes harder or harder to ride? We have also written an article are fat bikes easier to ride. This blog post about “Are fat bikes hard to ride” is designed to present you with information so you can enjoy riding a fat bike.
