Staying in bike shape

[Catrin]

Glad you found something that works well for you!

[north woods gal]

Thank you, all.

No mosquitoes, today, on my outdoor, one-hour ride - not with a cold north wind and snow flurries. Yup, not unusual for mid-May. Still loved it, though. Hubby had a hot latte waiting for me when I got back home. He's a keeper.

[Trek-chick]

I totally understand where you are coming from. I just got my fat bike at the end of Feb. I only got to do a handful of snow riding but, had a blast. I even take mine on some singletrack trails this Spring/Summer as it is just a blast to ride. I have noticed I am a stronger rider than I was last season (just doing the trainer indoors) at this time. Love my Fatty

[north woods gal]

Oh, I do the indoor trainer thing, too, but only when absolutely necessary. Seriously, though, it is good training to stay in shape. In some ways better than actual riding and some ways not as good.

Yeah, those fat bikes. A pro at our local bike shop says he has all but retired his 29er and uses his fat bike for year round riding on our MTB trails. He's way out of my league, but I can see his point.

[Geonz]

So... it feels more stable than studded tires?

[north woods gal]

So... it feels more stable than studded tires?

Yes, the fat bike does feel more stable in the snow under most conditions, given the tire width is twice or more the width of a mountain bike tire. I have done a lot of riding in the snow, with and without studded tires, so I can also tell you that riding in the snow is also very much a matter of snow and road conditions, meaning there may be times when you are better off with the studded tires. Not all snow riding is the same. For instance, I did a lot of winter commuting on hardpack snow and ice on city streets and the studded tires were just the ticket. It was an 8 mile commute, so probably a bit easier to do with the skinnier tires. 8 miles would have been a long haul with those big monster fat bike tires. For the mostly fresh snow we have around home, up here on our rural roads, though, the fat bike rules. It's also just a blast to ride, anyway.

[ny biker]

I read recently (from someone who tried it) that fat bikes don't handle well on fresh snow, and are more appropriate for packed down, groomed trails. But it sounds like that has not been your experience?