Winter Cycling - Fatter on the front? - Surly Necro Pug

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PDub62
10-05-12, 11:25 AM
I bought a Necromancer at the end of last winter; I only had a chance to ride it in the snow once before it all melted but it was a blast! I'm getting stoked for the snow to start flying again!

One question I have is whether or not there would be any benefits to putting one of Surly's bigger tires on the front? It came with the 3.8" Larry but I'm intrigued by the concept of going fatter w/ the Big Fat Larry 4.7. The bike has the same fork as the Moonlander so I know it'll handle the extra width but I don't know if it'll gain me anything other than looking cool. :)

I believe there would be an advantage to having rubber on the back that's bigger than the front since the front can then make a path for the rear wheel but the Pug is only rated for a 4" tire on the rear. Has anyone run anything wider than the 3.7 Endomorph on the rear of a Pug? How big can you go? I'm tempted to buy a BFL 4.7 and try it on the back and if it doesn't work, move it to the front.

Looking for any feedback on what tire combinations people have tried and what worked or didn't work. Thanks!

gecho
10-05-12, 06:43 PM
I've got a Necromancer Pug arriving next week.

From what I've gleamed off various fat bike discussions around the interwebs, the benefit of fatter rubber on the Moonlander is partly a factor of its wider wheels. Wider wheels give the tire a flatter profile. Putting the same BFL on the Necromancers Rolling Darryls will force the tire to be a bit rounder and taller. I didn't look into it too much as I plan on using the stock tires initially.

You might want to check out the forums on mtbr.com, as they have a dedicated fat bike section.

The Necro pug can take a BFL in the rear because they went from a triple to a double to avoid chain rub. Here's one with BFL on front and rear: http://forums.mtbr.com/9112406-post25.html
JAG410
10-07-12, 09:22 AM
I would wait for the Surly Bud tire myself. I didn't like the BFL in the front of my Pugsley last winter, it washed out too much.

modernjess
10-08-12, 09:36 AM
I"m not sure the BFL is going to really make that much of a difference without the 100mm rims. If it's traction you are looking for then Nate's or Husker Du's might be the way to go or Bud's. I've been riding a set of Bud and Lou's this fall on my Moonie and they are extremely aggressive. In fact too much for my liking in all the dry hard conditions we've had this fall. I can't wait for the snow I have a feeling these things will be unstoppable.