Commuter fat bike?
#26
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,492
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7341 Post(s)
Liked 2,440 Times
in
1,424 Posts
Thank you. I wonder if all the high tech suspension systems are really better than springs on a saddle. I haven't made the comparison, as I don't need either.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Valley Forge: Birthplace of Freedom
Posts: 1,297
Bikes: Novara Safari, CAAD9, WABI Classic, WABI Thunder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 365 Post(s)
Liked 457 Times
in
240 Posts
I vote for the Schwalbe Big Apples in 2.35. They really are great. As well, a Brooks Flyer as has been mentioned, it too is great.
__________________
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Suburban Boston
Posts: 473
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here is some interesting propaganda. But then again I have an old aluminum MTB with a rigid fork on 2.5" Hookworms and it does smooth things out quite a bit especially on bad roads so I am a fan of big tires.
Balloonbikes - advantages
Balloonbikes - advantages
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Vancouver,Washington
Posts: 2,280
Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Definitely would NOT recommend a fat bike if your only reason is back comfort. I own a Pugsley, and while I love riding it in the snow and on trails - I despise riding it to work. It's ridiculously slow. I mean really slow. You will work your ass off pedaling that thing, which may be worse for your back.
I would lean more towards a good mountain bike or a hybrid with an upright riding position, and some fatty type tires like Schwalbe Big Apples and a thudbuster seat post. That will get you a pretty comfy ride and not be as slow as molasses on the fat bike.
I would lean more towards a good mountain bike or a hybrid with an upright riding position, and some fatty type tires like Schwalbe Big Apples and a thudbuster seat post. That will get you a pretty comfy ride and not be as slow as molasses on the fat bike.
#30
Keepin it Wheel
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,243
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,416 Times
in
2,525 Posts
I
LIKE
BIG
RUBBER AND I CAN'T DENY
SOME OTHER BROTHER'S SKINNY TIRES
...
I ran out of steam there, somebody else finish it off for me.
LIKE
BIG
RUBBER AND I CAN'T DENY
SOME OTHER BROTHER'S SKINNY TIRES
...
I ran out of steam there, somebody else finish it off for me.
#31
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: GA, USA
Posts: 222
Bikes: 2015 Salsa Vaya 3, 2011 Windsor Oxford, 1974 Schwinn Continental
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#32
Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a hybrid and just purchased the mongoose dolomite. The Dolo is a workout to ride. Will make some upgrades and it will be better. The hybrid is a hardtail with a suspension seat. Front shocks could be on a softer setting. Get wider tires as suggested. Adjustable stem to put you in your most comfortable position. Get a decent used hardtail and modify it to your own ends. You will have a comfortable and easy to ride bike. All at your price point
#33
Did I catch a niner?
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: a van down by the river
Posts: 542
Bikes: Vassago Fisticuff/Surly Ogre/Surly Pugsley/Surly Pugsley 29+
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
This is my full time commuter with a fat front tire that rolls smooth and does not have much tread. It can be a bear to get going but once I do it's fine, I ride this fixed gear all through the city and round trip to work (27 miles), it can be hard but my mountain biking specifically racing has paid off, my race bike is so much lighter and feels like a toy compared to this tank.
So it's not all bad. Tires are expensive tubes are the same price, you do not need to buy fat bike tubes just buy a large 26x2.7 tubes, they're lighter then the Surly offering anyways.
The Framed Minnesota 1.0 and 2.0 are popular choices, they used to not sure about now come with a second wheelset that came with either 29er commuter tires or 29er off road tires. I would get the bike for the wheelset sell the tires and get two 29x2.35 big apples if you do not like the fat bike wheels either, sell them also and keep the bike as a 29er commuter on big apples.
#34
Senior Member
Or Schwalbe Big Bens. I have a pair - very nice - really evens out potholes and rough roads.
Do you have a steel frame or can you afford a steel frame bike (even a vintage, used one)? My steel bikes are definitely more forgiving than my aluminum ones. If you're on a limited budget, an older but restored bike with some choice parts might be more affordable.
Here is some interesting propaganda. But then again I have an old aluminum MTB with a rigid fork on 2.5" Hookworms and it does smooth things out quite a bit especially on bad roads so I am a fan of big tires.
Balloonbikes - advantages
Balloonbikes - advantages
And yes, I have a fat bike and I do use it to commute to work, especially in the winter, but then I'm going a few kilometres so quite a different scenario from you likely.
#35
Dirt junkie.
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 406
Bikes: Surly Ice Cream Truck, Peacock Groove road bikem, Salsa Fargo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
I generally ride my Pugs on my commute because of the pot-holey streets I need to navigate. I love it. Plus, it makes for good training!
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
8 Posts
I have a Marin Muirwoods 29er.
As other posters have noted, a true fat bike will be heavy and s-l-o-w and won't make an efficient commuter.
A 29er is a happy compromise and is sufficiently fast enough to have fun, too.
As other posters have noted, a true fat bike will be heavy and s-l-o-w and won't make an efficient commuter.
A 29er is a happy compromise and is sufficiently fast enough to have fun, too.
#37
Banned
wally world has a cheap one .. coaster brake 1 speed,
as typical, they got a cheapest cost on a too big a tooth count size crankset,
Id change that if I were you
as typical, they got a cheapest cost on a too big a tooth count size crankset,
Id change that if I were you
#39
Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Columbus
Posts: 61
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Took my seatpost out to size it for a Thudbuster and it looks like they don't sell any in the size it was stamped: 26.0. :-/ Bummer.
There's a cheap suspension seatpost on Amazon, should I give it a try? Amazon.com: Nashbar Suspension 2 MTB Seatpost: Sports & Outdoors
There's a cheap suspension seatpost on Amazon, should I give it a try? Amazon.com: Nashbar Suspension 2 MTB Seatpost: Sports & Outdoors
If your bicycle frame requires a size other than one of those listed above, we can adapt either a 25.4 or a 27.2 Thudbuster to your bicycle using a machined aluminum shim. Check the drop down menu below to see a list of our standard shim sizes. If you still do not find your size, contact us and we will find a solution for your bike!
Standard Shim Sizes: 25.4mm - 26.0mm
Welcome to Thudbuster.com
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,705
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 840 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
251 Posts
Instead of the Thudbuster with elastomers, I would recommend Tamer Pivot Plus that entirely relies on spring mechanism and so requires no replacements down the line.
To second opinions advising against fat bikes, I just came from a trip where I rode on top of city walls in Xian, China, with restorations dating few hundred years. These obviously had quite uneven surface. To compensate the rental MTBs were equipped with wide tires held at low pressures. These were quite sufficient to absorb the roughness of the surface (over 1.5h ride) and I doubt that what you encounter can be particularly worse.
To second opinions advising against fat bikes, I just came from a trip where I rode on top of city walls in Xian, China, with restorations dating few hundred years. These obviously had quite uneven surface. To compensate the rental MTBs were equipped with wide tires held at low pressures. These were quite sufficient to absorb the roughness of the surface (over 1.5h ride) and I doubt that what you encounter can be particularly worse.
#41
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,385
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,686 Times
in
2,509 Posts
I rode my fatbike a couple of times last winter, and I really liked it. Unfortunately, I have been spoiled by dyno lights on every other bike I own and lighting was an issue
#42
Senior Member
[QUOTE=thiocyclist;16566677]Took my seatpost out to size it for a Thudbuster and it looks like they don't sell any in the size it was stamped: 26.0. :-/ Bummer.
They make a 25.4mm, that plus the 25.4-26.0mm shim and your all set.
They make a 25.4mm, that plus the 25.4-26.0mm shim and your all set.
#43
Senior Member
Last edited by DVC45; 09-18-14 at 11:56 PM.
#45
Full Member
An older pic of my commuter; Now a single-speed and used regularly for a 16-mile commute. It rolls down the road just fine even if it does take a little effort to leave a stop.
#46
Banned
Took my seatpost out to size it for a Thudbuster and it looks like they don't sell any in the size it was stamped: 26.0. :-/ Bummer.
they also were available with alternate rate springs and elastomer densities to suit the rider's weigh on the saddle.
Low end 25.4 seatposts are under $25 these days and there are machined shims in 1" ID to use them in various frame ID.
26-25.4= 0.6, the shim is 0.3 thick.
I wonder if all the high tech suspension systems are really better than springs on a saddle.
Or, In the case of Sir Alex Moulton's design Make a stiff, strong small wheel in a stiff ,strong triangulated truss frame ..
ride super..
but for comfort suspending the butt of the rider is quite nice .
Last edited by fietsbob; 09-19-14 at 08:44 AM.
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Chicago Western 'burbs
Posts: 1,065
Bikes: 1993 NOS Mt Shasta Tempest, Motobecane Fantom Cross CX, Dahon Speed D7, Dahon Vector P8, Bullitt Superfly
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bikes direct has multiple models under $500, as low as $399. Not sure how they compare to the Mongoose.
Save Up To 60% Off Fat Bikes and Fat Mountain Bicycles from bikesdirect.com FREE Ship 48 States
Save Up To 60% Off Fat Bikes and Fat Mountain Bicycles from bikesdirect.com FREE Ship 48 States
#48
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 49
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The most important thing is not to bend. A beach cruiser style handlebar might work for you. If you want to go a little faster, lean forward. If it starts to hurt, sit up. If you feel you really need suspension, I think you should stop riding.
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Simcoe County, Ontario
Posts: 189
Bikes: Steve Bauer Sirocco "Steve", Kawasaki Sumo 4.0 Fatbike "Black Betty", Retrospec Amok-16 "Rocinante/Veronica"
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been riding 28km to work once or twice a week on my cheapo single-speed fatty (Canadian Tire version of the Mongoose Beast, the Schwinn Biggity). There are a couple of minor hills but nothing big or I'd have to walk up. It's slow & it's heavy but it's fun to ride & was cheap & has convinced me to eventually spend more on a better, geared fatty with brakes.
Not sure I'd recommend it for a commute though I do enjoy commuting on it.
Cheers
Not sure I'd recommend it for a commute though I do enjoy commuting on it.
Cheers