LongIslandCamper

There are two camping trailers in my family so we spend a LOT of time camping at the beach from April-October. I always bring my POS MTB along since I just use it to ride around the campground. I don't really do any serious riding. I also dont' like having my bikes exposed to all that salt air, hence the POS bike.

With that said, I'm curious about a fat bike to ride on the beach. I've only seen one or two on my travels. How much would I be looking to spend? Would it fit on a Thule hitch mount bike rack that support the bike from it's frame?

fietsbob

LBS here has some with a kick-back 2 speed coaster brake for about $800..
sticking to the Beach at sealevel that may be sufficient

a starting off gear and a cruising gear.

Velo Dog

I just did a quick google search and found them listed from ~$900-$2500. At least to me, that moves you well out of the POS category, and it's a lot of money for something you say you wouldn't ride seriously. Which doesn't make any difference if you want one....

SpeshulEd 

I think the walmart fat bike is around $200...there's a few threads on here about it as well as various reviews and whatnot on the web. I believe people were saying it wasn't too bad for a beater.

LongIslandCamper

I'm guessing you mean this one?

SpeshulEd 

That's the one...and here's the longer thread about it:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/879101-Wal-Mart-Fat-Bike​

LongIslandCamper

Thanks for the replies guys.

This bike would be used basically on the sand only. The beach we camp at allows 4x4's on it so there are some deep ruts in the soft sand when going from the dunes to the water. As long as the tide is out, the sand is fairly compact by the water.

I went to my LBS a few weeks ago just to get some pricing. A pugsly was about $1,700 and a moonlander was about $2,500. I told them I really wasn't interested in getting something until the spring of 2014 and they said it was good to wait because more fatties were being released in the coming weeks/months so I'd have more options and some might be cheaper.

I'm still open to ideas and suggestions on what to use on the beach. I'm not a serious rider so I don't know if I want to drop $2,500. Will the Motobecane work for me on the beach? Any other suggestions?

SpeshulEd 

Since you said motobecane, I'm guessing you saw the fat bikes on bikes direct:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/fat-bikes.htm

LongIslandCamper

Yes, thank you. My sole purpose of this bike is to ride on the sand at the beach. I can only assume the sand down by the water when the tide is out will be compact and fairly easy to ride. The sand from the dunes to the water will be loose sand with lots of ruts from trucks driving along the beach. The bike doesn't necessarily have to go across ruts like this because I figure I can walk it if need be, but it HAS to work down at the water line.

Canker

In a few months BD will have more fat bike available including a single speed one for I think it was $400. Less parts to get fouled up by sand. It is on their facebook page.

fietsbob

Our LBS has sold a few to be clam-gun and shovel Haulers, to stalk the Mighty Bivalve.

Sixty Fiver

Riding a fatbike in the sand can be a blast... low psi in the tyres for max float and really low gearing help.

Riding at the water line is easier as the sand is compressed and I often ride my Pug in deeper water along lakes and rivers where it shines.

The Walmart fatbike is a pretty stellar deal and might be the right bike for you... many have changed the rear sprocket to lower the gearing and as it goes with many x-mart offerings, have repacked the wheel bearings.

The parts spec is low and they are heavier but are also serviceable.

LongIslandCamper

In all honesty, I really don't know my ass from my elbow when dealing with bike parts. I'm not opposed to the Walmart bike but I'd rather not go that route, especially since it's SS. So I'm looking at the Motobecane offerings. What are the differences between the Comp and Elite models? The Comp is $700, the Elite $900. Is the Elite worth the extra $200 for the type of riding I'd be doing?

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...b4comp_xiv.htm

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...4elite_xiv.htm

fishymamba

For your use the comp will be more than enough. The elite has bbetter brakes and shifting components, but I don't think they will make a big difference for your type of riding.

tim24k

Walmart fat bike single speed $199.00
https://www.walmart.com/ip/22861844?w...946956&veh=sem

LongIslandCamper

If I do decide to get the Motobecane, my next order of business is getting the proper size. In fact, my sister-in-law might be buying one for my brother too. I'm 5"6' and my brother is about 5"10'. The following size chart is posted in the Motobecane fat bike page on Bikes Direct.

[TABLE="width: 710"]
[TR]
[TH][/TH]
[TH]General Fit Guide Rider Height Range*[/TH]
[TH]Standover*[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Small 15"
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Medium 17"
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Large 19"
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Is it safe to say that at my 5'6" height that I should look into the small 15" and at 5'10" my brother should look into the medium 17"?

Canker

There is a HUGE thread on the moto fat bikes over mtbr.com

https://forums.mtbr.com/fat-bikes/mot...es-875900.html

Skim through that but yes those sizes sound good.

LongIslandCamper

OK, so I just bought the 15" Motobecane Elite. I was going to go with the less expensive Comp but I really liked the black and really liked the rims on the Elite. Now I just have to wait 3 months until it arrives.......

LongIslandCamper

So I bought it a week ago. That means I'm one week closer to becoming fat.

dynaryder

Seems like a good thread to drop this article in:
https://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/excur...g-in-colorado/

Would like to try a fat bike,but right now don't have anywhere to ride or store it.

LongIslandCamper

It's almost 3 weeks since I ordered it so I'm 3 weeks closer to getting it! :-) Of course we got about 2" of snow yesterday and I saw at least 2 fatty tire marks driving around. My local MTB club posted some pics too. So jealous. :-(

Anyway, I'm going to need some pedals for this thing since it doesn't come with any. Just some basic platforms since this will primarily be used for beach riding 95% of the time and perhaps a very basic, beginner trail the other 5%.

What color pedals would you put on this bike?

Retro Grouch 

I think that there are no bad bikes, just inappropriate usage.

If you are concerned about the effects of salt air, what's wrong with acquiring a semi-expendable bike for that use?

IthaDan 

I've had my black bacon fat [bike] for two months now. This past weekend was the first time it's snowed, so I had to get it out. True to the reputation, it's very good in the snow, but not nearly as invincible as I'd expected.

It's held up quite well so far, other than some small toolfree trim adjustment on the RD, I haven't had to do a thing.

We got about 6" (my pedals were scraping the top of the snow) on Saturday night, so I took it for a spin around town. Definitely got some weird looks.

LongIslandCamper

I just found some white platforms in my garage. Think they'll work on this?




If not, what color? Should I look for a similar green that's on the bike?

LongIslandCamper

I just happy that I can finally say, "I'm getting my fatty THIS year." Lol