Originally Posted by
revcp
A few responses. No, fat bikes haven't solved cold fusion. Two, they are quicker/faster than the naysayers think. Three, they are SIGNIFICANTLY better in snow than 2.5" tires and below, but, physics being what it is, are no better on ice. Yes, the tires are expensive. This weekend I'll be purchasing new takeoffs from craigslist at about a 50% savings (Surly Larry for the front, Endomorph for the rear, both at 3.8").
We need a few more fat bike owners to speak up here! Ok. I will.
First off. revcp: For winter, save your money Endomorphs suck in the snow. Seriously. For a rear tire it won't be much better than your Vee's. They don't make them anymore and for good reason. You want a Nate or a Husker du or anything knobby for the rear. Larry will be ok for the front but full set of Nates or Huskers for winter are worth it. Yeah this stuff is not cheap.
This is my this my third winter on my Moonlander, I roll with a Lou in the back and a big fat Larry or bud in the front depending on conditions. Tire pressures are the absolute key to everything on a fat bike. 9psi front, and 10psi rear is my default starting point. Depending on what and where you are riding a 1psi change can make a huge difference. You learn how to feel it.
Fat bikes do a few thing really well, and they are an amazing niche of a niche of a niche. Nothing more. I use mine to commute sometimes on snowy days, like this week, but more often I'll ride winter single track with it and nothing could be better for that. Ill ride it with my dog, I'll ride dirt single track too, but prefer my FS 29er. I ride my cross bike with studs mostly for the winter commute chores. I'm lucky enough to have over time built a stable of bikes for every silly niche type of riding I like to do ad I ride them all. My FS 29er mountian bike is really more of a niche bike, for that matter so is my road bike. I don't commute on those.
fat bikes arent for everyone, but everyone smiles when they are on one.