Bike Forums - Fat tire

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Quote:

Originally Posted by canklecat (Post 19117136)

Yup. I've noticed on urban group rides the two cyclists most likely to get flats are the fat bike riders and the folks with ultra-skinny racing tires.

That's interesting. Probably because the fat tire is likely to pick up a torn due to it's wider footprint. Also, maybe the skinnier tire gets more pinch flats on the road due to less air cushioning?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camilo (Post 19116388)

Oh, I am long past resenting or feeling bad when people pass me on heavier, knobby tired bikes. It happens enough, you get used to it. Related, I like to ride with anyone who is about my own speed regardless of what sort of equipment handicap on their part it requires.... as long as they are fun to ride with and not gloating!

For what it's worth, I'm thinking of adding a fat bike to my collection, especially it seems you're seeing quite a few of them on Craigslist nowadays. I was told by a local bike shop owner that they aren't that great on ice and studded tires are >$200 apiece! Can anyone verify? (performance on ice?)

I have studs on my 32mm cross bike tires (about $80 apiece and after 3 years spring and fall, I'm now thinking I have my money's worth at about $5 per ride) They really work well on solid hard pack and glare ice, but don't have flotation.

Studs, yes, you'll need studs for ice. Here's me "racing" the Frozen Forty. We'd had a thaw, then morning of the race it was -7F - the course was full of icy sections like this (I didn't have studded tires):

Most of my bruises have healed in the last 8 months. :p

I've always had another bike for icy riding, something with more affordable options for studded tires.

When shopping studded fatbike tires - remember to look at size (4" vs 5") and thread count. The 4" with lower thread count are more affordable. But they will not be cheap!

My latest bike build is a early Mongoose ATB now with drop bars, 2 x 10 gearing, and 2.3" tires, not quite fat bike territory but fun to ride. I've had my Orca out once since completing the Mongoose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYMXer (Post 19117589)

That's interesting. Probably because the fat tire is likely to pick up a torn due to it's wider footprint. Also, maybe the skinnier tire gets more pinch flats on the road due to less air cushioning?

I'm not sure what flatted the fat bike tires. The last couple of skinny road bike tires were flatted by staples. Lots of roofing work in this area due to hail storms this spring and summer.

Personally I don't see the point of ultralight skinny racing tires without puncture shields for most urban riding but I supposed I'd have preferred those when I was younger. Nowadays I'm not fast enough for tires to make much difference and I'd rather spend my time riding than fixing flats. The most sensible tires I've seen on road bikes in our group are Freedom Thickslicks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02Giant (Post 19118277)

My latest bike build is a early Mongoose ATB now with drop bars, 2 x 10 gearing, and 2.3" tires, not quite fat bike territory but fun to ride. I've had my Orca out once since completing the Mongoose.

2.3" tires are std Mtb tires and far from a fat bike tire. Even the new "plus" bikes start at 3", at least as far as I know.
I have found that the trend for the plus tires is a good compromise between fat and regular Mtb tires. My fat bike has 26x4 and that's "fat" enough for me. I rode some 4.8 tire bikes and you really could feel the weight of the tires and the roll from low pressure/big sidewall height. I didn't like it for aggressive riding but maybe it's perfect for casual beach rides?