Friedrich

Are fat bike usable in sand?

CrimsonEclipse

Yup!
It's not an easy ride, you WILL have to workout, but the tires won't "wash out" like smaller tired bikes.

It also depends on the type of sand. Harder packed like Daytona or PNW beaches or sugar sand like tourist beaches like Miami.

If it's going to be mostly sugar sand, then I'd go with a 4.8" tire with a 5 PSI front 7 PSI rear and be ready to average 5mph.

MarcusT

Definitely usable in sand, but as mentioned, super fine, very soft sand might be a challenge. Just be sure to give the bike components a good cleaning and lube afterwards.

TrailTraveller

Last time I rode my fat electric mountain bike to the beach and the water, it was so cool! The fat tire didn't sink into the sand, but it needed to be fitted with a fender

cegerer

Hmmmm, so it doesn't sound like what I'm hoping for. I live adjacent to a National Wildlife Refuge with access to miles of undeveloped roads. But they are all soft dry sand. It's pretty much flat. There is vegetation in some of the sand to firm things up slightly. I gave it a try with my gravelmonster (29x2.35 tires) and no way except to ride the edges of the road where there's at least some amount of grass. I really want this to work, but I fear it might be a one-and-done type thing. 5MPH? That's it? Wish I had one to borrow or rent and give it a try before buying.

CrimsonEclipse

If it's flat terrain, then borrow or rent a fat bike or buy a cheapie on craigslist or some Dolomite (whatever the brand name) or bikes direct with 8 speeds and take a whack at it.

TC1

Do you have a hot date? I mean, what's your goal here? It doesn't sound like you are trying to travel from one location to another, it sounds like you are thinking about recreational rides through the wilderness -- in which case, who cares how fast you are going?

Are you sure there's no rental option in your area? If it is touristy at all, there might be. Maybe mention which NWR you are talking about, and see if anyone has a suggestion. Another option would be to buy a fat bike from REI, and if it doesn't work for you, you can return it ( within a year, if you are a member, or 90 days if not ).

cegerer

^^^ yeah, that's sort of what I'm thinking. I'm seeing nice entry-level bikes in the $300 range on Craigslist. Could always sell it if the riding's a complete bust. And if it works, the payoff is big!

cegerer

Yes, recreational/fitness riding so I'm not in a hurry. BUT 5mph sounds brutal (maybe not, I'm a roadie mainly and used to 20+). I'm going to check the LBS and see if there's any rentals around. I'm in south central Florida.

TC1

I'd rather ride 5mph through the wilderness than 25mph through a neighborhood or industrial area or boring highway, but your mileage may vary.

MarcusT

For me, fat bikes are more for fun than fitness. Oh, you will get a workout, but the first time I rode a fattie, I smiled like a kid on his first bike.
If you're used to driving a Ferrari, and want to try an off roader, you will need to drop speed and replace it with adventure

zandoval 

I have had long talks with bicycle rental shops along the Galveston Texas Sea Wall. They do not allow their bikes in the sand or in the salt water. They have incredible difficulty maintaining their bikes. They routinely use Pressure washing and WD-40 for cleaning. And they also use stinky Marine Grease on just about everything. Even so the life expectancy of bike rentals there is short. About one to three years max. I would not take any of my bikes in the sand or salt water.

I went into one of the shops late one evening and asked if they had a simple road bike I could ride. The owner said he was closing up and I could ride with him down the seawall and back on a rusty UO-8 and he on an old three geared Raleigh. It was a nice ride that also involved a stop for beers on the way back. There is a real anomaly on the Galveston Sea Wall. No matter what direction you take the wind appears to always be in your face!

cegerer

Good advice I think

cegerer

Yeah, if I told someone why I wanted to rent/borrow the bike, they'd decline for sure. Being in Florida, we basically live on top of a gigantic pile of sand. I love riding my gravel bike. Mostly on hardpack gravel roads thru the orange groves, but there's always sand, sand, and more sand. When I get back, the bike is covered with sand even when it seems like I didn't ride in much. So after every ride, a drivetrain cleaning is required. 'Dry Conditions' chain wax seems to have helped somewhat.

MinnMan

Entry level fat bikes for $300? hmmm.

MarcusT

At one time, fat bike rentals were a boom in Florida, specifically for riding on the sand.
A little googling and I'm sure you will find a rental fattie close by

cegerer

That's probably on the high end. Dozens for under $300. I'm talking cheapo Mongoose type stuff, but sufficient to see if a fat bike in general will work on the terrain I want to ride.

TC1

Maybe. Keep in mind that tires are not all the same, and those junk bikes will have junk tires -- that will not work as well as good tires on any surface. It is possible they might be good enough, but if they are not, that will not prove that no such bikes exist -- only that you can't buy one for $200.

CrimsonEclipse

I'm going to side with rental first. (If you can find one)
If you're REALLY lucky, a rental that has 4" and 4.8" tire bikes so you can try out both and avoid over or under buying in the future

cegerer

This should work ....

Viich

Wow. Don't really see that here. Schwinn Biggity for $400 used. Used Northrock bikes are $500-850

A few cheapos like the Schwinn or Supercycle from Canadian Tire for $300 sometimes.

cegerer

Yeah, the market here in Florida might not be typical. I think there are a LOT of people who bought these bikes thinking they were going to cruise the beaches. And then either the novelty wore off and/or the effort was too great. Almost everything for sale is a department store cheapo or an electric. Hardly ever see a name brand serious bike for sale.

MarcusT

For $250, maybe drop to $225, even if you use it a couple times a year would be worth it

cegerer

Going to look at a couple of $300 specials tomorrow. One looks like it could actually be a pretty decent bike with 100mm rims and 4.5" tires. I'll report back

cegerer

Pulled the trigger on this Mongoose Argus Comp. The guy bought it for his wife in 2018 at full retail. She rode it approximately 10 miles I paid $300. It's basically brand new. Initial impressions? This is certainly not a department store special. The frame is actually very nicely done. I like these small frames where the top tube and down tube are welded together at the head tube - super stiff/stout frame that way. But they went a step further and added substantial gusset plates in this area as well. All Shimano. 180mm hydraulic brakes. I've ridden it around the neighborhood and all seems good. Maiden voyage in the wildlife refuge will be Saturday morning! I'll have some first timer fat bike in sand impressions this weekend.