Are 29er 5 inch Fat Bikes In Our Future?
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Are 29er 5 inch Fat Bikes In Our Future?
First, forgive me if this should be moved to the Mountain Biking section. Anyways...
Would 29er 5" be a viable option? Would the extra weight really be that much, considering the already-much rubber on 26" 4.8-5" tires? How much would climbing suffer or benefit?
I think I would definitely consider purchasing one. This bike would be a full blown monster. I also think it would be the end-all of maxing out fat bikes, unless they went to 6" in 26 or 29 someday. Geez. Sound fun?
What's your opinion on a 29er with 4.8 or 5"? Is this the next "first" for Surly? Surly, are you reading this?
Would 29er 5" be a viable option? Would the extra weight really be that much, considering the already-much rubber on 26" 4.8-5" tires? How much would climbing suffer or benefit?
I think I would definitely consider purchasing one. This bike would be a full blown monster. I also think it would be the end-all of maxing out fat bikes, unless they went to 6" in 26 or 29 someday. Geez. Sound fun?

What's your opinion on a 29er with 4.8 or 5"? Is this the next "first" for Surly? Surly, are you reading this?

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There's function and there's style.
Function has limits. You start with the nature of the surface you're riding on and adjust your tire to reach the maximum benefit. You will eventually find a point at which bigger, fatter tires will become a drawback.
Style has no limits.
Function has limits. You start with the nature of the surface you're riding on and adjust your tire to reach the maximum benefit. You will eventually find a point at which bigger, fatter tires will become a drawback.
Style has no limits.
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There's function and there's style.
Function has limits. You start with the nature of the surface you're riding on and adjust your tire to reach the maximum benefit. You will eventually find a point at which bigger, fatter tires will become a drawback.
Style has no limits.
Function has limits. You start with the nature of the surface you're riding on and adjust your tire to reach the maximum benefit. You will eventually find a point at which bigger, fatter tires will become a drawback.
Style has no limits.

I imagine we WILL see this size soon.
EDIT:
When I first saw the full suspension Salsa Bucksaw, I thought, "Okay, but only for bombing down a rut torn, tree root infested 45 degree decent at 50mph." I still think that. But for traction and traversing stuff that only opossums walk, I can see the use of fatter, bigger diameter wheels being a bigger advantage over full suspension.
Last edited by RatMudd; 10-31-14 at 01:14 PM.
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The 26" 4.8 tires are already just about 29ers. Don't think you need them that big.
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I was just thinking that, lol. But I think they need a new lighter tire compound first.
How about for downhill racing? Lol... A 36er with 10 inches of travel and 6" tires on 50-hole hubs?
I think steering response would hinder drastically due to the centrifugal force at 65 mph, lol.
How about for downhill racing? Lol... A 36er with 10 inches of travel and 6" tires on 50-hole hubs?

Last edited by RatMudd; 10-31-14 at 02:01 PM.
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#13
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Seen someone doing 20 something MPH on a Unicycle with a 36" wheel, going thru town years ago..
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36er uphill stair ride:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fYt6IqaHk_Q
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fYt6IqaHk_Q
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Yeah I've known about 36ers for about 2 minutes now and already have one on my mental wish-list.
#16
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In the mid-00s scwhinn made a 30" wheeled cruiser, so it's not that impressive. I still want one of those sxhwinns, though.
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Pass. I'll stick with my cx bike and 32c tires. Don't do enough offroad to want more and riding a fat bike on the road to the trail is seriously no fun.
#18
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I see the whole "fat Tyre" thing to be a fad that will pass. Sure, they will be around for specialty applications; but the popularity will wane. As it is I see them on th estreet being used where other, more efficient tyres would be a better choice.
As was said above, there is nothign wrong with style. However, attitudes about style will change.
About the only place I can see a fat tyre as superior is the, as mentioned, extreme downhill, and on an e-bike. If I am wrong and the fat tyre has some advantage to daily riders I would love to hear it. I like the idea of softening the ride a bit without the complication and inefficiencies of suspension (thus their possible application on e-bikes); however, I do not think that they can make up for the losses from additional road and sidewall friction.
As was said above, there is nothign wrong with style. However, attitudes about style will change.
About the only place I can see a fat tyre as superior is the, as mentioned, extreme downhill, and on an e-bike. If I am wrong and the fat tyre has some advantage to daily riders I would love to hear it. I like the idea of softening the ride a bit without the complication and inefficiencies of suspension (thus their possible application on e-bikes); however, I do not think that they can make up for the losses from additional road and sidewall friction.
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The Grandfondo we did a few weeks back a women rode the whole thing on a surly fat bike. Took her a very long time and everyone was impressed when she finished. She swore she'd never do it again on a fat bike!
#20
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
About the only place I can see a fat tyre as superior is the, as mentioned, extreme downhill, and on an e-bike. If I am wrong and the fat tyre has some advantage to daily riders I would love to hear it. I like the idea of softening the ride a bit without the complication and inefficiencies of suspension (thus their possible application on e-bikes); however, I do not think that they can make up for the losses from additional road and sidewall friction.
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