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I'm looking to purchase my first mountain bike. I'm a roadie so this bike will be ridden mostly late fall/winter on the trails in parks.
I rode my buddies 26" a couple of days straight and my tail bone is killing me it was so hard. The PSI was around 40.
I have spoken with a few bike shops and have narrowed down to a 27.5+ and a fat bike.
I would like a soft riding which is where the fat bike can really shine.
Can a 27.5+, with 3" tires, be just as soft? No bike shops around me one available for rent.
Anybody ridden both and can give insight into which direction they went?
Pros and cons of each bike would be great from riders who were in this same dilemma.
Thanks for your help.

PS. I rented a fat bike today for 14 miles of trail riding. Ride was soft, rode over roots and rocks that my friends on 26" had to negotiate. Had a nuvinchi IGH that didn't have enough low or high end gear. That drivetrain won't have any influence since I won't purchase it.

Canker

Why were the tires at 40psi? Way too high. I'd try out some more regular hardtails 27.5 or 29er before giving up on them. Just like road bikes some mtn bikes are a lot stiffer than others aluminum vs carbon vs steel. Guess I've been lucky and all my hardtails and my rigid have been steel and road pretty well. My newest 27.5 hardtail has a canonadale save seatpost, made to flex, and it rides nearly as well as my 29er full suspension bike.

I have nothing against fat or + bikes and wouldn't mind one myself as yet another n + 1.

osco53

I ride on 27.5 x 2.35" wide tires on a full suspension trail bike at 26-28 psi f/r..I'm 172 pounds before ride gear....Tried a 4"wide tired fatty once...Tooooo much tire..Too heavy..don't need that much traction. But I don't ride snow...27.5+,,,say a 2.8"..or 3.0" wide..I can't wait to try it...

I <3 Robots

I haven't ridden a 650+, but I have ridden a Foes Mutz (full suspension fat bike). The fat tires 4x4 over everything and traction feels endless. The stuff I had to steer around with my 26 FS, I was able to roll over with the Mutz. Going downhill almost feels like cheating. Confidence and fun factor is high, but the big heavy wheels and tires make it a bit more difficult to maneuver. Acceleration is slow. I had a hard time lifting the front end and trying to "pop" over stuff. IMO, a fat bike would be good if you ride in sand or snow...or even shuttle rides with long descents. For me it would be too sluggish for all around riding.

FrozenK

Fat bikes and +sized bikes are fun if you are going to monster truck over everything and aren't in a hurry. Plus sized tires won't have as much cush as a fat tire, but will be more cushy than a regular mountainbike tire.

wvridgerider

This is my Karate Monkey with a 27.5+ in the dropouts. I wish I had the funds to throw a set together for the snow

osco53

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...966CDE6E1F0206

Tubernator

I have a Stache 29+. It is a VERY plush ride, can truck over anything, and doesn't have the same limitations (weight, maneuverability, etc) as a true 5" Fat Bike. Also takes 27+ tires.

Lots of fun, I say go for it!

Bikernator

Tubernator ... Bikernator
Trek Stache ... Trek Stache

Weeeeeeird.

Sorry, OP, I have nothing to contribute.

slowride454

how much snow will you be riding in? I have a 29er, 29+, 27.5+ , and a couple fatbikes. Each has their own set of strengths and weaknesses.