thedevilisbad

Hey Guys,

My local bike shop just got in a whole bunch of Mukluks for this winter, I got to test drive one and I'm smitten!

I saw that Tree Fort Bikes got a shipment of closeout 2011 frames (https://blog.treefortbikes.com/index.php/posts/1793), although their website seems to be down right now.

Would you rather get a new stock mukluk or build up a custom one? What fat bike parts would you put on it?

Is commuting on one of these things a stupid idea?

Thanks!

JAG410

I commute on a Surly Pugsley in the winter. Summer time too sometimes! Fatbikes are great for all conditions, but snow is where they shine. All of them can easily fit a rack for carrying stuff. Fenders are the only downfall, but there's ways to make things work with creativity.

I think your budget should decide on what the best option is. I'd personally jump on the closeout frame and build one up.

$449 frameset
$30 headset
$500 wheelset (rolling darryls/salsa hubs)
$300 tires/tubes (Big Fat Larrys!)
$80 Origin8 crankset
$140 shifters/derailleurs/cables
$60 bars/stem/grips
$40 seatpost/saddle

Roughly $1300 with some bargain shopping, that's hard to beat. Certainly can make some nice upgrades if there's more room in the budget.

Bekologist

i thought this thread was going to be about cycling footwear!

USAF mukluks are the bomb for very cold winter commuting. Superlight and warm.

I have been considering fat tires for the ruts this winter....

fotooutdoors

One word of caution (backed up by 0 experience on a fatbike...); the Mukluk (as with any current fatbike except custom) requires a 100mm bottom bracket. If your knees are finicky and your commute on the longer side, this could be an issue. I personally can feel the difference (and it isn't good) between a 68mm bb with a double and a 73mm with a triple. That said, I would so be up for adding a fatbike to my stable for winter commuting alongside my touring bike for when conditions call for studs, but my commute is 5 miles each way.

Personally, I would always build up a bike over purchasing it built, but mainly because I enjoy it and like having precise control over the build spec.

thedevilisbad

That's a good tip, thanks!

JAG410

There is some truth in this. I had pain for a while, but it went away within a month. It was minor really and caused only by not stretching. Do some simple IT band stretches before longer rides and you'll be fine until your body adjusts on its own. I have knee issues and I've done 70+ mile fat bike rides without problems now that my body has adjusted.

alan s 

You are already up to $1,600, and haven't even included brakes, pedals and a chain (required if you plan on actually riding the bike.). Realistically, you are probably looking at $1,800 to $2,000 for a budget build.

JAG410

hah I knew I forgot stuff! That's what I get for posting on NyQuil.

formicaman

I want a Pugsley pretty bad, but I think for winter commuting you would be better off with studded tires.

vik 

You're right if you ride a lot of ice. If you ride a lot of snow fat tires are better. Back in the old home city they didn't plow a lot of the bike paths in the winter so a fat tire is the only way to get through. Some fat tire commuters have two sets of wheels.....a fat one and a 29er MTB wheelset for studs or for running skinny slicks in the summer.

digibud

Add a set of studded tires to a fat bike ( have 2.25" Nokia 294's on a set of wheels made for my Pugsley) and you have fat tires for snow and studs for ice with a single bike. Very nice solution. It's easier to make a set for the Mukluk but doable for either bike. You'll want to shim it perfectly so swapping wheels leaves you with your disc brakes set correctly without needing to adjust the brakes, which is a pain with fat tires since you can't see through the caliper.