| Fatties?; Bikes that is | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 2 2014, 05:01 PM (288 Views) | |
| andyjh | Nov 2 2014, 05:01 PM Post #1 |
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Mud Lover
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Talk to me about Fat bikes then. Intregued after the last club ride seeing both Ricky and Rob blasting around on them. Just how draggy are they to ride? I assume in the mud season we are just getting into they would be great? What are they like to climb on? Obviously not a speed machine but do they kill you getting up hills? Interested on what people who ride them think? Recommend them or just another fad? |
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| robbo167 | Nov 2 2014, 06:58 PM Post #2 |
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Bog Monster
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As the owner of one of the two fatbikes currently in the club I guess I'd better answer...for me it just brings something different to the same old trails,much the same as riding single speed does,with no suspension to fiddle around with or worry about it makes things a lot simpler.As for hills they are always going to be a bit harder but the payback comes on root infested singletrack and downhills.just stomps it all flat!.Grip wise wet chalk is still dicey and when it comes to mud it seems to prefer the boggier the better,when its light mud over a hard surface it seems to slip about(this is on standard floater tyres,presume more mud friendly tyres exist) and tyre pressures are crucial too. If you want to race with your mates then Full Fat maybe isn't for you (unless you want to spend ooodles on carbon frames,but they aren't real bikes so we won't go there) but if you just want to enjoy the scenery go for it....which suits me just fine these days. If you are serious andy then give mine a try sometime..... |
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| andyjh | Nov 2 2014, 09:39 PM Post #3 |
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Mud Lover
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Thanks Rob  Well, in one of my more impulsive moments, I went out and collected this;  So it looks like I should be able to answer my own questions :lol: Had a few upgrades like the carbon forks already done, although still on original heavy wheels. Going away for work from tomorrow for a few days so won't get a change to try it out until the end of the week. Had to order some peddles anyway so they should be here in time for my return. I was really impressed how Rob and Ricky hustled their fat birds around last club ride and I thought they looked fun to ride. You confirmed it nicely with your response Rob, had already set off to take a look at this one. I like the idea of just taking it easy sometimes on the rides and just enjoying it more. Will report back soon
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| robbo167 | Nov 2 2014, 10:20 PM Post #4 |
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Bog Monster
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And now theres 3!!...nice one Andy.....if it is still running original on-one (motorbike) inner tubes you need to swap them asap..they weigh a ton! Oh,and get the rims drilled as well,a good saving to be had there too. Have a look at Fat Bike UK Forum..(not as good as SMA of course!) |
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| andyjh | Nov 2 2014, 10:40 PM Post #5 |
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Mud Lover
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Very unlike me not to ponder something for ages but I thought what the hell, can always sell ot of I don't get on with it. Riding out in the mud and rain this morning I thought a Fatty would be ideal and a bit of a laugh in those conditions. Eyed up the Specilized one in SDB's post ride and remembered I had seen one advertised recently. Couple of emails and a quick trip in the car and I have my new winter bike  I believe it is still running the original tubes as the chap said to me they weigh a ton and you can buy lighter ones now. I had noticed the drilled rims on some and was wondering how to get that done. Will check out that forum on the quiet :lol: |
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| andyjh | Nov 4 2014, 03:46 PM Post #6 |
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Mud Lover
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Having problems getting onto that forum, don't autherise new accounts very quickly  Where do I get the wheels drilled or is this a home solution? Bit nervous of tackling this myself I have to be honest  Also the light weight inner tubes, where are they available from? General tube suppliers or are they from specific suppliers?Sorry for the stupid questions :wacko: |
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| Nero | Nov 5 2014, 10:01 AM Post #7 |
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Mud Lover
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Nice buy Andy, a bit different from a Sync! re the rims, it's a DIY job with a holecutter. Here is Ricky's method:
If you don't have the tools/confidence, I'm sure someone would help if you ask nicely. |
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| andyjh | Nov 5 2014, 01:55 PM Post #8 |
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Mud Lover
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Just slightly! :lol: The Sync may still happen but the build will now be slower due to funding, or lack of! This looked like a bit of fun which is never a bad thing but I might not be able to keep up with anyone for a while yet. Although watching Rob tear off into the distance on the last club ride, it's clearly not a limitation of the bike! First rides are definitely going to be solo so I don't hold anyone up on my Fatty. I was coming to the conclusion it was a DIY job so I might have to start talking nicely to my local Fat bike owner for some help/guidance One-up 42T expander ring and 16T cog ordered along with peddles, should be waiting for me when I get back to the UK. Can't wait to get home from France and get out for my first ride, that first climb is going to be interesting :lol: |
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| robbo167 | Nov 5 2014, 06:53 PM Post #9 |
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Bog Monster
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Inner tubes are Specialized 26x 2.3/3.0 downhill tubes...SDB should have/get these in for you Andy....you might want to keep a co2 cartridge and inflator in your back pack... a mini pump will take ages out on the trail. As for the wheels,I have the holecutter (mine is 33mm dia) ....you are welcome to borrow it and I can show you how to do it....but you will need some rim tape,Ricky used surly rim tape (give Charlie the Bikemonger a try) whereas cheapo me used Wickes duct tape...not sure I would bother doing that again,a real fiddle. There was a vid that takes you through the wheel process step by step...fat bike forum? Rode mine today...sloppy leave mulch over chalk?..no problem..if you know the rooty descent(with massive mud pit/ rooty drop off bit at the bottom that comes out at Greyfriars Road?....this is the only bike I can clear that with in anything other than Sahara conditions. The wait will be worth it Andy...just accept it for what it is...bloody good fun!!! |
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| andyjh | Nov 5 2014, 09:22 PM Post #10 |
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Mud Lover
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Cheers Robbo, much appreciated I'll get some inner tubes and rim tape ordered up at some point soon, need to stop spending money right now! Being the lazy sort, I already have a CO2 pump in my bag :lol: On the subject of pressure, I assume I should be running approx. 8psi from what I've heard? Not having much luck getting registered on the 'other' forum. After a few days they deleted my first account so I have tried again! Trying to find other sources of information to help me get up to speed. Thanks for the offer of help with the wheels, you're a star. Going to get out on the bike as it is and just enjoy it as you say. Don't want to start messing with it until I'm happy all is good with it and then I'll have a baseline. Yes I know the decent you mean, a bit nasty once wet to say the least. To be honest I really can't wait for my first climb to get a real handle on what the weight is like to haul up, shortly followed by a good decent. This week is driving me mad, being away with a new bike to play with :angry: |
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| robbo167 | Nov 5 2014, 10:27 PM Post #11 |
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Bog Monster
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...running 8psi front and 11 back at the moment......some trackpumps are not accurate at these low pressures by the way,I have a digital gauge from CRC (about a fiver I think) that takes the guess work out of it. Happy to help Andy...that's what SMA is all about,I've had lots of help ,both with bikes and ,recently,some other stuff....so glad to follow suit. |
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| andyjh | Nov 6 2014, 09:43 PM Post #12 |
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Mud Lover
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I thought I would need to get myself a digital gauge for these low pressures, more shopping :lol: Much appreciated Robbo, great community we have here
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| Baby_Gixxer | Nov 21 2014, 08:41 PM Post #13 |
Liberally Covered
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Only just stumbled on this thread :wacko: You can actually buy dedicated Fat bike floor pumps now 0-20psi |
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| andyjh | Nov 21 2014, 10:18 PM Post #14 |
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Mud Lover
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Hadn't seen one of those yet! Got myself a digital guage now anyway so happy to carry one using what I have
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