Do you guys do fat tires?
08-17-24, 11:52 AM
#1
Do you guys do fat tires?
Hi again!
Have any of you guys fitted fat tires onto your mtb and/or ride fat bikes? My latest idea is to fit some fat tires on one of my beater bikes that I experiment building on. Many of the places I like to take my bikes cannot handle the ever changing terrain. Visualize FL Backcountry with tons of loose sand hills then loose dirt then packed earth and exposed tree roots then more sand. Granted, there could be a degree of "user error" (hey, I'm in my 50s riding mostly craptastic bikes), but I feel like for when I'm doing these more slow-go rides that are more uh, "technical than speed" riding, fat tires would be an ideal choice, possibly a game changer.
So, can I just buy fat tires and put them on a like a Walmart type bike like a hyper? What would I need to consider also having to change out? Forks? Would it mess up the drive train? Hopefully, you understand what I'm asking here. Oh, last thought-I've not yet even looked into purchasing an entire fat bike, but would be totally down if that is a better route to go if they aren't as expensive as regular mountain bikes. Thanks for any insight you have to offer!
Have any of you guys fitted fat tires onto your mtb and/or ride fat bikes? My latest idea is to fit some fat tires on one of my beater bikes that I experiment building on. Many of the places I like to take my bikes cannot handle the ever changing terrain. Visualize FL Backcountry with tons of loose sand hills then loose dirt then packed earth and exposed tree roots then more sand. Granted, there could be a degree of "user error" (hey, I'm in my 50s riding mostly craptastic bikes), but I feel like for when I'm doing these more slow-go rides that are more uh, "technical than speed" riding, fat tires would be an ideal choice, possibly a game changer.
So, can I just buy fat tires and put them on a like a Walmart type bike like a hyper? What would I need to consider also having to change out? Forks? Would it mess up the drive train? Hopefully, you understand what I'm asking here. Oh, last thought-I've not yet even looked into purchasing an entire fat bike, but would be totally down if that is a better route to go if they aren't as expensive as regular mountain bikes. Thanks for any insight you have to offer!
08-17-24, 06:49 PM
#2
Clark W. Griswold
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So they make fat bikes and there is a fat bike sub-forum. Generally the only thing I would do to a wally-mart special is leave it at the wally-mart unpurchased and if I accidentally bought one I would go to the scrapyard and see if can get my money back in scrap weight.
If you want a fat bike get yourself a fat bike, they are niche bikes so you might be spending money on one but if you want it go for it. An actual mountain bike or even a look-a-like or a hybrid or road bike will not fit a fat tire. You might be able to mount a slightly wider tire in something but fat tires are typically 4.0 and wider. You can sometimes find plus sized mountain bikes that will generally go 3.0 -to maybe 3.8 on some.
A regular mountain bike is probably going to cost you at least 1k for something decent and probably around the same for a fat bike but generally I would start at $1500 on up to be sure. Occasionally on a 1k bike you can get air forks and at least 10 speed drivetrain wise and hydraulic disc brakes but not always. For a fat bike however mechanical disc brakes wouldn't always be so bad if you got say TRP Spykes or Avid BB7s but that is less common especially with really decent hydraulics from Shimano at a pretty low price point. Keep in mind if you are looking to get full suspension you are probably adding another $1k or so to the price as you are adding more complication which either means more cost or a huge drop in quality.
If you must by an object with wheels from wally-mart get a single speed and know it is still not something I would recommend riding or spending money on. The quality just is not there on anything they sell that looks bike like. The more features you put on the bike the more the bike should ramp up in cost significantly or the more the quality should shoot down significantly. You cannot add features and keep a low cost and have quality you have to kind of pick two and none of those two will be found at a big box store.
If you want a fat bike get yourself a fat bike, they are niche bikes so you might be spending money on one but if you want it go for it. An actual mountain bike or even a look-a-like or a hybrid or road bike will not fit a fat tire. You might be able to mount a slightly wider tire in something but fat tires are typically 4.0 and wider. You can sometimes find plus sized mountain bikes that will generally go 3.0 -to maybe 3.8 on some.
A regular mountain bike is probably going to cost you at least 1k for something decent and probably around the same for a fat bike but generally I would start at $1500 on up to be sure. Occasionally on a 1k bike you can get air forks and at least 10 speed drivetrain wise and hydraulic disc brakes but not always. For a fat bike however mechanical disc brakes wouldn't always be so bad if you got say TRP Spykes or Avid BB7s but that is less common especially with really decent hydraulics from Shimano at a pretty low price point. Keep in mind if you are looking to get full suspension you are probably adding another $1k or so to the price as you are adding more complication which either means more cost or a huge drop in quality.
If you must by an object with wheels from wally-mart get a single speed and know it is still not something I would recommend riding or spending money on. The quality just is not there on anything they sell that looks bike like. The more features you put on the bike the more the bike should ramp up in cost significantly or the more the quality should shoot down significantly. You cannot add features and keep a low cost and have quality you have to kind of pick two and none of those two will be found at a big box store.
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08-19-24, 12:38 AM
#3
Sounds like you’ve got some serious riding goals! Fat tires could totally be a game changer for all that loose sand, dirt, and tree root chaos you're talking about. They’re awesome for those slower, more technical rides when you're not just bombing for speed.
Now, can you just throw fat tires on a Walmart bike like a Hyper? Short answer: not really. The frame probably isn’t built for it, and you’d likely need to swap out the forks for ones that can handle the wider tires. You might have to tweak the drivetrain too, 'cause fat tires take up more room than your average MTB setup.
If you’re just experimenting with a beater bike, check the frame clearance to see how big you can actually go. But honestly, if you’re serious about those backcountry rides, snagging a proper fat bike might be the better play. You can find some solid ones without breaking the bank, and they’re built to handle that gnarly terrain.
Now, can you just throw fat tires on a Walmart bike like a Hyper? Short answer: not really. The frame probably isn’t built for it, and you’d likely need to swap out the forks for ones that can handle the wider tires. You might have to tweak the drivetrain too, 'cause fat tires take up more room than your average MTB setup.
If you’re just experimenting with a beater bike, check the frame clearance to see how big you can actually go. But honestly, if you’re serious about those backcountry rides, snagging a proper fat bike might be the better play. You can find some solid ones without breaking the bank, and they’re built to handle that gnarly terrain.
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08-19-24, 02:18 PM
#4
Thanks, guys! I figured it wouldn't be as easy as just switching out tires, but you can't fault a gal for hoping. We'll discuss width next, lol. I'm all about working smarter not harder, so I'm no stranger to just letting some air out of my tires and going on about my day. I don't want to feel like I'm pedaling cement blocks with drag and the bike feeling too wide for my little short legs. 😆. So I'm thinking the 3.8 size on some sorta smallerish hard tail frame should do the trick nicely for me. (Aren't the wider tires somewhat making up for not having full suspension? Stuff sounds good to me in my head and I just roll with it...). I don't want full suspension bc I don't do anything that's like real fast and jarring anymore, and I don't want the additional costs associated with full suspension bikes to be straight up honest. Cost, really. It's the cost factor. Ok, that was a lot of words to say I'm cheap.😀 Feel free to suggest more ideas grounded in reality at any time...
And I was cracking up laughing at some of the colorful modifiers you used for Wally world bikes, as well as things to do with them. 👍 Good stuff, "Clark".
And I was cracking up laughing at some of the colorful modifiers you used for Wally world bikes, as well as things to do with them. 👍 Good stuff, "Clark".
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08-21-24, 09:01 PM
#5
Senior Member
Hi again!
Have any of you guys fitted fat tires onto your mtb and/or ride fat bikes? My latest idea is to fit some fat tires on one of my beater bikes that I experiment building on. Many of the places I like to take my bikes cannot handle the ever changing terrain. Visualize FL Backcountry with tons of loose sand hills then loose dirt then packed earth and exposed tree roots then more sand. Granted, there could be a degree of "user error" (hey, I'm in my 50s riding mostly craptastic bikes), but I feel like for when I'm doing these more slow-go rides that are more uh, "technical than speed" riding, fat tires would be an ideal choice, possibly a game changer.
So, can I just buy fat tires and put them on a like a Walmart type bike like a hyper? What would I need to consider also having to change out? Forks? Would it mess up the drive train? Hopefully, you understand what I'm asking here. Oh, last thought-I've not yet even looked into purchasing an entire fat bike, but would be totally down if that is a better route to go if they aren't as expensive as regular mountain bikes. Thanks for any insight you have to offer!
Have any of you guys fitted fat tires onto your mtb and/or ride fat bikes? My latest idea is to fit some fat tires on one of my beater bikes that I experiment building on. Many of the places I like to take my bikes cannot handle the ever changing terrain. Visualize FL Backcountry with tons of loose sand hills then loose dirt then packed earth and exposed tree roots then more sand. Granted, there could be a degree of "user error" (hey, I'm in my 50s riding mostly craptastic bikes), but I feel like for when I'm doing these more slow-go rides that are more uh, "technical than speed" riding, fat tires would be an ideal choice, possibly a game changer.
So, can I just buy fat tires and put them on a like a Walmart type bike like a hyper? What would I need to consider also having to change out? Forks? Would it mess up the drive train? Hopefully, you understand what I'm asking here. Oh, last thought-I've not yet even looked into purchasing an entire fat bike, but would be totally down if that is a better route to go if they aren't as expensive as regular mountain bikes. Thanks for any insight you have to offer!
I have experience in the FL back country and you're on the right track.
1. My first suggestion would be a bike that will support 4" or 5" tires. 4" frames/wheels/tires are more affordable than 5" frames/wheels/tires
2. I advise against buying a cheap Fattie and upgrading it. It's more trouble than it's worth... and more expensive over the long haul.
3. Even though the fat tires absorb a large amount of everything, I'd still suggest a suspension fork for the "surprise" rocks and roots.
4. I'm guessing you have "sticker" seeds and other pointy plants, so I'd suggest Schwalbe Jumbo Jim tires for puncture resistance.
Note: Good news!
Due to the overall cycling down turn.... AND the fat bikes becoming less of a "fad", the price of fat bikes, new and used, have dropped significantly.
So now's a good time to buy. Check your local craigslist or other sellers for something nice.
I rode a Surly Pugsley through the sand/mud/grit of the swamps and it did just fine. (3.8" tires)
