Fast Fatbikes

[ajnkzn]

Hey Kids

 

I read an article on Salsa's website about some of their riders (yes, sponsored pros so strong peeps) doing quite well at Dirty Kanza (200 mile gravel race) on their fast Fatbike, the Beargrease.

 

I've also seen the boys on GMBN thrashing a Canyon Dude and it's pretty capable of trail shredding, jumping and even some fun street style messing around.

 

I live in Durban and I must say that the idea of being able to ride through the sugar cane to Ballito or through the harbour etc to Toti and then back along the beach sounds pretty cool.

 

Riding is, and likely will remain my third sport after paddling and trail running.

 

I currently have a 2017 Spez Epic HT that I love but it doesn't get as much use as it should. Mainly ride long gravel rides, occasional trail type use and then would like to do some beach riding in Durban, Transkei and Mozam etc.

 

 

Anyone who owns or has ridden extensively on a fast fat bike (probably rigid carbon incl. carbon fork etc) ;

 

How slow is a sub 11kg fat bike on gravel - eg Berg 100 or a similar race?

I've seen guys happily / successfully race Sani2C, Berg and Bush etc on a fatty - anyone here done so?

Is the wider BB / Q factor a real issue?

Fastest fat bikes? Salsa Beargrease, Spez Fatboy Carbon, Canyon Dude, Trek Farley?

 

Just wondering if it could be a good one bike - realistically, although I'm super competitive, I'm not going to be winning races as my focus always comes back to paddling in which I am more competitive.

 

Riding on the road has got unacceptably dangerous to do too often (in my mind) but as long as a fatty can still hold a decent cruise on tar (with the right tyres I'm sure) I can join my riding group for the occasional session there as well for the training benefit.

 

Also, have you seen how epic that Beargrease looks in the orange / pink frame?!

[dirtypot]

My training buddy has a 'fast fatbike' which he uses in events in Costa Rica (lots of mud) and the Iditarod 1000 mile race in Alaska in the snow.  He trains with it a lot before an event on our local trails, and he's easily as fast on it as I am on my regular bike.  It's a Borealis Yampa with XX1 and carbon Nextie rims so with pedals and sealant ready to ride its about 11kg.  Not as big and ungainly as many of the FB's out there.  He even used it when we did the Everest Challenge, so it can climb! 

They're a lot of fun to ride, have grip in abundance and can be really comfy as well. 

[Grease_Monkey]

Just throwing this in there... you could consider a 27.5+ bike with 3.0 tyres. Not quite fat, but fat enough for really sandy rides - and still quite fast, can be built light.

 

Eg: Specialized Fuse, Cotic Solaris Max, etc.

 

As for fatbikes - I know nothing about them.

[ajnkzn]

Just throwing this in there... you could consider a 27.5+ bike with 3.0 tyres. Not quite fat, but fat enough for really sandy rides - and still quite fast, can be built light.

 

Eg: Specialized Fuse, Cotic Solaris Max, etc.

 

As for fatbikes - I know nothing about them.

 

Also looking into these too 

[Stretched@Birth]

I test rode a Trek Stache 9.6 last weekend, didn't take it too far, but if I was in the market for a new bike, this would be a serious consideration.  13.1kg's, 3.0 29er tyres.  It is very short, likes to get up on the back wheel, which I think may be a problem on steep, technical climbs.  Takes a bit of effort to get momentum up, but once it rolls, it feels quite quick.  I just felt like I had to make diesel truck sounds with the fat tyre out front