Riding Fat Bikes in CO
While not the most common type of bicycle for a triathlete, the newest breed of mountain bikes – called ‘fat bikes’ – are becoming wildly popular. We covered all of the history and technical specs HERE.
This gallery details two rides that I did aboard my fat bike in Colorado Springs, CO. The first ride was looking to be a great snowy success, as flakes were falling all night. In true Colorado fashion, however, nearly all of it melted by the time I got to the trail at noon the following day.
The second ride turned out to be as snowy as I’d hoped, as a very cold weather system blew through for several days. I packed extra clothes, hand and foot warmers, strapped on my winter cycling shoes, and headed out for some snowy fun.
Why would you want a fat bike? For those who dislike riding the trainer, they can be a great option in the winter. Are they only for winter time? Au contraire – many fat bike riders use their machines year-round to ride in sand, gravel, or just about anywhere.
All images © Greg Kopecky / slowtwitch.com
The first ride looked promising, as snow fell all night. However, by noon the next day, this was all that was left.
Fear not, as fat bikes aren't only meant for snow.
My front tire is a Surly Nate 26×3.8.
Nate has no trouble in the sand, and leaves a very distinct footprint behind.
The large tires do a surprisingly good job of smoothing out rocky trails.
From the top of the trail, I like what I see. The ride down is your reward.
The rear tire is a Surly Larry 26×3.8".
The first ride had plenty of big blue skies…
…the second ride was slightly different…
The trails were snow-covered, but the fat bike had no trouble getting around.
My Mukluk has full-length cable housing, which means that the cables stay protected from THIS.
Regardless of the derailleur you use, a good spray lubricant is necessary to keep things shifting smooth in the cold.
Many fat bikes have a slightly extended head tube for a more upright riding position. My handlebars are about 2cm below the top of my saddle.
I'm testing the Blackburn Scorch headlight. It is self-contained (no external battery), has a USB charger, and puts out 140 lumens.
You can always tell where fat bikes have been. These are my tracks through a turn on the trail.
How low does that tire pressure go? Mine are at 8psi, which converts to 0.6 bar.
