Do You Need A Fat Bike?

Not too long ago, the concept of a fat bike was a novelty to bikers all over. Why on earth would anyone want to buy a bicycle that is cumbersome, heavy, slow and look like its got old school tubes for tires? They ask. But today, fat bikes have become the thing. It is possibly the coolest invention after kool aid. Maybe not, but you get my drift.

Despite the popularity, there are still people out there who cannot wrap their minds round the concept of riding a fat bike. If you are a bike enthusiast, you have probably wondered if a fat bike is for you. It depends on a lot of factors some of which are covered in the reasons below:

Bike in any weather – There are bikes that are suitable for summer and there are those that are ideal for winter. But if you are a bike enthusiast looking for something that can brave any weather or season, then a fat bike is what you need. The configuration of the tires makes it difficult for these bikes to slip on wet pavement or sink in snow and mud. And because they are ‘heavy and cumbersome’ as critics claim, they are more likely to remain upright in strong winds when a regular bike would throw the rider flat. If you have a fat bike somewhere on your property, you are more likely to be stranded at home due to bad weather than a bear is likely to do his business in a telephone booth (If you get my meaning).

Little or no maintenance – First of all, most fat bikes don’t come with any form of suspension system. Yes, you got that right, no suspension. This is because whatever suspension you need is integrated into the fat tires. The tires become softer at lower pressure and the elasticity makes for a good suspension system. This is one reason why fat bike tires don’t need to be inflated that much. They provide enough comfort and safety at low pressure values. Because of the way these bikes are built, including the need for no suspension, there are very few parts that can get damaged or need maintenance. In fact, fat bikes are so durable they can outlive regular bikes by many years.

According to Stephen of Norwegian bike shop Birk Sport, “Even though fat bikes are a bit on the pricey side, the durability and low maintenance will make up for what you spend in buying one.”

A good way to burn fat – Just because fat bikes look easy to ride does not mean it is. The size and weight of the tires make it slower and harder to pedal. Also, a lot of fat bikes come with only one speed. This means plenty of muscle power just to move from Point A to Point B. If you are not the gym type or you find it hard to keep fit during the winter, riding a fat bike will give provide a good way to burn up those extra calories. Experts suggest that an hour on a fat bike under soft conditions (snow or mud) will burn up about 1500 calories. Whether you want to or not, riding a fat bike will give your upper and lower body the exercise it needs.

You can reach more places – In a lot of cases, riding a fat bike seems like cheating. You can reach places that a regular bike, even a mountain bike will not reach. A fat bike, especially those equipped with special suspension makes riding a rocky trail appear like a ride in a garden. And while it will not run at top speed like a mountain bike, you can climb better, climb higher, zigzag as much as you want and completely relish the experience of a slow mountain ride up steep and unyielding accents. You may not be at the front of the herd at the beginning, but you will surely be the first to the end while your mates are still wondering how to move their skinny ass bike up the unfriendly terrain.

Stand out – If all the above reasons don’t cut it with you, what better reason to grab a fat bike than that you will stand out among your mates? Even if it means everyone will wonder what came over you, you will be declaring your uniqueness while enjoying all the benefits covered above.