Author Topic: Fat Bikes (Read 663 times)

Kevin Hansen · « **on:** February 01, 2014, 10:19:00 PM »

I'm always on the lookout for low impact methods to access remote hunting spots and today I ran across fat bikes. Anyone on here have any knowledge of them? They look to me like they would be just the ticket for a trad archer who likes to keep it all as simple as possible.

59Alaskan · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2014, 10:23:00 PM »

I had read about them somewhere on-line, I am not sure if it was here on TG. They do look like a great way to go.

Kevin Hansen · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2014, 10:30:00 PM »

I did a search on the forum here and didn't turn up any info. I would really like to hear from someone who either uses them or knows someone who uses them. Right now I'm a bit bewildered by all the choices and the price differences. I also see there are luggage racks available for them that would work good for gear and even trailers that look like they would haul a whole critter out.

OBXarcher · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2014, 10:48:00 PM »

There's a bike advertised in one of the bowhunting magazines this month. Not sure of the name. Looks very cool but at $2,200 I'd rather walk.

Rob W. · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2014, 10:50:00 PM »

If you don't use a mountain bike now for hunting I would try a cheaper one out and see if that style of hunting suits you. I hunt large areas with horse trails and thought it would be great but for some reason didn't like it.

Rob

Stumpkiller · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2014, 11:00:00 PM »

I would say as simple as possible is a Mk I foot but the bike is a noble effort.

bofish-IL · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2014, 11:20:00 PM »

Here is a thread about them
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=129817#000000

Matty · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2014, 11:52:00 PM »

I've ridden a couple. They are heavy. You would be better off with a mountain bike or walking. I've used mountain bikes on day hunts where time was short and I was carrying hardly anything.

monterey · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2014, 01:59:00 AM »

I have used a mountain bike several times for spring turkey. It's fine if the terrain allows it. The fatter tires would be good on some terrain but a conventional mountain bike would probably be more suitable. You can usually put a bit fatter tire on a mountain bike too if it looks like it would work for your conditions.

Bear Heart · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2014, 02:06:00 AM »

Fatter tire are of little help except on snow. Get a mountain bike with 29" wheels.

centaur · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2014, 07:44:00 AM »

Yep, mountain bike trumps fat bikes. They are heavy, and if you are going uphill, you will be pushing more than riding.

Bud B. · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2014, 08:16:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Bear Heart:
Fatter tire are of little help except on snow. Get a mountain bike with 29" wheels.

Amen. A 29'r hardtail at that.

paradocs · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2014, 08:51:00 AM »

I picked up a Kona Unit singlespeed 29er that I'm liking' a lot...pretty light, no dérailleurs to hang up or damage, great on the flats and light hills around here.

ron w · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2014, 09:00:00 AM »

I have seen the Fat bikes on the Beach....guys take them surf fishing to hard to get to spots. I don't think they would be good on mountain trails.......but maybe.

bicster · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2014, 10:26:00 AM »

If you are talking about the bikes with really fat tires then there are guys who ride them all the time around here. I see their tracks in the snow on our mountain trails of the New River Gorge.

beendare · « **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2014, 02:14:00 PM »

I have a buddy that regularly accesses backcountry on his Honda fat cat bike on dedicated motorcycle trails and he gets into elk. I have other buddies that tried them and sold them.

I think if you are a moto cross type guy you will like them- I'm not. They take some getting used to and on technical trails and steep muddy downhills can be difficult to control- hit your first wet log at an angle and you will know what I mean. They are much more sluggish than a motocross bike. You can't carry a ton of weight on them.

slowbowjoe · « **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2014, 08:09:00 PM »

Better to get a good quality mountain bike, no motor but you, with some good tires and gear ratio. Half the weight, half the price, twice the control.

Kevin Hansen · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2014, 08:19:00 PM »

Lots of good info here. Thanks to all who took the time to contribute. I am going to check out the other thread that was provided by Bowfish-IL.

Major Boothroyd · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2014, 11:03:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Bud B.:

Quote
Originally posted by Bear Heart:
Fatter tire are of little help except on snow. Get a mountain bike with 29" wheels.
Amen. A 29'r hardtail at that. [/b]

Amen to that... and make it a single speed. I built one up last year, and almost never take out my suspension multi-gear MTB any more.

AR RidgeRunner · « **Reply #19 on:** February 03, 2014, 10:50:00 AM »

I've got a Kona Mahuna 29" that I used quite a bit for hunting last year. If you've got an area with hiking or horse trails it's a great way to get into some hunting way off the road. Takes a little ingenuity to figure out how to carry your stuff but I like it. You can bike 2 miles in a lot quicker than hiking. One of the areas I hunt is mostly downhill on the way in so I don't even have to work up a sweat, till I come out. Gonna try it for turkey hunting this spring.


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Author Topic: Fat Bikes (Read 663 times)

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