What are these large-wheeled bicycles with the strange name "fatbike" (Fatbike), unprecedented in the Russian expanses. In fact, this is a completely normal mountain bike with the ability to install tires with a width of 4", for a regular MTB bike, the restriction is 2.4-2.5". The hitch is quite ordinary - switches, brakes, cassettes - everything is the same. There are single speed versions of fatbikes. As a rule, these bikes are equipped with a rigid fork, with such a wheel width it is very soft to ride, so there is no particular need for additional shock absorbers.
In order not to be unfounded and not to talk about what I don’t know, I turned to the owner of such a fat bike - Maxim, who uses it in harsh Siberian conditions. Maxim is one of the first people in Russia who got carried away with this new kind of mountain bikes and has already assembled several similar bikes. And so, everything you wanted to know about fatbikes, says the owner of one of them.
Judging by the width of the wheels, even the most novice cyclist will guess that this bike is not suitable for long road runs, its element is off-road and snowy expanses. I know from experience that even on wide aggressive 2.35" tires it is very difficult to drive on loose snow. Even at first glance, a rolled road can be quite loose and the wheels will burrow. Just the other day I encountered such a situation and if the road had not improved , then there would be many kilometers of pawns ...
R.B.: Let's find out how fatbike wins in this regard?
Maksim: So, I'm ready to talk about my new acquisition - a bike with unusually soft and wide wheels. In order to get an idea of what it can do and what it could be useful for, you must first of all remember what an ordinary mountain bike is, which has recently become a certain standard for modern cyclists in Russia and abroad. In Russia, the popularity of mountain biking was determined by the fact that mountain bikes, during a difficult period for the Russian economy, became the only way to acquire a high-quality and versatile machine. But time passed, and more and more often Russian cyclists began to pay attention to the fact that in addition to a bicycle with wheels with a diameter of 26 inches and a width of 2 inches, there are many other varieties. Someone began to remember that on his old road bike he reached the dacha 10 minutes faster than on the American miracle acquired later, in which it is worth turning on the magic combination of 1: 1 stars, and the ride turns into a real pleasure, though it is very stretched by time. And someone decided to go all the way and became concerned about what other opportunities a bicycle without borders can provide.
So people first discovered the important problem of cycling. This problem was that, despite all the delights that riding in the winter provides a cyclist, cycling still cannot be called a winter sport. How else? After all, already five centimeters of loose, swept snow are signing a death sentence for any type of bike ride, and if slippery ice and snow roll can still be fought thanks to studded tires, then there is no escape from snow. Even if you are in excellent physical shape and can perfectly balance, anyway, after a few kilometers, a little snow that has passed at night will force you to get off the saddle and go on foot.
What is the first thing that prevents a bike from riding on snow? It turned out that it was not the size of the tire, but its shape. Therefore, in order for the shape of the tire at the place of its contact with snow to even remotely resemble a flat surface, it was necessary to make sure that the pressure inside the tire was minimal. The laws of physics are such that a decrease in tire pressure could only be achieved by increasing its volume. Thus, a new type of bicycle was born - a bicycle with large volume wheels at low pressure or the so-called fat bike.
I'm kind of a fan of winter cycling, so I couldn't miss this technical innovation. I needed a fatbike specifically for riding on loose snow. I've been eyeing trails for a long time that could be linked together by sections following the trail of a snowmobile or driving across the snow-covered ice of large reservoirs and lakes. And it turned out that I did not lose. Here the fatbike fully met my expectations. I will not argue that you can easily fly over snowy debris on a fatbike, and even riding on loose snow requires sufficient physical and technical preparation. But from the first months of winter, I was shocked by his ability to overcome quite impressive snow barriers and make a many-hour trip in conditions of loose coverage not a struggle with circumstances, but simply purposeful work.
R.B.: In the future, I'm interested in buying a fatbike. As far as I know, it is not yet possible to buy it in Russia, so only an order. I would like to understand how much it will actually cost to buy a frameset and wheels, and how complicated is the ordering process? Where can I order it?
Maksim: In the West, bicycles with 4-inch wheels are already quite widespread, but this type of bicycle is still far from being standardized. However, in addition to a few small firms that make custom components for such bikes, there are two large bike companies that have mass-produced such components and thus determined some of the compatibility requirements that all other fat bike manufacturers adhere to. Such manufacturers are SURLY, VICIOUS CYCLES and INNOVA.
First of all, you need to know that to assemble a fat bike, you will need at least three non-standard parts.. It's a frame and fork (frameset) capable of accommodating such wide wheels, 4" tubed tires and wide rims. If you put volume tires with low pressure on narrow rims, then there will be serious problems with handling. For any of the released framesets, it will definitely be necessary buy a carriage 100 mm wide, but this part is standard on DX bikes and can be bought even in local stores. All other details are standard. The most popular solution in the fatbike world is the frame model manufactured by SURLY. It's called SURLY PUGSLEY. In most major American bike shops, you can freely buy a bike assembled on this frame.
The features of the SURLY PUGSLEY model are asymmetrical frame stays and forks, as well as the use of a rear hub on both the front and rear wheels.
The cost of a SURLY PUGSLEY frameset in online stores abroad ranges from $500 to $800 and can drop to $400 during the sales season.
Especially for its frame, SURLY produces rims with an asymmetrical arrangement of holes for the spokes. The rim model is called SURLY LARGE MARGE. These rims are 65mm wide and accept any standard tire over 2.5" wide that meets the 26" standard. The cost of one such rim is about $100. Similar rims, only 80 mm wide, are manufactured by VICIOUS CYCLES. The model is called VICIOUS CYCLES GRASEFUL FAT SHEBA and can also be purchased online for $60 to $90. The cheapness of these rims is due to the simplicity of their design. These are single-wall stamped rims with non-pistoned holes for the spoke heads. However, they provide better stability and, thanks to their single-wall design, allow for drilling to reduce weight.
When buying rims, you should pay attention to the fact that analogues of these models are produced with a symmetrical arrangement of holes for the spokes. These rims will only fit symmetrical chainstay frame models and will not fit the SURLY PUGSLY frameset.
Tires with a width of 4 inches are manufactured by INNOVA. At the moment, only three models of such tires are known. INNOVA (SURLY) LARGE MARGE is the most common and most popular model. It can be easily found on various sites for about $100. This tire is a kind of standard for any fat bike model and comes with a SURLY sticker. It is listed in the SURLY catalog, but in fact, just like the special wide camera, it is produced by INNOVA. In addition to LARGE MARGE, INNOVA produces two more types of tires - INNOVA (SURLY) LARRY and INNOVA SPYDER. LARRY is a rather expensive (about $120) and rare tire with an aggressive tread. It was developed specifically to solve the problem of lateral drift of wide tires. The SPYDER, on the other hand, is the cheapest exactly 4.0” wide tire you can buy for as little as $60.
In addition to standard solutions, there are many manufacturers who produce custom components for fat bikes. If the cost of a standard solution based on SURLY PUGSLY is only about $1,500 for Russia, including delivery and customs fees, then custom options will cost much more. The cost of just one titanium frame set, produced by WILDFIRE FATBIKE, will be more than $1000. In addition, most of these manufacturers are located in the homeland of the original fatbike (fatbike is an officially registered trademark of WILDFIRE) - Alaska, and experience certain problems with the delivery of their goods to remote regions.
It should be noted that now, thanks to the efforts of my friend Konstantin Eremin from Angarsk, you can buy a real fatbike frame in Russia. He himself developed the drawings and achieved their approval and implementation at the RAPID production association. Now a high-quality frame for a fatbike can be ordered there.
R.B.: There are quite a few models of fat bikes, which one is better to choose? Although, it is probably more accurate to ask which of them is the most accessible?
Maksim: The current situation on the fatbike market is this. There is only one company that mass-produces framesets and components needed to assemble such bikes. This is an American company SURLY. Bicycles based on components from SURLY are currently far ahead of other options in terms of both price and availability. Aside from SURLY, only VICIOUS CYCLES BIKES and SPEEDWAYCYCLES BIKES offer a complete range of 4” bike accessories. 
The former became famous for its famous 80mm FAT SHEBA rims. Such rims have a number of advantages: they are relatively cheap, available in many online stores, have a single wall design that allows you to easily reduce weight through an easy drilling procedure. The second company is known for its very expensive and high quality components for fat bikes. These range from titanium frames made at the famous Lynskey titanium frame factory to lightweight 70mm wide drilling rims weighing only 800 grams, and even a special three-piece system with a hollow axle and external bearings, designed for a 100mm wide bottom bracket assembly and weighing lighter than the XTR from Shimano. The most expensive fat bike model from SPEEDWAYCYCLES, which is called FatBack, weighs only 9.5 kg! Thus, the American market provides a wide range of options in the widest range of prices. This ranges from around $1200 for the simplest SURLY PUGSLY to $3000 - $4000 for the flagship FatBack.
By right, the inventor of the fatbike is Mark Grunwald, who lives in Alaska. He is the founder of the very first company producing components for fat bikes. This firm is called WILDFIRE FATBIKE. By the way, the name "fatbike" was first coined by him, and is a registered trademark of WILDFIRE. Mark Gruenwald started with framesets, which he completed with rims from the now defunct manufacturer REMOLINO and NOKIAN GAZZALODY 3.0 tires. Three-inch tires stretched on 80mm rims to a width of about 3.5”, and this subsequently began the development of a special trend called “pseudo-fatbike”. 
The fact is that most extreme skiing frames are able to accommodate tires with a width of about 3.0”, mounted on wide rims, which significantly increase the volume of the wheels. This design can become a much more affordable and budget analogue of a fatbike, because a fatbike is 50% large wheels and 50% low pressure in them. WILDFIRE currently manufactures the widest range of high quality frames and forks in COLUMBUS steel. These frames look like real works of art and weigh less than 2 kg, which is very good even for a light XC hardtail.
It is worth mentioning right away that only two companies - SURLY and VICIOUS CYCLES BIKES - are located in the main territory of America and have the opportunity to freely distribute their products around the world. Companies such as SPEEDWAYCYCLES BIKES, WILDFIRE FATBIKE and 9:ZERO:7 are based in Alaska and have serious problems shipping their components and frames even to Europe, not to mention Russia.
R.B.: Here, for example, such a situation. A person does not want to keep several bikes, but instead acquires a fat bike and several sets of wheels of the day for him - thick and ordinary. As far as I understand, there should be no problems here? That is, can a fat bike be the only bike or is it still more needed for winter entertainment and riding for fun? 🙂
Maksim: It all depends on the preferences and requirements that apply to each of the riding styles used. But, nevertheless, the fatbike in this regard provides a unique opportunity to combine the widest range of cycling trends and riding styles in one bike. All you have to do is assemble two pairs of wheels. One pair of wheels is assembled on standard rims with a width of 2-2.5 cm and a diameter of 29”, and the other on wide rims designed to fit fat bike tires with a width of 4”. Ideally, you should also purchase a mountain bike suspension fork with standard 29” wheels, for example, the FOX F29er 100mm. The fact is that the outer diameter of wheels with tires with a width of 4 "is exactly the same as the diameter of wheels of the standard 29", and all frames and forks of fat bikes are adjusted to use wheels of this standard. 
Thus, by simply rearranging the wheels and tires, you can easily get the fat bike itself, and the classic “Niner”, and even the road bike, by installing a road clincher with a width of 25-27 mm on 29-inch rims. It is even possible to replace a fatbike rigid fork with a standard 29” suspension fork, but to do this, make sure that the leg height of your fatbike rigid fork matches the leg height of the suspension fork you want to use, otherwise the steering column angle will be very cluttered.
R.B.: How easy is it to get rims, tires and tubes for a fat bike, what is the approximate cost?
Maksim: All of the listed components can be easily purchased in foreign online stores. The cost of tires ranges from $60 to $120 per tire. Rims will cost $70 and up. In addition, there is a wonderful American company CHOPPER US, which manufactures and sells rims for Choppers and Cruisers. These rims have a single wall design and are available in widths from 80mm to 100mm and are suitable for use with fat bikes. In addition, CHOPPER US rims start at $30. There is only one variant of a specialized camera for size 4”. Such chambers are manufactured by INNOVA by order of SURLY. These cameras are also very easy to find and buy online. Their cost fluctuates around $10. On foreign forums there are descriptions of the successful use of tubeless combinations of LARGE MARGE rims and ENDOMORPH tires, for example, based on ghetto tubeless technology.
R.B.: Tell us about the management of the fatbike. Is everything the same as on a regular MTB or are there any peculiarities in behavior? Surely they are...
Maksim: The first thing you pay attention to when you get on a fatbike is amazing directional stability and smoothness. Oddly enough, massive wheels in no way affect the ease of movement, but only give the movements a slightly heavier acceleration dynamics. The dynamic difference between a fat bike and a regular MTB is of the same order of magnitude as the difference between a regular MTB and a road bike. Good directional stability also has a negative side. For confident control of a fat bike, a handlebar with a width of at least 700 mm may be required. One way or another, when riding a fatbike on public roads, you should always keep this feature in mind so as not to interfere with the movement of cars and pedestrians when making a maneuver. The heavy acceleration dynamics also imposes some restrictions on the components used in the fatbike configuration. For example, in the braking system of a fatbike, it is advisable to use only high-quality disc brakes with a disc diameter of at least 185 mm. My experience of riding a SURLY PUGSLEY steel frame has revealed a very pleasant feature of a fatbike, which is exceptional ride comfort on gravel roads and rough scree. Soft wide tires dampen small vibrations well, and the steel frame is a kind of damper and shock absorber at the same time, tuned to handle obstacles of a larger size than small pebbles.
The biggest problem with fatbike handling is lateral drift. Especially a lot of inconvenience it delivers on slippery surfaces. It can be dealt with relatively successfully by installing tires with a special longitudinal tread, such as SURLY LARRY, or by choosing the optimal pressure, but even in these cases, you should always remember the danger of disturbing others. By the way, all the difficulties in managing a fatbike are less dangerous for the rider himself due to its exceptional stability, which allows, for example, to maintain balance during a little training, standing still and not holding the steering wheel with your hands at all. The behavior of a fatbike is highly dependent on tire pressure. Experiments with pressure led to the following conclusions.
At a pressure of 20-25 PSI, the behavior of the bike is almost no different from that of a regular MTB rigid - it easily climbs, maneuvers perfectly, accelerates quickly and requires significant effort of the arms and legs to handle large bumps in the track.
With a pressure of 10-18 PSI, the bike is as close as possible to the trail in its ride quality. 
short-stroke hardtail. In addition to much greater convenience when driving on technically prepared tracks, it is already beginning to acquire a noticeable bias towards its main purpose - it becomes possible to ride on fairly deep snow, sand and off-road, replete with numerous unexpected obstacles in the form of swamp hummocks or fallen tree trunks hidden by grass . This pressure is the most versatile option that can be recommended both for mastering riding on wide tires and for everyday use. It is worth noting that on hard surfaces at pressures below 15 PSI, control problems already begin to arise.
At a pressure of 5-7 PSI, the fun begins - the bike acquires the ability to easily move through deep snow and very loose dry sand, finds amazing stability when moving through liquid mud, which is instantly cleared from heavily deformed almost smooth tires. Ride comfort over rough terrain reaches the scale of a short-travel full-suspension. For example, you can move around the area, replete with large swampy hummocks, without getting up from the saddle. This is not at all surprising, since tire deformation in this situation can reach more than 50%, i.e. over 4.5 cm plus the aforementioned 2 cm deformation of the frame and fork stays - in total, up to 7 cm of travel front and rear. 
It becomes possible to freely ride on smooth, even ice. Skidding a bicycle on such ice resembles the movement of an eraser on a glossy sheet of paper. But it is at this pressure that noticeable problems with control on hard surfaces begin. This phenomenon becomes especially unpleasant in the case of very uneven hard surfaces - the bike is thrown from side to side, and it ceases to obey the steering wheel so much that at times you have to get off it and go through critical sections on foot. I have repeatedly come across recommendations in various sources for using 80 mm wide rims (for example, VICIOUS CYCLES FAT SHEBA) with extremely low pressures in ENDOMORTH 3.7 tires instead of the standard 65 mm SURLY LARGE MARGE.
R.B.: For ordinary bicycle wheels, there is a good selection of winter studded tires. For a fatbike, as far as I know, they are not. How does a fatbike behave on slippery surfaces? Indeed, on ordinary 2.1 tires on ice it is very uncomfortable ...
Maksim: The most common problem that makes winter cyclists spend money on spikes is snow. The density and degree of icing of a snow run can vary from a porous crust, on which a distinct tire mark remains, to a hard icy surface, polished to a shine by car wheels and melted by hot exhausts. I can safely assure you that Endomorphs, pumped up to 15 PSI, very successfully cope with all kinds of this evil, but worse than studded rubber. The difference with studded tires begins to be felt in the following cases: when the speed is above 15 km / h on a very slippery coast; when it is necessary to sharply lay a steep turn on a moderately slippery roll; when the surface is very uneven on a moderately slippery roll; when the slope exceeds 12% on very slippery coast. We are talking here about a comparison with a five-row ISP-type spike, but a regular urban two-row will cause much more problems than Endomorphs, 
which, oddly enough, perfectly stick even on completely bare ice or ice lightly sprinkled with snow, if the surface of such ice is sufficiently even. In addition, I have already mentioned the compatibility of fatbike frames with 29” wheels. For such wheels, a lot of studded rubber options are available. If it is supposed to use a fat bike for a certain period of time in conditions of hard and slippery surfaces, then wheels of such a standard can be installed for this period. I have seen information on the forums that in Alaska, as a compromise, they often install five-row NOKIAN FREDDY REVENZ 26x2.35 studded tires on 65 mm wide rims.
R.B.: How fast is the fatbike? It is clear that there are different tires, other components may be different, but let's take an average. Compared to a regular MTB, how much does the ease of riding suffer? Or maybe not suffering? 🙂
Maksim: The rolling speed of the fatbike was the most important surprise for me, which largely determined my philosophy of using it. The fact is that you can always find such conditions on the snow cover, where even a fat bike will simply get stuck. The most important advantage of a fatbike, in my opinion, is not its ability to go where a regular MTB cannot go, but the ability to save a lot of effort where riding on a regular MTB quickly turns into a tedious ordeal. For winter, the truth is true that already 5 cm of loose snow sign a death sentence for the classic MTB. 
Even if the consistency of the snow allows you to move freely on two-inch tires, all the same, when using aggressive winter tires, noticeable fatigue begins to accumulate after a few kilometers. I was very surprised when I discovered that even when riding on lightly snow-covered ice, the fatbike has a much easier rollover than a light hardtail with SCHWALBE ICE SPIKER PRO studded tires. Moreover, when riding in deeper snow at speeds of the order of 15 km / h, the fat bike can go into planing mode. This mode is characterized by a sharp decrease in rolling resistance and a pleasant psychological state bordering on a state of euphoria. I tested the fatbike for rolling on asphalt. I didn't find any significant differences from a regular road bike. This is not surprising, because the SURLY ENDOMORPH tire is almost a semi-slick and at pressures above 20 PSI, it differs from conventional tires only in greater inertia.
R.B.: Let's summarize. What is a fat bike for? Under what conditions and to whom it may be necessary?
Maksim: My opinion is that the fatbike first of all opens up great opportunities for long journeys in conditions with very difficult surfaces. First of all, this applies to sand, snow, swamps, scree and any type of off-road that occurs in forests and steppes. The key word for the correct use of a fatbike is "slowness". This in no way means that the fat bike is slow - it just does not like fuss. 
fatbike does not like sharp accelerations, it starts tossing at high speeds, on uneven ground like a soccer ball. But as soon as you calm down and take a deep breath, it will smoothly carry you at great speed through unimaginable obstacles over gigantic distances, like a mighty ocean liner or a spaceship with an incredible energy resource. Only in this case, the energy is contained in the cyclist himself, and the fat bike only allows it to be released and directed correctly.
R.B.: Well, the last question. Why do you need a fatbike? Why did you decide to buy such an unusual bike? Did he live up to expectations?
Maxi m: I first saw fat bikes in the photos of the MTBR forum in December 2009. I was immediately attracted by the unusual and at the same time very harmonious look of these bicycles. I've always been a fan of winter trail riding and couldn't miss this event. The more I learned about this technical innovation, the more I wanted to try it for a ride. The turning point in my desire to get a fatbike was the discovery that a person lives next to me who also raves about fat-wheeled bikes that can easily move through the snow. 
Together with this man, a professional cross-country racer, a marathon runner living in the city of Angarsk, Kostya Eremin, we drew up and implemented a plan to purchase three real fat bikes for him, me and my daughter Sasha, who is engaged in road cycling. The history of acquiring our bicycles was very long and full of various events: discoveries, joys and disappointments. But after buying a fatbike, I have never regretted my decision, and every new adventure that a fatbike gives us convinces us that we made the right choice.
Events (events) with the participation of fatbikes
http://www.susitna100.com - winter marathon in which runners, skiers and cyclists compete on equal terms
http://www.freespiritwear.com/akadventures.htm - classic examples of how to use a fatbike
http://www.wildfirecycles.com/links.html - a very comprehensive list of links to competitions and other fatbike events
Technical and general information about fatbikes
http://forum.velomania.ru/showthread.php?t=65300 - link to a topic on the Velomania forum, where Maxim's bike, assembled on a SURLY PUGSLEY frame, is discussed
http://forum.velomania.ru/showthread.php?t=72887 - link to the topic on the Velomania forum, where Konstantin's bike is discussed, made on the basis of a RAPID titanium frame
http://angara.net/text/10/0127/ - a popular article on the Irkutsk sports portal, dedicated to how the first fatbikes in our region were assembled and tested
- a selection of materials from Maxim's LiveJournal dedicated to fatbike (by tag - "fatbike")
PS. I express my deep gratitude to Maxim for a detailed article on these wonderful bikes! If you have questions, you can leave them in the comments.
The classic version of a two-wheeled vehicle does not allow you to quickly and comfortably move through liquid mud, off-road and sand. Bicycles with wide wheels that can be used even in fairly harsh climatic conditions solve such problems. In this case, you need to know what a fatbike is. Also a special point is what a fatbike is for. Appropriate equipment, a reliable bike and knowledge of some of the features of the operation of the equipment will ensure comfortable movement on the road, in harsh conditions and in bad weather.
Purpose and design features
Ordinary classic bicycles of any kind do not allow for efficient travel in difficult conditions. Therefore, manufacturers have released a fatbike, which is distinguished by wide and large wheels and practicality. Before choosing a particular model, you should know what a fatbike is, its types and characteristics, and why you need a fatbike. This approach allows you to choose the best option for a bike that will ensure safety and comfort on the road on any road.
Many people who want to know what a fat bike is, appreciate the practicality of this vehicle. This is due to the fact that the design of the bike has a thoughtful shape. Thus, the following design features of this bike model can be distinguished:
- The main distinguishing detail of a fatbike is the wheels and the pressure in them. They are wider than other bikes;
- The rim width of the vehicle is also wider than mountain bikes or e-bikes;
- The bike has wide and thick tires that provide high efficiency when riding on various tracks;
- There are holes on the rims necessary to reduce the weight of the product, because massive tires and large widths make transport heavy;
- The fatbike can be equipped with both hydraulic and disc brakes. There is also an electric bike with wide wheels.
A bike with wide and large wheels is optimal for off-road riding on loose snow or liquid mud and other similar trails. Such practicality of technology is due to the carefully thought-out width of the tire. In this case, it is possible to regulate the pressure inside these parts, if necessary, increasing or decreasing the area of adhesion to the road. That is why a bicycle with large wheels is a means whose popularity is quite high.
The design does not provide shock absorbers, but their absence is compensated by large wheels. With the help of such elements, the vehicle makes it easy to overcome various obstacles in the form of stones, bumps on the road and other areas. Such cross-country ability is not distinguished by an ordinary bicycle of any type. At the same time, inside the tire of each wheel, the pressure is about 0.5-1.5 atm. The usual version of the technique has tires, the pressure in which is from 2 to 3.5 atm. Thus, the effectiveness of the adhesion of large wheels to the ground and the patency of the vehicle are increased, which provides pressure.
The main design differences that a fat bike has relate to wheels and motor wheels. The rest of the details are slightly different from the elements of a classic bike. For example, bushings are more durable, especially the rear. Fat bikes also have spokes, which can be of variable or constant section. The strong and reliable frame ensures the strength of the bike in various harsh conditions.
A bike with unusual wide wheels is also very versatile. Such a vehicle is easy to transform both in the winter version and in the summer. To do this, you need to purchase two pairs of wheels: one is a standard type, and the other is large. In the first case, the technique will resemble a mountain bike, and in the second, a fatbike will provide comfortable movement in difficult conditions, on snow or mud, stones or off-road. At the same time, it is worth considering that tires and wheels must be of high quality, and the pressure in them must be optimal.
Brake system
Comfortable and reliable fatbikes are produced by only a few major manufacturers. Each company also provides all the necessary parts for this technique, for example, a motor wheel. Such a company as SURLY is especially famous, but the models produced by FATBIKES are also practical. In any case, for each model of popular vehicles, they most often have hydraulic disc brakes. At the same time, on a fat bike with wide and large wheels, you can install a motor wheel and make an electric bike, whose popularity is high. This approach allows you to significantly improve the model of equipment that any company has released.
The range of popular manufacturers includes bicycles with hydraulic disc brakes, but you can also buy an electric bike. On such a model there is a motor wheel, and the pressure in it ensures easy movement. Before choosing an electric bike, it is worth determining what a fatbike is and what motor wheels are for. The area on which the ride is planned, the features of operation, the cost and characteristics of the motor wheel of the electric bicycle are taken into account. A variety of options for popular types of electric bicycles and any motor wheel have the following features:
- The thoughtful design that distinguishes the bike ensures comfortable operation of the equipment;
- An electric bicycle and motor wheels can have different parameters and battery configurations, and if necessary, hydraulic disc brakes can be installed;
- High-quality bicycles and motor wheels that any well-known company produces can have both aluminum and steel frames;
- The motor wheel, which has a bicycle with large tires, can be installed both in front and behind.
Various models of this equipment are practical and convenient in use. A reliable e-bike or regular fat bike is characterized by large wheels, good flotation in various conditions and easy maintenance. These advantages are due to the high popularity of both the electric bike and the simple model.
Practical fat bikes with motor wheels are a reliable means of transportation, but the technique does not allow driving through large snowdrifts and swamps. A fat bike or an electric bike will provide a comfortable ride in those conditions in which the classic type of two-wheeled transport without a motor wheel will not travel even a short distance. At the same time, it is important to choose high-quality and durable brakes, large tires, and also monitor the technical condition of the electric bike or bike.
Ideal conditions for cycling and Russia are rarely compatible things. Snow lies for half a year, another three months - mud and slush, but you always want to ride! That is why in our country the so-called Fat bikes, or “fat bikes” (literally from the English fat - “fat” and bike - “bike”) are becoming increasingly popular. They can be called real off-road vehicles of the velomir, having increased cross-country ability and causing a lot of questions in the minds of unenlightened passers-by.
Despite the fact that the first Fatbike appeared in the early 90s of the last century, its appearance is still unusual and exotic. First of all, of course, wide tires are striking, and the most common questions that fatbike owners hear are: “Why such wheels?” and “Is this a motorcycle or a bicycle?”. Let's try to figure out together what a fatbike is and who needs it.
What is Fatbike?
A fatbike is a bicycle with very thick tires (hence the name) with a width of 3.5 to 4.8 inches (a typical mountain bike has a maximum tire width of 2.5 inches) and low pressure in the chambers (from 0.2 to 2 atmospheres) . The rest of the kit is basically the same as a regular mountain bike (except for the need for rigid forks and disc brakes). Wide wheels take on the role of a shock absorber and make riding a fatbike as soft and comfortable as possible. The weight of a fatbike ranges from 14-17 kilograms.Mark Grunwald, an Alaskan resident and founder of Wildfire Fatbike, is considered the father of fat bikes. The harsh climate and short cycling season made him think about increasing the cross-country ability of bicycles on snow and soft ground. And this requires a large area of contact between the tires and the road surface. In those days, the widest 3-inch tires stretched up to 3.5 inches on 80mm rims. Over time, different manufacturers began to produce fat tires and fat bikes (now it is Surly, Salsa, Fatback, Fatbikes, Sandman).
Why are these wheels needed?
The answer to this question is obscenely simple: to ride. Ride in winter and summer, on ice and firn, on frozen rivers and lakes, on soft ground and trails, on rocks and tall grass, sand on the beach or even in the desert. In general, a fatbike is needed for riding in places where a regular mountain bike cannot go.Wide tires and a large volume of air inside them with low pressure in the chambers maximize the contact area and reduce the pressure on the surface on which the fat biker rides. The wheels of the fatbike literally spread along the road and hide any bumps. As a result, when picking up speed, there is a feeling that the bike is not just riding, but almost flying over a loose surface. At the same time, on a normal flat road, a fatbike can also behave like a regular bike - you just need to increase the tire pressure. This is such a versatile bike!
Fatbike is a useful and interesting machine. It is definitely worth buying if you want to experience new sensations and expand your capabilities, ride on unusual tracks in unusual conditions.
Choose a vehicle according to height. When holding the bike between the legs, make sure that the frame stays at a distance of 5-10 cm from the perineum. This distance contributes to the safe use of a two-wheeled vehicle.
An important parameter is the height of the saddle adjustment. If the rider is sitting on a bicycle, then he must reach the ground with his feet.
Complete transport is equipped with shock absorbers. However, this part is superfluous in the mechanism of a high-speed bicycle. Cushioning elements can be used or excluded in the following cases:
- Bicycle called "regid" not equipped with a shock absorber, but differs in maximum stability indicators.
- Double suspension design dampens vibrations of the rear, front wheels. The mechanics of a two-wheeled vehicle becomes more complicated, and stability decreases. It is recommended to use low travel shock absorbers.
- Shock-absorbing hardtail construction where the fork is used. The mechanism contributes to easy driving on rough roads.
- Design called "softtail" absorbs vibrations and shocks. "Two-wheeled vehicles" with such a device are expensive.
Bicycles for adults
The adult bike is suitable for a wide age group. The choice depends on the preference and height of the rider. Sometimes the weight of a person also plays a role.
If a cyclist weighs over 90 kg, then a vehicle with a reinforced frame is suitable for him. A sufficient number of speeds for an adult is from 6 to 8. Mechanisms with more than eight switches often break.
For middle-aged people, cycling can be mountain, hybrid, tourist, road.
The latter type, also called "urban", is relatively cheap. Appointment - daily trips around the city.
touring bike combines the comfort and convenience of the road, but differs in powerful running characteristics. With it, it is possible to move cargo (traveler's things).
Mountain bike suitable for riding downhill, cross-country, jumping over obstacles. Hybrid - combines the characteristics of mountain and tourist, suitable for urban walks and for traveling in the mountains.
Children's bicycles
Doctors assure that the physical development of children is more intense if they ride bicycles. Even a two-year-old kid is able to master such transport. The main thing is to choose a model that is appropriate for age.
Divided into four categories:
- from one and a half to three years;
- four to six years;
- seven to nine years old;
- ten to thirteen years old.
For toddlers, it is advisable to purchase tricycles with safety devices such as wheels on the sides.
Models 1 to 3 are equally equipped for both girls and boys. One difference is decor and color. In some and a pen for parents.
- A 30.48 cm (12 inch) wheel fits up to 5 years. The growth of babies varies within the following limits: 85 - 110 cm.
- The 40.64 cm (16 inch) wheel is fitted to devices for children 4 to 6 years old. The growth of babies is 100 - 120 cm.
- The 50.8cm (20") wheel is suitable for riding aids designed for children aged 6 to 9 who are 115cm - 135cm tall.
- The 60.96 cm (24 inch) wheel is part of the vehicles designed for children aged 8 to 12 with a height of 125 to 150 cm.
It is advisable to consider models with a seat that is height adjustable. Has the child grown up? You can adjust the seat height and continue riding.
From the age of thirteen, a bicycle for adults is suitable for a child, the only thing to consider is the size (corresponding to the height of the rider of the frame height). If a teenager saddled the frame and at the same time stands with his feet on the ground, then the recommended distance from the frame to his crotch is 5 cm. This will provide the child with a comfortable ride and protect against injury.
Bicycles for girls
How to please a little princess when buying a vehicle? You should rely on the convenience and design solutions of the model. There are no structural and technical differences in children's bicycles, so the determining factor in choosing is appearance.
Safe riding, both on the ground and on asphalt, provides a good bike. It is better to purchase a model for a girl of light weight. A light frame will help to minimize the weight of the structure, and if a child falls, they will not receive serious injuries.
Or a basket of bright color on the steering wheel. Removable safety wheels will not interfere if the child is just learning to ride. After mastering such a vehicle, the “insurance” is removed.
When buying, caring parents pay attention to the following factors:
- seat comfort;
- a capacious basket for children's things or a rear-view mirror;
- non-solid grips;
- adjustable steering wheel.
It is more difficult for women to choose a bike than for girls. It is uncomfortable for them to use male models.
Frames on vehicles for women look like a shortened front triangle, as the distance to the steering wheel is reduced.
The women's saddle has a wide back and a short nose, while the men's saddle has a narrow back and a long nose. If a lady chooses the wrong bike, there will be problems in the body or the likelihood of falls and injuries will increase.
Light bikes
Models with low weight allow you to gain maximum speed. Therefore, this category includes track bikes designed for racing. They are created with an angle of inclination.
There is no gearshift mechanism, as well as brakes. But a fixed transmission system is available. The pedals are equipped with straps "tuklips" that fix the legs during the race.
Of all the types of bikes, track bikes are the lightest. They are similar to road models, but have structural differences. The track type of transport is characterized by a short wheelbase, increased frame rigidity, which is small in size, affecting maneuverability and lightness.
The bike has a small tire cross section. The tire shrinks along the inner diameter, providing a snug fit to the rim.
Light models include women's models, their frame is made of light alloys. Some devices are equipped with a beveled top tube for comfortable riding by a girl in a skirt. The design of women's bicycles is elegant, bright.
Interesting fact!
In 2010, the lightest two-wheeled vehicle "Spin Light" weighing 2.7 kg was introduced in Las Vegas. The construction material is light and strong carbon fiber. Thanks to its low weight, the bicycle transport accelerates to the maximum speed in a matter of seconds.
It is a vehicle with an electric drive, which allows you to completely or partially abandon the use of pedals. The first model of such a device appeared at the end of the 19th century. The development of transport went in parallel with the development of electrical engineering.
The popularity of the vehicle is due to the fact that compact high-power batteries and digital motor control controllers have appeared.
Elements of electric bicycle transport:
- accumulator battery;
- Charger;
- electric motor;
- governing bodies;
- control controller.
Electric models of transport are distinguished by the location of the battery, by the type of drive, by the type of transmission from the engine to the wheel of torque.
Installing an electric drive on a two-wheeled vehicle has expanded its capabilities. Now it is used by a wider population. Electric transport is becoming more presentable, more powerful and lighter. The advantage of using such a "running car" is that you don't need a driver's license to ride it.
Available models in stores are small-sized folding electric bikes with 16 - 20 inch wheels, easily transported in the trunk of a car. Conventional electric models are sold with wheel sizes of 24 - 28 inches. The battery is built into the frame or trunk.
Tricycles are three-wheeled large-sized electric bicycles used in rural areas. The units are equipped with rear and front baskets, sometimes equipped with a second seat. Its frame is sheathed with plastic material, the battery is located in a box in front of the driver's seat. They also exist on electricity.
Folding bikes
Folding bikes are popular for their versatility. The design of the model makes it easy to transport and store. The advantage of a "high-speed friend" is a folding frame.
Despite this, it looks like a conventional open frame bicycle. Models are available with a special frame design, which does not fold in half, like most, but in several places. Folding models weigh from 7 kg, their wheel diameter is from 6 inches. You don't need a lot of space to store your bike.
Some models are able to fit in a backpack. They are suitable for long trips on rural or city roads.
A folding mode of transport has two indisputable advantages - practicality and mobility. For some models, they even create special bags for storage. However, there is only one drawback - a folding bike is slightly inferior in technical characteristics to its overall counterparts.
Mountain bikes
The most common and popular type of bicycle. The purpose of cycling is to ride on a poor quality track, over rough terrain. Conventional touring and mountain models are available. These are bikes for freeride, downhill, freestyle, backcountry, dirt, cross-country.
A mountain bike or mountain bike (MTB) is designed for off-road riding and therefore has a special design that differs from city, road, track bikes
Transport characteristic:
- rear suspension;
- reinforced trapezoidal frame;
- the shock absorbing fork is not rigid;
- the carriage is raised flush with the bushings to increase ground clearance;
- strong wheels;
- hardened tires with ribbed treads.
The chain drive is complemented by a derailleur that provides even reduced gearing for easier climbing.
Often the steering wheel is carried out by 5 - 12 cm relative to the steering rack.
The mass of professional-level bikes is kept within 8 - 12 kg. Budget models weigh 15 - 17 kg.
In recent years, the standard wheel sizes are 27.5 and 29 inches instead of the previous 26.
Bicycles with disc brakes
Vehicles with disc brakes are in great demand. On the wheel hubs, design engineers install thin metal discs.
The principle of operation of a disc brake is similar to that of a rim brake. Only one difference - the disc is clamped, not the rim. On the left side, a steel disc is mounted on the wheel hub next to the spokes. Pads are pressed against the rotating disc on the right and left. The more they are pressed, the higher the braking force.
There are three varieties:
- mechanical;
- hybrid;
- hydraulic.
Hydraulic brakes have a master piston cylinder, which is located on the handlebar in the brake lever.
The cylinder activates the brake pads, which are connected by a high-strength sleeve. The system is filled with oil and sealed. The design is not equipped with an expansion tank, so oil changes and repairs are carried out with special tools.
Mechanical brakes are equipped with a cable that pulls the drive lever. The mechanism presses the brake pads against the disc. They, together with the cable, produce movements in perpendicular planes.
Hybrid brakes are a combination of hydraulics and mechanics. The cable, with the help of a lever, acts on the hydraulic system located in the housing and consisting of a pair of cylinders (power and control).
Advantages of disc brakes:
- on long descents, the rotor heats up, not the rim;
- pads wear out slowly, disc brakes have a longer service life than rim brakes;
- the wheel rim does not wear out during prolonged braking;
- high modulation (smooth braking);
- brakes work great in different weather;
- deformations are not reflected in the disc brake.
Disadvantages can also be found. Modern manufacturers produce vehicles with disc brakes that are very different from each other. Because of this, replacing a faulty block or other part of the system is problematic.
Brake repair is complex, so it is not always possible to do it in the field.
Bicycle transport with disc brakes is, of course, the movement of progress forward. The disc brake system decorates and improves the performance of the vehicle.