Fatbike for only mountain bike?

Tim Sullivan

Does anyone have one of the newer fat bikes? I have been researching bikes and it appears that the new fat bikes might be a good all around mountain bike. It also appears from the reviews that they are very capable bikes and FUN to ride.  The bikes I have read the most about include the Trek Stache, the Pivot Les Fat, and the Salsa Beargrease.  I do not have a mountain bike at the moment, so I am looking to get a bike that I will enjoy taking out to ride, while also being able to enter a race or two. 

Obviously, these types of bikes aren't designed for race, but I have read some race reports of people using these type of bikes in races like the Austin Rattler, and Leadville.  They have also done alright in these races (< 10 hours for Leadville and around 100/600 for the Austin Rattler).  These bikes seem fairly comparable in weight (in the 24-30 lb range) to a full suspension (maybe even lighter) but much more simple and probably better climbers.

Thoughts on a bike like this if this were your only mountain bike?

Gabe Peterson

I have both a fat bike and an XC MTB.  The fat bike is tons of fun in the snow and sandy trails in places like Moab.  It would be passable as a trail bike, but if you're riding in a group you may be behind everyone.  I wouldn't recommend it for racing, except for fat bike specific races or if you just want to show you're a badass by doing it on a fat bike.  I just did Leadville and saw a grand total of two fat bikes.  There riders were clearly in the badass category.

For racing, you'll probably want to look at an XC MTB.  For less technical stuff like Leadville, a hardtail will do well.  More technical, consider a full-suspension XC MTB.

Tim Sullivan

Thanks @Gabe Peterson.  I certainly don't fit into the badass category

Tim Sullivan

@Gabe Peterson or anyone else.  Do you have any thoughts on the fatbikes that are specifically designed to use different sized wheels? It seems as though if you were to change the tire size from the fat tires to smaller 29s or 27.5s then the bike would just become a hardtail.

Scott Alexander

I have a Pivot 429sl that I got earlier this year. Undoubtedly way too much MTB for North Texas and for my current skill level, but it's an advance purchase for what I hope to be doing with it and to "learn into" it.

The great thing about my "Leia" (yes, that's her name) is that she supports 29s (up to 2.4) AND 27.5+ (up to 2.8; which is called a 27.5+ or a 27.5 "fatty", not the true 29+ "fatty" you might be talking about here). It's called a "convertible" bike for that ability. I believe the Pivot Switchblade has that same feature.

For mostly-flat North TX, the 29s are awesome and all you'd ever need. But for some trails around here and some others (roots and rock gardens in particular), that 27.5+ is SUPER fun! It's like adding a whole other suspension/shock to your bike. Super coosh. 
The 27.5+ has the same whole tire/wheel circumference that the 29s do, but with way more cushion and cornering grip. So much fun!

I'd say find some of those convertible MTBs and test them out!

John Withrow

Hey Tim--
I have a Full Carbon Salsa Beargrease XX1.  I put less nobby tires on it and used it for Ironman Wisconsin which you can read about here: https://endurancenation.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/19668/jws-big-fat-imwi-adventure#latest

It's a great bike and I have definitely ridden it on a few mountain bike trails with a true "Mountain Biking" buddy.  In some ways, I was able to stick better in some of the corners given my bigger tires and my bike was every bit as light as his $$$ mountain bike with full suspension and 2x11 setup.  But my only suspension is big fat tires with super low pressures and a tubeless setup.  So I was definitely in a disadvantage in technical downhill stuff with big rocks to descend off of.  Not to mention I'm not all that skilled at technical mountain biking.

My bike is an absolute blast to ride and it is much more fun to commute on than my road bike (especially if the weather gets bad).  I have gleefully ridden through 4 inch deep standing water without a care in the world, something I would NEVER be excited about on my road bike.

I also have a hard tail mountain, but in the 3 years since I have owned my fat bike, I have ridden my mountain bike exactly 0 times...

So, the moral is, that I LOVE my fat bike and it is a ton of fun to ride...   And if it's just for fun, maybe heavy mud/sand/snow, do some commuting, ride with your kids, hit the trails with kids and do an "occasional" local race, The Fat Bike wins on the fun factor and is certainly capable of all of those things!  And can 100% be a replacement/substitute for a mountain bike in ALL of those previously mentioned things...

BUT...  If you will primarily be buying it for technical trails (which really needs a front shock) and/or want to do some semi-serious races on it (i.e. Leadville), then get a race specific mountain bike.
  
The "Fat Bike lite" category (that I think you're talking about) didn't even exist when I bought my bike, and I kind of wanted the novelty of doing an Ironman on a fat bike and I also had just moved to Minnesota and anticipated winter riding...   But I think one of those hybrid/fat bike lite/or convertible mountain/fat bikes would actually be a PERFECT compromise to have a slightly over-sized mountain bike or slightly undersized fat bike to really have a nice "Do Everything" bike, all trails and actually also having the fun of a fat bike and ride in the winter/mud/snow/sand, but also throw a nice set of 29er wheels on and be competitive in some races if you wanted to.

Tim Sullivan

Thanks @Gabe Peterson @Scott Alexander and @John Withrow. Those are great responses.  I am leaning to a fun bike that doesn't break the bank and some of those convertible bikes I think fit that bill. I think I'd ride it more often as well. Lots of trails around me. I will also keep scouring eBay and craigslist to find a great deal  

scott dinhofer

I was awaiting @John Withrow's response before writing. I have zero experience on a fatty. I own 2 MTBs. One is a 29er hard tail, lightweight (19lbs) specialized built for the LV100. I used that bike for the both the LV race and the Austin Rattler. Neither of these races have anything all that difficult in MTB terms for technical work. A couple of spots, but really benign.

I also have a Yeti 27.5 SB5C, this is my go to bike for the technical trail riding where I am. It is as lightweight as you can get for a full on FS trail bike, carbon wheels, bar, etc, probably weighs around 24lbs. Riding this vs my 29er on local trails is like riding a barcolounger around the park

not sure where you live, have always heard that east coast "technical" is much harder than western, if your purpose is a bike for doing the rattler or LV, I'd tell you to find a good condition 2010/11 version of my bike on ebay (which is exactly what I did) and can find one for probably less than $2500 in good condition. Happy to help you with more details on that. I am actually keeping the bike because I plan on trying to do leadman in 2020, if you fit a Med, we could discuss a yearlong loaner.. 

as for riding one or the other, I'd suggest hooking up with a good LBS and demoing some bikes.. I am waiting for the excuse to pick up a fatty btw, it's the one arrow missing from my quiver. 

Brian Smith

@Tim Sullivan I bought a fat bike a few years back, a Trek Farley 9 with disk breaks ad jackalope wheels.  I live in the city and generally ride it in the winter, but sometimes take it out on the summer and just ride around on it. The one thing I can say about a fat bike is the first moment I threw my leg over it I felt like a 10 year old, it was so fun, I mean truly fun, i ran right into a curb and bounced over it, tree stumps, sand, and theist part was the snow....I usually ride my cross bikini the winter, but when there is too much snow on the ground, the fat bike is the only way to go.  I learned real quickly to never get out of the saddle in the snow on a fat bike, you will generally spin out and come to a stop...such fun!    Also the Trek Farley had the ability to swap out wheels if I remember correctly...

Tim Sullivan

Thanks @scott dinhoffer and @Brian Smith. These replies have been great and have helped me decide on what I should get.  

I found a great deal on a Trek Stache 7 that has some upgraded components (basically upgrading to a 9) including a dropper post, carbon bar, upgraded brakes and upgraded front shock. So, this is the bike I got. The Trek Stache is sort of a hybrid fatbike that is between a 29er and a true fatbike. It is a 29+ that has 3" wide tires, a front shock and weighs 29lbs. It also has a stranglehold dropout that lets you run 27.5 or 29 tires.  Every review I've read on it says its good on climbs, descents and FUN! 

Here is a link to a review of the bike if interested.  https://mbaction.com/bike-test-trek-stache-9/

scott dinhofer

gonna read up on it, sounds awesome!!! wish I had waited a year to get my Yeti in a 27+!!

John Withrow

Looks like a cool bike and seems to meet everything you were looking for!

Dawn Cass

@Tim Sullivan
Seems I am late to your question and you have already decided....looks like a good choice BTW!  I actually have a Specialized Helga which is women's specific so probably not a good fit for you.  Specialized in general however make a good fat bike and I absolutely love mine.

We have been mountain biking with them so you can certainly use it for that.  We have done the most in the snow which is an absolute blast!  We were in Hilton head a couple years back and took them on the long sandy beaches.  To be honest...a lot of people enjoy that however I think you get the most fun in the snow.  Kinda depends on where you live as to what you will use it for.  Up in the north where I live you need something to pass the time in all the long winter months.

Let us know how you get on.