[Closed] Are fat bikes now the mainstream, whilst single speeds are lurking in the niche?

What about SS fatbikes?

No, they're both barely relevant and certainly both niche.

I like SS bikes as tools for practical UK winter MTBing, I mostly have disdain for Fat bikes, but both are a bit on the fringes of MTBing really TBH considered more novelty toys than proper bikes...

Most [i]normal[/i] (non-beard wearing) people want bikes with gears, proper suspension, sensible weight and ideally close to the prevailing aesthetic norms of the day...

there were not masses of then at SSUK but there were plenty

Personally I dont see the need for one myself but i dont live in ALaska or by the beach

YMMV.

PS you SS haters need to MTFU 😉

In the words of ctbms bestest sticker-'every time you change gear God kills a kitten'

Food for thought eh!!

I get the impression that most single speeders would scoff at buying an off the peg SS bike, whereas you might as well buy a complete Fat bike, seeing as you'd need to buy a lot of the parts separately.

I'd best most of us on here wouldn't be far off a complete SS MTB with bits in the garage

Gary Fisher thinks the Fat Bike market will be 20%

It's amazing how many people I know have suddenly switched on to Fat Bikes now that Specialized have one sitting in their local bike shop.
(North West MTB in this case).

I guess the hype is with them at the moment and buying a complete off-the-shelf bike that looks pretty smart and is under the £1000 point is pretty tempting.

Whereas singlespeeders tend to either like their American Hand-built bike porn, or just hack something together from what they've got.

Fat bikes have gears (usually, considering the complete bikes for sale) so they're more sellable than SSs which IIRC never really had a huge market. Plus fat bikes look cool in an obvious way which SSs never did.

I like Fatbikes, no I do.
I like SS'ers though these have to be 29'ers, no I do.
I've been considering a FBike for about 7 months now and haven't (yet) seen one in a shop that I could oggle at.

well fat bikes are just plain silly and single speeds for wierdy beardy attention monkeys with no riding skills and a deficit of social graces, so really both markets are dead in the water. anyone who rides an SS fatbike should be beaten to death with a sack filled with hipster beard clippings until they have a really nasty itchy rash.

but despite having a rather nice MTB SS in their portfolio, it's not available in the UK, and nor are any MTB SS's.

2wheels in amblecote had a SS cannondale for sale in the shop on Saturday

I own 2 bikes.

A ridgid singlespeed and a fatbike. 😆

Am I niche?

Dont know if they are niche or becoming the norm but fatbikes are awesome fun. Hence why I have a Mukluk.

I have however just purchased a Stooge in Plum Crazy that I will be building up as a single speeder. Why, because I love the raw feel of a single speeder and the no nonense approach to maintenance that they offer.

Each have their own merits and excel at diffrent things so appeal to diffrent people.

Saw a On-One fatty with an electric motor mounted under the DT in Paignton yesterday, looked like a right hoot. Still not sure I'd actualy want to pedal one myself though!

I love the raw feel of a single speeder and the no nonense approach to maintenance that they offer.

+1, I'd like to ride a 100mm FS bike wit 20 gears all winter, but the reality is that it was just a ball ache to keep it going 3 muddy rides a week. Whereas the SS I could leave in the back of the car caked in mud untill it went mouldy (both the back of the car and the bike), get it out and ride it again. Only ever had 3 mechanicals, a pair of CB pedals, a snapped chain and a crakced ProII hub, and the first 2 were preventable because I knew I'd re-joined the chain withotu the propper link, and I knew the pedal had siezed and free'd up a few weeks previously, only the hub was down to actual machanical failure (as opposed to being entirely preventable and my fault!)

That spec Spesh fatboy will stil be niche. £3500 rrp....

considered more novelty toys than proper bikes...

Most normal (non-beard wearing) people want bikes with gears, proper suspension, sensible weight and ideally close to the prevailing aesthetic norms of the day...

Mainstream stuff is popular for good reason. Like music, and fashion, right? ; )

ciderinsport - Member
I own 2 bikes.

A ridgid singlespeed and a fatbike.

Am I niche?

No, I'm afraid you're an attention whore. 😉

Not even a very good one. The rule is that once Spesh does it, it's no longer niche. 😉

The beards are onto 32" wheels now.

Fat bike's mainstream ? Not really, did the Brecon Beast Sunday 800 riders, I saw one. Not as many single speeds as there used to be either.

Not as many single speeds as there used to be either.

Seems like fat bikes are plowing into the lime light and the SS bikes remain in the shadows.

Rubbish, there's no way you could describe either fatbikes or singlespeed bikes as mainstream. Spesh have 24 different bikes in their MTB range for next year, most coming in three different levels (comp, expert, and pro.) That's well over 60 bikes.

Most large manufacturers will have a fatbike and a SS somewhere in their range, but I doubt Spesh will sell many of them.

I doubt Spesh will sell many of them.

1 a month on average for last years model, according to the local concept store.

1 a month on average for last years model, according to the local concept store.

Smallfry for a company like Specialized who sell approx 16 million bikes per year according to industry figures.

I have been riding a SS Pugsley for years, it's fab. Beach, trail centres, race bike, woods even did a 40 mile road ride the other day. It just gives another dimension to riding, oh and IT'S FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Smallfry for a company like Specialized who sell approx 16 million bikes per year according to industry figures

In 1 store, with no actual bike in the shop/promotion, I (and they) think thats pretty good.

tomhoward - Member

Smallfry for a company like Specialized who sell approx 16 million bikes per year according to industry figures.

In 1 store, with no actual bike in the shop/promotion, I (and they) think thats pretty good.

I agree, that is good but it doesn't make fatbikes mainstream which was the original topic of this thread.

A bike is a bike, as long as it rolls it's good for me

I've seen loads of people riding SS bikes... I've yet to come across a Fat Bike in the 'wild'...

Fat bikes are a pointless waste of metal and rubber, riders thinking they look cool when they look like clowns. Legs spinning away just to keep a slow walking pace with gear ratios a granny could could up Hardnott on, lol. More pics please they always make me laugh.

How they think they look:-
[img] [/img]

How they really look:-
[img] [/img]

I saw my first one the other week at on one it looked great but **** pedalling that great big thing

pop larkin - Member

In the words of ctbms bestest sticker-'every time you change gear God kills a kitten'

Food for thought eh!!

Well, now I am definitely sticking with gears. And also getting a really widely spaced cassette so i have to keep shifting all the time. If it means less poo in my garden from the neighbours cats I'm all for it!!

In the words of ctbms bestest sticker-'every time you change gear God kills a kitten'

Food for thought eh!!

If it was a baby robin people on here would be concerned. Kittens less so.

Dobbo - Member

Fat bikes are a pointless waste of metal and rubber, riders thinking they look cool when they look like clowns. Legs spinning away just to keep a slow walking pace with gear ratios a granny could could up Hardnott on, lol. More pics please they always make me laugh.

You really haven't seen many fat bikes ridden properly have you?

with gear ratios a granny could could up Hardnott on

Obvious troll is obvious etc

with gear ratios a granny could could up Hardnott on

I meant on a standard efficient bike with a riding purpose, not a bloated fatbike.

Watching someone on a fatbike is like big fat person struggling trying to squeeze in an airplane seat while still trying to maintain a smile.

I thought it was the fat bike riders who were attentions seekers...forgive me my error

Obvious troll is obvious and I have a bike to ride

You really haven't seen many fat bikes ridden properly have you?

Let me know when you start Paceman!!

I thought it was the fat bike riders who were attentions seekers.

I like the way you agree with me then call me a troll, lol.

I'd best most of us on here wouldn't be far off a complete SS MTB with bits in the garage

Quite a few fat and half fat bikes at ssuk t'other week, they seemed to manage just fine on normal gears on normal trails.

I agree with what others already said, SS is is usually either a posh custom build or a cobbled together hack not an off the peg bike, unlike fat bikes which make a lot more sense to buy whole.

kinda tempted to go fat but [b][i]n[/i][/b] is at about the limit for a happy home life at the moment and my other bikes have proper uses.
(enough money and storage space I'd get one, along with a DH bike, a trials bike, ss road, etc etc)

The Rocky Mountain Blizzard:

[img] [/img]

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.
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The Rocky Mountain Blizzard 2015!!

[img] [/img]

Dobbo, if fat bikes and fat bike riders are slow and unwieldy as you suggest perhaps you should go for a little ride with folks like george budd or dan treby and they may gently show you the error of your ways

I have finally took the plunge having played on many a fat un!

The Rocky Mountain Blizzard

It does show the limitations of 'progress' doesnt it.

I bet the original is still a hoot to ride, the forks will never need a service, and it looked good!

robgclarkson - Member
I've seen loads of people riding SS bikes... I've yet to come across a Fat Bike in the 'wild'...

Whereas I've seen more fatties in the wild than singlespeed mtbs 😕

Fat Biker and singlespeeder

The Rocky Mountain Blizzard 2015!!

😯

Thank gawd I still live in the mid-90s.

perhaps you should go for a little ride with folks like george budd or dan treby and they may gently show you the error of your ways

Perhaps Dan and George should go for a ride with Absalon and Schurter, and have the stupidity beat out of them.

Nearly every ****er I ride with is an attention whore. Fatties and ss everywhere

MSP - Member
perhaps you should go for a little ride with folks like george budd or dan treby and they may gently show you the error of your ways
Perhaps Dan and George should go for a ride with Absalon and Schurter, and have the stupidity beat out of them.

POSTED 1 MINUTE AGO # REPORT-POST

Hahahahahaha Dan isn't stupid, he's a very naughty boy. 🙂

recumbents are the new (old) niche. Trust me on this.

you'll see.

As far as I'm concerned, the massive amount of money needed to get a fat bike (the category doesn't deserve a compound name, unlike singlespeeds) anywhere near a low enough weight that it'd be fun to ride makes any sand/snow/mud advantage negligible.
See George Budd for example, his fat bike looks like a great laugh, weighing 23 and a bit pounds, but it's cost him more than it'd take to build an 18lb XC hardtail.
Singlespeeds are extremely fun however, but only on the right terrain: Thetford, Tunstall (anywhere flat, i.e - where I live).

In my eyes: Fast=fun , Fat=slow , hence Fat=not fun

Singlespeeds are great fun on the hills. You just have to hate yourself a little bit.

Fat=not fun??? I take it you've ridden one? Almost everyone I know who owns a fatty is fast as ****

Last nights ride:
[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5585/15100128320_fecf23ba77_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5585/15100128320_fecf23ba77_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/p1m751 ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/47933770@N07/ ]T*inbred[/url], on Flickr

6 of 7 on fat bikes, all moved from rigid SS. So they won't suit everyone, but for us they are ideal - a bit more 'give' than rigid SS, and most of our riding is either sandy gravelly trails or sandy bottomless bog.

I bought the fatty as a bit of an experiment, but its replaced all my other bikes now. I can't explain why, but riding it is just fun - it rolls along nicely, there's masses of traction meaning you can rail stuff you'd be sliding out on on a skinny, and you can ride all sorts of new places - like exploring old wrecks on the beach at low tide 🙂

I'm sold, so are my mates. I don't think they will ever be 'mainstream' though as the range of practical use is limited, although you can do a surprising amount on them. Having said that, teh range of use of most specialist bikes is limited - you wouldn't want to commute on a 160mm 'all mountain' bike either.

The last time we had snow, I was the quickest upright thing around, including cars.
"Fat slow" Bikefest laps, my fastest 30 mins 10 seconds; V. light 26er and 32 mins; Pugsley.
Plus we were timed at 45 MPH at the Lakes Fatbike weekend........

Almost everyone I know who owns a fatty is fast as ****

I've no doubt on [i]some[/i] courses under a fast rider a fat bike would be fastest (vs a more standard 26/29/other shitey wheelsize). I just wonder if someone did back to back tests over a wide variety whether we'd be surprised at how many types of courses they would be faster on.....

we already know 29" wheels are heavier and have more inertia than 26, still lots of xc racers running them tho coz overall they are quicker

I can happily admit that when I took junky for a ride I was as slow as **** on a fatbike and it had nothing to do with a raging hangover

there you go tell her you got n+1 for science ....it might just work 😉

I can happily say I do not want to experience his fast

Lets agree next time we take enough water 😉

Junkyard - lazarus
Almost everyone I know who owns a fatty is fast as *
You sure it is just not you being slow as *
POSTED 25 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

I can happily say I do not want to experience his fast

Lets agree next time we take enough water

yeh, i did nearly get to the point of offering to suck the sweat out of peoples helmet pads to keep hydrated. Bloomin beer, bikes and fags, I need to start a healthier lifestyle 😀

big thanks for the help with the course clearing as well Mr yard, much appreacited

Compared to what you [ and keef] did for a fantastic weekend it was nothing

Hundreds of us will be forever in your debt

Thanks again

Well I'm no particular fan of fat, bit even I can see they would be of great advantage on the loose rocks of the UK's many sandstone areas. Far more than just sand and snow bikes.

I bet I could get up my local hard rocky bit on one, when I have so far failed on everything else. Anyone in S Wales want to lend me one? 😉

1. I don't race, so don't mind an insignificant scrap of extra weight if it helps me smile more.
2. My Fatty has been up lots of Scotland's munros. And corbetts. I often smile when up proper mountains.
3. It can practically climb up walls, it has so much traction. Grin.
4. On group rides, it sometimes gets back to the bottom a fair bit quicker than some riders do on their 140-160 bouncers. This too makes me smile.
5. It doesn't sink into the occasional bit of mud that might sometimes be found on trails. This also makes me smile.

About the only thing about it that is a bit of a pain, is washing it-- There's more of it to keep clean. Boo-hoo.

TimP - Member

You really haven't seen many fat bikes ridden properly have you?

Let me know when you start Paceman!!

Hilarious as always Mr P; I wasn't particularly refering to myself 😆

tazzymtb - Member

Dobbo, if fat bikes and fat bike riders are slow and unwieldy as you suggest perhaps you should go for a little ride with folks like george budd or dan treby and they may gently show you the error of your ways.

Exactly. The Singular fat bike team at Brighton Big Dog were ripping up the singletrack; up, down, steep and twisty, and putting in lap times far quicker than many riders on their carbon enduro machines.

...and grinning from ear to ear in the process 😀

I've no doubt on some courses under a fast rider a fat bike would be fastest (vs a more standard 26/29/other shitey wheelsize). I just wonder if someone did back to back tests over a wide variety whether we'd be surprised at how many types of courses they would be faster on....

There's more to riding bikes than racing, or even going fast all the time. Sometimes its great to just ride. Fatbikes are for just riding 😀

Nice set of Fatties there 40mpg - the Fatback looks ace 😀

Exactly. The Singular fat bike team at Brighton Big Dog were ripping up the singletrack; up, down, steep and twisty, and putting in lap times far quicker than many riders on their carbon enduro machines.

And were still going slower than people on non-fat 29er race bikes...

Flashes there was a fat bike weekend? did you just ride around windermere? 🙂

padkinson - Member
Exactly. The Singular fat bike team at Brighton Big Dog were ripping up the singletrack; up, down, steep and twisty, and putting in lap times far quicker than many riders on their carbon enduro machines.
And were still going slower than people on non-fat 29er race bikes...

No shit Sherlock!

Missing the point entirely... fat bikes are harmless fun 😉

Fat bikes, 650b all fads.

What you need is a rigid 29er.

That's where the action is.

DC.

It was where the sweating and puffing were last night 😉

What you need is a rigid SS 29er.

That's where the [s]action[/s] [b]pain[/b] is.

DC.

...judging by the state of you at the end of last night's ride anyway Darkcyan 😐

P.S. Wwaswas... Nice 😆 😆

Why the hate for Fatties? no ones forcing you to ride or buy one,if their not you thing fine go and ride something else same goes for SS,Unicycles etc.

Personally I love the look of them but have never ridden one,but can imagine they would be fun, agreed that riding uphill into a headwind you may wish you were on something else(But have thought that on my roadbike also).
Saw a Surly Moonlander a while ago and my first thought was'WANT'
[img] [/img]

unovolo - Member

Why the hate for Fatties? no ones forcing you to ride or buy one,if their not you thing fine go and ride something else same goes for SS,Unicycles etc.

I completely agree Unovolo. Fat bike discussions bring the trolls out from hiding for some reason I think 😉

I would imagine a troll would love a fat bike!;-)

I like the look of that spesh singlespeed, would probably be a good bike for my local flat bridleways. Fat bikes always have and always will look horrendous.

Funny ain't it, I think they look ace

darkcyan - Member

I would imagine a troll would love a fat bike!;-)

LOL you may be right Darkcyan but I meant the type of troll who lurks on internet forums...

[url] http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet) [/url]