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After a beautiful but purgatory ride through powder snow this afternoon I think I have come to the realisation that I am one of those lucky people who lives in a bit of the UK where a fat bike in the garage might make a lot of sense. Beaches miles and mile long within easy reach and reasonably reliable snow from the door.
I appreciate I come to the fat bike party beyond fashionably late and half the manufacturers have left and are queuing outside the kebab shop. But what's good, cheap and still made these days? It needs to be cheap as my n+1 is way beyond a stern conversation and you can't exactly hide a fat bike can you? So it can't be made of unicorn tears and the labour of love of elfin artisans.
Also.....not so stealthy ad for anyone with one festering in the back of the garage because it turned out to be a bobbins idea for you that might suit a 5'11" skinflint which could make it's way to the highlands that might like to pm me.
I know someone selling a Shand F&F, size medium. Thing is, the other bits ain't cheap as they're all so non-standard.
There's a Fatbike Highlands and Fatbike NE group on Facebook. Might be worth asking on there (and it might give you some good contacts for the future).
PM sent
Complete bike, need garage space.
Just an OnOne Fatty, but with tubeless Nextie rims.
I'm about to sell my genesis caribou fat rat.
Hope fatsno on br710, xt m8000 drivetrain and brakes etc...
And completely unique.
Let me know if interested.
As regards "what's available", Surly, obviously. I think there are still Konas around (try Winstanleys). Cube were doing the Nutrail for 2020 but I don't know what is in their 2021 catalogue. Scott Big Jon/Ed? Trek Farley still available in '21.
Still absolutely loving my calibre dune. I've changed a lot on it but it's imo still the best of the cheap fatbikes by absolute miles. In fact just slap a set of cheap hydraulic brakes on it and it can compete with bikes costing twice as much I reckon. It's been my most ridden bike by far for the last year or so.
Thanks folks - that gives me a few new models to gawp at.
igm and boxwithawindow - thanks. I'll pm you.
Do it do it do it. I picked up a brand new but second hand Norco Bigfoot last year for £400, and the owner even threw in a Giro Chronicle helmet (seemingly as new as the bike) a cheap multi tool. It didn’t come with a dropper but I had a spare in the toolbox that was the correct diameter.
I was looking for something a bit less Gucci to keep the filth of my 29” Cannondale Habit in the winter months and it’s been a hoot. It’s sufficiently different to my Cannondale (130/140 vs. rigid) that I see it becoming a year-round squeeze. They climb and grip like nothing else and once you get them up to speed they’re unstoppable.
Word of warning though. EVERYONE wants to talk to you about it when they see you, and the reaction from kids is priceless (“That’s awesome!!” / “Daddy, why has bike got SUCH BIG WHEELS?!?”). The most common reaction from those who’ve ridden it is how well they pedal.
Got a kona wozo last year. Grin inducing.
I'd echo what Northwind said up there about the Dune.
It's such a good bike for the money with a few upgrades thrown in.
Still riding mine after around 4 years or so and bought it second hand too.