[Closed] Would you buy a (new) fatbike for ~£1k?

yes! posted on page 21:
[i]
"nickgti - Member

Attention Caliber Dune owners!

I've found a rear mech hanger that fits, the Scott Big John appears to be the same frame.
I've bought and tested one from here:

https://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/scott-big-jon-replacement-derailleur-hanger-p298404

You just need to swap across the black end cap. "[/i]

Thanks babble - fresh eyes and all that! Ordered.

Enjoy your Dune, a fantastic fun bike which has over shadowed my 29er, its just so capable - climbing up anything, fun and confidence inspiring downhill, and I don't find it draggy except, perhaps, on tarmac - easy answer there! I did the off road Lindon 2 Brighton yesterday and wished I'd taken it!

If you've got some extra cash, upgrade the brakes to a decent set of hydraulics - mine had Smiths but I didn't like them, so I got a nearly new set of Deores along with a 1x10 shifter and clutch mech for £100, then went 1x at the same time as I also didn't like the crunchy front mech, and the rear freehub got jammed up with crud so the chain fell off all the time. With new cassette, BB and cranks quite expensive, but much better after.

Quick question for those with the original "medium" Dune. What's the height from the floor of the seat clamp? (in mm please) Just checking for a person of small stature 🙂

Who is the tallest person here with a large Dune?

Price for the Claibre just went down £100! £499 for now, plus that funny cashback discount thing from Topcashback. I phoned up and Go Outdoors are going to refund me the £100, so from origianlly paying £599, i have ended up paying £462. That pays for the new brakes and a (Decathalon) dropper post. Awesome!

Mine will be a large. I'm just on 6 foot - don't suppose I will be the tallest though, but I will let you know how it fits.

The only shame is that it no-longer comes with Jumbo Jims, but Jugganaught Pros, which are supposedly very draggy....

That changes things hugely and i''m having a coffee literally round the corner to a store...

yes, it really is a ridiculous price for what, but all accounts, is a pretty light, good frame, (very similar to the scott bike) which is fully upgradable in terms of 4.8 wheels, thru axels, tappered steerer etc.

i got these brakes from Germany: http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/deore-disc-brake-br-m615-set-88973?lang=en

£80, very well reviewed rock solid hydros. They have already arrived, now i just have to wait a few weeks for my bike to arrive....

Well damnit. Only page 9 and I think I might be sold...

Three reasons.

Positive peer reviews
Affordable price, I'll have enough spares to fix immediate issues (wide bars and hydraulic brakes).
Mike's engagement and service - seriously impressed by that.

Will have to wait a bit as building a new HT at the mo, but hopefully before Xmas.

signing up to this Topcashback thing n0b0dy0ftheg0at keeps going on about

Who is the tallest person here with a large Dune?

The only shame is that it no-longer comes with Jumbo Jims, but Jugganaught Pros, which are supposedly very draggy....

Enjoy your Deores - they are a perfect upgrade for the Dune.
I've probably blown best part of a grand all-in on mine but as a result it stops and goes so well now. It has been a great addition to my garage.

Nice price drop on the Dune, makes it cheaper than the Wazoo currently after Topcashback! 😆

/\ this guy 😆

haha - there's the topcashback sales rep dude again!

it's great - i got £37 more off my bike with topcashback, and all i had to do was give them my soul. (which they can then sell on to every insurance, sales, marketing, advertising company in the world, who can then following me around for the rest of my life demanding tiny bits of my life from me...)

Bargain!!

oh, and thanks for all the advice and welcome's etc everyone. i'll post up some photos when i get the bike and start using it in anger....

oh (no. 2) - is there any reason, if i replaced the back cassette with a 9-speed i have, with associated rear mech and shifter, that i couldn't just keep the front cranks and replace the big ring with a bash guard - i.e. a simple 1x9 set up?

umm.. I dont think so. You may find issues with tyre clearance when on biggest cog as your front ring would effectively be in the 'inner ring' position. Only one way to find out..

If you end up taking the new crankset plunge - I took Northwinds advice and went for the Raceface Aeffect. It's brilliant. Looks great, easy to set up, easy to change ring, solid, light(ish) weight.

Gratuitous repeat photo opportunity:
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Well i bought one via Topcashback and picked it up this afternoon
Reflectors, bell etc off. Pedals, seatpost and saddle on from another bike
First ride tomorrow!

Enjoy!
I actually found the original saddle pretty comfy. But it's the law to change saddles on a new bike.

I did think to myself it looked ok but original seatpost is too short so it was easier just to swap the whole thing over for now

ha! i deserve some commission! (although i don't think they are making much profit on this bike at that price...)

Would the medium be OK for someone 5'5"?

I'm thinking of possibly getting one for my wife.

If you can find a store with a medium she can ride it round to try?

It's (hopefully) going to be a surprise.

But if all else fails I guess that is an option.

I've got a few spares that will make it 'hers' etc.

Hopefully someone here can answer

@whitestone - ground to top of seat clamp is 700mm on a medium - might be 5mm out either way but that's about it.

I'd imagine the medium would be fine for someone 5'5" and a normally proportioned legs/torso.

It's a typically compact geometry, should be absolutely fine for 5'5". Shorter stem would be worst case scenario I'd imagine

Thanks chaps.

Thinking of picking one of these up for the winter,i am 5'10 and I'm considering getting the large as my medium anthem feels a bit cramped,do you think that would be right?

From reading 18+ pages of the thread I'd say you probably want a medium.

I'm 6.1" with short legs (31" inseam) and can't imagine the medium being a good fit. The geometry is so compact on these things that essentially the large is just a little bit longer - which is right on trend these days is it not?

The medium might work if you are a 5'10" with legs> 32" or so, but if you are like me with a long torso and stumps for legs, I suspect the large will be a much safer bet.

I'm 5'10 and about 31 inch inside leg, on the medium. TBH if there'd been a large at the time, I would have bought it. But, I've actually come to really like the handling of the medium and I wouldn't swap it now. I need a long steapost- 410mm IIRC- because the triangle is so compact. But the sizing's pretty sensible medium otherwise, it's not #enduro long but it's not that sort of bike.

Suppose it depends what you want. Normally I wouldn't buy the "small and agile" thing but with this bike I really like how it feels. The reach is comfortable enough, it's a little upright but that works for me with a 50mm stem.

TBH I think you just need to sit on both if you can.

First ride today, it was so not how I thought it was going to be !

Holyzeus - Member
First ride today, it was so not how I thought it was going to be !

Tell us more....

I sold mine and bought a plus bike. I don't regret it but when I was in go outdoors today the dunes did catch my eye again lol

I know this has almost certainly been covered in the previous 35 pages but roughly speaking what are good mud tyres to go with? I was planning on sticking the fat bike in the garage over winter as the amount of crud you get covered in when it's even remotely muddy tends to put me off. That and the schwalbe tyres meaning you slide all over the place.

mine is being shipped to Belgium, so I have to wait a few weeks. Been eyeing up some upgrades already though. (in addition to the brakes I have already got. How is this for example:

https://www.bike-components.de/en/SRAM/NX-1x11-fach-Upgrade-Kit-p48765/
(thats a sram NX 1x11 cassette, shifter, rear mech and chain for €139)

and quick question for those of you who have changed the cranks - what is it I have to look for in terms of BB/crank length for the Dune? It wasn't clear to me on the site.

I would also love to know what you mean Holyzeus...

First ride today, it was so not how I thought it was going to be !

... ??? 😐

Sorry Normal Man had to shower and put stuff away.
The bike will have to wait till tomorrow.
Where do I begin. To start with i am fat, unfit, a bit of arthritis and haven't ridden a hardtail for about 7 years, oh and shot knees.
I had the tyres at 12psi, too much, it bounced all over the place, will lower them for the next ride slightly.
Initially the inertia of the large heavy front wheel is unsettling but only for a few minutes
The gearing is spot on, which surprised me, didn't need the granny ring. This thing just motors on, ploughs though like a tractor. Isn't hard to get going which i thought it would be and once there its easy to keep the speed up.
Nothing fazed me, couldn't get over how well it climbed or descended
The brakes are woeful but i'm hoping i can adjust them tomorrow, i needed 3 fingers for anything to happen.
The grips are too thin and the bars although the same size as my two other bikes seem way too narrow
And as much as I despise mudguards of any description them huge tyres absolutely splatter you
Think i've rambled on enough...
Anyway if you've been sitting on the fence wondering for years like me or a hater just try one, its brilliant

Oh and the Q factor, for me was so comfortable, best my knees have felt for ages. Think the width is good for them in my case

babble - Member

and quick question for those of you who have changed the cranks - what is it I have to look for in terms of BB/crank length for the Dune? It wasn't clear to me on the site.

It's a 100mm BB. But this gets really messy, frinstance I bought the crank Raceface recommend for a 100/197 setup, and it was massively wide. Replaced it on tips from here with the one they say is for a 100/170 setup and it works perfectly and is IIRC about 20mm narrower- which is a big deal for pedal clearance, it might not sound it, til you're riding down a rut deeper than the pedals...

Painey - Member

I know this has almost certainly been covered in the previous 35 pages but roughly speaking what are good mud tyres to go with?

Depends what you want I think. I really rate the Minions but they're not "mud" tyres in the same way that the Nate is- they're trail tyres that are good at mud. It's a bit like the difference between a conti baron and a mud X I think. Bud/Lou also worth a look (I liked my Bud but prefer the Minions)

Northwind I'm sure will be along soon to tell you that 4.8" Jumbo Jim snakeskins are better than sliced bread for the Dune. 😉

He'd be right if he did...

PSYCH!

(I like the JJ but not for mud, 4.8 is better than the 4.0 but they're both bad)

Holyzeus - Member

Anyway if you've been sitting on the fence wondering for years like me or a hater just try one, its brilliant

Thanks.
Really good stuff. Hope you continue to enjoy.

I'm well and truly wonderful I over by fat bikes. I have a Pugsley myself. Originally bought as a winter bike but ridden enough that my other bikes have seen little action this year.

Really tempted to get a Dune for the Mrs. She has an older Spesh Myka 26er but rarely rides. I just think the added stability and comfort of a fat bike would appeal to her.

Edit to say: my 2 fat bike owner recommendations would be mudguards and a pressure gauge.

Cheers, i have a pressure guage. There was quite a difference between the two tyres from the shop and the stem needed straightening. When it was straight the forks were pointing to one o'clock..

thanks for the info Nothwind. i guess this is one you got? http://www.highonbikes.com/drivetrain/chainsets-mtb/race-face-ride-fat-bike-crankset-bb.html?gclid=CM7wgbOHtc8CFU63GwodbggByg

anyway, i think i will wait to get the bike, try it and maybe try and adapt the existing crank if i want to go 1x11.

I got the Aeffects, they're really nice. TBH the original ones were fine, bit heavy, I accidentally trashed mine by not doing up a bolt enough 😳 I'd forgotten how to square taper.

I wish I did get commission of Topcashback 😆 , but for today only, they are doing a 20% boost on normal cashback levels.

So Go Outdoors is 8.4% today https://www.topcashback.co.uk/gooutdoors/

Makes your new shiny Dune that little bit cheaper, ~£457. 😉

Or your Wazoo with Halfords 3.6% cashback ~£482.

Or your Fatty Trail with PX 3% (excluding VAT mark-up) ~£975.

Northwind is spot on - I went with 170mm width Aeffect's and they fit perfectly. I even managed to source a 100mm Hope BB spacer tube from my LBS so that I could run my Hope BB as it was intended.

For those commenting on the Dune's controls - the bar/seatpost/BB/gears each weigh a ton - I think they're made from lead or something.
The box of bits I have stripped off the Dune certainly raises eyebrows when picked up..
Switching components for lighter/wider/sexier alternatives means my Dune now weighs within a pound of my 'normal' (650b) steel hardtail - including adding a dropper post, and im yet to run mine tubeless.

Thanks for the tips chaps!

Mine has been shipped and I should get it early next week. I also just got my £100.99 refunded from Go Outdoors due to the price drop (which they gave me even though I had ordered it before it happened.)

Slim: when you say "my Dune now weighs within a pound of my 'normal' (650b) steel hardtail" how much is that?

Babble, how long did it take to get refunded by Topcashback?

That hasn't happened yet. It just says "pending", but I only paid for the bike in the last few days (Go Outdoors don't take the money until it is shipped) so I am expecting to wait a few more days. It says up to three weeks on the topcashback site. Meanwhile they have sent me about 10,000 emails, so they are getting their money's worth for my rebate....

(There is no such thing as a free lunch - that's what my dad always used to say...)

update: my bike has crossed the channel and..

10 Arrived at Delivery Facility in BRUSSELS - BELGIUM BRUSSELS - BELGIUM 05:09

1 Piece

....now the slow bit begins - getting it from Brussels to my house in Brussels....

topcashback update:

Earnings
Pending £36.68 Confirmed £0.00 Payable £0.00 Claimed £0.00 Declined £0.00

I hope you let someone refer you as a friend if you were new to tcb, gives the existing member a little bonus, which is double over this weekend. 😉

Looks like i've been shafted by Topcashback, i've raised it with them which they don't make easy
Anyway, frame protection on, rear brake adjusted, old Mega front brake on i had in the spares box.
Grips and pedals on way from Superstar, used crankset and n/w on way and on the lookout for stem/bars/seatpost 🙂

Hi folks , Im just wondering if any other Dune owners have had problems with the rear Maxle. I changed the horrible green rim strips last week and had a hell of a job getting the maxle to tighten. Is there a knack ot this.? Also in two minds whether to keep my Dune and upgrade or sell it on and get something else. Has anyone ever upgraded the fork to a carbon one and If so what are the options . Thanks for any advice.
[IMG] [/IMG]

amazing photo stan! just brilliant.

i'm not sure what a maxel is, but selling the bike becasue you cant tighten something up seems a fairly drastic approach. i exepct a bike shop, or even Go Outdoors, would probably do it for you for free, or replace the faulty part.

Hi Babble , thanks for the reply . Yup I think ill head back to go outdoors with the bike. I wasn't thinking of selling because of the wee problem but maybe just thinking of getting a better frame before upgrading. Im not saying there is anyhting wrong with the dune but like the look of those Nextie wheels and If Im going to upgrade i'd like to do so with a frame colour I like. Im sure the maxxle is an easy fix.

Love that picture. I did notice Sunday that my front maxle was loose, probably me though.
Can you not just get the frame sprayed? I'm no expert but isn't the appeal of the Dune partially down to the frame?

check that your derailleur hanger is properly tightened..

and try installing the rear axle without the wheel in situ. should instantly give you a good idea of whats not working.

the Dune won over the Voodoo Wazoo for me because of the through axels, their spacing, the 5" potential, the tappered steerer, the very similar frame to the Scott big john worth 2x more (which shares the same hanger), and the fact it sort of glows in the dark - how cool is that!

in other news, it would have been delivered today, but i was at work (imagine that) and they couldn't give me any estimate of what time they might deliver it, even 'morning' or 'afternoon', so i couldn't go back to wait for it.

i should get mine on wednesday. can't wait.

The axle's pretty simple but like slimjim says, make sure the hanger is tight or it could move around and make it hard to thread (the original Dunes had too-short hanger bolts but that should be fixed now, still worth checking for tightness though). Also check the wee black insert on the end of the mech hanger, this is what the axle threads into and it's a seperate part so if it's loose, that can make it a hassle too. (it has a little grub screw to tighten it- it can be adjusted to tweak the tightness/position of the axle)

fantastic thread here about how to set-up/check/prep a budget fatbike (could be any bike actually) - it's nto the dune, but seems pretty similar:
http://forums.mtbr.com/fat-bikes/argus-fat-bike-masses-review-assembly-1019867.html

Any Wazoo owners had issues with the 38T chainring? Had to attack a tooth this morning with long nosed pliers, to get it back in line with the others.

Bizarrely happened towards the end if a gentle ride home after a long, pants day at work yesterday!

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Embrace the green, Superstar grips and pedals on. Muckynutz fender too

woooo Holyzeus that's a lot of seatpost! Bike looks great. Mine has just arrived apparently, but I am stuck at work until very late, so I won't get to play until later....

and - sorry to hear about your shitty day nobody - hope things improve. I just looked on chain reaction cycles and a deore 10 speed shifter, rear deralier and cassette can be had for €95 (less €10 discount i think) - could be worth thinking about. (so all in about £80, plus cables perhaps.)

The first fat bike bmx!

Seatpost is within max marks....
I prefer a medium to a large as i prefer to be in a bike rather than perched
on it..
Well apart from a Mojo fd3chris.... 😉

That seatpost looks longer than the seat tube! 😯 😆

Still left wondering if the bent chainring tooth (which rode ok today) was a sign to get a lime Superstar n/w chainring with a set of lime rotor bolts for £21.

I'd probably do it if I knew it would work ok with my 8-speed setup, but it doesn't mention 8-speed, unlike the PX Ring Master.

Holyzeus - Member

I prefer a medium to a large as i prefer to be in a bike rather than perched on it..

Not entirely sure you've succeeded there 😆

Hi Holy how are things?

Well it works for me you grumpy lot 😉
Been made redundant Chris so getting in lots of riding!
You?

Holyzeus - Member
I prefer a medium to a large as i prefer to be in a bike rather than perched on it..

LOLz.... look at that post!

Sorry to hear that mate. I m good as always. Off to Wales on Saturday for a weeks break and some riding so it's not so bad. Hope you get a new start soon.

Still left wondering if the bent chainring tooth (which rode ok today) was a sign to get a lime Superstar n/w chainring with a set of lime rotor bolts for £21.

I happen to have a brand new one of those that went unused as I bought the Aeffect cranks instead, let me know if interested in a discount

If your chainring is anything other than black, you are a deviant frankly.

Question.
Has anyone fitted an On-One carbon fatty fork to their Dune? (I've skimmed all 37 pages but don't think anything is there)

The issue obviously is trying to get hub adaptors for the qr fork.

I'm going to swap my Wazoo over to a Dune and would really like to take my forks with me.

@Northwind With my online alias, do you really think I follow the sheep of conformity? 😈

@Kayak23 Not to mention you would also need buy a convertor headset, from tapered to straight steerer, fitting a Carbon Fatty to a Dune. 😉

You would need to buy a new front wheel not only for QR, but also to have a Rear Disc Spaced hub like the RDS fork, unless you happen to know someone who can lathe 4.8mm off the disc mount. 😆

There's 3 RDS Hope Fatsno QR front hubs left at CRC for <£60 IIRC, to either buy alone, or get a wheel made up with them using their custom Hope build.

Btw, what crown race did you use to fit the Carbon Fatty fork to the Wazoo and did you do the job yourself?

Topcashback tell me Gooutdoors have declined my payment.
So thats a couple of irate emails just gone off..

@Kayak23 Not to mention you would also need buy a convertor headset, from tapered to straight steerer, fitting a Carbon Fatty to a Dune.

You would need to buy a new front wheel not only for QR, but also to have a Rear Disc Spaced hub like the RDS fork, unless you happen to know someone who can lathe 4.8mm off the disc mount.

There's 3 RDS Hope Fatsno QR front hubs left at CRC for <£60 IIRC, to either buy alone, or get a wheel made up with them using their custom Hope build.

Btw, what crown race did you use to fit the Carbon Fatty fork to the Wazoo and did you do the job yourself?

Been trying to figure out if my Carbon On One forks are compatible (except for qr adaptors) with the Calibe Dune front wheel but my head is hurting now and I'm no clearer 🙂
Info is pretty sparse on these bikes it seems, but I suppose it always is with 'budget' bikes.

Reading back through the thread would suggest that the Dune uses a 150mm front hub, whereas the OO fork I have uses a 135mm spacing.

Maybe I'll have to get rid of the carbon forks... 😥

Nobodyofthegoat- The steel fork that came with the Wazoo was a straight steerer, and the OO carbon fork was a straight steerer so no change needed.