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

Going by ETT (which is how I used to choose bikes back in the day) I'd be on a medium (at 6') rather than a large, but even the large is shorter reach than my Smuggler.

That's kinda good to know, as I'm 6ft too and I had a large Fatty for that reason. I was worried when I got the large Trail out the box that the frame looks enormous. I think it's 20mm longer reach but designed around a 10mm shorter stem. Proof of the pudding is in the eating but should be a riot.

A few min with a tape measure and the effective seatube (i.e. ignore the kink in the top tube and draw an imaginary line) C-C is only about 16" too which is nicely lower than I was expecting too. I dunno why more brands don't go down the same route Spesh are with their DH bikes, Short, Medium, Long and extra Long. There can't be many people who need a 20" frame and a 420mm post, so why no sell them 18" frames and more standover.

It would appear the Dune is available mail order again.

It's noticeably dragger than the JJ

that large dune is more like a medium in my book

timc - Member

that large dune is more like a medium in my book

Are you just going by the seattube? It's an inch longer and taller than the original, so that should make it about 1165mm long, 445mm of reach. Longer'n a large fatty, shorter'n a than a large fatty trail, if that's a useful benchmark. Slightly trad geometry maybe but then it's not a #enduro bike.

Very similar to a Large Scott Big Jon (15mm shorter, 5mm lower head tube).

A lot smaller than a 21" DD... I'm relieved to see, I bought the right bike after all.

Well, I found out the limit of the JJs mud grip in last weekends swamp fest - things I found out:-

- JJs won't go anywhere in deep mud, like as deep as my brand new 5 10 mid boots. They don't look new anymore.

- JJs slide in less deep mud, but it's slow and easy to catch. You may not be able to steer or brake, but you can stay moving and not fall over. Opposite locking for seconds at a time quite funny, but puts a caution over downhill speed in case you lose the front - not so fun. Might try @dlovett's 8psi instead of 10 (I'm a bit lighter at 75kg and it's not rocky round 'ere)

- Traction was fantastic on loose flint, didn't notice any issue except deep mud when the wheel sank shortly after, then the wheels wouldn't move and I had to push

- gearing fine on my bit of the downs, it's missing top end rather than bottom compared to my 3x9

- front Marshguard not long enough

- Crudcatcher gut fender worked - I've bought a set of MuckyNutz guards and I reckon the Crudcatcher gut will be better, less flimsy more stable and just as effective

- Crudcatcher rear didn't work, not sure why but my waist pack was literally plastered.

- it hasn't got the reach of my 19" Rockhopper, definitely more cramped, more upright, but something felt wrong, I might try gagging about with the bars

- really enjoyed it!

I've put a floater on the front and kept the JJ on the back, I don't mind the back end sliding round corners etc adds to the fun 🙂

I ended up upgrading to a 4.8 JJ- reason I mention it is that it was free, the 4.0's in higher demand than the 4.8 because it fits more bikes, there's a brand new 4.8 on ebay for £55. It's a big tyre though, bigger than a Bud 4.8, so I [i]think[/i] will only work in a 1x Dune. Haven't tried it with dual ring but it'll be tight if it works at all.

4.8 JJ is a wee bit heavier but quite a lot grippier and you can run less pressure, very good result imo. It still doesn't have huge pedalling grip, it'll spin out in deep filth but that's the only thing I've felt it's not up for.

Very pleased with the front Minion now btw

I was thinking Bud/Lou, a pair of Nates or see whether the Minion 4.0 pair became available, but it's quite an investment and I'll give the JJs a good try out on a few more trails first - and it's only a while before the hills should start drying out down 'sawf surely?

I am on the look out for a second hand JJ 4.0 if any of you Dune riders fancies letting one go. I find double Nate too draggy personally, but don't want to buy a brand new JJ in case i am wrong!

Tell us more about your Minion FBF Northwind where did you get it

Gphas anybody managed to track down a rear mech hanger for a Calibre dune? If so what make/model/supplier do you get it from? I've messaged go outdoors but not heard anything.

Thanks

Duncan

Is anybody running 2x10 on the dune? Can I get away leaving the front mech and rings as they are and just stick a 10spd m ch, cassette, chain and shifter on with the existing 8spd front mech and shifter?

Cheers
D

Anyone investigated a possible pannier rack for the dune?

Yes I know it's not bang on trend!

[url= http://http://www.axiomgear.com/products/racks/streamliner/fatliner/ ]Axiom Fatliner [/url] half the price of Surly and Salsa offerings

Cheers dovebiker. Have ordered one of them so will post back once it arrives and I get it fitted.

When I was in local bike shop yesterday, saw the BJ 😳 ...pretty sure it's the same frame as the Dune
[img] [/img]

rocketman - Member

Tell us more about your Minion FBF Northwind where did you get it

I ordered it from the states because UK maxxis imports are pretty iffy... But some of the german stores have it in stock now. It's really good- I rambled about it here:

http://s436462119.websitehome.co.uk/index.php?topic=4991.0

Usefully different to a Bud.

maksogun - Member

pretty sure it's the same frame as the Dune

A lot of similiarities but not the same.

Northwind - you still riding your Dune?

The big John fat bike does indeed look very similar the mech hanger might work

Aye maksogun- put it this way, I'm racing this weekend and I had to make an effort to take out the big bike and get used to riding it again because every other ride I've been on the Dune. Never even looked at the hardtail for months.

Though, I've just sabotaged it by changing to shrinkwrap tubeless, which isn't working so far 😳

I haven't rode my big bike since before Christmas, Dune every time so far.

Is the shrinkwrap leaking air?

Does look a lot like the dune hanger

Dunno, something is though- haven't looked into it properly yet but it deflates in about an hour and the tyre falls off the rim. But it seems like it should be doable.

@NW - I've only ridden my HT once since getting my fatbike. I don't have a FS anymore.

I only took the HT out in prep for a big ride out tomorrow with a couple of old riding buddies.

Good call Nickgti, just got to find a shop with one to check if the hangers are the same or not.

dlovett - Member
Good call Nickgti, just got to find a shop with one to check if the hangers are the same or not.

Will have a look over the weekend if I get the chance, and report back.

nickgti - Member
...Dune every time so far.

Normal Man - Member
I've only ridden my HT once since getting my fatbike.

New mongoose argus at tredz for £599 due in 11/4/16.

Anyone tried one?

There's a lot of expensive £750+ on one fatties on eBay at the moment. Some not selling.

Used was the way forward for me. Practically new Genesis Caribou. £600.
Heavy (obvs) but fun.

On its first outing this week (don't tell my Dr - I REALLY shouldn't have been riding but it was a lovely day)

[img] [/img]
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Everything fat I see on eBay or on here for sale tends to be a large frame for some reason. Looking for a 17" or equivalent fatty.

I wouldn't rule out a large fatty.I take a 30 inch leg Jean and am right on the limit of a 400mm seat post . That's on a medium OO Fatty.

I'm a 30 inch leg jean and ride a 16.5 inch genesis latitude. Is that medium fatty territory?

32 isl and I ride a 17" Genesis Caribou. Perfect fit. Feels similar dimensionally to my mates medium Fatty.

Thanks for that. Been keeping an eye out for a 17" caribou.

The Fatty has this stupid arrangement that means you need a super long seat post.
Mine is an 18 frame.
[img] [/img]

Is it a low stand over height so when you step off in snow and sink, there isn't a panic in the ballroom ?

It does make a lot of sense in snowy conditions, hence a long seat post.

^ that was the advice I was given when buying mine. Not that I've seen any snow 😥

Well I've just bought a medium fatty on eBay with original floaters and nates. Pick up tomorrow. Can't wait.

I have a small Genesis Caribou, possibly for sale £599+ 25 for postage.

XT brakes, Panaracer nimbles, Fizik saddle, braided hoses, Easton bars, Salsa seat collar, Thomson seatpost

Too late for me andyha. Just picked up my new (to me) fatty. Bit of headset adjustment needed and some pedals and we're go.

Pictures?

Pics sent.

Andy

I think he meant burko's fatty......

I did!

So what's the best value for my limited wallet. The Calibre Dune or the Voodoo Wazoo?? I've limited cash & a limited spares box to dip into for upgrades.

The awesome paint job & better looking frame on the Dune appeals but the Hydraulic brakes on the Wazoo seem far better for the cash.

I think the Dune falls down if you don't have the parts/budget to upgrade the brakes tbh. Having said that, you can get brand new Shimano Altus for £20 an end...

IMo the Dune really wins on potential/upgradability. But that's no use if you're not going to upgrade it so if it's being judged on the OE spec, it's got some holes.

Is it possible to run a ten speed rear shifter mech cassette and chain and keep the original crankset? On the dune this is cheers

Aye, no bother. Do you want 2x10 or 1x? Both'll work, it just has some different implications.

Well I'd probably be just looking at keeping the x2 but then going x1 when I could afford a nice cinch crank

I stuck a single ring on mine, worked well til I accidentally mangled the crank arm, I wouldn't have bothered upgrading so soon but I got fed up having to tighten it every 10 miles! I did take advantage of the cinch and go down to a weenie little 28T oval, but the 32T oval I had before was alright.

I never actually set mine up 2x10 but the crank should definitely be compatible- in fact it seems like the exact same crank is sold as 2x10. And front gears are front gears, pretty much, it does the exact same job whatever's on the back.

Nice one thanks I think I'd defo need a 30 or preferably 28 on a x1 set up so I'd need cranks for that cheers 😉

30 works on normal cranks btw! Got that on the #enduro/mincetank. But oval is bloody lovely on a fatbike IMO and there you get into minimum 32/ but it's oval so isn't it like a 30?/actually nobody can agree.

Yeah I was thinking oval I'd read a few places people saying oval 32 not as easy as round 30. Mmm may just have to think about trying out a round 30 too 🙂

I can send you an oval 32 if you want to give it a try, pretty sure I have the one I used to have in the Dune just lying on the floor... You like it, you can buy it, otherwise just send it back and it'll only cost you 2 2nd class stamps to learn something useful

I have no idea how they equivalent up tbh, I swapped a 32T round for a 34T oval on the hardtail per recommendations but it felt harder. But maybe I was going faster and just did't notice, or something. How much difference oval really does for efficiency/power/ease I couldn't tell you but I do like it on the fatbike, just because it takes some of the blob out of pedalling.

Thanks I'll have a think check the bank and for sale ads and use Sheldons gear calculator and give you a shout
Cheers mate 😉

Cheers Northwind. So upgrade the brakes & mAybe fit wider bars?

Really quite tempted by a,Fatty. If I can wangle it I might try going through the bike to work scheme on the basis that it's a new commuting bike. On that basis it might end up being the Voodoo as there's no Go Outdoors in Aberdeen.

any further word on the large Dune guys?

been holding tight since november but still no closer to knowing if the large will appear. Its been hard to resist the Fatty at heavily discounted prices but ive decided that I really want the futureproof features on the Dune.

Having said that, combined with the 40% discounting yesterday it was possible to pick up a Fatty rolling chassis (including Floaters at £15ea) for around £480 including carbon fork and El Guapo hubs. And around £420 if going for the Fatty Trail frame!

Hey dahedd, I can't tell you what the stock Dune brakes are like as like most people, I changed them before I rode it for the first time. I have to admit that for technical downhill riding on it, I would suggest 203/180 rather than 180/160, but I really like hitting the brakes at the last second! I also raided my parts bin and so it got any upgrades that were going spare. I normally use Rental 740 Fat Bars on it but I have also used a 680 Jones Bar knock off to try one out and shortly it will be better a real 710 Jones Bar. I preferred the handling of it with the wider bars, but that might because I am used to riding wider bars on my other bikes.

I also have a DT Swiss br710 rim that is being built as we speak with Alpina spokes/nipples and a Son 28 1510 hub, so that should seriously drop some weight and give me proper power for long distance riding.

I've also go some Specialises Ground controls coming to try it with.

This weekend is battle on the beach, and the following weekend is the Braunton 150, so the Jimbo Jims will be staying on it for a little while longer.

I also haven't ridden any of my other bikes since I bought it and might well sell them as it is a pretty good one bike does all bike.

Oh and if the Scott mech hangers fit it, buy some up now!!!

d

Photos will have to wait I'm afraid. It was dark by the time I got home but had a blast for 20 mins last night after putting the exposure toro mount on the bars. Fun on some sandy bits and a bit lumpy on the road from my place.

Been out on it tonight for a potter around in the woods etc, just following some grassy tracks, vehicle tracks through the woods and gravelly paths. Absolutely great. I was just pottering along grinning from ear to ear. The thing just goes where you point it, no messing about, holds brilliant lines, really steady and seems to float over stuff. I'm totally smitten. I did reach the limits of traction by accidentally missing the track and riding into a bog in the dusk before I switched my lights on. I sank further than the bike once I got off!

Even a cruise back through the burbs and down the high st was fun....

I'm still riding my Dune completely stock (and still smiling doing so!). Brakes tend to grab a bit on initial pull and have been considering some of the Altus or Acera hydraulics currently on offer at CRC (£35 and £40 for a set).

Also they're offering deals on drivetrains but was unsure about going 1x, if the 2x 10 works it becomes a lot more appealing with my puny legs...

Got M355s on my Wazoo (Altus?) and they as good as any Shimano brake I've had - work as well as the M770 XTs on my big bike, and they even have lever reach adjustment. They'd be the last thing to get upgraded.

I'll be going 2x10 with some Zee/SLX bits from CRC (and keep using the front mech and shifter), and will probably try 1x with a 30T whenever someone (superstar/Uber etc) has a sale on 😉

have been considering some of the Altus or Acera hydraulics

The pads are bottom-loading, the levers have no adjustment and don't have a hinged clamp but actual braking is imo better than the Deore/SLX/XT setups on my other bikes. The levers have a more direct Hope-like feel but still have a light action and crucially they feel the same even when the pads are worn

My Big Jon came with Acera 396s they're the best brakes I've used for a long time. Imagine Juicy 3s made by Shimano and you won't go far wrong.

+1 - I've been pleasantly surprised with the whole bike spec. The saddle was a bit :0 to start with, but I'm getting used to it.

For clarification both the BR-355 and 396 cheap brakes DO have reach adjustment. They are the same except lever length.

I've bought 6+ sets over the years, bloody fantastic they are, just watch the front hose length @ 750mm iirc.

For those that haven't seen the CTBM email or Ison Facebook announcement, if the old school/adventure style geometry of the Pugsley appeals (like it did to me) then complete builds are now available for £900.

I've got westbrooks to list the big john mech hanger, placed an order so I'll keep you all posted if it fits or not

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

So being new to this fat bike lark, why wouldn't I buy a pugsley build from CBTM?
Anything else worth considering for the price?
It'll be primarily for Cairngorms riding if that makes a difference?

I guess it depends what you're after. I'd still not buy a Pugsley even with the new price but I'm just not really in that market, for me lighter frames, bigger tyres, modern standards, bluto compatibility etc are a selling point. I'm probably not a traditional fatbikerist and it's a traditional fatbike. Mine's still never been to the beach, I don't go adventuring over swamps etc, it's just a bike doing normal bike things on big silly tyres so I don't think I'd benefit from most of the Pugs' perceived strengths, and I'd certainly miss some of the things it can't do.

Thanks Northwind, so what would fit your criteria upto the 1k mark then?

I agree with how NW sums up the Pugs as traditional in fatbike terms.

I own one and I love it but I was looking for a traditional fatbike and for something completely fresh compared to my 29er ht.

It really depends on what you are looking for.

For me, I still think a home-upgraded Dune tbh, as long as it fits.- mine is more or less a £1000 bike now and I don't see anything else at a grand that competes other than the Fatty Trail (it has a Bluto, I have better tyres, brakes, finishing kit, drivetrain and a dropper). That's unfair of course, I've used some used parts, but realistic still since it's a near perfect base for this sort of upgrading.

But like I say, that's built to my tastes, I guarantee there are other folks who'd look at it and think it's all wrong for their fatbiking.

I think the dune is going to be too small - can't see a large on the website.
So I'm thinking Caribou from Winstanleys or a Pugsley from CTBM add proper shifters and brakes for another £100 and it should be sorted. Which one though?

The Voodoo Wazoo?

Just a heads up. The green Pugs comes with thumbies but the black has the trigger shifters.

Although mine is black, I had the thumbies fitted at point of sale.

crashtestmonkey - Member
The Voodoo Wazoo?

Enjoying mine. Fitted some On-One carbon forks, plastic DMR pedals, RSP carbon bars I-beam post and some Deore brakes I had knocking about and ghetto tubeless. About 33.7lbs now.

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Loving my Dune. Thanks all who have taken part in the earlier lengthy debate on what fat bike is worth buying (Northwind - you really need to contact GO Outdoors to discuss commission).
Just one question for you guys - I'd value your opinions.
The dune does not have the small brace joining the chain stays found on my other HTs between rear wheel and BB. Not that I can do much about this, but could it present any probs further down the line??
Cheers

What do you guys think of this? Which is about 425 GBP.
[img] [/img]
http://reidcycles-stg.tmp.anchor.net.au/reid-ares-26-fat-bike.html

I'm in NZ so can't get to a Go Outdoors easily...

I love that frame! Desperately needs a chunky carbon fork to match. Upgradability's a wee bit bummed by the QR wheels, wonder what size the hubs are and if it's got room for more tyre?

I likes it.

Northwind have you had any problems with the freehub on your Dune?
Mines skipping a pawl now and then, I've been told Go outdoors HQ are getting warranty/spares stock end of the month.
The bearings they use in general are shite

@ soma rich
Not the same model but an interesting review here:

https://fat-bike.com/2016/01/reid-zeus-review-by-euan-pennington/