Get out there and start fat biking 5 tips to get you started By Noah Hoffenberg PITTSFIELD, Mass.
One part mountain bike and one part zeppelin. Will it float or fly away? And does it bounce? It can only be one thing: a fat bike. All it takes is a quick glance at those chunky tires, checkered chevrons, beefy studs, and the draw is undeniable. There's no stopping you. You want to try fat biking, but you're still a bit nervous. You've ridden other bikes before, like hybrid bikes or 10-speeds, so this shouldn't be any different, right? UpCountry wanted to find out, so we went to the experts, Mitch Plaine, of Plaine's Bike Ski Snowboarding, and Chris Wilke, manager of Berkshire Bike and Board.
Likewise, at Berkshire Bike and Board, you'll find experts who are committed to getting you the right-fitting bike beneath your feet (and tush). Check with Plaine's and Berkshire Bike and Board for their next demo days, to try out some fat bikes in person.
“The fit is the most important thing with any bike, especially with a fat bike,” Plaine said. Some fat bikes will offer steel framing, while others are carbon fiber. The desired weight for a bike is dependent on the rider, in addition to the rider’s wallet.
Wilke also notes that one of the most important things to have on a fat bike in New England is some studded tires. “Here in the ortheast, because we
Are you a kick-the-tires kind or person? Do you want to try it out, or do you want to own? Want the shock absorption of front or rear shocks? At most bike shops, you'll find the answers to all these things. “You can certainly demo a bike; sometimes we do them at no charge,” Plaine said.
FEATURES TO LOOK FOR
Plaine said that with fat bikes, riders often get to choose between the three main aspects when selecting a bike: frame material, suspension and components. Pedals can be platform or with clips, based on the personal preference of the rider, although, he says, sales are split between the two.
DEMO, RENT OR BUY?
have so many freeze-thaw cycles, there ends up being quite a bit of ice. It’s very common to be riding in the snow and encounter a patch of ice,” Wilke says. Studs for tires sell from $20 to $100, while tires that come studded from the manufacturer cost about $75 to $250 per tire, says Wilke.
42 | UPCOUNTRY MAGAZINE | January/February 2020
