The bikes are cool with wide tires. A fatbike is a bicycle with wide wheels for riding on snow and off-road. Fatbike in Russia

There are a huge number of different bicycles in modern stores, and it is sometimes difficult to decide what to buy. Especially if you decide to buy a bike for the first time. First you need to decide why you are buying a bike. In general, they are divided into two types: sports and recreational, which in turn have different types. The cost of the bike varies depending on the configuration. And you need to know various subtleties so as not to make a mistake with your choice. To make it easier to make a choice, we offer a detailed classification of types of bicycles, their differences and purposes.

There are several types of mountain bikes. Their purpose is off-road driving. The wheels are covered in wide tires and have good treads. The bike has a rigid frame and disc brakes to withstand fairly heavy loads. In some models you can find a hydraulic brake. These bikes are characterized by various types and the number of shock absorbers. Bicycles of this type have a fairly high speed range, which varies from 16 to 30 shifts. Models in this category are also suitable for city roads, but their main purpose is driving in mountainous areas.

They are also suitable for professional extreme sports riding (freeride, downhill). Depending on their functions and components, mountain bikes are divided into several types:

Non-specialized.

A good choice for city and country roads, non-aggressive driving. This type is purchased by most cycling enthusiasts for everyday riding. Typically, such models are equipped with only one (front) shock absorber. They have disc brakes and an average seating position, which helps to move quite comfortably off-road, but not very rough terrain. The frame of these models is usually made of aluminum. But you can also find models that accommodate a carbon frame. It will be stronger and lighter, but the cost will increase accordingly. You can also add a trunk, running board or fenders to the assembly when purchasing.

Cross Country

The reinforced frame is the first thing that distinguishes this type from the previous one. In this type you rarely see models with a frame without a reinforced structure. Due to the elongated front triangle, they have a low landing. Thanks to the transmission and shock-absorbing fork, this model remains comfortable even with significant bumps. This type is a double-suspension type, that is, it has two shock absorbers. Models of this type with one suspension (front) are less common. They differ in cost and functionality. Suitable for driving on rough terrain, as well as for city roads.

Freeride

The main focus of these models is high off-road speed, which is why they have forks and rear suspension(with stroke up to 170 mm). They have a strong frame and reinforced steering wheel. Among these models you will not find a hardtail, which is due to the need for high energy intensity of the suspension. Therefore, the cost of this type is quite high. If you are not planning high-speed racing in mountainous areas, it is better to buy a cross-country bike, the design of which is generally similar in characteristics and purpose

Downhill

For high-speed descent from the mountains, professionals use this particular model. It has a heavy-duty frame, long-travel forks and two shock absorbers (rear shock absorber travel is up to 300 mm). The bike is quite heavy: its weight reaches 20 kilograms, which is due to withstanding heavy loads. These bicycles are intended only for the extreme sport of Down hill, as it is difficult to move around the city or uninclined rough terrain. The price of bicycles in this subgroup is very high. This is due to the complex and durable structure of the frame, as well as the presence of a long-travel suspension based on spring-oil shock absorbers.

Fatbikes

Bicycles for riding on snow and loose soil. You can also move freely on the sand. But they also go well on an ordinary city road without damaging the tires. Also suitable for walking in mountainous areas, but not for any extreme sports. It performs its functions due to the fact that it has tires with a width of 4’’. These bikes also have a strong frame and rigid fork, which allows them to withstand heavy loads. In bicycles of this type, the lack of any shock absorption is compensated by wide and thick tires.

Road

The name of this design speaks for itself - the purpose of the bicycle is to ride fast on the highway. It is made of composite materials or aluminum alloys, resulting in very light weight (up to 10 kg). A distinctive feature of such bicycles is the handlebars, curved down, smooth and very narrow tires (from 18 to 28 mm). It is also complemented by a carbon fork and caliper brakes. More modern and expensive models have disc brakes. This bike is intended for good road use only. Under these conditions, with minimal energy expenditure by the cyclist, he is able to reach speeds of up to 25 km/h. On coarse asphalt the speed drops significantly, and on normal city roads this bike can suffer significant damage.

Bicycles for city roads

This type is suitable for traveling around the city at a leisurely pace and in comfort. Therefore, such bicycles have large wheels with wide tires and shallow tread. A mandatory component is chain protection. A distinctive feature is the fairly high seating position. These bikes are usually made with a small number of internal shift gears. It also features multi-speed planetary hubs. This type is divided into male and female - characterized by a low frame (common among city bicycles). If you have little space in your apartment, a folding city bike with the same characteristics as the others in this category will be the solution.

Urban ones also include cruisers and choppers. Bicycles, kind of stylized as products from the 60s and 70s. They have a characteristic elongated frame, often a basket. The structure and components are the same as an ordinary city one. The main difference is that it is single-speed. This type also includes road bicycles - single-speed, heavy models. Now they have been replaced by fixies, also with one speed, high seating, often a high frame and large wheels. Only they are much lighter than the old ones road bikes. If you need a bike to move around the city slowly and comfortably, a fixed-gear bike is an excellent choice. Or choose another city bike with more gears.

Bicycles for tourism

Touring is a kind of hybrid of a mountain and road bike. It is designed to travel long distances in comfort and with enough high speed. Although the components of this type of bicycle are very similar to those of a road bicycle, they have significant differences:

• The length and composition of the frame (touring has a longer frame and is made of chrome-molybdenum steel);
• Wheels (tires are wider, wheels are stronger);
• Range of speed gears (touring has a larger number);
• Possibility of installing additional equipment.

The cassette and rear derailleur are the same as a mountain bike. Thus, we get a hybrid that can reach good speed on the highway, withstand light loads, and is also not as picky about the quality of asphalt as a highway hybrid. This is an ideal option for traveling with cargo over long distances.

Hybrid

Another bike that combines the qualities of several others, as the name itself says. This type is a universal mountain bike model. If touring is closer to road touring, then this model is practically the same as mountain touring, with the exception of some details:

• The frame is lighter and higher;
• Larger wheel size;
• Has shock absorber forks with 60mm travel;
• Weaker tread;
• Additional accessories are installed.

This bike is well suited for traveling over relatively rough terrain, long trips on the highway, and also for walking around the city. This model is the most common, as it is universal and has a relatively low price.

Each store has large selection children's bicycles. You can purchase 2, 3,4 wheel models, depending on the age and skills of the child. There are 4-wheeled models with removable wheels - for a growing child this is the most convenient option, since he will be able to use it further as a 2-wheeled one. Different types three-wheeled products are waiting for their customers. Particularly convenient are models with a visor and a basket at the bottom. But they are suitable for younger children. For older people, you can choose any 2-wheeled bicycle. With aluminum or carbon frames; rigid (without shock absorbers), hardtail, or double suspension. Children's bicycles also come in many different designs, so every child can find something they like.

Stunt bikes

Recently, cycling has become widespread among young people. And if some travel long distances using touring cars; or head off to the mountains with the right mountain bike. Then others stay in the city and find use for their two-wheeled “friends” here, performing various tricks. There are special bikes for this – trial bikes and BMX bikes. They are small in size, have 20’’ wheels, durable frames, pegs and a special mechanism that allows you to repeatedly turn the steering wheel in a circle without damaging the brake cables. The difference between these two bikes is that the trial bike is made without a seat, which allows you to do more difficult tricks. BMX, in turn, is the same bicycle in structure, only with a seat.

Electric bicycles are also gaining popularity. They exist in various types– both sports and recreational. The bottom line is that they are equipped with a hub motor (usually the rear wheel). That is, it is distinguished by an electric drive, controller and battery from other types of bicycles. The electric motor helps reduce the cyclist's energy consumption when riding. This is a useful acquisition for driving around the city as it can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h (depending on the engine power). The disadvantages are that it needs to be recharged (in economy mode it can travel up to 60 km), and also a considerable weight (20 -30 kg). Electric bicycles are quite common as pleasure bikes, so it will be easier and more profitable to buy an electric bicycle in Sevastopol or other coastal cities for a walk along the embankment, where it is possible to charge it.

There are other, exotic varieties of bicycles. But they are more likely intended for various festivals, walks around the city, or commercial rental events. Tandems are bicycles for 2 or more people. Although in our country they are a curiosity, abroad they are quite common as transport for moving around the city. Ligerad is a bicycle with a horizontal position of the human body. Quite comfortable for walking, often equipped with a visor. Velobar – if this design can be classified as a type of bicycle. It is equipped with an electric motor and pedals. There are also various bicycles designed for exhibitions, festivals and competitions. They have quirky, interesting shapes, but are not designed for everyday driving.

Let's sum it up

We looked at the classification of types of bicycles, their functions, differences, disadvantages and advantages. All you have to do is ask yourself: “Why are you buying a bike?” And depending on the operating conditions, choose the type that suits you. When doing this, take into account the weight, height and aesthetic preferences of the cyclist.

Bicycle with wide wheels - Fatbike

You can find a lot on the modern bike market: mountain bikes, road bikes, and even such a miracle as a fatbike. What is this? If with the former everything is more or less clear, then the word “fatbike” often confuses even the cyclists themselves. This vehicle In many ways it resembles a regular mountain model, but it can accommodate 4-inch wide tires. For comparison: MTB is equipped with tires only up to 2.4-2.5”. Typically, a bicycle with wide wheels (fatbike) is equipped with a rigid fork, but with such a width there is no need for additional shock absorbers.

Let's look into the past

To better understand what a fatbike is and what it looks like, it is advisable to dive a little into the history of its origin. The first such two-wheeled vehicles appeared when an Alaskan inventor stretched 3-inch tires to fit the size of a bicycle rim. As a result, he became the founder of the first company specializing in the production of components for fat bikes. This discovery made it possible to enjoy long trips even in snowy weather, so the new product was warmly received and appreciated by many bike connoisseurs.

Then the designs began to be used even at the South Pole, and Maria Leierstam drove the fat bike. The impressive discovery was adopted by well-known bicycle manufacturers. They created the ideal two-wheeled vehicle, equipping it with high-quality components and improving the design itself.

The evolution of fat bikes

This vehicle was rapidly gaining popularity, so there was a need to “lighten” it a little. Initially, a bicycle with fat tires weighed a lot, and it was impractical to use it in urban conditions. Gradually, manufacturers began to produce lightweight models, experimenting with available options. The most basic fat bikes have a carbon fiber frame and weigh less than 10kg. Improvements in the suspension, transmission and braking system made it possible to achieve such indicators.

Which type is better?

A fat wheel bike can have different types of suspension. To decide what exactly you need (double suspension, hardtail or softail), you need to analyze some points:

• quality of roads;
• the amount you are willing to spend on the purchase;
• desired weight of the structure.

A dual-suspension fat bike is ideal for mountainous terrain, but its weight is slightly greater due to the presence of additional elements. In urban conditions, it is better to use a bicycle with wide hardtail tires. It has a fairly stiff ride and is well suited for smooth roads.

If we talk about cost, it can be noted that the price of different bicycles often varies significantly. The more a two-wheeled vehicle is adapted to driving in extreme conditions, the more expensive it will cost. This directly depends on the configuration of the fatbike. For mountainous areas, an improved transmission is needed, as well as suspension and other elements.

The weight and size of a fatbike can also be considered factors influencing the choice. Recommended tire width is 4 inches. This indicator provides sufficient cross-country ability and makes the bike suitable for movement in extreme conditions. Total weight fatbike - 14-17 kg, with the main weight falling on the wheels:

• rim - approximately 1 kg;
• tire - about 1.5 kg;
• chamber - 250-350 gr.

A fat bike weighs quite a lot, but it performs on the move in much the same way as a . The choice is yours!

Advantages and disadvantages

Is it worth buying such a model? Should I switch from a mountain bike to a fat bike? Every vehicle has pros and cons. Two-wheeled vehicles with thick tires are no exception. The main advantages of fatbikes:

• overcoming any obstacles along the way;
• versatility (due to which the bike is suitable for riding in mountainous areas and flat roads);
• stylish design that will emphasize the brutality of its owner.

A bicycle with fat wheels moves easily on sandy surfaces. Conventional models cannot cope with them.

The advantages of a fatbike are quite significant, but there are also disadvantages:

1. Heavy weight. Some models weigh about 20 kg.
2. Appearance of wheels. The tires are large, and this often confuses others. People who have no idea what a fat bike looks like are especially surprised. If you are not afraid of judgment from others, this will not be a problem.
3. High cost. Very high-quality parts and components are used in production, so such products are not affordable for everyone. On average they cost 500-1000 dollars.
4. Costs for equipment and repairs. Sooner or later you may need service, so you will have to invest in a fatbike in any case.

Many users note that there are significantly more advantages. Today, such models are rapidly gaining popularity, pushing traditional vehicles into the background.

What fat bikes can you buy?

There are a lot of bicycles with wide tires today. The assortment is simply amazing in abundance! Photos of new products that impress with their design and perfection constantly appear on the Internet. Here are some of the fat bikes that have captured the hearts of thousands of cyclists:

1. Huraxdax MAXX. This model attracts mainly the younger generation. It is remarkable for its variety of bright colors and excellent running properties.
2. Jagamosta MAXX. Characterized by the presence of a Rohloff bushing, as well as compatibility with the largest tire sizes.
3. Surly Moonlander. This bike won first place at the Eurobike 2014 exhibition. The design is discreet and attractive in design. The representatives of the stronger sex really liked her.
4. Zeal 2015. Children's model with hydraulics and aluminum frame. Ideal for those who have dreamed of conquering snow-covered plains from a young age.

Technology moves forward, and the cycling industry does not stand still. Now there are mountain bikes, dirt/street bikes, road bikes, hybrids, and dirt and sand bikes. There are so many! If previously the most common were 26-inch bicycle wheels, now 27.5, 29 and even 36-inch wheels, as well as fat bikes, are gaining momentum.

Advantages of 29" inches

A mountain bike with a wheel diameter of 29 inches is called a 2iner. The name comes, as you might guess, from the English numeral “nine”, which translated into Russian means “nine”.

29" wheels in Europe have almost replaced the 26" wheels so familiar to everyone. Bicycles with large wheels do not crash into small obstacles, because these rims are flatter in relation to various stones, bumps and other road irregularities. The rims of large wheels are less vulnerable to deformation from potholes, because they create a kind of bridge between the two sides of the pit. That is why it is easier to drive down stairs on a 24-wheeler than, for example, on 26, 24 or smaller wheels.

Over time, more and more XC racers are riding 29-wheel hardtails and winning competitions.

It can be practically proven that 26 and 29 wheels with the same tread patterns and tire thickness will ride differently. This happens because the Niner has a larger contact area between the tire and the road, which means it has better grip.

Special frames have been created for 29ers, since large wheels will not fit in a 26” frame. And even if they do fit, the geometry of the frame will be disrupted.

By enlarging the wheels, the base of the bike increases, which leads to improved stability of the bike on the track.

Niners have high forks, which makes the bike's handling worse. But technology does not stand still, and manufacturers are reducing forks as much as possible.

Large and heavy wheels are more difficult to accelerate than small ones, which can dramatically affect the outcome of races. But there is a positive aspect to this: the roll has become better!

Bikes with 29-inch wheels are best for tall riders. Their weight will be distributed like that of the average person at 26”. While short riders will feel uncomfortable on 2iners.

So, let's summarize.

Advantages:

• easy overcoming of small irregularities;
• improved road grip;
• sustainability;
• roll up

Flaws:

• poor handling;
• huge mass;
• inconvenient for short cyclists.

Everything is good in moderation

Another bicycle wheel standard not mentioned was 27.5 inches (or 650B). This wheel combines the advantages of both 26” and 29” and is the golden mean between them. 27.5” is the ideal choice for those who find it difficult to choose between a 26” bike and a 26” bike!
On descents, 27.5" wheels are no worse than 29", and in turns they are as maneuverable as 26". At the same time, the road grip is excellent, just like the 29ers. Also, many frames and forks designed for 26 wheels can accommodate 650B, meaning no changes to the frame design are required, which is a definite plus.

Many cyclists believe that if they had originally started producing wheels of size 27.5, then no 29- and 26-inch wheels would have even appeared!

More, even more!

There are also bicycles that have incredibly large wheel sizes - 36 inches! This monster easily, like a tractor, crosses tree roots, stones, holes, and hummocks. These bikes are made for those who want the biggest bike!

This bike is perfect for riding along forest paths and hiking.

This wheel diameter is used very rarely due to the fact that even 2iners have enough cross-country ability, and the weight has become even greater. These bikes are good for city riding or off-road use, but there is no point in using them in competitions. While light and maneuverable bikes are produced for cross-country racing, the 36er is not suitable for this discipline due to its heavy wheels and poor handling (a high fork impairs steering control).

The bike also performs well on smooth, straight roads: this is facilitated by good tire grip and roll-up. From all of the above, it follows that a bicycle with 36 wheels is versatile, but not aerodynamic enough for road racing and too heavy for mountain biking competitions. The weight of a road and XC bike is critical.

The 36er is the choice of people for whom speed is not so much important as cross-country ability. You can even ride up the stairs on this bike! The front wheel of the bike clings to the steps and easily climbs them. Such a bike doesn’t even need shock absorption: the wheels act as a suspension fork.

Obviously, frames with special geometry are produced for 36 wheels. In order for the wheels to fit into the frame without greatly increasing the base, the seat tube and lower tube of the front triangle are made arched.

The carriage is located much lower than the rear dropout, which indicates the bike’s center of gravity is shifted down. Thanks to this, the bike is more stable on any terrain.

Only a few companies produce tires, tubes, forks and other components for bicycles with a wheel diameter of 36”. That's why you won't find as wide a range of parts for the 36er as you do for other bikes. In addition, the parts are expensive. This is a very big minus for the described type of bikes.

Advantages:

• softness even without cushioning;
• opportunity comfortable ride on difficult terrain;
• sustainability;
• good inertia.

Flaws:

• heavy weight;
• absolutely unfavorable cross-country ability/controllability ratio;
• high cost of components.

“Fat bike” – fatbike

A fatbike is a bicycle with wide, thick-walled tires. Tire sizes range from wide (26x3.5”) to extra wide (26x4.8”). This is twice the tires we are used to! The width of the rims is usually from 60 to 100 mm, and they are made lighter by making holes in places where strength is not very important. A fatbike will allow you to go where any other bike would sink in snow, sand, mud and other loose surfaces!

The first company to begin mass-producing fat bikes was Surly. At the moment, this company has a wide range of bicycles and accessories for them. Today fat bikes are produced by such well-known companies as Specialized, Norco, On-One.

When this type of bike first began to be produced, it was equipped with a rigid fork and there was no rear shock absorber. Now they began to produce special wide soft forks for fat bikes, and then dual-suspension ones appeared. The shock absorption allows the rider to have even better control of the road and overcome much more serious obstacles.

Frames and forks are made from aluminum alloy or carbon. Due to the heavy large wheels, even carbon mountain bikes with wide wheels weigh a lot, and aluminum ones even more so. Often, fat bikes are equipped with planetary bushings that require virtually no maintenance due to the tightness of the system.

The wider the bicycle wheel, the easier it is to maintain balance on it. Fat bikes come first in this! They are very stable, especially on weakly inflated wheels. Low pressure in the chambers is not only an advantage, but also a disadvantage. Tires inflated to high pressure (which is important, for example, for road bicycles) practically do not sag under the influence of weight and do not reduce speed. Fat bikes, on the contrary, have low tire pressure, which is why most of the cyclist’s efforts are “absorbed” by the wheels, and inertia is significantly reduced. Because of this, they are absolutely unsuitable for driving on asphalt.

The Pugsley World Championships are held on a snowy track in February.

The principle of operation of wide tires with low pressure in the tubes is similar to skis: a large contact area with the surface keeps you afloat. Thin tires would simply fail in the right conditions. The ability to inflate tires to low pressure (from 5 PSI) is the key feature of fat bikes. This bike is indispensable for winter rides in snowy areas or for riding on sand and tall grass.

Riding a fat bike is somewhat different from riding other types of bicycles. Here you need to hone your technique and think through your movement trajectories. This way you will achieve maximum controllability of your bike.

Advantages:

• excellent maneuverability;
• sustainability;
• controllability.

Flaws:

• high cost components and spare parts;
• not intended for driving on flat surfaces;
• heavy weight

The trend towards larger wheels has been noticeable for many years. Perhaps in the near future 26 wheels will be replaced by more practical analogues. On the other hand, the buyer should always have a choice, and manufacturers most likely will not deprive a person of choosing his favorite 26 wheel size. Or maybe bicycles with even larger wheels will become popular in the future?

Who would have thought that clunky fat bikes (bikes with fat wheels) that look at home in the ice of the North Pole or on the moon would catch on and become popular? However, it happened. Below we will take a closer look at fat bikes in general and some models in particular.

Fat refers to tire widths greater than 9 cm. As fat bikes have evolved, they have had suspension front and rear and the frame has become increasingly lighter. Carbon fiber frames are becoming more common, and companies like RockShox (Bluto RL) and Lauf are making suspension front forks for them.

Bicycles with wide wheels and their short history

When Surly introduced the fatbike concept in 2005 with the 3.8-inch Pugsley, it wasn't looking to commercialize a mass-produced product. Just as cyclocross allows you to train outdoors in the winter, fat bikes have allowed mountain bike owners to ride year-round on almost any surface.

The first fat bikes were created for riding in the snow of North America, but their appearance soon attracted the attention of lovers of long-distance riding on various types of terrain. The extra grip of the wide, low-pressure tires (0.69-1.03 bar) meant steeper climbs and descents were available. The large ground contact area allows you to float through snow, sand, mud and rocks rather than bite into them.

The Surly Pugsley was little different from other bicycles and had a steel frame (with anti-corrosion coating inside) and a rigid fork. The dropout spacing is 135mm front and rear, large enough for 3.8" wide tires at the rear and with room for 4.8" tires at the front. Most modern fat bikes are descendants of the Surly Pugsley. There is no doubt that all popular manufacturers will offer similar models.

The evolution of fat bikes

As fat bikes become more common, demands increase to reduce their weight and increase the variety of options available. The most advanced bikes with carbon fiber frames weigh less than 10kg, thanks to improvements to the suspension, drivetrain and brakes. 11-speed drivetrains like the SRAM XX1 and XO1 eliminate the problem of mechanical contamination.

Tires

Like mountain bikes, there are many different tires for different types of terrain. Surly features road-ready Black Floyd tires that maximum pressure can reach 8.27 bar. The 45NRTH uses Dillinger studded tires for more extreme conditions (like ice). There are many other options available in widths between 3.5 and 4.8 inches. The wheel diameter of fat bikes is usually 26 inches.

Frame materials

Like regular bicycles, fat bikes are available in different price ranges and with different types materials. More affordable ones use CroMoly chrome-molybdenum steel, average price often means the use of aluminum, and the most expensive options use carbon fiber.

Note that steel bicycles are easier to repair than aluminum or carbon fiber ones. If you fall over a pothole or break a fork, your local repair shop is more likely to be able to fix it.

What type of suspension should I choose?

Whether to choose a hardtail, softail or dual suspension bike depends on three factors:

• Road quality
• How much are you willing to spend
• Do you need an ultra-light bike?

Degree of versatility

Can a fat bike be a mountain bike at the same time? With some reservations. A larger traction area means more resistance, so more effort must be applied to achieve the same speed. The same applies to heavier weights. The advantage is greater cross-country ability - expeditions and different continents will become more accessible.

Accessibility for all ages

Fat bikes are attracting more and more attention from beginners. More grip makes it easier for less experienced cyclists to control. Having gained experience, they will be able to switch to bicycles with thin wheels.

Conclusion

For lovers of variety who can afford an expensive bike, a fat bike will provide a unique riding experience on any surface and in any season.

Bicycles:

Salsa Bucksaw

Aluminum frame, RockShox Bluto fork - The Salsa Bucksaw is available in two variants, simply named Bucksaw 1 and Bucksaw 2. The former has better performance with a SRAM XO1 drivetrain and a quality Reverb seatpost. The frame is made of high quality carbon fiber. The wheels and tires on both variants are Surly Marge Lite rims, Salsa Fat Conversion hubs and Surly Nate tires.

Salsa has made a name for itself in the off-road bike category, so you can be sure of the quality of the Bucksaw. The hub sizes are 150mm at the front and 177mm at the rear.

Mondraker Panzer

Fatbike initial price category. The frame and fork are made from 6061 aluminum, plus you get Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. A good Race Face chainring and bottom bracket are matched to SRAM shifters, shifters and cassette. There are even premium features like internal cable routing and tapered steering column bearings. The hub sizes are 135mm at the front and 190mm at the rear.

Scott Fat Ed

Fat Ed uses a RockShox Bluto 100mm fork with remote lockout. Gear shifting is handled by SRAM X7 and X9 with Shimano hydraulic discs, and a Syncros Finishing Kit is available. Uses E Thirteen system, Eddy 2x10 transmission. The frame is made of 6061 aluminum, Syncros rims, Kenda Juggernaut tires. The hub sizes are 150mm at the front and 190mm at the rear.

Salsa Beargrease

Price:$5,599 to $1,499 depending on model, salsacycles.com

If any bike has been polished over the years of fatbike development, it's the Salsa Beargrease. His goal is speed and minimal weight. Available in Beargrease Carbon XX1, entry-level Carbon 1, Beargrease 2 with aluminum frame. All three feature a fixed carbon front fork. The aluminum model has a 142 x 15mm front axle and a 170mm hub with cam at the rear. The rear has a carbon hub, 177mm dropout spacing, 15mm and 12mm axles.

Specialized Fatboy

Price: Fatboy $2100, Fatboy Expert $2700, Fatboy Pro $4200

Specialized makes the Fatboy for those who love to ride every chance they get. There are three models - Fatboy, Expert and Pro. All have an aluminum frame, and the Pro has a RockShox Bluto fork. The rest have a carbon fork with 5-inch tire clearance. The Expert uses an E.thirteen 2 x 10 chainring system. The Pro uses a RaceFace chainring system, Shimano XT brakes and a SRAM 1 x 11 Xo1 derailleur. The hub size for all three is 150mm at the front and 190mm at the rear.

Singular Puffin

Singular Puffin was born on the Kickstarter portal and the first customers received it at a reduced price. The project was successful and allowed the start of industrial production.

The frame is made from double butted 4130 chromoly steel and is available in three sizes. Bicycles have a number of interesting features, like the world's first 100mm eccentric bottom bracket and modular cable guide lock for derailleur or single gear bikes. The center distance is 170 mm at the rear and 135 mm at the front, with sufficient clearance for wheels of 4.8 and 4.9 inches, respectively. The seatpost size is 27.2 mm.

Genesis Caribou

Price: about $1730

Genesis made a name for itself with road and hybrid bikes like the Croix de Fer and Equilibrium. The Caribou features 20-degree steering adjustment and TRP Spyke mechanical disc brakes that are easy to maintain in all conditions. There is also a Mjolnir Seamless Double Butted Cromoly frame and fork with Rear spacing 170 mm and Fork spacing 135 mm. Medium size tires - 4 inches wide.

Kona W.O.

The 2015 Kona WO has shed 2kg compared to the year before and has a more traditional look, albeit less aesthetically pleasing. Uses Race Face Ride cranks, Shimano SLX and Deore shifters, Avid BB7 calipers, Sun Ringle 80mm rims and Kona Finishing Kit. The frame is made of butted 6061 aluminum with dimensions of 135/190 mm.

Norco Sasquatch 6.1

The Canadian company has a lot of room to expand with its fat bikes, since the climate of this country knows how to test their strength. The developers promise a combination of efficiency and comfort, as well as amazing maneuverability.

The specs are a combination of Shimano XT and SLX derailleurs and SRAM Guide R hydraulic brakes. The ubiquitous RockShox Bluto forks have 100mm of travel, with a 150mm front hub size. The standard Vee Snow Shoe tires are 4.5 inches wide. Rear wheel hub size 170 mm with eccentric.

KTM Fatrat

KTM has a long history of producing quality off-road bikes. There are 15mm and 12mm Thru axle bushings front and rear respectively, with internal wiring routing for a sleeker, cleaner look. The hardware consists of SRAM derailleurs and Shimano hydraulic discs, with a RockShox Bluto fork. Quality Schwalbe Jumbo Jim Evo's tires and Selle Italia X1 Flow saddle are used. Weight is an impressive 16.5 kg.
Felt El Nino

It is the cheapest on this list and looks great. The geometry is designed for a relaxed ride, as are the specs: single speed, rigid fork and mechanical rims. The frame is made of aluminum and uses 4-inch tires. Distance 100 mm at the front and 170 mm at the rear.

Finally, let's talk about the Russian market.

Here, bicycles with wide wheels still remain a curiosity and are represented in an absolute minority compared to traditional models. For example, you can name the store velosite.ru, where there are more than three dozen models of fat bikes at prices ranging from 35 thousand rubles to 217 thousand. The first fat bike store in Russia, Bikesgate, is not very diverse and offers only four bikes at prices ranging from 60 thousand to 189 thousand. More options available on the website biyi.ru in the range of 20-73 thousand.

Over the past two years, fatbikes—or wide-wheeled bicycles—have become increasingly popular. Their homeland is the USA. The fashion for fat bikes reached Russia and other countries of Eastern Europe not so long ago. But it is here, in areas with long winters and a lot of snow, that these devices have every chance of becoming as popular as in their homeland.

History of origin

Appearance in the 1970s. bikes with a lot of gears, powerful braking system, shock absorption, wide tires, lightweight and durable parts made it possible to significantly expand the geography of trips. Those devices were all-terrain in their own way, but they found their main application on mountain routes, which is why they received the name “mountain”. Their mass production took place in the early 1980s. By 1986, mountainbuck sales outpaced city, touring, and road bikes. Cyclists appreciated all the advantages of all-terrain two-wheeled transport.

It was easy to ride on it country roads, rough terrain, rocky soils. But limitations remain: soft surfaces and steep slopes are difficult to pass by mountain bikes. Their production technology was improved: new lighter materials were used, work was done with the suspension, efforts were made to improve external characteristics. This improvement was aimed at increasing speed and improving rough terrain. On surfaces such as sand, mud and snow, the mining apparatus remained ineffective.

Further transformation of the mountain bike took place in the late 1980s. in two areas of North America - Alaska and Mexico. Alaska annually hosts winter competitions to overcome long distances. Participants themselves work to improve their vehicles, coming up with various design additions to them. Obviously, driving on snow requires a large area of ​​contact with the rubber surface. This was the main direction of improvement: amateur engineering thought gave birth to bizarre devices, for example, with three rims on one wheel.

At the same time, in Mexico, a man named Ray Molina, who loved to ride on sand and ravines, made an 82 mm rim, on which he put a specially made 3.5-inch (8.9 mm) tube. A test ride through the sand dunes of Chihuahua showed that the resulting bike copes well with the task. Alaskan Mark Gronweld noticed Molina's invention at one of the international bicycle exhibitions in 1999. Having made minor changes to the design, he got what is now called a fat bike.

In 2000, Alaskan winter competitor Mike Kuriak won an incredible race over 1,500 km, becoming the first to complete the distance in 15 days. His fatbike was made based on the ideas that the Mexican Molina had previously implemented.

Mass production of devices on wheels of increased width began in 2005 by the American company Surly under the Pugsley brand. The first fatbike was made in purple with a 65 mm rim and wide 3.7-inch tires. By 2007, a dozen, mostly American, companies began producing fat bikes.

Advantages

1. A fatbike is an all-terrain two-wheeled vehicle.It is effective on surfaces such as:

• snow and ice;
• stones and gravel;
• sand;
• dirt;
• off-road (including forest).

1. Suitable for winter.

While a vehicle with extra-wide wheels can cope well with any challenging surfaces, its greatest value in regions with long winters is, of course, its snowmobile ability. In our latitudes, an ordinary bike can be used for a limited period of time a year.

For many, this is a problem, because they have the habit of riding, but it is impossible to implement it. One of winter options To keep fit are exercise bikes. Fat bikes open up new horizons in this regard and allow you to ski in winter even in the forest - where others go skiing.

1. Ideal shock absorption.

Bumps, sticks, small logs and tree trunks, and other surface irregularities are not a problem for a wide-wheeled bicycle. Thanks to weakly inflated chambers and design features, a fatbike has the ability to travel up to 7 cm without any discomfort for the rider.

1. Saves energy.

On difficult surfaces, the fat bike has an easy roll. Where fatigue sets in after several kilometers of mountain biking, a fat bike continues to move at ease.

1. Can be transformed into a regular bicycle.

An extra pair of wheels 2-2.5 cm wide and 29’’ in diameter will allow you to turn a fat bike into a regular mountain bike. This requires the frame to be offset. Frame offset is a displacement of the stays to the side by 1.75 or 2.8 cm. In this case, the axis of the bushing becomes offset relative to the axis of the frame. Rim offset is the displacement of the spoke holes on the rim relative to the plane of the rim. The offset frame allows the use of standard mountain bike hubs with a width of 13.5 cm, with rims up to 10 cm wide and tires up to 4.8’’.

Most well-known manufacturers produce fatbikes with offset frames.

• Bicycles with increased wheel widths require low pressure in the chambers. Their best qualities The fatbike is capable of overcoming sticky soils, sand and snow at a pressure of about 5 PSI.

• Don't rush. A fatbike is not designed for fast riding. He starts hard, is inert, but is always stable.

• Often 7-17 PSI is optimal. It allows you to both drive on prepared trails and overcome light off-road conditions.

• On hard surfaces with tire pressure below 15 PSI, the device is difficult to control.

• At pressures above 20 PSI, the behavior of a fat bike on hard surfaces is no different from a mountain bike. However, on uneven surfaces, severe shaking and difficult control are ensured.

• Fat bikes are not studded tires. Despite the fact that they cope well with overcoming icy surfaces, you should be careful, do not drive faster than 15 km/h, maintain balance, and do not make sharp turns.

• For any icy incline, it is recommended to get off the bike and climb it under your own power.

Manufacturers and prices

The main manufacturers of wide-wheeled bicycles are located in the USA. The cost ranges from $1000 to $5500.