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New Fat Bike help.

us Offline JAfromMn

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New Fat Bike help.
on: September 26, 2014, 11:28:17 PM
I'm planning on buying a fat bike to get me around this winter and I could use some help getting the right bike for me


There expensive I would like to spend about 500 - 600.00 usd


If there's a member who knows alot about bike's I'd appreciate it.


 6.0 ft tall and about 190 lbs

The framed Minnesota 2.0 caught my eye first. It comes with street tires for free.
 http://www.the-house.com/qfrmin217wo14xzz-framed-bikes.html

but the gravity bullseye fits my budget better.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/fat-bikes/fat-bikes-bullseye-monster.htm

thanks again I need all the help I can get.
« Last Edit: September 26, 2014, 11:34:30 PM by JAfromMn »
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us Offline Higgins617

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #1 on: September 26, 2014, 11:42:00 PM
If you wouldn't mind stepping up to the top of your budget range, I think you'll be a lot better served by the Motobecane Boris x5 for 599. The 100 bucks steps you up to a brand with a bit more of an established reputation(and my friend has a Motobecane HT that has seemed like a very solid ride) as well as a better rear derailleur and jumps to 9 speed rather than 8. 8 speed parts are all but phased out now on anything above entry level, heck even my 9 speed stuff is being tossed aside.

But I just feel that the Motobecane will be a better bike out of the box, as well as a better platform to upgrade and move forward with if you were to feel so inclined later on. Plus I'm pretty sure the Motobecane is just a rebadged KHS frame(or so I think) and those are very well liked.
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us Offline JAfromMn

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #2 on: September 27, 2014, 12:00:03 AM
If you wouldn't mind stepping up to the top of your budget range, I think you'll be a lot better served by the Motobecane Boris x5 for 599. The 100 bucks steps you up to a brand with a bit more of an established reputation(and my friend has a Motobecane HT that has seemed like a very solid ride) as well as a better rear derailleur and jumps to 9 speed rather than 8. 8 speed parts are all but phased out now on anything above entry level, heck even my 9 speed stuff is being tossed aside.

But I just feel that the Motobecane will be a better bike out of the box, as well as a better platform to upgrade and move forward with if you were to feel so inclined later on. Plus I'm pretty sure the Motobecane is just a rebadged KHS frame(or so I think) and those are very well liked.

Thanks Higgins617

Got a link to a good place to shop for one
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us Offline Higgins617

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #3 on: September 27, 2014, 12:57:22 AM
They are also offered from the same site as the one you were looking at. My word definitely doesn't mean much, but given the choice I would go with the Moto.
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gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #4 on: September 27, 2014, 01:10:33 AM
I can't say I've had any experience of fat bikes, but they look hard work to me or am I missing something???

Don't get me wrong they look very cool, but unless your riding on snow, sand ect  they just look really heavy going? :)

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us Offline JAfromMn

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #5 on: September 27, 2014, 01:13:42 AM
I can't say I've had any experience of fat bikes, but they look hard work to me or am I missing something???

Don't get me wrong they look very cool, but unless your riding on snow, sand ect  they just look really heavy going? :)

Sent from the astropathic choir.

That's was my thoughts also but I will be riding on snow alot so it should work great for me.

« Last Edit: September 27, 2014, 02:46:29 AM by JAfromMn »
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ca Offline derekmac

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #6 on: September 27, 2014, 01:15:17 AM
Ok, I can't help but ask, but what is the point of the fat bikes?  They look cool, but I just can't figure them out. :facepalm:


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gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #7 on: September 27, 2014, 01:16:15 AM
Agreed they'd be perfect for that :)

I think they are a great chassis for having an electric motor added :)

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us Offline JAfromMn

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #8 on: September 27, 2014, 02:44:12 AM
Ok, I can't help but ask, but what is the point of the fat bikes?  They look cool, but I just can't figure them out. :facepalm:


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There made for riding through snow

Something I hope to do alot of this winter.
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us Offline Higgins617

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #9 on: September 27, 2014, 07:25:24 AM
The huge tires give you way better float and traction on loose surfaces like sand and snow, same you you airing down the tires on the jeep, more contact patch makes it easier to keep traction and control. When you're dealing with sand and snow on a regular mountain bike, no amount of airing down can really make it too effective on surfaces like that.

On top of that, mountain biking is a sport full of people who want to stand out and have the next ridiculous thing. It quite entertaining actually. You should see some of the full suspension designs from the 90s.
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gb Offline tosh

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #10 on: September 27, 2014, 10:02:03 AM
The huge tires give you way better float and traction on loose surfaces like sand and snow, same you you airing down the tires on the jeep, more contact patch makes it easier to keep traction and control. When you're dealing with sand and snow on a regular mountain bike, no amount of airing down can really make it too effective on surfaces like that.

On top of that, mountain biking is a sport full of people who want to stand out and have the next ridiculous thing. It quite entertaining actually. You should see some of the full suspension designs from the 90s.

Yes please.
I saw a picture yesterday of a fat bike...WTF
It just looks like a huge amount of effort  trying to peddle them, but they do look cool! 8)
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ca Offline derekmac

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #11 on: September 27, 2014, 01:46:19 PM
Ok, I can't help but ask, but what is the point of the fat bikes?  They look cool, but I just can't figure them out. :facepalm:


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There made for riding through snow

Something I hope to do alot of this winter.
The huge tires give you way better float and traction on loose surfaces like sand and snow, same you you airing down the tires on the jeep, more contact patch makes it easier to keep traction and control. When you're dealing with sand and snow on a regular mountain bike, no amount of airing down can really make it too effective on surfaces like that.

On top of that, mountain biking is a sport full of people who want to stand out and have the next ridiculous thing. It quite entertaining actually. You should see some of the full suspension designs from the 90s.
Ok, that makes sense.  Unless they are geared lower, they look liked they'd be harder to pedal though.  I've never seen one in person, but I wouldn't mind trying one out.


us Offline JAfromMn

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #12 on: September 28, 2014, 09:21:39 AM
I'm feeling the Minnesota 1.0 today.

http://www.framedbikes.com/mn1/

I think I'd get around good in the winter on a 9 speed.


Less shifting .

This will be a short distance bike. A 1/2 mile or so ride .



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gb Offline Zed

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #13 on: September 28, 2014, 10:37:35 AM
I rode a friends surly fat bike on swanage beach his had 9 speed and a single front ring 33 i think,it rode really well i did crash at low speed while turning  :D great fun though  :tu:
« Last Edit: September 28, 2014, 10:44:12 AM by Zed »


au Offline PTRSAK

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #14 on: September 28, 2014, 10:46:32 AM
Looks like a perfect candidate for a 1000W rear hub-motor. :D


us Offline JAfromMn

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #15 on: September 28, 2014, 08:16:13 PM
I've decided I'm going to buy my bike from the house board shop.

why

Because they advertise here >

http://www.the-house.com/fat-bikes.html
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us Offline sir_mike

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #16 on: September 28, 2014, 09:34:45 PM
I've decided I'm going to buy my bike from the house board shop.

why

Because they advertise here >

http://www.the-house.com/fat-bikes.html

So which one did you decide on Joel?  The Minnisota 2 or 1 or other?


us Offline JAfromMn

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #17 on: September 28, 2014, 10:39:18 PM
I've decided I'm going to buy my bike from the house board shop.

why

Because they advertise here >

http://www.the-house.com/fat-bikes.html

So which one did you decide on Joel?  The Minnisota 2 or 1 or other?

Minnesota 1.0 maybe a 2.0 if I can swing it.

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us Offline JAfromMn

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #18 on: September 30, 2014, 05:53:31 AM
I'm undecided again. 

 :facepalm:
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us Offline Higgins617

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #19 on: September 30, 2014, 05:58:54 AM
Lay it out for me man, what's on your mind. I love bikes :D
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us Offline JAfromMn

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #20 on: September 30, 2014, 06:20:13 AM
I got to get a fat bike before the snow flys and im over my head.

I want to get the best bike I can for my money and try stay around my 500 600 hundred dollar budget.

The more reading I do the more I think I need to spend to get my money's worth.

I'd really like to buy it from the house board shop since they advertise here but the cheapest bike the have is the Minnesota 1.0 and maybe for 730.00 I'd be better getting a bike from somewhere else.
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us Offline Higgins617

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #21 on: September 30, 2014, 06:35:25 AM
While I don't know much about fat-bikes, I do know quite a bit about components as I'm a fan of all types of gear and gadgets related to my hobbies. My advice is to avoid anything below the Sram X-5 line or the Shimano Alivio. While I'm sure the lower options would still be servicable, it isn't until you go above both of those in the hierarchy that you get into serious mountain bike equipment. I'm personally a fan of Shimano's drivetrain parts and have used everything except the cream of the crop XTR parts at some point. That being said, the Bike direct option are all Sram, save for the more top of the line options.

I wouldn't really be doing you a service by telling you to get the option you had posted that came with the 8 speed. It isn't the fact that it has 8 speeds that is the issue, it is that 8 speed has basically be relegated to bottom end now, so chances are there are plenty of corners cut to keep the price down as well. Nothing worse than spending your hard earned money and not getting the quality you expect. I really do think the Gravity Bulls-eye is below where you want to be, especially if you're this dedicated to the idea.
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us Offline JAfromMn

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #22 on: September 30, 2014, 06:53:14 AM
What do you think of the Minnesota1.0 vs motobecane X5
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cy Offline dks

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #23 on: September 30, 2014, 07:48:02 AM
Several years ago I saw a kid who had put motorbike tyres on his bicycle.....

I though it looked pointless, but maybe he was onto something....   :)
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ca Offline derekmac

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #24 on: September 30, 2014, 12:45:22 PM
JA, the ads that you see I believe get pulled based on the websites you browse.  If I go on electronic sites, I'll get electronic ads, car sites, car ads, ect.

Are you able to go to a shop and test ride any bikes?  Also, have you looked to see if there are any good used ones for sale around you?  My bike was an $800 bike new, but I bought it used for around $150, and was in fantastic shape


us Offline Higgins617

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #25 on: September 30, 2014, 05:56:26 PM
Derek is right with the used market, there's no chance in hell I could have owned my bike new. But Fat bikes are a new things, so not too many are on the used market. We have two used on my craigslist and they still want a grand.

To answer your other question, the Minnesota gives you a better crank and better brakes, but sticks you with only one gear out front compared to the motobecanes two which are shifted by a pretty nice front derailleur. So I guess that part is a bit of preference. But honestly they're pretty comparable.
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us Offline JAfromMn

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #26 on: September 30, 2014, 06:12:33 PM
JA, the ads that you see I believe get pulled based on the websites you browse.  If I go on electronic sites, I'll get electronic ads, car sites, car ads, ect.

Are you able to go to a shop and test ride any bikes?  Also, have you looked to see if there are any good used ones for sale around you?  My bike was an $800 bike new, but I bought it used for around $150, and was in fantastic shape

Yeah I live in small town Minnesota there isn't any bike shops and nobody is selling used bikes near here.

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us Offline JAfromMn

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #27 on: September 30, 2014, 06:49:25 PM
Hydraulic vs manual brakes ???
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us Offline Higgins617

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #28 on: September 30, 2014, 06:59:14 PM
Both have mechanical discs, which I prefer. Hydraulics are supposed to give better modulation and lever feel, but I really have no interest in having to bleed the brakes on my bike. Your opinion may vary though. Avid is known to have the lock down on the Mechanical disc market with the BB7s, the BB5s are a step below, but I would still put them above the Novelas on the Motobecane.
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us Offline powernoodle

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Re: New Fat Bike help.
Reply #29 on: September 30, 2014, 08:08:53 PM
I had to google "fat bike" just to know what you guys were talking about.  I think I lost my cool factor about 20 years ago.


 

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