Those Bikes with the Fat Tires...
Ever heard of a fatbike? Or maybe you are more familiar with the term fat tire bike.
The fatbike, fat-bike, or fat tire bike is a new trend that has actually been around in the cycling community for quite some time. It all started with the off-road adventure bicycle, dating back to the late 1900s, when riders in the west began modifying their bikes to withstand a variety of conditions and environments. Years later, those off-road bicycles were slowly customized and transformed to travel across the wintry terrain of Alaska for long-distance racing and riding. These days, fat tire bikes can be seen blazing through the snowy trails of the Adirondacks, cruising along the sand of Long Island's beaches, and everywhere in between.
What’s so special about these seemingly normal bikes with massive tires? The secret to the utility of larger "fat" tires is their increase in surface area. A typical mountain bike has tires that range from 2 to 2.4 inches in width, while the typical road bike measures to 23-25 mm. Fatbike tires come in at an average 3.8 inches wide! With this extra width, fatbike tires make contact with a larger surface area, leading to more stability and traction. Additionally, the larger-sized tires allow the bikes to operate with very little air pressure, so they seemingly “float” across challenging terrains such as snow, sand, mud or rocks.
The best part about fat tire bikes is that cycling can now take place almost anywhere, at any time of year. Bicycle shops have found that fat tire bikes—and their accessories—are not only enticing to experienced riders but also to newbies. They are so easy to operate that people of all ages can enjoy the ride.
Let this new trend take you places you’ve never been before, or enjoy your favorite New York trail during the winter this year. The possibilities are endless with the fat tire bike! Will you be hopping on for the ride?
Looking to buy a fat tire bike? Find your nearest bike shop along the Erie Canalway Trail at https://www.ptny.org/cycle-the-erie-canal/plan-a-trip/bike-shops. Happy riding!