December 15/15 19:13 pm - Canadian Cyclist Gift Guide - Part 4

Posted by Editor on 12/15/15
 

Late last year, a new style of mountain bike hit the mainstream market - Fat Bikes. By now, you have likely seen one of these mountain bikes - what looks like a pretty standard off-roader, except for the oversized, almost donut shaped tires they sport. [See our introduction - Fat Bikes - An Overview]

We came into them pretty skeptical - after all, how different could a mountain bike be with just fatter tires? After testing five different ones, we came away as believers: "a fat bike can be a sweet handling incredible fun machine".

So, for Part 4 of our Gift Guide, we are suggesting a Fat Bike for your favourite rider. It will be the bike they can ride all winter, no matter how snowy or muddy the conditions, and they are guaranteed to come back with a grin on their face.

The market has exploded, with excellent options starting from under $1000. There are even 24" wheeled models for younger, shorter riders.

If your rider already has a Fat Bike, then consider new tires - it became quickly clear during our testing that tire selection made a huge difference in riding characteristics and, if the bike was a less expensive one, then it will get an immediate and noticeable upgrade this way. You can choose from tires for deep snow, hard pack, slush ... check with your local bike shop expert for the best choice for your terrain.

We are currently testing new models from Kona, Felt and Specialized - check for our reviews in the new year. However, here are the reviews from previous tests:

KHS 4 Season 3000 - a Fat Bike for All Seasons

Rocky Mountain Blizzard - The Mountain Biker's Fat Bike

Trek Farley 6 Fat Bike Review - A Heck of A Lot of Fun

Specialized Fatboy Expert

Norco Bigfoot 6.1 Fat Bike - A Familiar Name Makes a Successful Return