Choosing a folding fat bike

A foldable fat bike has some differences compared to a regular bike. Many potential buyers are often interested in whether it is worth overpaying for the ability to fold vehicles and whether this will affect its durability. This article will tell you about all the features of the product and its characteristics.

If you believe the statistics, then fatbikes are often bought by people who have a need to ride in snowy areas or off-road.

A high degree of cross-country ability is achieved due to thick wheels, but this is not the only difference. Before you go to choose a fat bike, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics of such a product.

As mentioned above, very wide tires are installed here and this is the first thing that catches your eye when you see such a transport. The width of the tires of some models of fat bikes reaches 4.5 cm, therefore, such a design is able to ride without problems even on impassable mud.

Based on their needs, the user can adjust the atmospheric pressure in the wheels.

• If you need transportation for your trip to the mountains, then medium and high pressure are perfect for meeting this need.
• If the owners plan to use the bike for riding on rough roads or off-road, then the low atmospheric pressure will make it possible to use the fat bike for these needs. Note, however, that when riding with low atmospheric pressure in tires, the cyclist spends a lot more energy.

The basic configuration of foldable fat bikes and simple mountain bikes is no different. The design includes brakes, cassettes and switches. A sports foldable fat bike usually weighs about 17 kg, of which about 6 kg comes from the wheels.

If you examine one standard wheel in more detail, then the tire weighs 1.5 kg, about 400 g - the camera and 1 kg - the rim. Despite the great weight, at medium and high pressure, such wheels are quite easy to control and are distinguished by good maneuverability.

Another feature that distinguishes a bike from a folding fat bike. Along with large and weighty tires, a heavy-duty frame should be installed here.

If we compare the frame of a bicycle and a fat bike, then the second has a number of differences.

• The frame is much stronger. This is the most important metric that manufacturers pay the most attention to, based on what the bike will be used for. Usually, such vehicles are bought when it is necessary to drive on clay or sand. The sturdy frame is capable of handling any load.
• Made of steel... Consequently, the strength of the structure does not greatly affect its weight.
• More convenient. All unnecessary crossbars and pipes are absent here, which means that the functionality and comfort of transport are increased.

Thanks to the design features, users can turn an oversized fat bike into a small bike. For assembly and disassembly of the transport, no additional keys and tools are required. Besides, some models of these products provide the ability to fold the pedals and a removable handlebar. Thanks to this solution, owners can easily transport products even in the trunk of a car.

In the Russian market, folding fat bikes are not in great demand, they are often used in the USA, and in Canada they are the most common two-wheeled vehicles. Both adults and children can ride such a bike. Due to its versatility, the unit is gaining more and more popularity every year.

Premium fat bikes with a wide frame triangle in most cases have the ability to mount an electric motor. Hybrid models are most often already equipped with an engine, so that vehicles can cope with even the most difficult obstacles without any problems.

Regardless of the model type fat bikes can be transformed from winter to summer and vice versa. For this technique, the owners must have two types of wheels. Large tires are used for movement in winter, and for ordinary mountain trips, it is advisable to buy a pair of tires up to 2.5 cm, so the fat bike can be transformed into a regular bike.

Usually manufacturers produce different lines of fat bikes, each of which has its own set of functions. Therefore, buyers can choose simpler products for quiet walks or a powerful unit for out-of-town trips in difficult conditions.

Many owners make the big mistake of buying the cheapest fat bike on the market. In this case, experienced experts recommend not to save money, because this type of transport is created for driving in difficult conditions, and the simplest models may simply not last long enough.

The most popular models in Russia are fat bikes from Stels and Forward. And the brands Dahon and Brompton are deservedly recognized as the manufacturers of the most reliable units on the market.

Due to the low prevalence of such vehicles, modern stores rarely offer a decent assortment, so buyers are forced to purchase bikes through online stores. In this case, there are several important points that you need to consider when buying from a foreign online store:

• all products must be delivered to Russia;
• there must be a possibility of VAT refund;
• the seller should not require bank card details, however, the provision of a scanned passport is acceptable;
• buy with caution on websites that raise doubts, because there you can inadvertently buy a fake product instead of the original one, it is advisable to purchase a fat bike only on the seller's official website;
• Before buying, check how much it costs to ship the product and who pays the commission - the buyer or the seller.

To choose a foldable fat bike, you should know what models the manufacturers produce.

Hammer bikes boast a sturdy aluminum frame, reliable wheels with a diameter of 20 inches and a width of 10 cm. The product itself in the maximum configuration weighs 20 kg, But, despite this, it is able to withstand a person weighing up to 130 kg and a height of 190 cm. The pedals, as well as the frame, are made of aluminum. The manufacturer provides a 24-speed gearbox and a reliable braking system, the seat height is variable, it can be installed at different angles.

The Land Rover mountain fat bike with wide wheels is available in several colors, including white and black. Judging by the feedback from users, we can say that the frame here is practically "unkillable". The wheels are 26 inches, disc brakes, 7-speed gearbox. The bike is designed for people up to 195 cm tall, the rear wheel is equipped with a shock absorption system. According to the manufacturer, the unit can withstand up to 145 kg.

Cast wheels are the main element of this range of models. Thanks to the reduced air volume, the fat bike can ride smoothly even off-road. Each wheel weighs 4 kg, the bike itself weighs 17 kg. Installed transmission from Shimano, disc braking system on both wheels, transmission for 21 speeds. The frame is made of aluminum.

This fat bike is often used by students, food delivery men, postmen and couriers. The basic equipment includes a lock, a bag for small accessories, a double-hanging rack and a taillight. The headlamp is powered by a pair of AA batteries and makes driving easier at night.

A line of women's fatbikes owned by the Italian brand Bad Bike. All models are equipped with an electric motor and a battery that lasts for 5 hours of continuous use. The manufacturer provides a seven-speed transmission.

Of the minuses, only the price can be noted. This is the most expensive bike the cost of which fluctuates around 80,000 rubles. But as buyers note, the price here is fully consistent with the quality and the owners will definitely not regret the money spent.

For information on whether to buy a foldable fat bike, see the next video.