IS Mountain Biking The Snow Recommended?
Winter biking or snow biking is a relatively new winter sport that is done with either a regular MTB or a Fat Bike. With its wider tire, a Fat Bike is the best choice for riding on packed snow, groomed ski trails, or other types of snowy terrain. However, winter riding, even without modifications, can be done just fine with a regular mountain bike.
As a true Fat Bike can be very expensive it would be a shame for you to pay $1,500 or more for a decent Fat Bike and find out that snow biking is not your cup of tea. So, do your research before you make the investment. This article will help you do just that by giving you a brief introduction to the Fat Bike, and it will then examine the pros and cons of snow riding with a mountain bike.
The Fat Bike
HISTORY
Fat bikes have not been around for very long, but they do have a rich history. Alaska in the 80s was where the first Fat Bike was manufactured and used. (They were mainly used for getting people to point A and B in harsh, frigid Alaskan weather conditions) Soon, Fat BIkes became popular in other areas that were known for unusual riding surfaces. I.E. They were used in New Mexico as the Fat Tires glided over the sand just as well as they travel over snow.
Fat Bike’s commercial popularity did not take off until around 2005 when Surly Bikes, manufactured the steel-framed, Pugsley. (The Pugsley is still being sold and can be purchased for a bit over $2,000) Now, in 2021, there are several manufacturers, from mainstream bike manufacturers like Mongoose to the specialized Fat Bike maker Kona. There are also Fat Biking competitions.
How is The Fat Bike Different From The MTB?
Wider Wheels
Based on appearance alone, except for the wider tire (3.7 to 5.2 Inches, Mounted On Rims that are 50 to 100mm) and huge wheels, a Fat Bike resembles a typical mountain bike. There also other differences that are not so apparent. For example, as you likely guessed the Fat Bicycles wheels are also heavier than traditional mountain bike tires. Because of the wheels being extra heavy, the manufacturers tend to save weight elsewhere on the bike by not adding extra gears, using spartan-looking frames, etc. The other main difference between a Fat Bike and the MTB is that many Fat bicycles only need a front suspension because the massive tires are able to absorb shocks that can occur with rough trail conditions.
The other difference is that a Fat Bike tire requires less air pressure than other bicycle tires. This lower pressure, along with the added tire width, allows for a smoother ride and more shock absorption. In the case of snow biking, lower tire pressure allows the tires to glide over the snow instead of falling into the snow. For Fat Bikes, the tire pressure PSI can be as low as five. The exact pressure depends upon the environment.
Mountain BIke Vs. FAT Bike, Which Is Better In Snow?
Because of the wide tire, wheel-base, and design, the Fat Bike is superior to the mountain bike when it comes to traveling over deep snow. The wider tires simply float better on deep, fresh snow than traditional, skinny MTB bike tires and wheels.
Pros and Cons On Winter Mountain Biking In Snowy Terrain
A Fat Tire Bike is not for everyone. A regular MTB, depending upon the trail surface that you are planning to ride on and the weather conditions may work perfectly fine for you. The two biggest reasons why you should stick to your MTB are cost and versatility.
Cost
Fat Tire bikes are among the most expensive bikes around and a decent one will cost you at over $1,500. The most expensive ones cost over $2,000. Additionally, replacement tires, or studded tires, for fat bikes cost up to $200 per tire. Granted, you can easily spend that amount on a high-end MTB. But, you can also spend less than $600 for a decent entry-level MTB.
Versatility
The Fat Tire Bike’s wide wheels are designed for traveling over snow and sandy conditions. And it does this job exceptionally well. The wider tires though come at the price of added weight, which means that they are slower than a regular MTB.
When Is A Fat Tire Bike Necessary?
Terrain Conditions
The biggest factor concerning if a Fat Tire Bike is needed or not is the terrain. An MTB should do just fine if you are planning to ride on groomed and maintained snowmobile trails. However, if you are going to be primarily riding on untamed, deep, fresh snow, or off-trail you’ll need the extra width of Fat Bike tires.
Can You Just Put Wider-Tires On Your Regular MTB?
Sure, you can. But, it will not be the same as a factory build Fat Bike. Fat Tire Bike’s axle spacing is designed to accommodate tires with a width from 3.7 Inches to 5.2 Inches. MTB does not have this same axle space.
Options For Making Your Mountain bike Ride Better In Snow
If you are serious about riding your mountain bike in the snow, you need to consider purchasing wide and studded bike tires for your snow biking.
Bike Snow Tire Options
Wide Tires
Depending upon where you are riding, studded bike tires may not even be necessary. But, wide bike tires are definitely a good investment for not only mountain biking in the snow; but also other types of off-road riding. Most mountain bike tires are around 2.25 to 2.5 inches wide. Obviously, 2.5 inches is considerably less than even a minimum, 3.7-inch width of a Fat Bike Tire. So, wide MTB tires will get you better traction; but not nearly enough traction as a 3.7″+ Fat Bike tire.
Studded Bike Tires
For both, MTB and the Fat Bike, studded tires, depending upon the trail conditions, may be highly recommended or even mandatory. Studded bike tires serve the same job as a studded car tire-They help with traction, which can reduce the chance of an accident, improve speed and/or overall riding performance.
Studded bicycle tires are built the same way as a car tire in that, depending upon what model you purchase, they can have over a hundred metal studs that stick out around 1mm out of the tyre. The studs provide increased traction, which in turn helps prevents slips-ups and accidents when you are accelerating, cornering, or braking on snow or icy conditions.
High-End Studded Tires
Some higher-end, studded tires also have tread patterns, which are designed to move snow and slush away from the path. This results in the studs and tires being able to dig into more stable ice. A studded bike tire also may use soft rubber that grips the ground better in cold weather conditions.
How Many Studs?
You can purchase studded tires that have from 72 to over 300 studs. More studs equal better traction. The number of studs needed depends upon the trail conditions. For example, for a groomed trail or just commuting around town during the winter, you will likely do better with fewer studs. On the other hand, if you are going riding on deep snow, in the backcountry, more studs will be needed. So, based upon where you will be riding, only purchase the number of studs that will be needed.
Should You Use Studded Bike Tires All Year?
The simple answer to this is no. Studded bike tires are excellent for snow and other weather conditions. However, a snow bike tire has a few major down points, in that the studs result in increased rolling resistance and it is also harder for you to pedal your bike.
Tire Pressure
The tire PSI for Snow Mountain Biking should be started at around 10 PSI and, based upon the results, you should either lower or raise the PSI.
Final Thoughts
Snow riding, depending upon the individual, can be an awesome experience. However, you may find out that that you cannot stand the bone-chilling temperatures (personally, I can’t stand the extreme cold) and the slower speeds that happen because of snowy trails. So, first, try snow biking with your MTB to see how you enjoy the experience. And if you do, you should then consider purchasing a Fat Bike.