With the burgeoning recognition of fats tire bikes in Minnesota, it’s simple to overlook that it wasn’t so way back that the “fatty” was seemed upon by many bicyclists as extra an object of curiosity than a fascinating mode of two-wheeled recreation and transportation. At present, fats bikes herald $50 million and extra in gross sales, up from $6 million in 2013.

However the ubiquity of those off-road bikes with outsized tires disguises the truth that some individuals, even at present, have nonetheless not but gone past the curiosity stage. Some holdouts could also be leery of biking within the winter, or are hesitant to make a considerable funding in a motorbike they suppose has restricted capabilities. Others might merely consider {that a} fats bike simply appears to be like onerous to experience.

Whatever the purpose, in case you’re a kind of who’ve been reluctant to make the leap, you’ve come to the proper place. We’ve requested Twin Cities space fats bikers, bike store operators and path stewards to assist separate fats bike reality from fiction and make potential riders really feel a bit extra snug about additional exploring fats bike using.

What’s a fats bike?

For all sensible functions, fats bikes are mountain bikes with wider tires. Fats tires are sometimes about 4 to five inches vast, roughly twice that of conventional mountain bikes. This measurement, with the decrease air stress they require, makes fats bikes simpler to experience in snow and sand and on different surfaces that may trigger narrower tires to hold up.

Fats bikes weren’t invented in Minnesota, however Bloomington-based Surly Bikes is mostly credited with jump-starting the trade with the introduction of its Pugsley mannequin in 2005. At present, most bike makers supply their very own line of fats bikes.

Some cyclists adapt their conventional mountain bikes for winter using by altering to studded tires or tires with snow-appropriate tread. However riders who should not averse to including a brand new bike to the secure are more and more turning to fats bikes as their most popular alternative for using within the snow.

Furthermore, “a lot of these individuals are deciding that their fats bike isn’t only a winter toy however a greater mountain bike,” mentioned Nick Milton, supervisor at Tonka Cycle & Ski in Hopkins. “They’re ending up utilizing their fats bike year-round.”

However because it’s December in Minnesota, we’re going to concern ourselves with winter using.

Tips on how to try to purchase

“Nice bikes should not essentially costly,” mentioned Chelsea Strate, who rides and races fats bikes and is an proprietor of the Hub Bike Co-op in Minneapolis. Like different bicycle sorts, although, high quality can come at a price.

“You will get the job completed for $700,” Strate mentioned. “However in case you’re in search of higher elements and lighter weight, which makes for a sooner, simpler experience, the worth goes up from there.”

Milton mentioned, “I evaluate a fats bike for round $1,000 to a pickup truck or a sport utility car. A motorbike that goes for $1,500 and up is extra like a high-performance sports activities automobile. It’s thrilling to see the look on individuals’s face after they experience them.”

Sellers do understand that potential patrons is likely to be hesitant to open their wallets to put money into an exercise they might not find yourself liking. So moreover allotting schooling, recommendation and demo rides, many sellers supply fats bike leases for many who need an prolonged tryout. Some renters be part of group rides that assist newcomers get a really feel for the game.

As well as, a number of locations that function fats experience trails within the Twin Cities space, together with Brookview Golf Course in Golden Valley, supply rental bikes to make use of on their trails. Additionally, Three Rivers Park District runs a number of fats bike courses every winter at Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake; the courses embrace a newbie stage tour, with tools supplied.

What it seems like

April Morgan, a longtime triathlete who lives in Hopkins, took up fats biking as a substitute for utilizing a motorbike coach indoors through the winter months.

“Now, when now we have our first snowfall, I’m itching to be exterior,” she mentioned. “Fats biking offers me the identical pleasure I had as a child taking part in within the snow. It’s like being on a Massive Wheel.”

“Individuals are sort of cautious and tentative the primary time using a fats bike on a snowy path,” Milton mentioned. “However 100 ft into it, they appear again and say, ‘Hey, that is simple.’ They’re flabbergasted that this massive fats tire bike is definitely simpler to experience than the one they’ve at dwelling.”

Fats bikes are extra secure than many individuals count on, and so they aren’t significantly troublesome to pedal, Morgan mentioned. “However it’s a totally different sort of using. It’s important to get snug with understanding how the bike goes to react. You may’t flip fairly as sharply; it’s good to decelerate and go a bit wider within the turns, and also you don’t pedal as quick.”

Riders do want to concentrate to circumstances. Heavy, moist snow can find yourself as ice when temperatures drop, whereas drier snow that falls at decrease temperatures often presents higher grip. “Icy pavement or path is just not place for somebody simply attempting to study,” Morgan mentioned.

What you want

As of late, virtually each outdoor retailer pushes sport-specific clothes and equipment. However anybody in Minnesota who will get exterior within the winter shouldn’t have to make any main attire purchases to take up fats biking.

“Most of what you want — base layers, insulation and shell — might be already in your closet,” mentioned Martha Flynn, a devoted winter rider who runs Crank Sisters, a company that helps women get entangled in off-road using by way of the Minnesota Excessive College Biking League. “You don’t wish to lose the chance to be using within the winter by pondering you want a protracted checklist of issues.”

Good gloves and insulated footwear are clearly essential, however Flynn mentioned it’s really preferable to start out off a bit chilly — you’ll rapidly heat up. “Most individuals put an excessive amount of clothes on,” she mentioned, “then they sweat and get moist, and that’s no enjoyable.”

Preserving your face heat is the most important subject, Morgan mentioned, which makes a balaclava or neck gaiter a vital merchandise of clothes. Some riders add a pair of ski goggles to the arsenal, however others discover massive sun shades can work simply as nicely to maintain a chilly wind out of the eyes.

Morgan mentioned many winter riders decide to not purchase costly insulated bike sneakers which might be designed for clipless pedals, however as a substitute use platform pedals after which merely put on common winter boots.

The place to experience for recreation

The Twin Cities space has many simple, flat trails which might be good selections for brand spanking new riders, mentioned Chris Chavie, who blogs at MN Bike Path Navigator (mnbiketrailnavigator.blogspot.com).

“When you haven’t labored out the muscle mass you want for rigorous climbing, search for these locations that don’t have a lot elevation change,” he mentioned. “You don’t wish to encounter a bunch of hills early in your experience and find yourself winded.”

Chavie’s weblog, together with the web site run by Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists, are glorious sources for details about skill-appropriate trails. Matt Andrews, the group’s government director, really useful a number of groomed single monitor trails for newbies: Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove; Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan; Carver Lake Park in Woodbury, and Lake Rebecca Park Reserve in Rockford.

The group, which maintains 85 miles of trails at 11 areas, additionally maintains up-to-date path circumstances on its web site (morcmtb.org).

Commuting on a fats bike

Driving a fats bike isn’t just enjoyable and video games. Riders resembling Flynn and Strate use theirs in order that they will commute to their jobs year-round.

Each mentioned, nevertheless, that the tough climate and quick days imply that they might not commute on their bikes as a lot within the winter as they do in summer time.

“Some individuals suppose they will’t name themselves a commuter until they’re doing it 5 days every week,” Flynn mentioned. “However that’s not true. Commuting even often within the winter is best than by no means. In reality, you retain it extra fascinating by solely commuting one or two days every week.”

Strate mentioned she tries to commute not less than twice every week. “It forces me to get a bit little bit of recent air and sunshine, and that will increase my high quality of life a bit within the colder climate,” she mentioned.

When commuting, don’t suppose you need to resign your self to being depressing, Flynn mentioned. She is aware of the situation of espresso retailers or different locations she will cease if she will get chilly.

“If the experience takes a very long time as a result of I ended for decent chocolate, that’s high quality,” she mentioned. “I’m experiencing the outside and embracing winter, and that’s good.”

Jeff Moravec is a contract author and photographer from Minneapolis. Attain him at jmoravec@mac.com.