Fat bikes have changed the entire biking community. I must admit the introduction of fat bikes has completely changed my perception of the other bikes. Currently, I over-rely on my fat bike to get to different areas. The only challenge I do experience with my fat bike is the ability to ride on different surfaces and how it performs on those different surfaces. Lots of people doubt the performance of fat bikes on pavement, worry not it performs well. However, the only challenge is speed.

Don’t worry, I am here to solve your worries and provide you with the best bike adventures on the pavement. So how do you make your fat bike go faster on pavement? You’ll need to tailor your bike to meet your needs on the pavement. All you need is but a fantastic grip to ride on pavement correctly. Remember, the bikes are not designed for surfaces like pavement but are excellent for use in the rough surfaces and slippery surfaces.

How do you maximize the grip? It’s all about getting the right type of tires. Congratulations to the manufacturers of the fat bike, the bike has a range of tires, each perfect for various conditions, however there are those tires that are good for all surfaces. It does not matter where you ride, such tires will offer you the best riding experience.

So if you plan on only using your fat bike on pavement then look for tires that are made specifically for use on pavement. But if your going to use your fat bike both on and off pavement then you might want to consider a all terrain tire.

The fat bike also has its disadvantages: one of the significant challenges when riding a fat bike is the rolling resistance. This is one of the reasons why a fat bike is slow on smooth surfaces like pavement. I hope that I have expanded on your understanding and usage of a fat bike on pavement. Yes! They can be used, but they are slow lol! Though the rolling resistance is not as bad as you may think it’s just a little bit. The weight of the bike can make your ride slightly rigid.

Fat Tire Bike versus Road Bike

Given a choice to make a purchase decision over again, I will always choose a fat tire bike. It’s the best bike you’ll ever ride. Anyway, let me not brag about my choices of bikes. Let’s briefly compare the fat bikes and road bikes. I hope after this, if you need a bike you’ll select the best bike for your needs.

Let me begin with my personal choice, and that is fat bikes are first compared to none. The enormous footprint of fat bikes help in spreading the weight over a large surface hence there good for use of people of both heavy and light weight. Road bikes may not be suitable for someone of a larger weight due to there smaller footprint.

The second and the most ordinary difference and advantage of fat bikes is the fact that a fat bike is an all-terrain bike. Ride it on pavement, rough terrain, or snow it will always perform. Compared to road bikes that can only be applicable for a specified surfaces and terrains. Imagine riding your road bike on mud, it won’t perform, right? Try fat bikes, and you will enjoy the whole adventure despite how muddy the roads can be.

The traction of a fat bike is comparable to none of the existing types of bikes. The low-pressure tires can enable you to grip different surfaces tightly. Imagine climbing terrains on such fat bikes. The traction of a fat bike is superior compared to any other bike. The traction of your fat bike is better than other bikes, also due to the size of the wheels. However, this traction can sometimes work against you. This may occur on Sandy, muddy and soil surface the bike does not dig into the ground and can lose traction in corners.

Compared to road bikes that are made to go fast and take hard corners at high speed. A fat bike might not be for you if your looking for a bike to ride only in a city.

Whenever I ride my fat bike, I usually feel like I am floating on every terrain I ride on. The tire pressure on this bike is vital compared to other bikes. I don’t usually care about the surfaces I ride on; my riding experience often is comfortable compared to any bike. This makes fat bikes ideal for use by people with backache problems.

Have fun riding your bike on any surface. Make the necessary adjustments indicated above and enjoy your ride anywhere anytime.

How is a fat bikes traction on icy roads?

Remember, we discussed that the traction of fat bikes on smooth and slippery surfaces is not 100% perfect. This is due to other reasons like rolling resistance, don’t worry ill provide you with means to increase your traction on such slippery surfaces like icy roads. This will bring back your floating experience while riding the bike.

Wider tires: Fat bikes have different sizes of tires, having a wider tire will increase the grip of your tires in the surface you are riding on. The wider the tire, the lower the pressure, the more the grip. You can also purchase knobby tires with spikes to grip the surface more

Low-pressure tires will also increase your grip in case you cannot find the knobby spiky tires or large tires. Find a digital pressure gauge to help determine your pressure base on the surfaces you want to ride on

Your riding skills will also help you ride on slippery icy roads. Improve your braking, cornering, and acceleration skills. Aggressively braking will make the bike slide forward lowering the traction on icy roads

Slippery conditions should never hinder your riding adventure. Making a few adjustments and introducing new riding skills will bring back the riding fun.

How good is a fat bike for a daily commute?

Riding a flat tire bike is an excellent experience and a whole lot more fun. The experience of riding the bike always puts a smile on your face every time you go out on the bike.

The fact that fat-tire bikes are always made of fat tires make you always enjoy their ride without feeling any hard impact besides the terrain you ride on. The large tires are fitted to absorb all the vibrations that could otherwise be experienced while riding. Whenever I ride my bike, I always feel like I am floating

The high tires provide the ability to ride the bike on many surfaces, i.e., mud, sand, snow, and even on rocky and hilly terrains. The designs of their frames resemble that of a mountain bike, which makes it easy to ride the bike up the hill and mountainous regions.

Fat tire bikes are great for boosting your health and physical status. The bike can improve health and fitness in many ways. The riding of bikes is known to accelerate muscle growth. This experience makes your muscle power develop rapidly, and you are capable of achieving massive muscle growth quickly. The experience of riding more will reduce the amount of cholesterol contained in the body. Riding fat-tire bikes enable the increase in metabolic rate hence leading to more burning of fats contained in the body

Best Road Tires for a Fat Tire Bike

• Bontrager Gnarwhal Studded 26″x 3.8.”

This tire provides the ultimate traction for icy roads. The tire is tubeless incorporated with Tungsten carbides studs for a more exceptional grip of the road. The tire is also offered without studs.

• Kenda Juggernaut Pro 26″x 4.5.”

This tire is relatively light weighing about 900 grams. The tire is inspired by Kenda’s motorcycle tire designs and Millville 2. The tire comes in two versions i.e., tip wire bead version or the open lugs Chevrolet version.

• 45nrth Dillinger 5

Specifications: A tubeless tire weighing 3.28lbs with a width of 4.8 inches. The tire is available both in studded and non studded version.

Features: the studs will provide you with maximum traction. The side lugs are braced to improve cornering. It floats on the snowy surface but sinks a little bit while cornering.

• Terrene cake eater

Specifications: a tubeless tire that weighs 3.25 lbs a width of 4.6 inches. Only available in studded version

Features: the studs allow it to have maximum traction. It’s best to ride on snow and ice surfaces. It has a low tread center to reduce resistance to rolling. Has high side treads to aid in corners.

• Vee rubber snowshoe xl

Specifications: the tire weighs: 3.26 lbs. it is not tubeless though has perfect studs. It has a diameter of 4.8 inches

Features: the tire has a sharp edge block tread pattern. It’s ideal for slippery and smooth surfaces like pavements. The tube is made of rubber.

• Maxxis colossus

Specifications: weighs 1.32 lbs, it’s tubeless, it has a width of 4.8 inches. It lacks studs

Features: the treads are widely spaced, made of a rubber compound that remains pliable even in cold weather. The tire has a tall knob to ease your riding through icy and snowy surfaces.

Factors to consider when buying wheels for fat bikes

• Tire width: Remember the more significant the tire the width the better the grip reducing the possibility of falling on slippery surfaces.
• Affordability: If you cannot afford one tire, try the other option or work on regulating the pressure in your tires.
• Studs: stud is paramount for grip. Always prefer purchasing studded tires.
• Weight: Do not buy too light tires; remember the weight of the tire will be useful in shock and vibration absorption’s.