Fat bikes, or fat tire bikes, have evolved from a tiny niche within cycling to a fixture in many communities, and none more so than Northern Michigan. Traverse City’s fat biking trails have made the region a veritable destination for winter fun, complete with group rides and can’t-miss fat bike races.
If you’re new to fat biking or simply looking to make your riding more enjoyable, follow these fat bike tips to make every adventure more fun!
What Is a Fat Bike?
Fat bikes are generally defined as having a front and rear tire width of 4” or wider. Early iterations of fat bikes had 3.8”, but that was largely a limitation of the frame dimensions, which couldn’t accommodate anything much wider.
Fat Bike History 101
The first fat bikes were handmade contraptions. The wheels were usually two normal mountain bike rims welded together, often with a motorcycle or moped tire mounted with a tube. Frames were frequently custom-built to accommodate the wider rim and tire.
Fat bikes started in Alaska, but later spread to snowy Midwest states like Minnesota, Wisconsin and, of course, Michigan. For most riders, their first fat bike ride was on a steel Surly Pugsley, which weighed as much as 45 pounds (or more) and didn’t handle well. Soon, bikes like the Salsa Mukluk and Beargrease, plus major brand offerings like the Trek Farley and Specialized Fat Boy, provided lighter, faster, and more versatile fat bikes that were fun to ride year-round.
Why Fat Tire Bike At All?
The wide tires serve a purpose. For winter riding, the additional tire width and low tire pressure (more on that soon) kept riders on the surface of the snow, much like a dune buggy driving through sand. This made riding snowy, groomed trails not just possible, but a blast! That wider tire is also ideal for riding in sand (which is plentiful on Northern Michigan trails) and for general exploration. Many riders choose to “ride wide” year-round, or at least mix in fat-bike rides during spring, summer, and autumn.
Are fat tire bikes harder to pedal?
Pedaling a fat bike is harder for two primary reasons.
-
The additional width puts more rubber on the ground, which does increase rolling resistance.
-
The extra rubber and rim are harder to keep moving on singletrack.
In some conditions, the flotation provided by wider tires is faster; however, the harder the trail surface, the greater the disadvantage posed by a fat tire. There are considerable differences in rolling resistance even among tires of the same width. That’s where tire pressure plays a roll, too.
The Right Tire Pressure for Fat Bikes
Tire pressure plays a larger role in resistance than you might think. Fat bike tire pressures are much, much lower than even tubeless mountain bikes, which typically require 18-25 psi. In contrast, fat bikers often run their tires as low as 3-4 psi in soft snow to maximize the floatation effect of the tire. The goal is to run a pressure low enough for the tire to “puddle” or fan outward when you sit on it, keeping the wheel on top of the snow's surface.
There are a few additional factors to choosing the right air pressure for fat bike tires, including:
-
Riding conditions: The softer the snow, the lower you’ll go!
-
Rider weight: Heavier riders will require slightly more weight.
-
Temperature changes: Tires will lose roughly 1 psi for every 10° drop in temperature.
Keep that last point in mind if you store your fat bikes inside. If you air them up in a warmer garage and then head out to the trailhead, your tires could lose 3-4 psi before you start riding! We recommend using a low-pressure tire gauge to check your tires at the trailhead.
Fat Bike Tire Pressure Chart
|
Terrain/Condition
|
Suggested Starting PSI Range
|
Key Goal
|
|
Deep Snow / Loose Sand
|
3 – 6 PSI
|
Maximum Flotation (widest contact patch) to keep you on top of the surface.
|
|
Packed Snow / Groomed Trails
|
6 – 10 PSI
|
Balance of flotation and Traction/Rolling Speed.
|
|
Technical Singletrack
|
7 – 12 PSI
|
Maximum Grip and Cushion to absorb roots and rocks (Tubeless allows for lower PSI).
|
|
Hardpack Dirt / Gravel
|
12 – 15 PSI
|
Balance of speed and comfort.
|
|
Pavement / Road
|
15 – 20 PSI
|
Higher speed and lower rolling resistance.
|
Getting Your Feet Cold: Fat Bike Rentals in Traverse City
There’s no better way to try out fat biking than renting a rig for the weekend. Fat bike rentals are available at most Traverse City bike shops, including Brick Wheels, City Bike Shop, Suttons Bay Bikes, and more!
The staff at each of these shops will be happy (and often overly exuberant) to help you choose where and how long to ride, and offer fat bike riding tips to make sure your first time out is a success.
Fat Bike Trails In Traverse City and Across Northern Michigan
Traverse City embraced fat bikes in the earliest days of their development. In 2012, volunteers would use snowshoes to “groom” a few miles of trail at a time before group rides, many of which turned into hike-a-bike marathons due to the lack of machine grooming. Before long, winter grooming badges and a close working relationship with the Michigan DNR and other winter trail users allowed NMMBA to groom several fat bike trails in Traverse City and nearby trail networks, including:
These trails are all supported through grooming badges and Visitor Day Pass donations, and groomed by hardworking volunteers.
Fat Bike Races in Traverse City
While there are fewer fat bike races in Northern Michigan than there used to be, we still have some killer events.
The North American Vasa is a winter sports festival that offers classic and skate ski races, a snowshoe race, and a fat bike race over a two-day race weekend.
Fat and Flurrious takes place in Boyne City and offers short and long fat bike races, capped off with a post-race shindig at Stiggs Brewery.
More Fat Bike Snow Riding Tips
Riding in the winter is an incredible experience. With a little preparation and testing, you’ll find it’s a unique and rewarding way to explore the trails in Northern Michigan or wherever you live.
-
Dress smart: It usually takes a little experimentation to dial in what you need to wear. We recommend starting “warm” - think layers, boots (and flat pedals), mittens, and a winter hat that will fit under a helmet. Start with a shorter ride so you can adjust your attire for next time.
-
Hydration: Water freezes, and your water bottle will be frozen solid in 30 minutes or less. Keep your bottle in a jersey pocket (under your coat) or in a frame bag with a heat pack so you always have something to sip.
-
Own the night: Riding at night is a blast, but make sure your bike light has enough juice. Cold temperatures can zap battery life, so if you plan to go out after sunset, give yourself plenty of time to get back before your light dies.
Support Fat Bikes in Northern Michigan
NMMBA is committed to providing world-class winter fat bike trails in Traverse City, Cadillac, Bellaire, and beyond. You can help by purchasing a winter grooming badge or a Visitor Day Pass, or by donating to NMMBA as you see fit. Thank you for helping us build something special!