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Winter’s here, and it’s time to hit the trails. If you’re looking to tackle snow and icy terrain, you need a fat tire bike. With its wide tires, a fat bike can keep you steady and give you the confidence to tackle even the toughest conditions.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best fat tire bikes for snow and what makes them stand out from the pack. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in!
Fat Tire Bikes 101
Fat tire bikes are designed with wide tires, typically four inches or wider. This design allows the bike to float on top of snow and ice, giving you greater stability and control.
Fat tire bikes come in all shapes and sizes, from full-suspension mountain bikes to electric bikes and even beach cruisers. They are also available in a variety of frame materials, including aluminum, carbon, and steel.
Best Fat Tire Bikes for Snow
Now that you know what to look for in a fat tire bike for snow, let’s take a look at some of the best options on the market:
Salsa Mukluk Deore 11 Fat-Tire Bike
Product Features:
- RRP = $2149
- Bike Weight = 33lbs
- Tire Size = 26″ x 4.6″
- Frame Material = Aluminum
- Brakes = Hydraulic Disc
Our Ratings = Overall 9.4 | Price 8.7 | Features 10.0 | Bike Weight 10.0 | Gears 9.0
If you’re looking for a fat tire bike that’s perfect for riding in the snow, the Salsa Mukluk Deore 11 Fat-Tire Bike is a great option to consider. This bike is specifically designed for harsh winter conditions, offering a combination of features that make it an excellent choice for riders of all levels.
One of the key features of the Salsa Mukluk Deore 11 is its lightweight aluminum frame. This frame is not only strong and durable, but it’s also lightweight, making it easy to handle on the trail. The frame also features plenty of mounts for racks, fenders, and other accessories, making it easy to customize your bike for your specific needs.
Another standout feature of the Salsa Mukluk Deore 11 is its 26 x 4.6 tires. These tires are incredibly wide, offering plenty of surface area to float on top of the snow and maintain traction. The tires also feature a tread pattern that’s specifically designed for snow and ice, ensuring that you’ll have the grip you need to tackle any conditions.
In addition to its impressive tires, the Salsa Mukluk Deore 11 also features 11 gears, giving you plenty of options for tackling any terrain. Whether you’re climbing a steep hill or navigating through deep snow, you’ll have the gears you need to make the ride easier. The Deore drivetrain is also reliable and low-maintenance, making it a great choice for riders who want a bike that’s easy to use.
The Salsa Mukluk Deore 11 also features hydraulic disc brakes, which provide reliable stopping power in even the harshest conditions. These brakes are easy to maintain and offer a consistent, powerful stop, even in the snow and ice. They’re also low-maintenance, making them a great choice for riders who want a bike that’s easy to use and maintain.
Norco Bigfoot 3 Fat Bike
Product Features:
- RRP = $1749
- Bike Weight = 34lbs
- Tire Size = 27.5″ x 4.5″
- Frame Material = Aluminum
- Brakes = Mechanical Disc
Our Ratings = Overall 9.3 | Price 10.0 | Features 9.0 | Bike Weight 9.0 | Gears 9.0
If you’re looking for a fat tire bike that can handle snowy conditions, the Norco Bigfoot 3 Fat Bike is definitely worth considering. This bike packs a punch with its impressive features, making it a great choice for riders of all levels.
One of the standout features of the Norco Bigfoot 3 is its lightweight aluminum frame. The frame is not only strong and durable, but it’s also lightweight, making it easy to handle on the trail. And just like the Salsa Mukluk Deore 11, the Bigfoot 3 has plenty of mounts for racks, fenders, and other accessories, giving you the option to customize your bike for your specific needs.
The 27.5 x 4.5 tires on the Norco Bigfoot 3 are also impressive. These tires offer a good balance between floatation and traction, making them perfect for snowy conditions. The tread pattern on the tires is also designed to tackle snow and ice, ensuring you’ll have the grip you need to conquer any terrain.
The Bigfoot 3 also comes with 11 gears, making it easy to tackle any terrain with ease. Whether you’re climbing a steep hill or navigating through deep snow, you’ll have the gears you need to make the ride more manageable. And the Bigfoot 3’s drivetrain is reliable and low-maintenance, so you don’t have to worry about constantly fixing it.
The mechanical disc brakes on the Norco Bigfoot 3 are also worth mentioning. These brakes provide solid stopping power in even the harshest conditions, giving you peace of mind while riding. And like the hydraulic disc brakes on the Salsa Mukluk Deore 11, they’re also low-maintenance, making them a great choice for riders who want a bike that’s easy to use and maintain.
Framed Minnesota LTD Fat Bike
Product Features:
- RRP = $1799
- Bike Weight = 34lbs
- Tire Size = 27.5″ x 4.5″
- Frame Material = Aluminum
- Brakes = Mechanical Disc
Our Ratings = Overall 9.2 | Price 9.8 | Features 9.0 | Bike Weight 9.0 | Gear 9.0
The Framed Minnesota LTD Fat Bike is a top-performing bike that’s designed to conquer snow and other challenging winter conditions. With its lightweight aluminum frame, 11 gears, and powerful mechanical disc brakes, this bike is perfect for riders of all levels who want a reliable and capable fat tire bike.
One of the standout features of the Framed Minnesota LTD Fat Bike is its frame. Made from lightweight aluminum, this frame is strong, durable, and designed to withstand the harsh conditions of winter riding. With plenty of mounts for racks, fenders, and other accessories, it’s easy to customize the bike to suit your needs and preferences.
Another great feature of the Framed Minnesota LTD is its tires. With 27.5 x 4.5 tires, you’ll enjoy a stable and comfortable ride on snow and other winter surfaces. The wide tires offer plenty of surface area to float on top of the snow and provide excellent traction, giving you the confidence to tackle any conditions.
The 11 gears on the Framed Minnesota LTD are another impressive aspect of the bike. With a wide range of gears to choose from, you’ll be able to tackle any terrain with ease. Whether you’re climbing a steep hill or navigating through deep snow, you’ll have the gears you need to make the ride as smooth and effortless as possible.
Finally, the mechanical disc brakes on the Framed Minnesota LTD are another standout feature. These brakes provide reliable stopping power in all conditions, giving you the confidence to tackle any winter trail with ease. They’re also low-maintenance, making them a great choice for riders who want a bike that’s easy to use and maintain.
Trek Farley 5 Fat Bike
Product Features:
- RRP = $1999.99
- Bike Weight = 33lbs
- Tire Size = 27.5″ x 4.5″
- Frame Material = Aluminum
- Brakes = Mechanical Disc
Our Ratings = Overall 9.1 | Price 9.2 | Features 9.0 | Bike Weight 10.0 | Gear 8.0
If you’re looking for a fat tire bike that’s perfect for riding in the snow, the Trek Farley 5 Fat Bike is definitely worth considering. This bike offers a great combination of features that make it an excellent choice for riders of all levels.
One of the standout features of the Trek Farley 5 is its lightweight aluminum frame. This frame is both strong and durable, making it easy to handle on the trail. The frame also comes with plenty of mounts for racks, fenders, and other accessories, allowing you to customize your bike to your specific needs.
The Trek Farley 5 features 27.5 x 4.5 tires, which provide ample surface area to float on top of the snow and maintain traction. The tires are also designed with a tread pattern specifically for snow and ice, ensuring you’ll have the grip you need to tackle any conditions.
With 10 gears, the Trek Farley 5 has plenty of options for tackling any terrain. Whether you’re climbing a steep hill or navigating through deep snow, you’ll have the gears you need to make the ride easier. The drivetrain is also reliable and low-maintenance, making it a great choice for riders who want a bike that’s easy to use.
The mechanical disc brakes on the Trek Farley 5 provide reliable stopping power in harsh conditions. These brakes are low-maintenance and offer a consistent, powerful stop, even in snow and ice. They’re also easy to maintain, making them a great choice for riders who want a bike that’s easy to use and keep in top condition.
Surly Ice Cream Truck
Product Features:
- RRP = $2349
- Bike Weight = 35lbs
- Tire Size = 26″ x 4.8″
- Frame Material = Steel
- Brakes = Mechanical Disc
Our Ratings = Overall 8.8 | Price 8.0 | Features 9.0 | Bike Weight 8.0 | Gear 10.0
The Surly Ice Cream Truck is a fat tire bike that’s perfect for riding in the snow. With its 26 x 4.8 tires and 12 gears, this bike is designed to tackle even the harshest winter conditions. The steel frame of the Ice Cream Truck is not only durable, but it also gives the bike a classic look that’s sure to turn heads.
One of the standout features of the Surly Ice Cream Truck is its massive tires. These tires are incredibly wide, offering plenty of surface area to float on top of the snow and maintain traction. The tread pattern on the tires is also designed to provide grip in snowy and icy conditions, so you can ride with confidence.
Another feature that makes the Surly Ice Cream Truck a great choice for riding in the snow is its 12 gears. These gears give you plenty of options for tackling any terrain, whether you’re climbing a steep hill or navigating through deep snow. The gears are also low-maintenance and reliable, so you can ride without worrying about breakdowns.
The Steel frame of the Ice Cream Truck is not only strong and durable, but it also gives the bike a classic look that’s sure to turn heads. The frame is also designed with plenty of mounts for racks, fenders, and other accessories, so you can customize your bike to meet your specific needs.
The Surly Ice Cream Truck is also equipped with mechanical disc brakes, which provide reliable stopping power in any conditions. These brakes are easy to maintain and offer a consistent, powerful stop, even in the snow and ice. They’re also low-maintenance, making them a great choice for riders who want a bike that’s easy to use and maintain.
What to Look for in a Fat Tire Bike for Snow
When shopping for a fat tire bike for snow, there are several key factors to consider to ensure you get the best possible ride. Here’s a closer look at what you should be on the lookout for:
Tires
The tires on a fat tire bike are its most important component, especially when it comes to riding in snow and ice. You want tires that are at least four inches wide to ensure you have enough surface area to float on top of the snow and maintain traction.
It’s also important to choose tires with a tread pattern that’s specifically designed for snow and ice. Look for tires with knobbly lugs or spikes that will provide the grip you need to tackle slippery conditions.
Frame
The frame of your fat tire bike should be sturdy enough to handle the harsh conditions of winter riding. Look for a frame made from a durable material, such as aluminum or steel, that can withstand the cold and wet of winter.
If you plan on carrying any gear with you on your rides, look for a fat tire bike with a frame that has plenty of rack and fender mounts. This will make it easy to attach panniers, fenders, and other gear to your bike, allowing you to fully customize it for your needs.
Suspension
While suspension isn’t a must-have for a fat tire bike, it can certainly make your rides more comfortable. A front suspension fork can help absorb bumps and vibrations, allowing you to tackle rough terrain with ease.
Suspension is especially important for riders who plan on tackling more technical trails in the snow. A fat tire bike with suspension will give you more control and a smoother ride, even when the conditions are tough.
Drivetrain
A reliable drivetrain is crucial for any fat tire bike, especially one designed for snow and ice. Look for a bike with a wide range of gears that will allow you to tackle any terrain, from steep hills to deep snow.
Having a drivetrain with plenty of gears will give you the ability to easily shift into the right gear for any situation, allowing you to tackle challenging conditions with confidence.
Brakes
Brakes are an important safety feature on any bike, but they’re especially important on a fat tire bike designed for snow and ice. Look for a fat tire bike with hydraulic disc brakes, which provide reliable stopping power in even the harshest conditions.
Hydraulic disc brakes are also easier to maintain than traditional rim brakes, making them a good choice for riders who want a low-maintenance bike that’s easy to use.
Price
Fat tire bikes can vary greatly in price, from under $1,000 to several thousand dollars. The price you pay will depend on the features you want, the materials used in the frame and components, and the overall quality of the bike.
If you’re just starting out, you may want to consider a lower-priced fat tire bike until you’re sure you’re going to enjoy riding in the snow. And if you’re an experienced rider, you may want to consider a higher-priced bike that’s designed for more challenging terrain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a fat tire bike is a must-have for any winter rider looking to tackle snow and icy terrain. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, there’s a fat tire bike out there that’s perfect for you.
When shopping for a fat tire bike, be sure to consider factors such as tires, frame, suspension, and drivetrain. And don’t forget to check out our top picks for the best fat tire bikes for snow, including the Salsa Mukluk Carbon Fat Bike, the Surly Pugsley Fat Bike, and the Trek Farley 5 Fat Bike.
So what are you waiting for? Get your fat tire bike and hit the trails! You’ll be amazed at what you can do when you have the right gear. Just remember, winter riding can be dangerous, so always wear appropriate protective gear and ride within your limits. Happy trails!
Andy is an avid cyclist who enjoys nothing more than a ride out in the hills. Competing in track, road, time trial and mountain bike events in the past, he prefers slower rides out with his family these days.