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So how does this all work with a potential kaboom storm on the horizon? New to the fat bike scene but in the 3-4 rides i've done on 0-1" of snow, powering these fat format tires with lower pressures is clearly a harder workout than my XC rig. With deep snow, i can't imagine you'd be able to power through that mess for any length of time. Wait till it melts and compacts down? Wait for other trail users to tamp it down? Ride your basement bike and cry? Gimme the 411...
 
Jon: At this point in my life, 5-6" depth is about the most that I find "enjoyable" for most winter rides, and it does require a much greater effort (strategy: slower speeds in ultra low gears). If you can deliver watts to spare, your mileage may vary. Flat riding in a little greater depth is probably possible, but, for me, I think we're talking snow covered pavement now, not trails with their natural (often steep) elevation changes. If we get 8"+ from a storm, I find I can go short distances to initiate the "flattening process," but it's more for trail improvement rather than "riding."

I've got 4.8" tires (Surly Bud and Lou) on 100mm rims for snow, and, at ~160 lbs bodyweight, I ride them with as little as 1lb of air in the front and 1.5-2lbs in the back (greater depth -> less air) -- makes them like rotating snowshoes. At those pressures, you do tend to ride on top of the snow a bit rather than sink completely to the bottom. The sidewalls flex so much at those pressures, though, that they do seem to wear at an accelerated rate (you see scuff marks and eventually the cross-hatching of the sidewall fibers). I've been able to use these same tires for many years of winter riding, though.

Despite the increased effort, snow riding is a blast -- highly recommended! :thumbsup:
 
Check that your bike is quiet
It's so special when the wind is calm, a noisy drivetrain will wreck the experience.

As David said, change the expectations. Slow, flatten the trails so the next group gets better snow on single track.

If we actually get more than 8", get the snowshoes or xc skis out. The bike will be too frustrating. Even less if you expect to climb. Stay seated, weight back, spin away!
 
The only thing I’d add is… you’re going to have to rethink your position on the bike. If you weight the front end, you’ll go nowhere. The front tire needs to be thought of more like a ski than a plow if that makes sense. You also need to temper your expectations on precise steering. Gentle arks are your friend. Lastly, nothing is going to be able to ride through deep soft snow, so don’t bother if it’s stupid deep. It will suck.
 
I have midfat bike with 3.0 tires so not really fully fat, but I have ridden fatbikes in the snow in the past. For sure anytime you are breaking trail or trying to ride in any snow not previously ridden you will be going slow and working very hard.

if this storm holds true, it can certainly be one of those " ride the plowed snow covered roads" kinda deals (yes I have done this on my bike) because unless any of the trails get groomed, its not even going to be realistic to be on the trails when your pedals and bottom bracket are dragging in the snow.
 
Get to the Choppa!
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JonF said:
Was this on navisink in Red Bank? How Frozen is it? How far down can you ride on the ice? Sea bright out and back?
Click to expand...
Yes, in Red Bank. The ice is solid as can be and looks like you can go anywhere in the general area, but the ice boats are zipping around so I stayed close to shore. The class A boats are big & heavy so ice was thick enough for them.

No idea how far you can go. I only stayed in Red Bank. It was cold with 20+ mph wind. Didn't know how the tide effects the ice. The ice boats went as far as I could see.
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