Fatbike - Fat bike
What is a fatbike and how does it work? What should you know about fatbikes before renting or buying one?
The fatbike was originally designed in Alaska for use in the extreme conditions there. This bike has also attracted interest in Finland, as it allows year-round cycling in all weather conditions and terrain. Despite its looks and name, a fatbike is not as heavy to ride as you might think. You can adjust and optimise tyre pressure to suit each route. A hard surface requires higher tyre pressure, while a softer one requires lower pressure.
In this article, we cover the following topics:
- What is a fatbike?
- How does a fatbike work?
- The good things about fatbike
- The downside of fatbike
- Electric Fatbike
- Main features of an electric fatbike
- The benefits of electric fatbikes
- The drawbacks of electric fatbikes
- Buying a Fatbike
- Fatbike rental
- Where can I rent a fatbike?
What is a fatbike?
A fatbike is a wide-wheeled mountain bike. It was originally developed in Alaska for cycling on snow. Fatbike’s sturdy rims and tyres up to five inches wide require a sturdy structure underneath. Fatbikes can be ridden in almost any conditions or terrain, such as soft sand. The large air volume of the thick tyres ensures that the fatbike is easy to ride even on rocky forest trails. The width and softness of the tyres provide grip and traction on snow.
How does a fatbike work?
The Fatbike’s tyre volume is so large thatthe tyres do not need much pressure. That’s why they can use softer tyres, which are more comfortable to drive on uneven terrain. On snow, fatbike’s carrying capacity is better than with shoes. When both tyres grip the ground evenly, load carrying capacity is improved. Even if the snow cannot support the weight of the fatbike, the load-bearing capacity is again improved as the sinking process allows the contact area of the tyres to increase again.
The good things about fatbike
- Big tyres don’t require high tyre pressure, so the ride is smoother even without suspension.
- Lower maintenance costs due to lack of front and rear suspension
- Compared to a regular mountain bike, fatbike’s lower-pressure and larger tyres traverse roots and rocks smoothly.
- Allows you to pedal in snow, so you can pedal your fatbike all year round.
- The large air volume of the tyre allows the transport of heavy loads.
The downside of fatbike
- Bigger tyres mean more rolling resistance, which makes a fatbike heavier than a normal mountain bike and therefore harder to ride.
- Tyre costs can be higher because there are few manufacturers and dealers of outer tubes.
- The pedals are further apart than on a normal bike, which can tire your muscles before you get used to the bike.
- Higher price compared to a standard mountain bike.
Electric fatbike - e-fatbike
An electric fatbike is a combination of a bicycle and an electric bike designed specifically for challenging off-road conditions. Fatbikes differ from regular mountain bikes because of their wide, thick tyres, which provide better grip and stability on a variety of terrain, including sand, mud and snow.
The electric fatbike has a built-in electric motor that provides extra power for pedalling. The engine allows you to reach higher speeds and travel longer distances with less effort. This makes the electric fatbike an ideal choice for both fitness and everyday exercise.
Main features of an electric fatbike
Motor: Electric fatbikes usually have a mid-motor or hub motor that provides different power levels and assists pedalling. The power of the motor can range from around 250-750 watts, and more power means more assistance and speed.
Battery: The bike has a removable or fixed battery, usually of the lithium-ion or lithium-polymer type. The capacity of the battery affects the range of the electric fatbike, and is usually between 400 and 1000 watt-hours. A larger battery allows for a longer range, but also increases the weight of the bike.
Frame: an electric fatbike usually has a very robust and rigid frame, designed to withstand demanding off-road conditions. Aluminium or carbon fibre are often used as frame materials.
Suspension: some electric fatbike models are equipped with suspension, such as front fork or full suspension, for increased comfort and performance off-road.
Tyres: an electric fatbike has wide tyres, usually 4-5 inches thick, inflated with low air pressure. This gives better grip and stability on different terrains.
Gears and brakes: most electric fatbike models have a versatile gearbox, allowing you to choose the right gear for different terrain and gradients. The bike also features powerful disc brakes for good braking performance and safety in a variety of conditions.
Controlling the electric assist system: an electric fatbike often has a control panel or display that shows important information such as battery charge level, speed, distance and power settings. You can adjust the level of assistance according to your needs, for example, choosing light assistance for hilly terrain or maximum assistance when you want to reach higher speeds.
Accessories: many electric fatbike models have the option of adding various accessories such as mudguards, luggage rack, lights and service pump. These can improve the usability and comfort of the bike in different situations.
The benefits of electrofatbiking
Versatility: the electric fatbike is suitable for a wide range of conditions and terrain, including snowy, muddy and sandy trails.
Extra power: The electric motor makes it easier to pedal uphill, travel longer distances and reach higher speeds.
Fitness: you can adjust the level of assistance to suit your needs, so you can use the electric fatbike for both efficient exercise and relaxing rides.
Environmentally friendly: an electric fatbike produces less carbon dioxide emissions than a car or motorbike, making it a greener way to get around.
The drawbacks of electrick fatbike
Weight: an electric fatbike is heavier than a regular fatbike due to the motor and battery, which can make it a little more difficult to handle, especially on technical terrain.
Price: an electric fatbike is generally more expensive than a conventional fatbike because its electric assist system increases manufacturing costs.
Maintenance and spare parts: the electrical components of the Electrofatbike may require specialised maintenance and spare parts, which may increase maintenance costs.
All in all, the electric fatbike is well suited for both fitness and everyday use, providing a versatile and fun way to get around.
Buying a Fatbike
If you’re thinking about buying a fatbike, here are a few things to consider:
- What is your budget? The price range of fatbikes varies widely depending on the make, model, materials and components. Generally speaking, fatbike prices can range from around €500 to over €5000. Electric fatbikes are generally more expensive than traditional fatbikes, ranging from around €2000 to €8000 or more.
- What kind of terrain do you cycle on? A fatbike is a bit heavier to ride than a regular mountain bike. So if your cycling trips are mainly on roads, a fatbike is not the best option.
- Important selection criteria for challenging terrain include a good gearbox, powerful brakes, adjustable and lockable springs and aggressively patterned tyres.
- How experienced a mountain biker are you? If you’re not used to pedalling over rough terrain, you could consider an electric fatbike, which is easier to get going with. Of course, electric assisted bikes are always more expensive than conventional bikes, so before you decide to buy one, you may want to consider. hiring.
Fatbike rental
Instead of buying a fatbike, renting one is often a more sensible option. You can easily spend several hundred euros to buy a quality fatbike, but but you can rent a good quality bike for much less..
Another advantage of renting a Fatbike is that you can try out different types and sizes of bikes. Choosing a rental bike you also avoid the hassle of transporting it. For example, if you’re heading to Lapland for a week, you don’t have to carry your bike with you for the long journey – you can easily hire a bike on the spot for as long as you like.
Where can I rent a fatbike?
You can rent a fatbike for example Roll Outdoors directly online or come to one of our bike rental shops. We have bike rental companies Saariselkä Kiilopää, Rovaniemi and Helsinki. From our wide range of bikes for rent, you will find fatbikes, e-fatbikes, electric bikes and mountain bikes for adults and children.
If you don’t know what kind of fatbike you should rent, don’t worry, our experts will help you choose just the right bike. You can call, email or contact us via our website and we will be happy to help you!
Note! We also offer guided bike tours, so please contact us if you want a professional guide for your tour! (Saariselkä Kiilopää guided tours, Rovaniemi guided tours, Helsinki guided tours)