One of the biggest issues with new riders comes down to balance, so they are looking for the bike that helps them the most with balance! Thankfully, Fat Bikes come to the rescue in this area, making fat bikes a great option for new riders. Not only are fat bikes great for balance, but if new riders find themselves in an off-road situation, the fat bike is one of the best of the best in this area as well, making it a well rounded bicycle for beginners to get used to their new 2-wheeled hobby.

So why are they better than other bikes? Most of the bikes which are available, have narrow tires, so a person who is learning to use the bike will find it difficult to balance on the bike. The person may loose his balance and then fall off the bike resulting in injuries. Hence it is better to use a fat bike, which are designed for people with less cycling experience.

Design of types of fat bikes

One of the main reasons why fat bikes are ideal for beginners is because of their design.

The bike wheels, tubes and tires are far wider than the corresponding parts in conventional mountain bikes, leading to the bike being called a fat bike . Typically the wheel rims will be wider at least 2.6 inches, and the the tire width is at least 3.8 inches thick.

There are different models of fat bikes available, some have tires of size 5 inches or more .

Since the area of the bike tires which is in contact with the ground is more, the bike is far more stable and easy to use. It is also easier for the user to keep complete control over the bike.

If you are just getting started on your fat bike journey, this bike right here is actually a great option, as it has a low price, but a great quality.

Better control of the bike

One of the reasons why many people do not use a bike is because they are worried that they will not be able to balance themselves. Often people have used the bike only when they were young, and have not used it for decades afterwards. They are worried that they will lose control over the bike, fall off and suffer from injuries.

In addition to being painful, many adults who have a very busy schedule cannot afford to get injured, since their productivity will be adversely affected.

Since the fat bike has wider tires, with considerably more grip, it is easier to control the bike and balancing is also simpler.

Terrain can be conquered

Compared to conventional bicycles which have been used for centuries, fat bikes are comparatively new in design . They were originally designed for use on snow, since most conventional mountain bikes with narrow tires, do not have the traction required on the snow.

While the tires of the conventional bikes are usually fully inflated, they do not have enough enough grip for some terrains especially snow. In contrast the wider tires of flat bikes are not fully inflated, usually the pressure is 8-10 psi, so the user has better traction.

The user is less likely slip on smooth surfaces. The tires also provide the cushioning for the user of the bike while riding on different terrains, replacing the suspension used in other bikes.

In addition to commuting on snow, fat bikes are the preferred bikes for those who wish to explore beaches and other sandy areas. The large tires of the bike will create a large contact area, for better traction. Since they are larger than other tires, they also move more slowly, making slipping less likely.

Hence the bike is ideal for loose surfaces like sand, where conventional bikes cannot be used. Other surfaces where the fat bike is better are muddy, rocky surfaces, or areas covered with roots and other vegetation.

Safety and other features

Compared to conventional bikes, the fat bikes are heavier because of their larger wheels and tires. So more energy is required for riding a fat bike.

Hence those who wish to lose weight quickly will find that riding a fat bike will help them use up more calories compared to a typical bike. Since the weight of the bike is more, the cyclist will be able to ride the bike at a lower speed.

This reduces the injuries to the cyclist, since the cyclist is less likely to fall off a bike at a low speed. The fat bikes are also more rigid in design, so they should not be used in areas where the user will have to turn the bike often.

Less Maintenance

Finally, fat bikes require considerably less maintenance than other bikes! They are generally extremely tough and sturdy bikes, they don’t have front or rear suspension, and their gears are rather simplified.

All of these things add up to a bicycle that doesn’t require much work on the part of the new rider to keep the bicycle running in tip top shape (you should always keep a good bike maintenance kit around though). This is also a big reason why many people use fat bikes as their only bike!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it hard to ride a fat bike ?

Fat bikes are actually easier overall to ride than most other bikes! With their thicker tires, you have considerably more stability in a variety of situations. That said, they are a bit more difficult to pedal, as the larger tires means more rolling resistance.

How fast can a fat bike go?

For most riders, a fat bike is by no means a “fast” bike as it has plenty of rolling resistance, and is not built for speed. That said, you can definitely get up to higher speeds with effort, and it does still make a great daily bike to commute from work and back.

Is a Fat tire bike harder to pedal?

Fat tire bikes are one of the hardest bicycles to pedal, due to the size of their tires. However if you do any off-roading, you will likely find them to be considerably easier to pedal in those situations than something like a road bike or hybrid .

Conclusion

New beginner bicyclists like to start off their new riding adventure with fat bike because of their versatility, low maintenance, and of course the ease of riding due to the wider tires giving better balance.

If you are a new rider, this category of bicycle might just be what you are looking for!