These are my two fatbikes. I was going to blab on about how different they are on dirt vs. snow and between eachother on the two mediums, but i decided I need more data. So for now, here are some photos from last weekend’s ride up on Donner Pass. I took both bikes up and rode the same loop twice, mostly (except for the big hike a bike up Andesite Pk). There’s two ways to go from the North side of Donner Pass — the snowmobile trail to the left, or the ski/hike/snowshoe trail/s to the right. I headed left as it was probably more packed from the snowmachines. Also, with the Pacific Crest Trail along the right route, I didn’t know if it was legal to travel on that route with the bike. A bit slushy and warm for the bike but turned out to be a great few hours of riding.
v1 geometry is 70/73 head tube/seat tube angles, 94mm trail, 683mm front center, 467mm chainstay length.
v2 geometry is 68/72 head tube/seat tube angles, 100mm trail, 715mm front center, 430mm chainstay length.
What fun! Can’t wait to hear your impressions of the differences in how each of them rides.
Yes, which did you find the best for sloppy conditions as fat biking conditions are so variable.
Jay, I feel like v2 is better for loose sloppy conditions. With the rear wheel tucked under your butt more I feel like it’s easier to get traction and maneuver the bike (need to manhandle in spots!). The slack hta and longer front center are nice in that the front wheel doesn’t respond to every minor body input and take you off track. With a steeper hta and lower trail I liked riding hardpack but not when I didn’t want the front wheel to wander and potentially take me off my line. This is completely counterintuitive to some but in soft conditions its a real effect. Like riding in sand, you want less weight on the front axle to clean it, otherwise you stop dead in your tracks.
But on my current fatbike I shortened the front center and like it a lot better and have less washouts on the DH. A little more weight on the front helped (700 fc). It allows me to manhandle the bike better when it’s slippery climbing too.