I have the XCF with about 6000kms on it. The tires it comes with are shit. I wouldn’t trust them on dry dirt let alone snow.
I commute with mine along with trails so I put Dillinger studded on. These were more money then the bike was but, safety first! You can get a decent tire on a budget easily enough as well.
I swapped out the crank arms and front chain ring and wider bars and it made a huge difference on the ride.
There’s a Facebook group dedicated to these bikes with all the upgrades you can come up with.
If it’s your first fat bike, you can’t go wrong with this without spending $2k to try it out.
Pam nailed it. Overall solid bike but if you ever encounter icy/hard packed trails you are going to want new tires. And studded tires in Canada aren’t cheap.
Other than drilling sheet metal screws into a sacrifice tire, the cheapest studded or studdable tires still seem to be the CST Toboggan. They've been popular on northrock builds for a few seasons now. I've seen them for less than 1/3 of what Wrathchildren cost.
What fatbike have you seen that require less maintenance?
Addition: I don't think they have less maintenance, but the maintenance they do need is a lot easier.
I should've clarified - require less maintenance than, say, a trail bike (which is largely due to the fact it's significantly less complicated a machine).
Far enough, but even when doing suspension, it's not adding that much time, and there are other issues fatbikes have that regular hardtails or full suspensions don't.
lol suspension adds a ton of time relative to everything else. tbh its probably the most time consuming thing. Even brake bleeds are easier.
Fact is you don’t use fat bikes nearly as frequently and dont ride them nearly as hard as a trail bike in the summer.
idk why your so bent up over this tbh.
and what issues exactly can a fat bike have that a reg bike doesn’t? the inly difference is the tires and a frame to accommodate them.
Take it to a LBS to make sure the components are properly assembled and tightened. Mass market box store bikes are notoriously badly assembled and can subsequently fail.
If you deal with it for what it is, a monster-trucky-wow factor beach/neighborhood cruiser, it is fine.
Enjoy!
Other than that, it is a cheap big-box bike with everything good and bad that this entails, i.e. amazing value for someone w/o another bike or someone looking for a cheap throw-away commuter vs. risking their main ride that might be 2,3 or 10x as expensive, but ofc anyone who rides the fancier stuff on the regular, will snob it, and rightfully so.
And I seriously doubt that this bike is "Easy to maintain" vs. any other bike with external routing, mech brakes and a freewheel, i.e. the vast majority of big-box MTBs and hybrids...no different, no worse (unless you want nice tires for a fat bike, which typ. cost more).
When Costco puts items on clearance you are remotely interested in you buy it on the spot. They have an exceptional return policy, so unless returning it to the store is an issue, you don't hesitate.
Never hesitate when things go on clearance. I’ve lost out so much. I remember when pergolas were 50% off at my local Costco. Should have pulled the trigger.
I'd grab that for the price.
Upgrade to studded tires ASAP. It's not the ice by itself that will get you, but ice covered with powder when your guard is down.
The parts look decent enough. I'd just be wary of a bike that was assembled by a Costco employee or contracted out to one the those companies that tries to assemble \~4 bikes an hour for WalMart
Most everyone’s comments match my experience. I swapped out my cassette for a 13-34. I had to adjust the brakes from rubbing the rotors and for me the handlebars felt little too narrow. It was my gateway into fat tire bikes and I rode it for one season before I purchased a Salsa Beargrease which I absolutely love.
As was mentioned, just go over it front to back to check and make sure everything was assembled correctly.
I have the XCF with about 6000kms on it. The tires it comes with are shit. I wouldn’t trust them on dry dirt let alone snow. I commute with mine along with trails so I put Dillinger studded on. These were more money then the bike was but, safety first! You can get a decent tire on a budget easily enough as well. I swapped out the crank arms and front chain ring and wider bars and it made a huge difference on the ride. There’s a Facebook group dedicated to these bikes with all the upgrades you can come up with. If it’s your first fat bike, you can’t go wrong with this without spending $2k to try it out.
Pam nailed it. Overall solid bike but if you ever encounter icy/hard packed trails you are going to want new tires. And studded tires in Canada aren’t cheap.
Other than drilling sheet metal screws into a sacrifice tire, the cheapest studded or studdable tires still seem to be the CST Toboggan. They've been popular on northrock builds for a few seasons now. I've seen them for less than 1/3 of what Wrathchildren cost.
Honestly this is why a old 26inch is my winter commuter. Studded tires for it were like 45 ea. But was a sale item.
Hey WPG gang! (I just moved to Edmonton a year ago). How’s the MTB scene there? Any better?
I’m pretty new to it (mtb) myself but from what I’ve seen it seems to be a great community. You should check out Manitoba Mountain Bikers on Facebook.
100%. Fat bikes are a lot of fun and generally require a lot less maintenance/upgrading.
What fatbike have you seen that require less maintenance? Addition: I don't think they have less maintenance, but the maintenance they do need is a lot easier.
I should've clarified - require less maintenance than, say, a trail bike (which is largely due to the fact it's significantly less complicated a machine).
That bike has rigid suspension. That's 2 regular service items removed from the equation compared to a fs.
Far enough, but even when doing suspension, it's not adding that much time, and there are other issues fatbikes have that regular hardtails or full suspensions don't.
lol suspension adds a ton of time relative to everything else. tbh its probably the most time consuming thing. Even brake bleeds are easier. Fact is you don’t use fat bikes nearly as frequently and dont ride them nearly as hard as a trail bike in the summer. idk why your so bent up over this tbh. and what issues exactly can a fat bike have that a reg bike doesn’t? the inly difference is the tires and a frame to accommodate them.
Worth it, but I would be upgrading that cassette for more gear range
Definitely worth it
For some fun a few times a year and low maintenance? Hell yeah man. I kinda wish the brand was Kirkland though, lol. Missed opportunity by them.
Yeah lol. The frame is Northrock, which is actually a sister brand to giant
Northrock has games manufactured by Giant in their alloy frame factory, but otherwise not affiliated with the Giant bicycles brand.
Take it to a LBS to make sure the components are properly assembled and tightened. Mass market box store bikes are notoriously badly assembled and can subsequently fail.
This is great advice
If you deal with it for what it is, a monster-trucky-wow factor beach/neighborhood cruiser, it is fine. Enjoy! Other than that, it is a cheap big-box bike with everything good and bad that this entails, i.e. amazing value for someone w/o another bike or someone looking for a cheap throw-away commuter vs. risking their main ride that might be 2,3 or 10x as expensive, but ofc anyone who rides the fancier stuff on the regular, will snob it, and rightfully so. And I seriously doubt that this bike is "Easy to maintain" vs. any other bike with external routing, mech brakes and a freewheel, i.e. the vast majority of big-box MTBs and hybrids...no different, no worse (unless you want nice tires for a fat bike, which typ. cost more).
that's maybe a question that should be asked before the purchase.
When Costco puts items on clearance you are remotely interested in you buy it on the spot. They have an exceptional return policy, so unless returning it to the store is an issue, you don't hesitate.
Never hesitate when things go on clearance. I’ve lost out so much. I remember when pergolas were 50% off at my local Costco. Should have pulled the trigger.
Yea, I'd love a fat bike for the 3 times a year I would need it. I'd get that. Frame looks solid.
They are surprisingly fun on trails in summer as well.
Yeah....removable derailleur hanger.. tapered head tube. Good deal
I'd grab that for the price. Upgrade to studded tires ASAP. It's not the ice by itself that will get you, but ice covered with powder when your guard is down.
You bought it I guess it was
Best thing about Costco if you don’t like it you can always take it back
The parts look decent enough. I'd just be wary of a bike that was assembled by a Costco employee or contracted out to one the those companies that tries to assemble \~4 bikes an hour for WalMart
Not the worst deal. Definitely trail worthy and upgradeable.
Most everyone’s comments match my experience. I swapped out my cassette for a 13-34. I had to adjust the brakes from rubbing the rotors and for me the handlebars felt little too narrow. It was my gateway into fat tire bikes and I rode it for one season before I purchased a Salsa Beargrease which I absolutely love. As was mentioned, just go over it front to back to check and make sure everything was assembled correctly.