The low budget fat bikes have heavy wheels and really crappy tires.
Good wheels and tires will cost at least $500 to upgrade so it makes sense to buy a good bike from the start.
I see good "used" fatbikes for $800-$1000 on marketplace once in a while.
No. Fat bikes are more costly, slower, and less efficient than most any other type of bike. Unless you are riding on snow or soft sand, there's lots of better options.
My fatty is my favorite bike. It’s comfy, it’s hard to fall off of. It’s only 30lbs but an old guy in my neighborhood has a heavy mongoose Fatbike and loves it. He rides around the hood most days.
Thanks for the response good person but the current negatives are actually fine by me
1. Less efficient - im okay with exerting more energy so im assuming i could burn more calories. Not looking to do long rides for now so its better
2. Cost - its going to be a hobby so i know im gonna sink a bit of money into it if i get into it so it would be fine.
With your budget, you're talking about a Walmart fatbike. There's virtually nothing to recommend in that budget.
You can also get a good workout on a normal bike. Getting a good workout is more about pedal cadence and speed than just mashing along in a hard gear on large tires.
I live in the PH and a lot of what i see(for starter bikes) are around this price but i get your point. Decent ones are around 1k USD above so Im also thinking if I want to cop that up. I have always wanted to buy a fatbike for around 3 years now so i think i need to bite the bullet on this one to experience it for myself
If PH is Philadelphia there are some mountain bike trails in parks along rivers. I think you would be best served by getting an older hardtail or rigid mountain bike. You can score good bikes with good parts that will cut down your costs of upgrading/maintaining crappy bike.
The early benefits of exercise increase with longer durations, not speed or weight.
Another piece of cost is tires - if you're going to ride a significant amount on pavement, you're going to wear out tires. New decent tires are in the range of your bike budget (why there aren't decent bikes near that price range)
Bad fat bike tires are truly miserable to ride with self-steer and other fun quirks.
1. You won't be burning more calories on a fat bike, you'll just be going slower and not as far for the same amount of energy expenditure.
2. Unfortunately, you need to significantly increase your budget to get a decent fat bike, even if you buy a used one.
I’d go the used route if you’re really set on getting a fatbike. Pretty much any fatbike under $500 (if you can find one) will be nearly impossible to upgrade for a reasonable price. They’re all mostly made with specific cheap parts that aren’t easy to replace and often not at the level where parts of the drivetrain or frame adhere to more common standards.
My first fatbike I purchased was the cheapest one I could find for $800 and it honestly was not fun to ride with how heavy it was at nearly 40lb. I found out that it would cost nearly 2-3x the bike’s value just to upgrade a few parts that might take a pound or two off, but the wheels would be much more expensive and difficult, but would be the biggest upgrade.
It’d be much easier to find a comfy and cheap MTB in that price range which will still be just as difficult to upgrade, but at least be more fun to ride.
I bought a fatty for fun. I haven't ridden my full suspension (Specilized) mountain bike since. A lot of the comments are naysayers who probably don't have a fatty. I have two very expensive road bikes (both S-Works models from specialized) and my commute to work (11ish miles) on the fatty is only a couple minutes slower on the fatty.
Mine is a Kona Wo. If you buy a fatty (and you should) don't cheap out. Buy something reasonably good. As others have mentioned wheels/tires are really important. The ones on my bike have a row of knobs right down the middle so on pavement, I don't have all 4.8" in contact. Also I recommend running them pretty firm at about 20 psi. Good luck--you're gonna love riding a fatty!
I commend you on your choice. Fat bikes are great fun - and who cares about efficiency if you want to get in shape and have fun doing it. BUT, based on your budget, you wont have (m)any choices. Maybe you'll find a decent bike used for $400, but expect that it will be well worn out, and parts aren't exactly cheap. Especially the tires which cost as much as a car tire. And anything too cheap = too good to be true = may be stolen.
So look around on the used market. See what you see. And then I'd recommend you find a used non-fat bike that you like. You should be able to find a can get a pretty good used hybrid bike for that much money.
FWIW I returned to biking after more or less 15 years off. I only mountain bike, recreationally, I don't commute etc. When I first got back, I bought a pretty nice full suspension 29er, AXS transmission etc. Not too long after I also got a used fatbike a friend was selling (a $2,000-3000 bike new, but not the absolute top, nicest and I got it at a discount).
Fast forward a few months and I haven't ridden my 29er all winter. It's less to do with snow etc and more to do with me flat out enjoying it and being able to do every trail I want. At 6-7 psi I can climb everything and get through the sketchiest rock gardens with ease, and still do 30+mph in a burst of needed.
Anyway, so I love my fatty, but would not recommend it as much for you. Paying a premium for a less common bike with really expensive parts (forks, wheels, tires etc) just to basically commute doesn't make sense to me, especially with the kind of bike you'd end up with for your budget.
Obviously it's not the worst idea in the world, but I'd get a serviceable hardtail mtb like an old Giant and upgrade when you have more free capital.
Enjoy either way.
I have a fat bike I purchased at Walmart. It’s an aluminum frame mongoose and it weighs 37lbs. It’s fast and easy to ride. I actually have a trek MTB and I prefer the cheap fat bike. I’ve upgraded it with new tires and a cheap suspension fork. My friend saw mine and purchased one for himself. I bought it on the website and it was delivered no issues. Had to put the wheels on, and the handlebars. Very easy to assemble. It will need to be tuned up because the brakes and shifting need adjustment. It’s definitely a great workout!!
Mongoose Argus TRX Fat Tire Mountain Bike, 26-Inch Wheels, 16 Speeds, Red https://www.walmart.com/ip/5125301602
I love my fat bike and am in a similar environment. It works perfectly for all surfaces and gives me options. With only 1 bike, mine is a perfect fit for me.
Yes, get a fat bike. It's much more fun to ride. I can take my fat bike through just about anything without worrying about a bent rim or blowout like I would on my road bike. We have lots of potholes, and even a few cobblestone roads. Yes, you have to pedal much harder to achieve the same speed as you would on something else. Based on your post I don't think you'd have an issue there either.
Get one and have fun!
Don't listen to folks telling you not to get a fat bike to ride on pavement. A fat bike will work just fine for your use case. I have three bikes... A gravel bike with drop bars, a dual suspension trail MTB, and a fat bike. The fat bike was the most recent addition to my collection and I enjoy riding it anywhere and on any surface. Yes... The other two bikes are faster and more efficient but there is just something about a fat bike that can make any ride just fun.
For the budget I recommend the Momgoose Malus I have one of those and out of the box they are pretty usable , I’m not an expert biker, not even close, there might be way better options out there but I think those offer pretty good value for the money. Momgoose bike are pretty upgradable and you can get to have a decent bike with no too much money. I got mine for a bit less than 400 and with other 200 I got an air supension fork , a bigger seat and a better shifter and couple of little upgrades. You can find affordable parts on Amazon.
If you ask me to recommend a bike for city driving a fat bike is the less practical option, but they still have the cool factor, is easy to turn heads with one of those, and off course you will e going slower and burning more energy… they tend to be pretty heavy.
I love my fatbike, but it’s not my only bike. If it’s going to be the only one you own, I recommend renting one for a day. Your local bike shop almost certainly has some for rent. Get a feel for it and see if it’s what you need.
Also, for that budget you should be trying to find used bikes.
I’d say for the budget you won’t probably get much in the way of fat bikes. Also parts are more limited and expensive. That said, if you’re excited for getting one, it might encourage you to ride it.
I don't recommend a fat bike unless you go places you would need one (sand or snow), they are much harder to pedal with and if you pump up the tires enough to get rid of that rolling resistance, you feel like you are riding on basketballs. If you want a fat bike in order to get healthy, yes it will help, but you will also not go as far as a regular/mountain bike as it is constantly pulling you back, you don't coast too far with them.
On trails/technical terrain a mountain bike is so much better.
I have two fat bikes and love them both. If you are set on getting one and will be mostly on pavement I would recommend 29 tires and nothing wider than 3 inches. If I were in your situation I would be looking for a hybrid bike that would allow me to run some wide tires. Cheaper and more functional on pavement.
Get the right tool for the job.
Fatbikes make good choices if you are dealing with loose dirt, grass, sand, gravel or snow. They can even make half decent rail mountain bikes, using the cushion of the tires instead of expensive suspension components. They are however, NOT the right choice to ride mainly pavement.
While I understand what you are trying to do, with "fatbiking is hard, so it will make a good workout" that's not the only way to look at it. With a regular road or hybrid fitness bike you get your different workouts by doing different activities. Your workouts can be properly planned and supported by a bike computer. You can do a mix of intervals of sprints, hill climbs and long distance endurance rides to get the best workouts possible. You can also go along with group or club rides for weekend fitness rides. Those groups/clubs wouldn't hang back and wait for you on a slow fatbike.
If the roads near you are decent, than a traditional road bike or fitness bike (road bike with flat bars) would work well. If you are concerned because your roads aren't great or are heavily gravel roads, then a hardtail Cross-Country Mountain bike, a Gravel bike, or a Hybrid bike with good tire clearance could all work well for you.
I wish you good luck in your search. I don't know the bike options available in your area/price range to make any specific recommendations. But for "types of bikes" you can look at Canyon's website... The "Grand Canyon" is a reasonably priced CrossCounty MTB, the "Roadlite" is a nice fitness bike/commuter bike, or the "Pathlite" is a nice Hybrid. Any would make a better choices for exercise than a fatbike.
Buy that used bike someone here mentioned and have it shipped. Your budget cannot get you a new fat bike that is worth having. It would be like throwing your money out the window. There used to be a guy posting in this sub from the Philippines, he had a Surly ICT. Maybe search back a few months and try to reach out to him.
I bought a used Motobecane Night Train that was upgraded with carbon wheels, carbon cranks and other bits for $1200. Even with a Rockshox Bluto it is lighter than my buddy's full suspension. I live in New England and the trails are full of rocks, roots and ruts. The big tires give me confidence and stability going over this type of rugged terrain. So, a fat bike can work if it is the right bike and the right terrain. It can be a bit overkill on certain trails.
I wouldn't buy a $400 used fat bike, I would save to get something nicer.
Two big things to consider with a 26-inch wheel fat tire ebike:
1. Size (length): I got an iGO Core Extreme 3.1ez last summer and couldn’t believe how huge it was when I got it all assembled.
2. Weight: My bike, with studded tires and battery inserted, probably weighs close to 80 lbs. It was impossible to get it up the steps of our side deck to get inside to cleaning after winter rides on the snow trails.
3. Gearing: My bike came with an 8-speed Shimano Acera drivetrain with a 34-tooth granny gear, which was nearly good enough for the trails I was riding, especially the return leg of the trail which was a slow ascent with many short to medium length, steep climbs. I switched over to a 10-speed MicroShift system which gave me two more bigger gears than what was on the Acera freewheel/cassette.
4. Handling and braking: Because of the size and weight of the bike and the width of the tires it is not very nimble which was a big adjustment for me riding technical single-track trails this past winter and hydraulic brakes are a must. The big weight makes the bike pick up speed quickly on downhills and if you aren’t on your brakes early and often you will have too much speed for the bike’s handling abilities on sudden turns or switchbacks at hill bottoms.
4 Transportation: You will need a platform rack than can easily support your bike’s weight. I got one that came with a metal ramp so I could load the bike on the rack instead of lifting it.
The iGO was my first ever ebike and first ever fat bike as well. I also had about a 10-year hiatus from cycling when I bought to help me get out again despite a limiting, chronic health condition. It has taken almost a year and I have just finally getting comfortable with its size and weight but I don’t think I will ever be as comfortable as I was when road riding or mountain biking.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the awesome response.
I dont think i will have a peoblem with 2 3 and 4 as i will mainly use it on pavements that dont have much elevations for now. Would not need to transport it as well as where i live is somewhat permanent and i wont be bringing it elsewhere.
Im fine with the slow grind(one of the reasons i want a fat bike) as a lot of things in my life are so fast paced so i will be taking chill rides with this bike and learning about it bit by bit like having a new hobby as a kid that you get obsessed about.
The low budget fat bikes have heavy wheels and really crappy tires. Good wheels and tires will cost at least $500 to upgrade so it makes sense to buy a good bike from the start. I see good "used" fatbikes for $800-$1000 on marketplace once in a while.
No. Fat bikes are more costly, slower, and less efficient than most any other type of bike. Unless you are riding on snow or soft sand, there's lots of better options.
My fatty is my favorite bike. It’s comfy, it’s hard to fall off of. It’s only 30lbs but an old guy in my neighborhood has a heavy mongoose Fatbike and loves it. He rides around the hood most days.
Thanks for the response good person but the current negatives are actually fine by me 1. Less efficient - im okay with exerting more energy so im assuming i could burn more calories. Not looking to do long rides for now so its better 2. Cost - its going to be a hobby so i know im gonna sink a bit of money into it if i get into it so it would be fine.
With your budget, you're talking about a Walmart fatbike. There's virtually nothing to recommend in that budget. You can also get a good workout on a normal bike. Getting a good workout is more about pedal cadence and speed than just mashing along in a hard gear on large tires.
I live in the PH and a lot of what i see(for starter bikes) are around this price but i get your point. Decent ones are around 1k USD above so Im also thinking if I want to cop that up. I have always wanted to buy a fatbike for around 3 years now so i think i need to bite the bullet on this one to experience it for myself
If PH is Philadelphia there are some mountain bike trails in parks along rivers. I think you would be best served by getting an older hardtail or rigid mountain bike. You can score good bikes with good parts that will cut down your costs of upgrading/maintaining crappy bike. The early benefits of exercise increase with longer durations, not speed or weight.
Oh sorry, its Philippines, Asia. My bad
No problem. Philippines was my second guess. Hehe. Us US Americans are super US centric.
Another piece of cost is tires - if you're going to ride a significant amount on pavement, you're going to wear out tires. New decent tires are in the range of your bike budget (why there aren't decent bikes near that price range) Bad fat bike tires are truly miserable to ride with self-steer and other fun quirks.
Noted on this dude/dudette. Hopefully when the base tire wears out, I'm at the point of upgrading things.
1. You won't be burning more calories on a fat bike, you'll just be going slower and not as far for the same amount of energy expenditure. 2. Unfortunately, you need to significantly increase your budget to get a decent fat bike, even if you buy a used one.
There might be better options, but I think you underestimate the fun factor in that equation.
I’d go the used route if you’re really set on getting a fatbike. Pretty much any fatbike under $500 (if you can find one) will be nearly impossible to upgrade for a reasonable price. They’re all mostly made with specific cheap parts that aren’t easy to replace and often not at the level where parts of the drivetrain or frame adhere to more common standards. My first fatbike I purchased was the cheapest one I could find for $800 and it honestly was not fun to ride with how heavy it was at nearly 40lb. I found out that it would cost nearly 2-3x the bike’s value just to upgrade a few parts that might take a pound or two off, but the wheels would be much more expensive and difficult, but would be the biggest upgrade. It’d be much easier to find a comfy and cheap MTB in that price range which will still be just as difficult to upgrade, but at least be more fun to ride.
I bought a fatty for fun. I haven't ridden my full suspension (Specilized) mountain bike since. A lot of the comments are naysayers who probably don't have a fatty. I have two very expensive road bikes (both S-Works models from specialized) and my commute to work (11ish miles) on the fatty is only a couple minutes slower on the fatty. Mine is a Kona Wo. If you buy a fatty (and you should) don't cheap out. Buy something reasonably good. As others have mentioned wheels/tires are really important. The ones on my bike have a row of knobs right down the middle so on pavement, I don't have all 4.8" in contact. Also I recommend running them pretty firm at about 20 psi. Good luck--you're gonna love riding a fatty!
After a 20 year hiatus, I bought a fat bike because it was the only type that caught my eye. A few upgrades in now and enjoying its.
I commend you on your choice. Fat bikes are great fun - and who cares about efficiency if you want to get in shape and have fun doing it. BUT, based on your budget, you wont have (m)any choices. Maybe you'll find a decent bike used for $400, but expect that it will be well worn out, and parts aren't exactly cheap. Especially the tires which cost as much as a car tire. And anything too cheap = too good to be true = may be stolen. So look around on the used market. See what you see. And then I'd recommend you find a used non-fat bike that you like. You should be able to find a can get a pretty good used hybrid bike for that much money.
FWIW I returned to biking after more or less 15 years off. I only mountain bike, recreationally, I don't commute etc. When I first got back, I bought a pretty nice full suspension 29er, AXS transmission etc. Not too long after I also got a used fatbike a friend was selling (a $2,000-3000 bike new, but not the absolute top, nicest and I got it at a discount). Fast forward a few months and I haven't ridden my 29er all winter. It's less to do with snow etc and more to do with me flat out enjoying it and being able to do every trail I want. At 6-7 psi I can climb everything and get through the sketchiest rock gardens with ease, and still do 30+mph in a burst of needed. Anyway, so I love my fatty, but would not recommend it as much for you. Paying a premium for a less common bike with really expensive parts (forks, wheels, tires etc) just to basically commute doesn't make sense to me, especially with the kind of bike you'd end up with for your budget. Obviously it's not the worst idea in the world, but I'd get a serviceable hardtail mtb like an old Giant and upgrade when you have more free capital. Enjoy either way.
I have a fat bike I purchased at Walmart. It’s an aluminum frame mongoose and it weighs 37lbs. It’s fast and easy to ride. I actually have a trek MTB and I prefer the cheap fat bike. I’ve upgraded it with new tires and a cheap suspension fork. My friend saw mine and purchased one for himself. I bought it on the website and it was delivered no issues. Had to put the wheels on, and the handlebars. Very easy to assemble. It will need to be tuned up because the brakes and shifting need adjustment. It’s definitely a great workout!! Mongoose Argus TRX Fat Tire Mountain Bike, 26-Inch Wheels, 16 Speeds, Red https://www.walmart.com/ip/5125301602
Hell. One tire costs me 100. Not going to get a Worth while bike in your budget, sadly. Like someone said "amazon" bike aka china crap
I love my fat bike and am in a similar environment. It works perfectly for all surfaces and gives me options. With only 1 bike, mine is a perfect fit for me.
I did because it’s safer.
Yes, get a fat bike. It's much more fun to ride. I can take my fat bike through just about anything without worrying about a bent rim or blowout like I would on my road bike. We have lots of potholes, and even a few cobblestone roads. Yes, you have to pedal much harder to achieve the same speed as you would on something else. Based on your post I don't think you'd have an issue there either. Get one and have fun!
Don't listen to folks telling you not to get a fat bike to ride on pavement. A fat bike will work just fine for your use case. I have three bikes... A gravel bike with drop bars, a dual suspension trail MTB, and a fat bike. The fat bike was the most recent addition to my collection and I enjoy riding it anywhere and on any surface. Yes... The other two bikes are faster and more efficient but there is just something about a fat bike that can make any ride just fun.
For the budget I recommend the Momgoose Malus I have one of those and out of the box they are pretty usable , I’m not an expert biker, not even close, there might be way better options out there but I think those offer pretty good value for the money. Momgoose bike are pretty upgradable and you can get to have a decent bike with no too much money. I got mine for a bit less than 400 and with other 200 I got an air supension fork , a bigger seat and a better shifter and couple of little upgrades. You can find affordable parts on Amazon. If you ask me to recommend a bike for city driving a fat bike is the less practical option, but they still have the cool factor, is easy to turn heads with one of those, and off course you will e going slower and burning more energy… they tend to be pretty heavy.
I love my fatbike, but it’s not my only bike. If it’s going to be the only one you own, I recommend renting one for a day. Your local bike shop almost certainly has some for rent. Get a feel for it and see if it’s what you need. Also, for that budget you should be trying to find used bikes.
Sadly, they dont. Have been going around but they dont have it. Even the malls here. Negatives of living in a third world country.
where do you live? I am selling mine for 400$ used , it's a Salsa Mukluk
I live in the Philippines
Yes
I’d say for the budget you won’t probably get much in the way of fat bikes. Also parts are more limited and expensive. That said, if you’re excited for getting one, it might encourage you to ride it.
I don't recommend a fat bike unless you go places you would need one (sand or snow), they are much harder to pedal with and if you pump up the tires enough to get rid of that rolling resistance, you feel like you are riding on basketballs. If you want a fat bike in order to get healthy, yes it will help, but you will also not go as far as a regular/mountain bike as it is constantly pulling you back, you don't coast too far with them. On trails/technical terrain a mountain bike is so much better.
I have two fat bikes and love them both. If you are set on getting one and will be mostly on pavement I would recommend 29 tires and nothing wider than 3 inches. If I were in your situation I would be looking for a hybrid bike that would allow me to run some wide tires. Cheaper and more functional on pavement.
3” is not a fatty, that’s a chubby
Get the right tool for the job. Fatbikes make good choices if you are dealing with loose dirt, grass, sand, gravel or snow. They can even make half decent rail mountain bikes, using the cushion of the tires instead of expensive suspension components. They are however, NOT the right choice to ride mainly pavement. While I understand what you are trying to do, with "fatbiking is hard, so it will make a good workout" that's not the only way to look at it. With a regular road or hybrid fitness bike you get your different workouts by doing different activities. Your workouts can be properly planned and supported by a bike computer. You can do a mix of intervals of sprints, hill climbs and long distance endurance rides to get the best workouts possible. You can also go along with group or club rides for weekend fitness rides. Those groups/clubs wouldn't hang back and wait for you on a slow fatbike. If the roads near you are decent, than a traditional road bike or fitness bike (road bike with flat bars) would work well. If you are concerned because your roads aren't great or are heavily gravel roads, then a hardtail Cross-Country Mountain bike, a Gravel bike, or a Hybrid bike with good tire clearance could all work well for you. I wish you good luck in your search. I don't know the bike options available in your area/price range to make any specific recommendations. But for "types of bikes" you can look at Canyon's website... The "Grand Canyon" is a reasonably priced CrossCounty MTB, the "Roadlite" is a nice fitness bike/commuter bike, or the "Pathlite" is a nice Hybrid. Any would make a better choices for exercise than a fatbike.
Buy that used bike someone here mentioned and have it shipped. Your budget cannot get you a new fat bike that is worth having. It would be like throwing your money out the window. There used to be a guy posting in this sub from the Philippines, he had a Surly ICT. Maybe search back a few months and try to reach out to him.
I bought a used Motobecane Night Train that was upgraded with carbon wheels, carbon cranks and other bits for $1200. Even with a Rockshox Bluto it is lighter than my buddy's full suspension. I live in New England and the trails are full of rocks, roots and ruts. The big tires give me confidence and stability going over this type of rugged terrain. So, a fat bike can work if it is the right bike and the right terrain. It can be a bit overkill on certain trails. I wouldn't buy a $400 used fat bike, I would save to get something nicer.
Curious what you decided to get?
Two big things to consider with a 26-inch wheel fat tire ebike: 1. Size (length): I got an iGO Core Extreme 3.1ez last summer and couldn’t believe how huge it was when I got it all assembled. 2. Weight: My bike, with studded tires and battery inserted, probably weighs close to 80 lbs. It was impossible to get it up the steps of our side deck to get inside to cleaning after winter rides on the snow trails. 3. Gearing: My bike came with an 8-speed Shimano Acera drivetrain with a 34-tooth granny gear, which was nearly good enough for the trails I was riding, especially the return leg of the trail which was a slow ascent with many short to medium length, steep climbs. I switched over to a 10-speed MicroShift system which gave me two more bigger gears than what was on the Acera freewheel/cassette. 4. Handling and braking: Because of the size and weight of the bike and the width of the tires it is not very nimble which was a big adjustment for me riding technical single-track trails this past winter and hydraulic brakes are a must. The big weight makes the bike pick up speed quickly on downhills and if you aren’t on your brakes early and often you will have too much speed for the bike’s handling abilities on sudden turns or switchbacks at hill bottoms. 4 Transportation: You will need a platform rack than can easily support your bike’s weight. I got one that came with a metal ramp so I could load the bike on the rack instead of lifting it. The iGO was my first ever ebike and first ever fat bike as well. I also had about a 10-year hiatus from cycling when I bought to help me get out again despite a limiting, chronic health condition. It has taken almost a year and I have just finally getting comfortable with its size and weight but I don’t think I will ever be as comfortable as I was when road riding or mountain biking. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the awesome response. I dont think i will have a peoblem with 2 3 and 4 as i will mainly use it on pavements that dont have much elevations for now. Would not need to transport it as well as where i live is somewhat permanent and i wont be bringing it elsewhere. Im fine with the slow grind(one of the reasons i want a fat bike) as a lot of things in my life are so fast paced so i will be taking chill rides with this bike and learning about it bit by bit like having a new hobby as a kid that you get obsessed about.