Choosing Between A Mountain Bike And Fat Bike — Explained For Beginners

You want to ride off-road, but you can’t decide between a fat bike and a mountain bike? Unlike choosing between a road bike and a mountain bike, this will be more difficult. How can you choose between two bicycles with comparable functions and aesthetics?

Again, you will need to consider what you anticipate from the bicycle. What type of terrain will you be riding most frequently? How much can you budget for a bicycle? And in this case, you should consider whether you will be cycling for the entire year or only six months.

A fat bike is essentially a mountain bike on steroids. The fat bike has wider tires that are typically between three and five inches in width. A fat bike will extend your mountain biking season from five to twelve months. If you live in a climate with snow/ice and cold, the fat bike is more valuable than the mountain bike.

To conduct effective research, you must be objective. But is it possible to demonstrate objectivity when comparing the fat bike to the mountain bike? Spoiler alert…NO!

Reasons for choosing

There are always valid reasons to purchase a second or first bicycle. You desire to commute to work to improve your health. You wish to visit the mountains to become more tranquil. Or you simply desire to wear bike shorts because they are so cool-looking. Whatever your very good reasons are for purchasing a fatbike, a new one has entered the fray.

Fat bike vs mountain bike

All-terrain bicycles are mountain bikes. You acquire a mountain bike so that you can ride over rocks, up trails, and through gravel and dirt. In some instances, a mountain bike is used for the commute to work or school, particularly if the route is littered with potholes and debris.

Fat bikes are all-terrain bicycles. The fat bike is capable of traversing rocks, trails, and gravel and dirt. In addition, the fat bike can travel through snow and sand. Therefore, whether you are in the frigid winters of Colorado or the scorching heat of Arizona, your fat bike will be prepared.

In terms of commuting, the fatbike falls short, particularly on smooth pavement. However, an added benefit of fatbikes is that the majority of models include the ability to switch from fat tires to mountain bike tires. So while technically it fails as a commuting bicycle, if you change the tires it becomes equivalent to a mountain bike’s commuting capabilities.

What is the Difference Between a Fat Bike and Mountain Bike?

• Advantages of fatbike

1. Traction
   The traction of a fat bike is superior. This is particularly true for climbing traction. Fatbike tires permit riding at a lower tire pressure. The reduced tire pressure enables the tires to grip the terrain. Therefore, when climbing, the bicycle does a great deal of the work for you.
2. The frame’s adaptability
   The fatbike frame accommodates fat tires, as well as 29er and 27+ wheels and tires. This allows you to convert your fatbike into a mountain bike when necessary. Additionally, it enables you to have two bikes in one.
3. Wheel Volume
   The low pressure on the wheels and the large volume of the wheels can give the sensation of floating over the terrain. On a fatbike, the bumps caused by rocks and roots on a mountain bike are barely noticeable. The large volume and low pressure are also advantageous for the occasional downhill turns that are required.

• Disadvantages of fat bike

1. Depending on the terrain, large tire size may also be disadvantageous. The fat tire will not dig into the ground when traversing loose or muddy terrain. The tendency to “float” makes the fatbike more susceptible to losing traction or washing out.
2. With increased rolling resistance However, this is more noticeable on smooth pavements.

Advantages and disadvantages of mountain bike

If you are purchasing a bike for commuting to work, school, or the local bar, the mountain bike is likely the superior option. With the exception that your occupation is lifeguard and you reside on the beach.

Otherwise, a mountain bike will provide a more comfortable commute if your job requires you to travel over flat terrain. On smooth terrain, neither the fatbike nor the mountain bike are optimal, but the mountain bike is superior.

However, can you own a fatbike whose tires can be converted to mountain bike standards? Yes, the majority of fatbikes are equipped with rims that allow you to change the tire size to mountain bike dimensions. However, if you don’t want to change tires just to commute to work, then the mountain bike is a narrow winner.