If you have ever ridden a fat bike off-road, you’ll know how fun they are when riding in wet and muddy conditions. The grip you get from the wider tires means you can pedal hard without the worry of your bike slipping out from underneath you.
Whilst the extra surface area is great when riding off-road, what if you’re riding on the road? Can you ride fat bikes on the road or are they really just for riding on snow and wet surfaces.
In this guide, I will cover all you need to know about taking to the road with your fat bike.
If you’re in a hurry, the short answer is yes, you can ride your fat bike on the road. As long as you follow the rule of the road, just like other cyclists and road users, it is perfectly legal and safe to ride your fat bike on the road. However, there are some things to consider before you do hit the road.
If you want to find out more, read on.
What Are Fat Bikes?
Fat bikes are created for the snow, but they have become popular for other reasons. They have tires that are 3-5 inches wide, providing more traction and grip on any surface. The increased surface area also provides more comfort.
Fat bikes are similar to mountain bikes but use an upright riding style.
Fat bikes can be ridden on any surface including sand, mud, rocks, snow, ice and tarmac which has made them popular in countries without great weather conditions.
What Are The Benefits of Fat Bikes?
Fast, Stable, Fun. There are plenty of reasons to love fat bikes.
Larger Surface Area
Fat tires have a large volume to them which helps with stability so if you happen to hit a bump or something while riding, you’re less likely to be thrown off your bike. No more swerving around small bumps and potholes in the road.
Great For Riding On Mud And Snow
Fat tire bikes have wider tires compared to regular bikes. The larger volume and low pressure in the tires meaning that you have a larger surface area in contact with the ground at all times. This means that you can still get out and ride, no matter what the weather is like.
Less Likely To Get Punctures
On a regular bike, one of the reasons you get punctures is due to the high pressure in the tire. This means that there is less give in the tire when riding over stones and rough edges.
The lower pressure in fat bike tires means that if you do hit any sharp edges when riding over rough terrain, you are less likely to get a puncture.
You are still going to get a puncture if riding over very sharp objects such as nails, but gone will be the frustration of getting a puncture seemingly out of nowhere.
What You Need to Know About Riding a Fat Bike on the Road
If you are new to the sport of fat biking, you might be wondering how to ride your new bike on the road.
The first thing to remember with fat bikes is that they are designed to be used on multiple surfaces. As a “jack of all trades” this means that they will do a lot of things well, but not everything amazingly.
Advantages Of Riding A Fat Bike On The Road Vs. A Regular Bike
One advantage of a fat bike when riding on the road vs. a regular bike is the increased traction in wet conditions. You can’t always predict the weather and whilst it might look like great conditions when you first set out on your ride, things can quickly turn. A fat bike is perfect for changing conditions and better than a road bike when things get wet.
There is also the increased flexibility you get compared to a regular bike. With a regular road bike, you are restricted to just riding on the road, whereas with a fat bike, you can quickly change your mind and go for the more “scenic” route if you wish. Particularly useful if you suddenly hit traffic when out on your ride.
Disadvantage Of Riding A Fat Bike On The Road Vs. A Regular Bike
When it comes to riding on the road, that increased surface area that is great on mud and snow can be a disadvantage. Whilst the increased surface area is great for getting a better grip, it also means increased friction on the road, meaning you will slow down quickly and need to pedal harder to maintain your pace.
The same goes for the lower tire pressure as well. The lower tire pressure on your fat bike will also increase the amount of drag when riding on the road, which will slow you down when riding.
As well as increased drag, lower tire pressure and increased friction can make it harder to turn your bike. This is because the forces on your bike when cornering coupled with the increased friction will mean the rim and tire become out of line, which can lead to the feeling of the bike slipping when cornering.
It is also important to remember that fat bikes are heavier than road bikes. It’s a simple fact that the heavier your vehicle is, the more energy it will take to make it go faster (unless you’re going downhill of course, where weight can be an advantage).
Finally, fat tire bikes are wider than regular road bikes, meaning that there is increased wind resistance as well.
Is it Legal for Adults to Ride Fat Tire Bikes on the Road?
Riding a fat tire bike on the road is perfectly legal, just like it is with any bike.
You need to make sure that you stick to the rules of the road just like any other vehicle would do, following the rule of the highway road when riding in the UK.
This isn’t the case for all countries though. In countries like The Netherland, you must ride your bike in the designated bike lanes.
Best Practices for Riding a Fat Bike on the Road Safely
There are some simple things you can do to make sure you remain safe when riding your fat bike on the road.
First and foremost, don’t forget your helmet. It doesn’t matter if you’re just going around the block or taking a long trip, wearing a helmet is something that should be done every time you ride your bike. You never know when or where an accident might happen and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
It’s also important to signal when you’re turning. Think of it as giving other drivers and riders notice that there’s someone in their path who needs space to turn and might be moving across the road in front of them.
You should also try to ride defensively. Remember that whilst you are on a fat bike, which is bigger than a normal road bike, you are still a lot smaller, lighter and more likely to get injured if you get into a crash with a car. Don’t assume that a driver pulling out of a junction has seen you and be prepared to have to brake suddenly in case they do pull out on you.
Summary
So now you know, yes you can ride your fat bike on the road.
Whilst a fat bike is obviously not as good as a regular bike when riding on the road, it is great for riding on other surfaces and give you the flexibility to change your mind if you suddenly want to go off-road on your journey.
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Happy cycling!
