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It’s always exciting to get a new bike and be able to personalize and modify it! Ideally, we would all start with a frame and build it up exactly as we want. But in reality, most of us start with a stock fully-built bicycle.
That doesn’t mean that we must keep everything that came with the bike. Some people will want to upgrade or swap parts right away while others will want to tinker with the options first.
In this guide, I will cover some of the key upgrades that you can make to your fat bike to enhance your enjoyment of fat tire bike riding.
Why Should I Upgrade My Bike Components?
Upgrading your fat bike components can be a great way to make your bike look and function the way you want it to. Plus, you will have the ability to upgrade the parts when they become worn.
So why upgrade? Upgrading will not only improve how well your bike looks, but it will also reduce the overall weight of your fat bike. This is great for anyone who wants to take their fat bike on bigger adventures where weight matters.
Which Parts Of My Fat Bike Should I Upgrade?
This is a great question, especially relevant to the winter season. There are many different parts of your bike that you can upgrade or replace with new parts to make your fat bike more reliable.
I’m going to go ahead and answer the question by focusing on the most popular upgrades for fat bikes.
Tires
What tires you decide to use on your fat bike is really depends on the type of riding you will be doing.
For those who want to ride in the winter months, having a decent set of winter tires can make all the difference between a fun ride and a treacherous one. Having a set of tires with good grip and potentially studs will be a major benefit here.
We have a full guide to the best winter fat bike tires. Below is our pick of the bunch, but feel free to check out that guide to learn more about choosing winter tires.
VEE Tire Co. Adult Snow Shoe XL
Key Features:
- Width = 4.8″
- Weight per tire = 1.7kg
- Studs per tire = 240
- Tubeless ready = No
For cycling in the milder months, you will probably want to steer clear of studded tires as the studs will wear out and become less effective when you truly need them.
Your stock tires will probably suffice, but if you want to get a set of tires with lower rolling resistance and therefore improved speed, you can’t go wrong with these.
Pedals
Pedals are one of the most important parts of a bike and choosing a pair that not only looks good but also will improve the performance of your fat bike is a must.
There are two types of pedals, flat and clipless. Flat pedals provide more grip for your feet, while clipless pedals allow you to attach your shoe to the pedal itself with a clip.
While both styles have their advantages and disadvantages, there are some occasions where one is better than the other. For example, if you were riding through mud or sand, then you would want flat pedals because they provide more grip for your feet that will allow you to push down on the pedal better. If you were riding in snow or ice then clipless are better because they provide less traction for your foot so that it doesn’t slip off.
That said, in most of the circumstances that you will be riding your fat bike in, being able to get your foot down quickly is really important, therefore flat pedals are usually better.
You can learn more about the best fat bike pedals in our dedicated guide, however, we would definitely recommend the following pair to help improve your fat bike performance (and style!).
Shimano PD-GR500 MTB Flat Pedals
Key Features:
- GR500 platform pedal with concave platform for better control and efficiency
- Extra-wide platform suitable for various shoes sizes
- Low profile pedal flat pedal
- Long pins for extra grip when pedalling in wet conditions
- Low maintenance design
- Weight: 533g/pair
Saddle
If you’re going to be on your fat bike for a long time, you’re also going to be in your saddle for a long time too. This makes selecting a comfortable saddle an absolute must.
There are many factors that affect the comfort of a fat bike saddle, but there are some basics to keep in mind.
It is important not to buy too wide or too narrow of a saddle. Wide saddles may prevent you from moving your legs freely, which can cause pain and soreness. And narrow saddles can cause pressure on the soft tissue of your pelvic area, which may lead to discomfort.
It is also important to purchase a fat bike saddle that will relieve pressure on sensitive areas like the perineum. Choosing a saddle with a gap down the middle will help significantly in reducing pain in these areas.
We have a dedicated guide to fat bike saddles, which goes into more detail on how to select the right one. Below is our favourite saddle for your fat bike.
Ergon Men’s SM E-MTB Sport Saddle
Key Features:
- The e-mtb-specific comfort saddle for men
- Tailored for prolonged seated climbing and particularly steep ascends
- Dynamic comfort padding and a ramping tail with a flat circumference for great freedom of movement
- Orthocell-inlays in the seating area generate the best possible pressure distribution
- Weight 335g
Handlebar Grips
Whilst hand grips aren’t going to change how fast you ride or have a significant impact on the comfort of your ride, they are an excellent way to personalise your fat bike.
It is still a good idea to invest in a decent pair of handlebar grips though. One of the best sets we have found is the SDG Thrice Lock-On MTB Handlebar Grips. These handlebar grips are perfect for people who like extreme conditions and need something to help them get a firm grasp on their bike. The compounds of these grips are durable enough to handle the abuse, making them perfect for tougher rides.
SDG Thrice Lock-On MTB Handlebar Grips
Bar Ends
If you’ve never heard of bar ends before, then you might just be missing out on one of the best additions you can make to your fat bike.
Bar ends are small metal bars that attach to the end of your handlebars. They are used to offer an alternative grip position for your hands, which allows you to put more power into your bike and reduce the pressure on your wrists.
Some models are designed to resemble bull horns, curving round from the side to the front. There are other models out there that do not look like typical bull horns and it is essentially personal preference as to which you choose.
These bar ends can be paired with any style of handlebars, but they work best when they match the size of your handlebar diameter. Make sure you find a pair that can fit your bike as it could be an issue if the bar end is too small or large to fit on your handlebars.
Our favourite bar ends are the BBB LightCurve Bar Ends, which are lightweight, durable aluminium bar ends.
BBB LightCurve Bar Ends BBE18
Key Features:
- Size = 150mm
- Material = Alloy
- Clamp = Screw Fit
- Weight 134g for the pair
- Lightweight and one piece aluminium
Storage
If you plan on taking your fat bike out for long periods and don’t want to use a rucksack to carry all of your stuff, you might want to invest in some storage bags that can be added to your bike.
These bags are particularly useful for those who are looking to use their fat bike all year round, including for commuting, as well as those who are going on multiday bike trekking trips.
The following are our favourite storage bags you can get for your bike:
Fat Bike Modification FAQs:
Can You Add Studs To Fat Bike Tires?
A lot of people think that you can’t put studs on a fat bike tire.
However, if you’re looking to use your fat bike for winter riding, then adding studs is a good idea. It will make the tires more grippy and help to keep them from sliding on ice or snow.
Check out our guide to winter fat bike cycling to find out more about adding studs to your fat bike tires.
How Do I Convert My Fat Bike Tire To Tubeless?
I am not the only one who has struggled with this question. I have seen many people asking for help on forums. If you are also struggling to convert your fat bike tire to tubeless, then the following video will be helpful.
Summary
I hope you have found some inspiration for how you can personalise and modify your fat bike.
For me, there is nothing better than creating a bike that is more durable, but more importantly unique to you.
If you liked this guide, please share it on Pinterest. Also, please check out our other guides to all things outdoors.
Happy cycling!
