Fat-bike News You Can Use
Greetings from the Fat-bike.com News Room! It is Friday, July 18th. Here is what’s up in fat-bike news this week!
Why We Still Ride Fat When It’s 80 Degrees
We just rolled back from four days of pure bliss on Michigan’s lakeshores, and I’m here to remind everyone why fatbikes aren’t just winter warriors—they’re the ultimate summer sand machines.
The Great Lakes Advantage
While most cyclists are sweating through another road ride or navigating crowded singletrack, I spent the weekend, and a day or two on either side, carving through pristine sand along Lake Michigan’s endless coastline. The contrast couldn’t be starker: 80-degree sunshine, cool lake breezes, and miles of virgin sand that would swallow a regular mountain bike wheel without a second thought.
What makes summer sand riding special:
- Infinite terrain variety: From hard-packed wet sand near the waterline to challenging soft dunes.
- Natural air conditioning: Lake breezes keep you cool!
- Zero crowds: While beaches near parking lots fill with swimmers and sunbathers, the vast sandy expanses remain virtually empty for cyclists.
- Scenic payoff: Every pedal stroke offers spectacular water views that beats any mountain vista. Throw in the sounds of waves lapping the shoreline and you have a recipe for relaxation!
The Physics of Fat in Summer
Here’s what newcomers don’t realize: those 4+ inch tires that float over snow perform the exact same magic on sand. The wide footprint distributes weight across loose surfaces that would bog down any other bike. But summer sand riding has its own unique characteristics:
Tire pressure becomes critical: I ran 5-7 PSI on soft sand, bumping up to about 12-14 PSI on the transition road portions. The Fanttik X9 Ace Mini Bike Pump worked great! The ability to adjust pressure mid-ride transforms your bike’s personality completely.
Heat management matters: Unlike winter riding where you’re fighting cold, summer sand cycling means managing the heat and sun. I use a rash-guard shirt with long sleeves to keep the sunburn at bay and, on the beach, a soft, cowboy-style hat to keep the sun off my face.
Momentum is everything: Soft sand punishes hesitation. Once you commit to a line, smooth pedaling and forward momentum carry you through sections that would stop other bikes cold.
Beyond the Beach
The beauty of summer fatbiking extends far beyond coastal adventures. These bikes excel on:
- Desert trails where sand washes create mini-dunes
- River bottoms during low water periods
- Construction zones with loose dirt and gravel (yes, you can ride a fatbike on gravel! No special “gravel” bike needed!)
Gear Notes from the Trail
After four days of sandy abuse, here’s what worked:
- Chain maintenance: Daily cleaning and lubing keeps the wheel rolling. I use a dry lube in the sand and brush off what sand I can. Greggers was hosing down with motorcycle lube. I have to see how that worked.
- Bearing protection: Sealed cartridge bearings worth their weight in gold
- Hydration: Carry more water than winter rides! There are not many spots to grab water on the more remote beach sections even though there is a big-ass lake right next to you.
Where Is The Summer Fatbike Community?
What surprised me most was that we did not encounter ANY other beach fatbike riders. I did see the occasional tire track though. I know there’s a growing community of cyclists who’ve discovered what we’ve known all along—fatbikes aren’t seasonal tools, they’re year-round adventure enablers. The summer fatbike scene is quietly thriving.
This Week’s Takeaway
While the cycling world debates gravel vs. road vs. mountain, we’re out here riding terrain that’s completely inaccessible to standard bikes. Summer fatbiking isn’t just about riding when it’s hot—it’s about accessing adventures that simply don’t exist for other cyclists.
The next time someone questions why you’re riding a fatbike in July, just smile and remember: they’re stuck on pavement while you’re carving through some of the most beautiful, untouched terrain in the country.
Until next week, keep those tires fat and those adventures fatter.
Got summer fatbike photos or stories to share? Send them our way for next week’s column.
Looking for a new fatbike?
- The Wildberry Fat-bike from State Bicycle Company looks great to me and if you buy this bike, one of the best values going for a good quality fat-bike, we may get a small commission that will help us keep this website going!
- Dig the BMX styling of the SE Bikes Fat Quad!
- REI has its Co-op Cycles DRT 4.1 Fat-Tire Mountain Bike on sale.
- Canyon is selling its Dude CF 8 on Amazon in the US. (if you click the link and buy one, we will get a small commission and you won’t pay any extra! Carbon Fiber, Shimano Deore, Raceface, Maxxis. Good stuff! You will be able to find them at REI too which means you should be able to get it serviced there. Pretty standard fat-bike fare and your local bike shop can handle it too!
- We do love the Schwalbe Jumbo Jim! One of the best available fat-bike tires for a variety of conditions. If you buy it from this link we will get a small commission and you won’t pay any extra! It is like supporting the site for free!
Mongoose Fat-bikes for kids!
- 24″ Wheel – Mongoose Argus 24
- 20″ Wheel – Mongoose Argus 20
What’s the Buzz at Fat-bike.com?
Did you miss any of these posts this past week?
- Wallpaper Wednesday – This week we take a look at our transportation to Michigan for Bikes, Boat and Goats. The S.S. Badger!
- Throwback Thursday – This Week in Fat Bike History from 7-20-12 – Learn what was happening at the beginning!
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https://fatbike.printful.me/product/black-polar-bear-tail-whip-dryblend-t-shirt
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You can check out Full Spectrum Cycling 312 with Sam D and, double bonus, Full Spectrum Cycling 313 with Corey Baumann here this week. Sven and JK hold down the fort in the ever evolving PodcastMKE Studio. Dig the show notes!
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