They say to never shop on an empty stomach, apparently that applies to the bike store too. On an innocent July lunchtime trip to the bike store to buy a shifter cable and a seat, I saw this bike…. I had always liked the fat tire bikes and had been thinking of one to continue my riding into the winter months, which seem to be over 6 months of the year here in Michigan. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the price, it was on sale for under $1000, an SE Bikes F@R. I looked closer and really liked the components, Samox 36/22T crankset, Shimano Deore derailleurs, 11-36T 10-Speed cassette, trigger shifters, hydraulic brakes and those giant size Vee Bulldozer 4.7″ tires on 100mm rims. The Kore components were no let down either, micro adjust seatpost, super comfy Kore Koza seat. I was smitten, well except for the color, which looks like Rustoleum red primer with a satin clearcoat (the 2017 version has a nicer blue). 35 minutes later I was loading this brute into the back of my hatchback.
Originally I figured this to be my winter bike, but of course had to test it out a bit, and soon found it to be an all season bike. The only changes I made was to put on a shorter stem, from the 100mm down to 35mm as I have a short torso and added clipless pedals. My first time at my favorite trail (Island Lake Recreation Area 9-1/2 mile loop) I had made 5 PR’s over my 10 pound lighter 29″ hardtail. The amazing wide tires sailed through the sand and gravel and never slipped going up hills, and cornering it seemed to have endless traction, far beyond my courage. At just over 34 pounds this is no lightweight, but handles like it is. I now ride this beast more often than my 23 pound custom hardtail, its just more fun.
On a side note, I found that the fat tire bike mounts just fine on my Pro Series Q Slot 2 hitch rack, just flip the tire holders upside down and use some 1″ straps around the wheels!
I have purchased Snowshoe XL Studded tires and will mount them up tubeless when the snow starts, looking forward to winter for the first time since I was 12 years old!
ED – Roxy first contacted us back in July before she picked up the F@R with this to say!
Hi guys! Somehow I stumbled across your show while looking for mountain bike podcasts and now I am hooked, anxiously awaiting each new episode. Never was interested in a fat tire bike, but due to your crazy antics keeping me listening, I now want to get a fat bike to add to my collection and ride myself silly on. Any advice for a first time buyer? Thanks for having such a great show!
Glad to know that The Weekly Dose of Fat inspires people to get on a fat-bike!
Rox mam, nice bike, i really like, looking good 😛