Forum Index > Trail Talk > Fatbikes vs Snowshoes?
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Brucester
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Brucester
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PostSun Dec 15, 2019 8:52 am 
I've been snowshoeing for like, forever. I love how you can walk just about anywhere and it's actually fun. I'm relatively new to fat biking, a few years now. While I love city rides, riding single track without snow, bombing down staircases and finding adventure in the city I've seldom ridden in the snow, I have though. My finding was where it was tracked as in riding packed snow, it was a chore and somewhat "fun." Not as fun as snowshoeing though. I ride Ground Control 4.6 inch tires aired down for floatation. While this is just one riders perspective, I have been thinking a lot about the world and I've been wanting to see less "machines" accessing the woods and or wild places. I love to ride but I'm a hiker first and foremost. The last thing I'd ever want to hear snowshoeing is "on your left" a vocal reminder my solitude is lost to "machines...."

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Randito
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Randito
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PostSun Dec 15, 2019 9:09 am 
In Anchorage where snow biking was developed there are separate trails for snow biking from XC skiing and other activites. This is also developing here in the PNW -- the Methow Trail association has started designating some trails for snow biking. https://www.methowtrails.org/fat-bike Along the I-90 corridor, snow bikers are encouraged to utilize the dog sled trails or lesser used groomed snowmobile routes farther east. https://www.snowrec.org/snow-cycling

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Malachai Constant
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Malachai Constant
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PostSun Dec 15, 2019 9:20 am 
They are popular in Canada also usually on designated trails as they can trash trad XC tracks. Not as much problem with snowshoe tracks. What really sucks is been folks porthole XC tracks. mad.gif

"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
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RichP
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PostSun Dec 15, 2019 9:26 am 
A local club in my area grooms in winter for fat bikes. Come over and try it out sometime. http://bikemoscow.org

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treeswarper
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treeswarper
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PostSun Dec 15, 2019 11:31 am 
I can always take my ebike out, I guess cuz it has fat tires. hockeygrin.gif

What's especially fun about sock puppets is that you can make each one unique and individual, so that they each have special characters. And they don't have to be human––animals and aliens are great possibilities
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Pyrites
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PostSun Dec 15, 2019 7:41 pm 
What are they like on snowmobile roads? Best.

Keep Calm and Carry On? Heck No. Stay Excited and Get Outside!
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Cyclopath
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Cyclopath
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PostSun Dec 15, 2019 8:34 pm 
I'd rather be on skis than a fat bike any day.

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treeswarper
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treeswarper
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PostSun Dec 15, 2019 8:57 pm 
Pyrites wrote:
What are they like on snowmobile roads? Best.
I have not done that. I have only (so far) ridden through slush with a bit of manure mixed in. eek.gif Stay tuned, although I do not guarantee that I will go snow biking.

What's especially fun about sock puppets is that you can make each one unique and individual, so that they each have special characters. And they don't have to be human––animals and aliens are great possibilities
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Randito
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Randito
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PostSun Dec 15, 2019 9:06 pm 
Pyrites wrote:
What are they like on snowmobile roads? Best.
They are new enough around here that snow bike / snowmobile tensions haven't yet developed. Snow biking on a groomed for snow machines can be very fun -- I've done it in Alberta -- there the temp was around 10F and the surface was firm and smooth snow. The tires gripped and rolled well and didn't sink into the surface. Going off the groomed into fresh snow, even the snow is not very deep requires far more energy.. However with the moderate temperatures around here, I think much of the time the snow is mushy enough that even 4 inch + tires can sink in to the groomed surface and rut it up. I have family that lives in Anchorage -- there they have extensive snow bike trails separate from ski trails and snowmobile trails. The Anchorage snow bike trails are also bike trails in the summer. In Anchorage in more recent years temperatures are more variable and as a result the trails get rather icy. All my family's snow bike tires are fully spiked (steel studs, but bigger)

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BigBrunyon
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BigBrunyon
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PostMon Dec 16, 2019 11:32 am 
RandyHiker wrote:
They are new enough around here that snow bike / snowmobile tensions haven't yet developed.
Let's get out there and develop these tensions then!! I see this as an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a major dispute.

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Brucester
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Brucester
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PostMon Dec 16, 2019 1:11 pm 
Idaho sounds very cool! I'm down! Are e-bikes like e-chainsaws?

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treeswarper
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treeswarper
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PostMon Dec 16, 2019 1:51 pm 
Brucester wrote:
Idaho sounds very cool! I'm down! Are e-bikes like e-chainsaws?
Uh, are snowshoes like snowmobiles?

What's especially fun about sock puppets is that you can make each one unique and individual, so that they each have special characters. And they don't have to be human––animals and aliens are great possibilities
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Cyclopath
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Cyclopath
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PostMon Dec 16, 2019 1:58 pm 
Are eBikes bikes?

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DigitalJanitor
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DigitalJanitor
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PostMon Dec 16, 2019 2:08 pm 
Cyclopath wrote:
I'd rather be on skis than a fat bike any day.
I agree with you except under conditions where it's icy enough that skiing is hazardous OR there's rocks showing through. That's when you want the fatty. Big tires deal just fine with both those situations.

~Mom jeans on wheels
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Pahoehoe
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Pahoehoe
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PostMon Dec 16, 2019 7:22 pm 
I'm hoping to take my e-snowmobile into the non motorized snow areas and cross country trails. Its quiet. No exhaust. Shouldnt be an issue.

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