Are you fat? Do you like it? What would you do different next time?

[Beaver]

I can't really tell much difference between my 27.5x4.5 vee rubber snow avalanche and my 26x4.8 49N whatchamacallits, both are studded. Huge difference between those and the choyangs that came with my first fatty.

[Shorty_J]

I can't really tell much difference between my 27.5x4.5 vee rubber snow avalanche and my 26x4.8 49N whatchamacallits, both are studded. Huge difference between those and the choyangs that came with my first fatty.

I think a lot of people are being drawn to 27.5 by thinking it does the same thing on a fat bike that it does on a normal mountain bike.

But 27.5 doesn't go wider than 4.5" so far, and the diameter of that wheel and my 26x5" is remarkably close... so the rollover resistance and angle of attack should be similar but I'd suggest I'm getting more float out of my 26x5.

[jackstraw]

I think a lot of people are being drawn to 27.5 by thinking it does the same thing on a fat bike that it does on a normal mountain bike.

But 27.5 doesn't go wider than 4.5" so far, and the diameter of that wheel and my 26x5" is remarkably close... so the rollover resistance and angle of attack should be similar but I'd suggest I'm getting more float out of my 26x5.

I've been trying to gather info on this and yes, the 26 x 5" is going to float better than a 27.5 x 4". The overall footprint of rubber on snow is larger on the 27.5, but narrower. So the thought (from what I've read and it just makes sense) is that a wider but shorter 26" footprint will float better. Now a 27.5 x 5" would be ideal for float. A 27.5 x 4.5" is probably pretty damn good though.

[Shorty_J]

I've been trying to gather info on this and yes, the 26 x 5" is going to float better than a 27.5 x 4". The overall footprint of rubber on snow is larger on the 27.5, but narrower. So the thought (from what I've read and it just makes sense) is that a wider but shorter 26" footprint will float better. Now a 27.5 x 5" would be ideal for float. A 27.5 x 4.5" is probably pretty damn good though.

My point is that the assumption that 27.5 has a larger contact patch is not always valid.

The footprint is a factor of the length of contact patch and the width... and the length of the contact patch is proportional to the diameter of the tire.

The diameter of any johnny 5 on a 26" wheel is 30.2".

https://fat-bike.com/2020/02/terrene...he%20Vee%202XL.

Whereas this chart shows the cake eater 27.5x4 is under 30"... actually a smaller diameter and smaller contact patch than the Johnny 5. All of the combinations on the chart below are less than 30" and the 27.5x4 is almost identical in diameter to the 26x4.8.

https://fat-bike.com/2018/04/26-27-5...el-comparison/

The cake eater 27.5x4.5 is actually 785mm (30.9") and is a larger contact patch but i think most narrower 27.5 are a smaller contact patch than 26x5 johnny 5.

https://fat-bike.com/2018/11/first-l...ight%3A%20~5mm

[jackstraw]

Ok, but what is lost there? Something is going on to have a 26" tire having a larger diameter than a 27.5. The one article is 2018, so it would be interesting to see what, if anything, has changed since then.

My new bike comes as a 650b, so I'll be riding it as one with the fattest tire possible.

[Shorty_J]

Ok, but what is lost there? Something is going on to have a 26" tire having a larger diameter than a 27.5. The one article is 2018, so it would be interesting to see what, if anything, has changed since then.

My new bike comes as a 650b, so I'll be riding it as one with the fattest tire possible.

Honestly, I can't figure out what is lost there other than the 26x5 probably is less likely to pinch flat at low pressures than the same length (but narrower) 27.5x4 tire.

And since running low pressures is one of the major points of a fat bike, I'm happy with my 26x5.

If I had 27.5 wheels I would either run the cake eater 4.5, or the bontragger gnarwhal 4.5... pretty sure they are the largest available in that format.

[jackstraw]

Yeah, the Blizzard comes with a 4.5" cake eater.

What's funny or odd is that they posted this on their support page -
Model Year
Maximum Tire Width
2015 26" x 4.8"
2016 26" x 4.8"
2017 26" x 4.8" // 29" x 3.0"
2018 26" x 4.8" // 29" x 3.0"
2019 26" x 4.8" // 29" x 3.0"
2020 26 x 4.8 // 27.5 x 4.0 // 29 x 3.0 (30/50 levels only)

Yet, the spec on the bike page (30 layup) states this -
Rims
Sun Mulefüt 80 | 32H | Tubeless Ready - Tape | Valves Incl
Tires
F: Terrene Cake Eater Fast Rolling Tubeless Studdable 27.5 x 4.5 | R: Terrene Cake Eater Fast Rolling Tubeless Studdable 27.5 x 4.5

So I really don't know what the fattest tire will be available for the 22 model. I'm thinking a 26" x 5" will work.

[Shorty_J]

That 4.5 cake eater is huge, and apparently the centre knobs are a lot bigger/more aggressive than the other size of cake eater, for some reason.

If your bike comes with those, I'd just run them.

[SJG]

FWIW, I ran 27.5x4.5" last Winter in mostly LCC riding, and this year switched back to superior 26x4.8-5". The tires are just not there yet for 27.5 for softer conditions.

The 27.5 was fast and efficient, which was great, but didn't cut it when it got soft.

[Shredhead]

26 x 4.6” 45N Wrathchilds are ten times better than the Kenda Juggernauts that came as stock.

[Shorty_J]

FWIW, I ran 27.5x4.5" last Winter in mostly LCC riding, and this year switched back to superior 26x4.8-5". The tires are just not there yet for 27.5 for softer conditions.

The 27.5 was fast and efficient, which was great, but didn't cut it when it got soft.

Yeah having never actually tried 27.5 fat (so maybe my thoughts are off base), this is part of what I was worried about.

You don't see people running low profile tires on a 4x4 rig so I'm not sure why you would want more rim and less rubber on a fat bike?

[jackstraw]

FWIW, I ran 27.5x4.5" last Winter in mostly LCC riding, and this year switched back to superior 26x4.8-5". The tires are just not there yet for 27.5 for softer conditions.

The 27.5 was fast and efficient, which was great, but didn't cut it when it got soft.

Interesting. Thanks.

[Shorty_J]

I've been trying to gather info on this and yes, the 26 x 5" is going to float better than a 27.5 x 4". The overall footprint of rubber on snow is larger on the 27.5, but narrower. So the thought (from what I've read and it just makes sense) is that a wider but shorter 26" footprint will float better. Now a 27.5 x 5" would be ideal for float. A 27.5 x 4.5" is probably pretty damn good though.

Yeah I agree... 27.5x4.5 is a lot of float.

If I had a 27.5 wheelset I would run this size and be happy with it.

I think they are close enough to not worry about a new wheelset... just work with what you've got.

[scrublover]

Got a 2017 Kona Wozo size medium frame up for grabs if anyone is looking for something to build up/swap parts to. Scratches and scrapes, but no cracks, major dings, all threaded bits are intact, etc.

It's the older 177 x 12 rear end version, in blue.

[Beaver]

My 27.5 x4.5 are just as meaty as my 26x4.8. I'd say they roll better but I've never compared them in similar condition with similar pressure. I tend to run my 27.5 firmer, so they roll faster, I'd say I prefer 27.5. Don't ask what psi I run, I don't have a clue of the actual number and don't care. I finger bang them and Ride.

[Shorty_J]

I finger bang them and Ride.

Sig worthy.

[SJG]

[Shredhead]

Nice! Can’t say I’m beeping a lot riding.
Can’t even get myself to bring my Garmin most days.

[TahoeBC]

Some lake riding

[Touring_Sedan]

First.

[Shredhead]

I’m continually amazed by your ability to ride year round, in shorts. We’ll done!

[Shredhead]

Not quite first.

[Shorty_J]

You guys must be much better riders than I am because I struggle like hell in untracked.

[jackstraw]

You guys must be much better riders than I am because I struggle like hell in untracked.

Sometimes it's actually easier depending on conditions and at times it's impossible for sure. Definitely a different ride as far as pedaling and weight bearing.

Guy who was getting a shipment of Rocky Mtn's in contacted me and not one bike is a Blizzard. No new fatty for me this season.

[Shredhead]

3-4” of fluff over a nice hard even base is sublime. More than that or an unconsolidated base can be tricky.
I find slush the most difficult.