Caterham E-Fat Bike Caterham Reveals its First Ever Motorcycles at EICMA 2013 - Carscoops

http://muddybrownsevents.blogspot.com/

http://anello-grande.blogspot.com/

DIY Fat bike rack tray/straps for 5" tires

DIY Fat bike rack tray/straps for 5" tires - write-up with photos

http://forums.mtbr.com/fat-bikes/diy-fat-bike-rack-tray-straps-5-tires-write-up-photos-843846.html

Call me ghetto... but this turned out pretty decent and works great. Thought I'd share my little creation. This was on my Thule rack, may work differently on others.

I had been strapping the tires down tight to the rack which worked for the most part, but any side wind would occasionally blow my tire sideways... not fun going 70 on the highway.

So had to get creative to fix this...



PARTS:
2 - Polyethylene Internal Coupler, 5" or 4" depending on your tire size (get these at any hardware/home store... home depot, etc.).
4 - 1/4" x 2" bolts.
8 - 1/4" washers.
4 - 1/4" wing nut bolts.
2 - straps of your choice... or get some super cheap snowshoes with the ratched latch (which I used).

You will also need a Dremel or other rotary tool and some zip ties help.

---

Here are my parts per strap - the coupler, 2 bolts with washers and wingnuts, and the strap from my old snowshoes (cut down).





First I had to cut out the part shown here in green, so that it would fit snug with the tray. Just notched them out with the cutter.






Next I cut the coupler in 2 pieces, leaving one slightly taller than the other.





Then I lightly zip tied the taller piece to the rack, threw my bike on top to find the position, and strapped it down tight so it wouldn't slide around.





Then lay the shorter half inside the other. I found having the two creates a stronger support.





I drilled two holes with a (bigger than 1/4") drill bit so that it went through the center channel of the thule aluminum tray. This won't effect anything on your thule tray if you want to put your old straps back on some day.





To help with drilling the second hole, I put the bolt in and lightly tightened. I arranged as bolt head on top with washer, and then bottom of thule tray the other washer and wingnut.





Once my holes were drilled I removed the inner coupler and layed down my strap. I didn't want to drill through the strap since it was hard rubber that might eventually stretch, so this is how I went about it. This ratchet strap from my old snowshoes fit perfect.





Then I just put the inner coupler over the top of the strap, put the two bolts in, and tightened it up. I also took the rotary tool and cut all corners nice and round, and got rid of any other sharp areas where things could catch.





Here is a front view with the two pieces and Bud. You can see the bolts going through underneath. It's a nice snug fit.





The finished front one strapped down. Side to side movement of the tire is now very minimal.





Then it's time to go inside and have another beer.

http://xxcmag.com/farmers-fat-bike-race-recap/

Farmer’s Fat Bike Race Recap

by Xxcmagazine on January 14, 2013 in xxc news

The Farmer’s Fat Bike Race kicked off the six race 2013 Great Lakes Fat Bike Series this past Saturday at the Cannonsburg Ski Area just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

While many will argue that you don’t need snow to enjoy riding or racing a fat bike, it is pretty universally accepted that most fat bike racers enjoy plowing through the white stuff. Sadly, Mother Nature really didn’t feel the need cooperate and in the week leading up to the race brought rain and freakishly warm January temperatures to Michigan, melting the snow and leaving the Farmer’s course at Cannonsburg a mix of everything from dry to tacky singletrack to sand and deep mud.

While none of the racers or spectators were complaining too much about the warm temperatures that had many in short sleeves and shorts for the event, the lack of snow did cause some minor course changes and surely had race director Scott Chambers wondering if the turnout and the enthusiasm would still be there from the racers. As it turns out, there was no need to worry… racing is racing and fun is fun no matter what those big, bulbous tires are rolling over.

The race had Solo racers and Duo teams attempting to complete as many laps of the sub three mile course as possible between Noon and 3 p.m.. Some of the men on hand with a strong chance for the Solo win were Dan Korienek (Leadout Racing), Nate Versluis (Farm Team Racing) and Jorden Wakeley (Einstein Racing) fresh of his victory at last week’s race at Hanson Hills in Grayling, Michigan. Endurance race expert and last year’s winner Danielle Musto (Salsa Cycles/Twin-Six) was considered the favorite in the Women’s race.

From the gun (or air horn type thing to be exact) racers started a series undulating climbs on tacky dirt and singletrck through the woods.

Once to the top, they would then make their way down though fun, bermed singletrack switchbacks before more climbing.

With the climbing and singletrack behind them, racers were then greeted with a long section of sand that resembled a lunar landscape plopped down on he backside of a ski hill in southwest Michigan. The sand, which was hard enough to walk in, let along ride over surely would have had tires of less girthly proportions at a stand still, yet these bikes rolled on, and even had some racers up out of the saddle looking to gain time on their rivals.

While the fat tires did indeed float over the sand, a strong wind gusting over the sand taxed riders as the laps piled up, as did a steep little grunt of a climb back up to dirt that brought many to a stand still and forced many off their bikes for short run uphill through ankle deep sand.

The sand was soon replaced by a short section of trail before racers were sent down a long two track trail filled with cold standing water and deep oatmeal-like mud.

There was one last obstacle for the racers before entering the Start/Finish transition area– a short snow field that would have been no problem if it weren’t for the fact that it was like riding through a rutted, melting snow cone! This forced many racers off their bikes and on their feet to scurry over those last yards before ending the lap.

Just as he did at last week’s race at Hanson Hills, Jorden Wakeley sprinted from the line, settled in, and turned out lap after speedy lap on his way to another victory.

Danielle Musto also looked strong all race long and turned out 10 laps over the 3 hour race and wasted no time in securing her first victory of 2013.

Afterwards, folks moved inside to the lodge for the awards, prizes and a beer or two. All in all a fine start to the Great Lakes Fat Bike Series… even without the snow!

Next up the race series will move to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on January 26th for the Noquemanon 50K World Championship Snow Bike race in Marquette.

Here are your Solo podiums:

Solo Men

1. Jorden Wakeley 12 laps
2. Evan Simula 10 laps
3. Kan Korinek 10 laps

Solo Women

1. Danielle Musto 10 laps
2. Jenny Scott 7 laps
3. Amy Attivissimo 7 laps

Team results to come…

For more information on the Great Lakes Fat Bike Series and full results visit greatlakesfatbikeseries.com.

A gallery of XXC’s photos will be available in the next day or so. Stay tuned to the blog or like us on Facebook for more info on that.

Words, video and photos by Jason Mahokey, xxcmag.com.

Fat Bike Pedal

http://www.fyxation.com/blogs/fyxation-1/8291599-fat-bike-pedal

Our buddy John at QBP just sent us over this picture of his Surly Moonlander that he finished off with our white Mesa pedals. When we launched the Mesa we knew it was a great thin platform pedal for urban riding. However, it didn't take long for the fat bike guys to catch onto the benefits of the Mesa and we keep seeing more and more photos like this popping up. For fat bike riders the Mesa offers a great wide platform for your boots and the fact that they are made out of a tough nylon makes them durable and warmer than a cold metal pedal when riding in the snow.

Our new Mesa MP with replaceable metal pins is another great option for the fat-bike rider that's looking for a little more grip and the flexibility to take pins out or replace them if needed.

fyxation Mesa Pedal: AK Approved, so far…

http://fat-bike.com/2012/03/fyxation-mesa-pedal-ak-approved-so-far/

by Josh Spice on March 5, 2012 

fyxation Mesas on trail in Alaska

Wide, light, grippy, and a good feel underfoot. What more could you ask for in a pedal? Durability, maybe, but I’m pretty sure high-impact nylon has proven itself in so many other applications that I have no worries here.

I most recently took these pedals on a 100 mile backcountry ride on winter trails through the mountains of Interior Alaska. I am a real hard sell on any other pedal than my trusty Wellgo MG-1s, but these fyxations are pretty awesome. Since making the switch, I’ve misplaced my MG-1s… and I don’t care.

Never have I slipped off the Mesas, even though the studs are molded nylon, not metal. Not even while wearing my Keen Summit County boots, which, undeniably, have pretty crappy tread for winter use, especially on pedals. Their widely spaced lugs don’t mate well with tiny studs. When I received the previously ridden red Mesas in the mail, they were missing one of the nylon studs. I have not felt its absence, however.

A major bonus to the molded-nylon studs over metal (like on my Wellgos), is they don’t bite your shins NEARLY as bad when pushing the bike up long, steep hills, if you find yourself doing this kind of ‘riding.’ Double bonus.

Although I haven’t ridden them in insanely cold temperatures like I have my Wellgos (-30 to -50F), I also haven’t noticed the slight cold-sink like I would with the magnesium pedals in temps down to -20F. I can’t say they are a cure to conducting cold underfoot (yet), but I can say they are better than metal. Honestly, I hope I don’t find out until next winter.

I ride single-speed and that means I’m a pedal masher. From tight & fast winter singletrack to long distance rides through the mountains, these pedals flat-out work. I think riding single allows me to more intensely focus on other intricacies of my bike, like how easy it is to find the sweet spot on the Mesas, where my foot feels comfortable and ready to pedal another 40 miles of winter trail. No shifting around, trying to get perfect placement. Possibly because they’re so big? Whatever it is, I like ‘em. They match well with the single-speed style of simply hopping on the bike and pedaling, and not having to focus on anything other than just that.

I’m really stoked to get them out on some big, cross-country, mountain range traverse trips this summer and see how they stand up to rocks and ocean spray. Sounds like next summer, they might be coming with me on a bikenraft of the entire Lost Coast… that’s if they hack it ’til then.
For now, I’m not worried.

Thanks Fat-Bike.com for sending these my way. Alaska approves, so far…
Watch for more to come this summer. I plan on putting them through hell… er, I mean Alaska 

Check out Sven’s initial review of the fyxation Mesas.
Before purchasing, read about how version 2 of the Mesas stack up.

There are a lot of sweet pedals out there and while these may not be the best or lightest or the top of any other category, they definitely deserve a shot on your fatbike, especially for the price! They are a great platform pedal.

About Josh Spice

I live in Fairbanks, Alaska, and am co-owner of Far North Fatbikes, the only fatbike rental business in Interior & Northern Alaska (www.FarNorthFatbikes.com). I ride my single-speed fatbike year-round in Alaska, for both recreation and commuting. My passion lies in getting technical with gear & techniques and traveling to cool places to sleep outside. Check out my personal website at www.joshspice.com for more info, photos, & video.

Apakah fat bike itu ? Sepeda gemuk kah ?

Ciri-ciri Fatbike adalah di bagian roda nya. Pemakaian ban ukuran besar dan juga velg yang lebar, itu sudah wajib. Tekanan udara di set sesuai medan yang dilalui. Makin lunak medannya tentu saja tekanan udaranya harus rendah. jadi tidak harus dipatok sekian psi. Flexibel saja.

Berbagai macam model dan merek Fatbike sudah di posting di blog ini, beberapa juga disertakan harga Fatbike dalam US dolar. Silakan melihat dengan sepuasnya.

Tentu saja kebanyakan adalah merek dari Amerika, negara asal munculnya Fatbike.

Selamat menikmati,...

Fatbike ( From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia )

Fatbike

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fat bike being ridden over the snow

Fat bike on display in the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA

A fatbike is a bicycle with over-sized tires, typically 3.7" or larger and rims wider than 44mm, that are designed for riding on soft unstable terrain such as snow and sand.^[1] These bikes are built around frames with large forks and stays to accommodate the wide rims required to fit these tires.

Contents

  [hide] 

• 1 Usage
• 2 History
• 3 See also
• 4 References

Usage

Fatbikes were invented for winter trail riding and racing in sub-arctic Alaska and simultaneously, for touring the deserts of New Mexico. Their utility has expanded to include all forms of cycling; they thrive in snow, sand, desert, bogs and mud as well as riding what is considered normal mountain biking.

History

Picture from series "Strange but True!", placed by Currys Ltd in the cycling press, before 1932

The original fatbikes were normal mountain bikes equipped with the SnowCat rims, created by Simon Rakower of All-Weather Sports in Fairbanks, Alaska^[2]. Simon was involved with technical support aspects of the Iditabike (later IditaSport) race, which started in 1987. He started hand making extra wide rims for participants by welding two rims together and cutting off the middle ridge. Enthusiasts would cut and sew tire-carcasses together to maximize the size of the tire and utilize all the available space between the seatstays and chainstays; this tire and rim combination would maximize the bicycles footprint, increasing flotation on winter trails. Soon after, Simon decided to design a 44 mm rim from scratch and had it produced. SnowCats revolutionized winter cycling as they could be fitted to nearly any commercially available mountain bike.

At the time frame builders were experimenting with custom components and configurations designed to achieve a large contact patch of tire on snow. Simultaneously, in New Mexico, Ray Molina had commissioned 80mm rims, 3.5" tires and frames to fit them. He wanted the bikes for his guided desert tour business; the soft-sand of the arroyos. Rims and tires were imported to Alaska where frame builders began making small, handmade, production runs and custom-ordered frames built around the 80mm rims and 3.5" tires. Surly Bikes released the Pugsley frame^[3], in 2005, Large marge rims and Endomorph tires. The Pugsley frame, rim and tire offerings made fatbikes commercially available in local bike shops world-wide. Other bike manufacturers have also entered this market, including Specialized Bicycle Components with the Fatboy ^[4] and Salsa with the Beargrease^[5].