Cycling is an excellent form of fitness, but many people only ride in the warmer months. It’s too bad because riding in winter can be a blast! There’s even a bike that’s perfect for winter riding. Fat bikes were made for riding over snowy or icy surfaces. This is where riding a fat bike can be a lot of fun.

Despite their appearance, they are very easy to ride. Fat bikes differ from mountain bikes only in that the tires are wider. The extra tread space and surface area allow for greater control in slick conditions. A fat bike tire is between 4 and 5 inches wide. Aside from tire width, fat bikes are built nearly the same as mountain bikes. That means that they’re great anytime of year in places you need some extra grip. For example, they’ve become a hot rental item in beach towns for riding on the sand!

As in anything with cycling, it can be expensive to get into. However, if you live in a location that has fat bike rentals, renting can be an inexpensive way to get into fat bike riding. Potential places to rent fat bikes can be local bike shops or state, county, or municipal parks. If you are looking to purchase your own fat bike they can be found at some big box stores for around $500. If you are a seasoned cyclist, you may want to go for a higher quality bike from a bike brand in which you are familiar. Those can range from $1500- $6000, but with the higher price comes higher quality and value. Whether renting or purchasing, there are options available for various budgets, allowing more people to experience the thrill of fat biking regardless of the season.

So, don’t let the cold weather deter you – embrace the winter wonderland on two wheels and discover the joy of fat biking!