Would "fat" tires help me learn skinnies/log rides?

Question

I'm relatively new to mountain biking, and am considering purchasing a new, less expensive bike to help me learn to ride wooden obstacles (skinnies, curved bridges, etc.) without fear of damaging my "good" mountain bike in a hard fall.

I've also wanted to pick up a snow bike (or "fat bike"), but can't really justify the cost considering my area gets, at most, 3 or so snowstorms per year. But looking at these two issues together makes me wonder: would the wider, lower-pressure tires on a snow bike make it easier to learn correct technique & feel for riding on slick, wooden obstacles? What would be the benefits/drawbacks of very wide vs. standard-width MTB tires in this scenario?

Answer 1

From my experience, no they would not. Have you ever watched anyone ride a fatbike? Their front tire wobbles all over the place, the extra weight from the heavy tires makes fine-adjustments much more difficult, putting extra fatigue on your body. That being said, training with a bike that's not suited for skinnys will make riding them easier when you hop on a bike that is suited for skinnys.

Tires don't help you balance on a bike as much as frame geometry does, particularly head-tube angle. I've found that down hill bikes with a more aggressive head-tube angle are actually more difficult to balance on skinnys. You don't need a fancy bike to ride skinnys unless you're doing big drops, if you're worried about wrecking your bike while learning, then get a cheap yardsale bike that you can trash and practice with. Also, wide low-pressure tires make it easier to slip off the sides of the especially narrow skinnys, I've got scars on my face to prove it.

When I was a kid we would practice our balance in our backyards, riding on 2x4's just laying on the ground or across a couple logs, or by trying to stay on the painted lines on the roads, or riding on the curb of the sidewalk. Slow races are great for balance too. We'd race like 10 feet, and the last one across the line won. Basically, whoever was the best at brake stands had the advantage.

Answer 2

I like fixed as the front end is lighter and it does not move around. Carbon if you are willing to spend the money.

Single speed means no derailleur to break. And smaller chain ring and bash guard gives you more clearance.

I don't think you want a real wide tire. I would think like a 2.1 - preferably tubeless. If you start riding 2" pipe you may even drop down to like a 40mm and for that you buy a CX tire.

I don't practice skinnies but I do know that a low pressure is better for crawling over wet roots and rocks.

As for winter bike it does not snow where I live now but I think this would make a good snow bike. And if they salt you don't have expensive components getting eaten up. The bike below only takes a 2.1 in the rear but you can find them up to a 2.4.

As for buy cheap new my advice is no. Cheap new you are going to get wheels that flex and bend on the first crash. You get racers that upgrade every few years and have worn out the front fork - replace it with a rigid. You need a bike that is going to be solid under you. Nice wheels alone are $400. I would budget $800.

This is the bike I bought for learning technique. More to learn to bunny hop than ride skinniness. This was $850 used but that fork is worth $300. Not a cheap bike but it is a bike that would be hard to break. And I ended up riding that bike for a lot more than learning technique - it is fun to ride.

Answer 3

Like all good answers: yes and no. Having ridden several "fatties," I can say that the wider contact patch and added grip certainly makes for a more confident feeling, but the lower air pressure and subsequent squishy-ness can sometimes make steering a touch...different.

There's also the question of how skinny are the skinnies you want to ride? A fat tire might be too fat!

I would say, learn on whatever bike you want to ride them on more often as you'll build more comfort. Start small with "wide" skinnies that are low to the ground so that the consequences are smaller. But if you want a fatty to ride in the winter, then all means ride with that.