The fatbike niche is a world so different from that of mountain biking that a cyclist shopping for his first model faces all kinds of questions. The choice of tires is the first question he will have to answer.

Most fatbikes on the market come with so-called "4-inch" tires, while some more winter-specific (and more expensive) models come with wider, better-studded, so-called "5-inch" tires. Note that the dimensions indicated on the tires often greatly exceed reality, sometimes by as much as an inch. The width of the rim on which the tire will be mounted will also change its effective width, stretching it more or less. The pressure used (between 5 and 10 lb) will also affect the width of the contact patch on the ground. It is this contact surface, combined with the type of tire studs, that determines its traction power depending on the surfaces. The wider a tire is, the better it will perform on fresh snow.

If you plan to use your fatbike in the summer, or in the winter on well-groomed trails, stock 4" tires are sufficient and perform better. If you want to extend the winter season as much as possible, you will need wider tires. Savvy buyers often start with 4-inch tires, even if it means later equipping themselves with wider tires. In this case, it is essential to choose a fatbike model compatible with 5" tires, and to be well informed, because compatibility is not limited to the space at the fork and between the seat stays; the crankset and rear hub must be wide enough so that the chainline is not impeded by the outside of the tire. All Spherik models have been designed to provide this versatility. They are equipped with 26 x 4.8 Maxxis Minion tires chosen for their efficiency on all surfaces and in the widest range of conditions.

Rejean Gosselin