Big Bud AWD

[Eglon]

Has anyone bought and ridden the Big Bud AWD? I'd love to hear about how it does on snowy/sandy trails.

 

[rich c]

I test road one. I mainly rode it on the paved trail, but took it on some grass hill climbs. I rode with the 2wd option on to climb some steep grass inclines on the sides of the trail near their shop. Maybe it was me, but the 2017 with the Brose motor has more torque and climbs faster. I can't remember if the AWD had the same issue, but the Brose model doesn't use a wide enough bottom bracket. They kick the chain stays out for the wide tires, and with the narrower bottom bracket, the heels on my walking shoes clicked on the chain stays in my usual riding position. I didn't purchase either of them. I ride some speed Haibikes, and find that I really enjoy riding pavement above 20mph. I guess you're not supposed to ride a fat bike that fast, but I didn't enjoy the paved trail ride as much on these bikes.

 

[Skids]

I bought one last spring and I love it. I'm 69 years old and I bought it to ride along the beach and local bike trails which are made up of forest floor that that has been ground down to soft sugar like sand by quads. I had not ridden much in the past 4 years as I no longer had the stamina to climb the steep hills or plow through some of the deep sand. The Big Bud changed all that since I logged over 1400 kilometers this past summer. The wide handle bars took some adjustment as on the single tracks the trees are sometimes close together and I had to learn to wiggle through these narrow openings. One downside to the ebike is you tend to ride faster and faster as the adrenaline starts to flow. Great fun but increased chance of injury to old bones. The bike has no suspension other than the low pressure tires so speed over large rocks, roots and potholes can be bone jarring. I added a Body Float seat post which has helped to smooth out the ride along with an adjustable stem as I no longer can ride with my neck bent upwards. I wear a heart monitor to ensure I get a good cardio workout and try to depend on the electric assist only to compensate the weight of the bike and on the uphills and soft trail areas. It has made the difference between riding and not riding and it has boosted the fun factor to a level I've never experienced before. Yes, I really do love it!!