I have too many bikes....lol. 3 of my current fleet of 7 are fat tire models. One Bionx (RWD), one non-electric and for this winter I'm building a custom 2WD Surley Pugsley running Nate tires.
Last winter I road the Bionx around 10-12 times and the non-electric only twice. I'm in SW Ontario for reference. I managed to find some decent groom trails for those who like to walk and at times the snowmobile trails worked well for me unless they were getting chewed up/really bumpy.
When I did attempt through the local conservation area I ride in summer months to ride...my 4.8" tires and the Bionx RWD was good up to 2-3" deep. Hell of a workout even with a motor (I weigh 280lbs for reference) and loved it. Problem was when the snow got more than 3" deep I lost any 'float' I had for the front tire and it would slide sideways and I have to stop...
...hence I'm building the 2WD Pugsley for this year.
![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Nine Continent RH212's front and rear (Pugsley comes with a 135mm front fork instead of a 100mm), dual Grin PhaseRunners and a LG celled 52V battery capable of 45A continuous draw to be the single battery feeding those two motors, saving the need for a dual battery setup.
Same bike will be fun on dirt, mud and beach riding - when it's ready.
Last note, one of my best days riding other than epic long distance personal record setting rides was Valentine's Day this year (can you tell I'm single? lol). It was -15C to -22C that day (much warmer before and after, go figure) and I went to a resort that offers trails to both cross country skiers and Fat Bike Riders -
Hardwood Ski and Bike has kilometers of trails through beautiful forest for Mountian Biking, Nordic Skiing and outdoor enjoyment.
www.hardwoodskiandbike.ca
Went through 3 batteries that day - the usual 30km per battery I get in the summer was shorten to 20kms each in that extreme cold...and yes my motor cut out a few times from getting too cold - lesson learned.
My goal this winter is to keep up my 3 rides a week schedule, outdoors if the weather is clear and above -10C, indoors on a trainer if otherwise.
Cheers
Shaun