Why I Love My Fat Bike

[Tom@WashDC]

I love my DIY Fat Bike. Following my friend on his Sondors Rockstar

 

[ElevenAD]

love it! .... watch out for those wet leaves guys, they are sneaky!

 

[Tom@WashDC]

love it! .... watch out for those wet leaves guys, they are sneaky!

Don't you know it. First week out on my Fat Bike last January, I hit the apex of a damp grassy hill covered in wet leaves, my rear end spun out like a top, put my foot down, and heard a snap, crackle, pop! Took about 6 months for my knee to stop hurting. Now I never ride on wet grass, and never hit my throttle on the uphill. Wet grass and leaves will F%#CK you up.

 

[AHicks]

Don't you know it. First week out on my Fat Bike last January, I hit the apex of a damp grassy hill covered in wet leaves, my rear end spun out like a top, put my foot down, and heard a snap, crackle, pop! Took about 6 months for my knee to stop hurting. Now I never ride on wet grass, and never hit my throttle on the uphill. Wet grass and leaves will F%#CK you up.

Ow! Been there. Similar circumstances, in a slide and put my foot down, only I was on a snowmobile running on glare ice. Big mistake. Heard that same snap, crackle, pop. Remember thinking this was not going to end well when I heard those noises (it didn't). Doctor told me that he'd much rather be treating me for something broken. I wore one of those knee braces with the alum. bar stock in each side so long they were both bent when I didn't need it any more (many months). This was before insurance paid for rehab. I was many more months getting my full strength back....

So yes, those leaves should be treated just like loose sand or gravel on pavement. Approach with caution - and don't plan on turning until the bike has something solid to grip on.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

Ow! Been there. Similar circumstances, in a slide and put my foot down, only I was on a snowmobile running on glare ice. Big mistake. Heard that same snap, crackle, pop. Remember thinking this was not going to end well when I heard those noises (it didn't). Doctor told me that he'd much rather be treating me for something broken. I wore one of those knee braces with the alum. bar stock in each side so long they were both bent when I didn't need it any more (many months). This was before insurance paid for rehab. I was many more months getting my full strength back....

So yes, those leaves should be treated just like loose sand or gravel on pavement. Approach with caution - and don't plan on turning until the bike has something solid to grip on.

Gad you recovered. That injury I received was the first one I figured I may never recover from fully. I'm 63 and cannot afford major damage to my leg joints. I've also learned to never put my foot down to stop a fall. If I'm going down, I keep my hands on the grips, and feet and legs tucked in tight on the bike. The Pedal and the handlebars take the hit and my body is unscathed. These elbow pads have saved me several times, wherein I went down completely on my side, holding onto the grips, feet and legs tucked in tight, and never felt a thing, and walked away unscathed.
Demon Elbow Pads - I NEVER ride without them.

 

[AHicks]

Gad you recovered. That injury I received was the first one I figured I may never recover from fully. I'm 63 and cannot afford major damage to my leg joints. I've also learned to never put my foot down to stop a fall. If I'm going down, I keep my hands on the grips, and feet and legs tucked in tight on the bike. The Pedal and the handlebars take the hit and my body is unscathed. These elbow pads have saved me several times, wherein I went down completely on my side, holding onto the grips, feet and legs tucked in tight, and never felt a thing, and walked away unscathed.
Demon Elbow Pads - I NEVER ride without them.

That's exactly the lesson I came away with. Pain like that burnt it in really deep. I was in a nasty motorcycle accident many years later and that lesson saved my (our) butts. We were run off the road while playing in some foot hills while riding a big Honda road bike. I had told the wife, if we ever go down, stay on the damn bike until it stops. Keep your hands and feet in place, no exceptions! I ended up with some nasty leg and foot injuries, but the wife got away with only some really colorful bruises on the inside of each thigh. We were both damned lucky considering the circumstances... -Al

 

[indianajo]

I encountered a 50' long patch of wet leaves riding in the rain yesterday. A car was overtaking me, so I couldn't dodge them. I slowed to 1 mph and pushed the bike with my feet across them. We get more experienced every day.