Best fat bikes of 2015

Despite being a relatively young cycling niche, fat bikes have already sprouted several evolutionary branches. We tested six of the best fat bikes on the market from across these burgeoning sub-categories to bring you the best fat bikes of 2015. But before we jump into the details, here’s a rundown of the current state of the fat bike market to help you find right type of fat bike for you. 

First and foremost, fat bikes are all about delivering superior traction and floatation over unpacked surfaces but there is a lot of variation in how riders are using them.

There are expedition-worthy fat bikes, such as the Surly Ice Cream Truck, with voluminous 5in tyres and a huge assortment of braze-ons for racks, mudguards and cargo carriers.

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For more the slightly less adventurous, there are fat bikes designed for daily use on singletrack – snowy or dry – and shorter bikepacking trips closer to home, such as the Felt Double Double, Trek Farley and Specialized Fatboy.

If racing is your thing, there are also a number of lightweight carbon models, such as the Borealis Echo, that make it clear that fat doesn’t always mean heavy.

Last but not least, there are a handful of full suspension fat bikes, such as the Turner King Khan, which can go pretty much anywhere.

Surly Ice Cream Truck – £2,400 / AU$3,699

• Highs: Will boldly take you where few bikes have gone before
• Lows: Given its heft, you’re not going to get anywhere in a hurry
• Buy if: You’re looking for a reliable bikepacking partner with a little extra baggage

Turner King Khan fat bike frame – £2,995 /  AU$3,454

• Highs: Fantastic dw-link rear suspension design, awesome stability, gobs of tyre clearance, excellent handling, dropper seatpost compatible
• Lows: Heavy frame, very expensive, 1x specific
• Buy if: You don't consider fat biking to be solely a winter activity

Trek Farley 8 – £2,300 / AU$ N/A

• Highs: Surprising agility, dropper-seatpost compatible
• Lows: Limited tyre clearance, slow freehub engagement
• Buy if: You’re in the market for a capable four-season fatty

Felt Double Double - Â£1,250 / AU$ TBC

• Highs: Nicely designed aluminium frame and fork, good tyre clearance, great spec, threaded bottom bracket shell, solid value
• Lows: Slightly floppy handling, somewhat disappointing tyre grip
• Buy if: You want to partake in winter fat bike fun but don’t want to totally break the bank to do so

Borealis Echo – £ TBC / AU$ TBC

• Highs: Light and efficient carbon frame, massive tire clearance, great handling
• Lows: Disappointing wheelset, stock tyres aren't so good on snow, very expensive
• Buy if: You think fat biking is the future, not a fad

Specialized Fatboy – Â£1,500 / AU$2,499

• Highs: Grip shift easy to use with winter gloves; supple tyres provide more traction than expected 
• Lows: Stock brakes lack modulation; quick-release axles
• Buy if: You’re looking to try fat biking and don’t want to shell out massive money

You can read more at BikeRadar.com