kwtoxman
Well-known member
Check when you can. I find it spec'd better. It is a single front chain ring fyi, 1X10.
Fat tire bicycles?
- Thread starter inreb
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Check when you can. I find it spec'd better. It is a single front chain ring fyi, 1X10.
Still can't google fu my way in to Norco (WTF?) but for sure if spec'd better for similar price any decent flow chart would direct......yadda.......I think I dismissed it right off the hop when it didn't meet my stringent 3.8-4.0 tire/narrow hub requirement.
Still can't google fu my way in to Norco (WTF?) but for sure if spec'd better for similar price any decent flow chart would .............I think I dismissed it right off the hop when it didn't meet my stringent 3.8-4.0 tire/narrow hub requirement.
I didn't mean to mislead sonnytb
kwtoxman
Well-known member
Yes, the Sasquatch options have larger 4.8 tires, which I'd prefer the option of since the bike can run 4.0 and 4.8 tires. For my winter riding bigger only helps.
The other notable upgrades are a better frame, better brakes, and real TAs. The Sasquatch 6.2 rigid MSRPs something like $200 more than the most expensive bigfoot.
If I were buying new around $2k, my leading contenders would be the 2016 Sasquatch 6.2 rigid and the Kona Wo. On both, you're getting a lot of spec for the $.
To each their own.
The other notable upgrades are a better frame, better brakes, and real TAs. The Sasquatch 6.2 rigid MSRPs something like $200 more than the most expensive bigfoot.
If I were buying new around $2k, my leading contenders would be the 2016 Sasquatch 6.2 rigid and the Kona Wo. On both, you're getting a lot of spec for the $.
To each their own.
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I see where you're coming from but scope creep. It's only $200 more and options to downsize tires. On 100mm rims they're going to be wrong profile and, why put 4.0 tires on 100mm rims? New rims big bucks. Like you say, to each his own. The deal breaker, and reason for eliminating other options, was not cost but chain stay and bottom bracket width. I guess for anybody, test ride first. Bicycle Works (Waterdown, no affiliation) claims to be getting proper demos for offsite not just parking lot bimble.
kwtoxman
Well-known member
The sasquatch doesn't come with 100mm wheels. It comes with the same width wheels as the bigfoot. The flexibility of the newer frame designs capable of running both 4.0 and 4.8 tires are the hot ticket in the fatbike scene.
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Yeah, two are mine and two are fosters. The two black smaller black ones are mine, they are full minpin. The big black one and the little brown one are minpins crossed with others, I'm guessing a terrier (black guy) and a daschund (brown guy).
If anyone on the forums is interested in a minpin the rescue I volunteer for is called Minpinerie. They have a website and advertise on kijiji. The dogs come with a thorough check-up, all their shots, are fixed and have their teeth cleaned when needed. And since they are rescues they are all very thrilled to finally find someone who loves them and love you back with everything they got.
Now that my shameless plug for the rescue is done here's another one for a local Toronto bikeshop. Give them a call if you're looking for a fat bike.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/RSD-Bikes/299341806841706?fref=ts
Alright, I guess I'm part of the club now. Picked up a used Bigfoot 6.2 this morning. It's too hot to do much today, but I swapped the brake levers and took it for a quick spin. I've got to get a Presta adapter and play with the tire pressures a bit.
I can see how a conventional MTB would be a better all-round bike, but my aim is just casual trail riding in the winter to avoid the worst of my usual hibernation.
I can see how a conventional MTB would be a better all-round bike, but my aim is just casual trail riding in the winter to avoid the worst of my usual hibernation.
Thanks. Sorry to derail this thread further, but how about this Kona Dew for general commuting and light winter duties?
http://www.sweetpetes.com/m/product/kona-dew-218419-1.htm
OK, well, I'm running out of excuses. Damn you Norco.
kwtoxman
Well-known member
This is what I've found. The Bigfoot has been out for a while, is well known, but recently has become Norco's entry-level fatbike offering. There are more around and it is easier to find used for sure. And it is a more entry level offering. Prices go down quickly for used offerings. You can find a used 6.2 at less than half the price of new 6.1 prices, under $1k.
The Sasquatch was a new higher level offering in the lineup for 2015. The 2016 frame updates (TA for example) make it stand out to me at its price point. For winter use the rigid makes the most sense (no front suspension), and saves a lot of coin.
IMO, it comes down to price point. The used bike scene will save money. Always appealing. But fatbikes are relatively new and evolving quickly, so if you want some future-proofness and desirability there are some notable recent market trends you'd want to account for. Such at 4.8 tire size use, TA for increased rigidity and better frame design, front-suspension compatibility (which enhances the spring/summer/fall use), etc. That means a higher end model offering. I'd rather do the basic model of the higher end sasquatch than the high end model of the more basic bigfoot. I find the current new 2016 rigid sasquatch to be a sweet spot for its price. Their close pricepoint may be a bit of a fluke this year, and will likely widen in the future. It makes this current model year a good opportunity imo.
For example, pre 2016 Kona Ho's are not set up or recommended for adding front suspension, but one can on the 2016 model add front suspension such as Bluto forks.
There are some intriguing options, though the rigid 2016 sasquatch probably checks more boxes at a notably less price than what else I've seen. It helps to buy from a big brand name. Their buying power means amazing spec bikes for the price comared to low volume manufacturers. Kona, Norco and Trek win at this.
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OK, finally got on to the Norco site. Indeed, $300 extra gives some upgrades. It's kind of apples to oranges tho, if one doesn't want the turbocharger, one doesn't want the turbocharger even if they throw it in for free if you know what I'm saying. Thru axles in rear of Sasquatch is the only upgrade I see at quick perusal that I would want on the Bigfoot. Also don't forget Specialized, they have some good looking bikes in high volume.
Yeah, I went with the Bigfoot simply because there were plenty of them available used for under a grand, and most of those were a higher spec than I would have gone for if I'd bought new.
I have the advantage of ignorance - aside from a couple of hours on a rental this weekend, I haven't been on any bicycle since I was a teenager, and that was a 60 lb Zellers boat anchor. I did some research so that I'd know what I was looking at, but let's just say that indexed shifters are totally new to me and are the coolest thing ever, so it is like I've leaped forward out of the dark ages into a bright shiny new future.
It did take some adjustment to accept that decent bikes cost more than $300, but I figure if this thing doesn't pan out I can get most of my investment back pretty quickly.
I have the advantage of ignorance - aside from a couple of hours on a rental this weekend, I haven't been on any bicycle since I was a teenager, and that was a 60 lb Zellers boat anchor. I did some research so that I'd know what I was looking at, but let's just say that indexed shifters are totally new to me and are the coolest thing ever, so it is like I've leaped forward out of the dark ages into a bright shiny new future.
It did take some adjustment to accept that decent bikes cost more than $300, but I figure if this thing doesn't pan out I can get most of my investment back pretty quickly.
That's the beauty about technology while you're not looking, it's always developing. When I bought my first serious mountain bikes one each in 1995 and 1996 I was still in the headspace of 10 speed friction shifters and thinking "27 speeds on a dirt bicycle?" Never gonna work! But even 20yrs ago the XT Rapidfire shifters and drive train was fantastic. But as always the extraordinary always turns into the ordinary and then it's all about the nickle and diming. I don't mind shelling out some dollars to pay for all that development and quality. That's why it always kills me when somebody tries to play one dealer against another to save a couple hundred on, say, a Ninja1000 when that same Ninja could have won world championships a short ways back in time. Anyway, I'm looking for the very best 56in TV and my budget is $300. Effin thieves.
kwtoxman
Well-known member
Welcome to your first taste of modern first step quality bikes. Things have come a long way. Once you buy quality, you'll never go back. And, coming from experience, it is worth it if you enjoy the scene and then go higher end. I hope you enjoy the fatbike scene. It is a still-evolving build and spec, especially compared to regular mountain bikes. And unique plus different from the rest of the mainstream. Let us know how you find and enjoy it over time.
I see more upgrades, but said as much earlier. A $2k fatbike is cheap compared to my 3 season mountain bike. IME, once you go quality and spend time riding, you don't go back. Quality parts and build make a huge difference to the rideability and enjoyment. I just got back from a week riding in the Rockies.
You get what you pay for, and notably for bikes. Plus with fatbikes being new and rapidly transitioning in tech, there is a lot of merit to buy where the latest tech is going to more robust and defined standards (which can be found in regular mountain bikes already available over years). This will also make a big difference in parts choices and availability over medium to long term ownership of a ride, and will continue to be more relevant. This is nothing new to regular mountain bike owners buying mid-range to high end over the last ten years.
But not everyone can afford a higher end price level. So there are other choices out there for the more budget conscious. It's all good.
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I'm not really a knowledgeable bike guy. I got something that was easy to maintain a few years ago and I've ignored the market since then. All I know is skinnier tires are better in the city in winter. Studded is even better.
Has Kenda all surface tires on fast rolling aluminum wheels. What else do you need to know? I don't see a down side.
