5 accessories to love (even more) fatbiking
It runs a lot better once properly equipped!
This article is taken from a collaboration with Dehors par Urbania and is also available here.
You will also find at the bottom of the article a short video produced on the same subject.
When it hasn't snowed for a few days and the ground becomes hard, it's on a fat bike that it's most pleasant to speed through the forest. To stay warm – and on the trails – while cycling, here are my favorite accessories.
Credit Guillaume Milette
1- HEATED SOCKS
Confession: My love affair with winter only dates back a few years. What changed everything? My heated stockings!
Quality ones, made of a blend of merino and polyester, are not cheap. Their cost can go up to $400 with batteries. These, however, can last up to 14 hours on low intensity and often be controlled from a phone via Bluetooth.
I use my stockings not only for fatbiking, but also for skiing, hiking and for almost all medium-intensity winter activities.
Recommended brands: Lenz or Therm-ic.
2- MITTENS FOR THE HANDLEBAR
Almost as much as heated stockings, mittens made me love fat biking. Without them, the winter cyclist is condemned to holding their handlebars with thick mittens. Not ideal for braking or changing gear.
For around $120, you get this fabric protector (in all possible colors) that screws on in seconds, blocks the wind and retains heat. Thanks to mittens, simple small gloves are enough to stay warm.
Recommended brand: CE UNIK, whose products are designed and handcrafted (by Denise Lévesque) in the Laurentians.
3- BOOTS FOR CLIP PEDALS
Just because there's snow doesn't mean you can't be clipped. Fatbike boots are not essential, but are very practical for cyclists who cannot imagine riding without clips.
Recommended brands: 45 North and Blivet.
4- NAILS FOR TIRE
The multiple dozen studs on each tire will give you better grip on ice. The difference with “normal” tires is particularly noticeable at the beginning and end of the season, when there is less snow. Many fatbike tires have pockets into which you can insert (with a lot of elbow juice) the studs, but there are also small screws that can be installed on any tire.
5- TELESCOPIC SADDLE POST (DROPPER)
As in summer mountain biking, the telescopic saddle post, or dropper, has the potential to greatly improve your riding by lowering your center of gravity. It will be chosen with internal or external wiring, depending on your bike frame.
It runs a lot better once properly equipped!