Another reason to ride an eMTB...

[RickBullotta]

It's snow season here in the Northeastern USA, and even though I have a fatbike and enjoy riding it in the winter, there are some conditions in which even the fattie struggles (or to be more accurate, the rider struggles).

For those conditions, I've found that my eMTB can sometimes fill the gap, with appropriate setup. On my Pivot Shuttle, I'm running 3.0" 45NRTH Wrathchild tires with concave studs, at 8 psi front, 10 psi rear. It hooks up amazingly well, and the extra 250 watts is enough to keep momentum even when the snow is fighting you. I do find that in the dry stuff I'm 95% eco, 5% trail, but in the snow I'm 40% eco, 40% trail, 20% boost. It definitely uses up the battery 2X-3X faster in heavy snow for sure. Still gonna crash a dozen times or so in this stuff, but it beats sitting home on the couch!

 

[Gary]

Yeah. looking forward to some snow riding this winter Eebs are ace in it.

 

[RickBullotta]

Yeah. looking forward to some snow riding this winter Eebs are ace in it.

I find it more like riding a moto in the snow. Let the ass end of that bike move around, front end pushing, lots of body english, and not freaking out when the front wheel starts to fold. Ha. Good times. Happy holidays Gary!

 

[steve_sordy]

Mud tyres are good in snow. Not as good as studded tyres I'm sure, but still very good.

 

[Gary]

I actually prefer dry tyres.

more fun

 

[RickBullotta]

Mud tyres are good in snow. Not as good as studded tyres I'm sure, but still very good.

Maybe for snow, but where I live we get freeze/thaw cycles and gloss ice in spots. Studs are a must for some days.

 

[steve_sordy]

Maybe for snow, but where I live we get freeze/thaw cycles and gloss ice in spots. Studs are a must for some days.

ICE! Yikes, the last time I hit ice it was at walking pace and I still came off the bike.

 

[RickBullotta]

ICE! Yikes, the last time I hit ice it was at walking pace and I still came off the bike.

Those are the ones that hurt the most! The hidden hand reaches out and slams your a** to the ground without warning. Ha.

 

[The Hodge]

Also looking forward to some snow riding ..obviously never tried it on an ebike ..but have had some wild fun on an mtb in the past especially on snow drifts ..the right type of snow can be so grippy and ridden at ridiculous off camber angles ..bring it on !

 

[7869hodgy]

I'd love to try in snow. I did 20 miles in thick mud yesterday (40% of ride) and loved it. My pigeon legs are so strong on my EMTB

 

[RickBullotta]

I'd love to try in snow. I did 20 miles in thick mud yesterday (40% of ride) and loved it. My pigeon legs are so strong on my EMTB

A different technique is very important on snow. Focus on maintaining momentum, gradual turns (sharp movements of the front wheel will end badly), lighten the front end, and laughing a lot when you or your mates crash. Enjoy!

 

[Gary]

sharp movements of the front wheel will end badly in TONS OF FUN

that's what i like about snow the most, flicking the bike about into drifts.
I don't really "get" the whole fatbike snow riding thing. Slow dull plodding across featureless white terrain with masses of grip dressed like an eskimo with your hands inside stupid pogies bolted to a stupid steering wheel shaped handle bar and tons of shit strapped to the bike in bags and flasks.

 

[RickBullotta]

that's what i like about snow the most, flicking the bike about into drifts.
I don't really "get" the whole fatbike snow riding thing. Slow dull plodding across featureless white terrain with masses of grip dressed like an eskimo with your hands inside stupid pogies bolted to a stupid steering wheel shaped handle bar and tons of shit strapped to the bike in bags and flasks.

I was with you until the part about the flask. That's a mandatory element in my winter riding. A mid-ride whiskey warm up is part of the equation!

Yeah, totally with you on grinding out slow straight miles. Boring AF. I like when the snow firms up to the point where you can scare yourself. If you knife the front end on wet heavy snow though, you're goin' down!

Ripping downhills on snow are just about one of the most fun things you can do on two wheels. I'd love to ride a course like Megavalanche someday, just without all the dipshits around me. We used to poach one of the runs at a ski area after hours.

 

[Gary]

I actually hate Whisky (and your spelling variety)
I live just a couple of hundred meters from a distillery too.