girl on a fat bike
- Thread starter qclabrat
- Start date
mandi
Well-Known Member
Pretty sure the dude wanted female opinions, as he posted this in the female section. So females are going to give their opinions.
I'm stating how I feel, as you are stating that people are "racer weenies." Not sure who is being the bigger person here? I hate to call you out Matt, but you have made so many shitty comments about how CX is stupid on here, so it's amusing to hear you say "riding bikes is what's important. Not, you have to ride what I do or it's stupid."
The guy's daughter doesn't enjoy riding as it is, and she doesn't have a ton of strength to push around a heavier bike... hence the reasoning I think it's a terrible idea. I for one, could not imagine pushing a fat bike around as my every day bike.
But I also had a dad who built Toys'R'Us bikes for me, so what do I know.
I realize it wasn't directed towards me... don't worry 🙂
I just think that the original poster didn't take into account the daughter's opinions and feelings. Not once did he say anything like "my daughter's hinted at wanting a fat bike and i want to surprise her"
And as a former 14 year old girl, the last thing I'd want is my dad picking stuff out for me. He's just going to waste money. Just say "honey. Your bike is too small for you now. Let's go shopping for a new bike and accessories." if she says she wants a fat bike, come back and ask about fat bikes.
Wow my biggest apologies as I did not realize I was in the female thread. It is the kne thing with the new format lacks is me knowing where I am.
@mandi
I have been mtbing since 1989 not that has anything to do with this but through most of my racing time I raced mtbs from March to December. Racing then was very grass roots and everybody was just awesome. We had a race basically every weekend in 100 radius, thanks to dirt rag for informing us. I am old, a hold back and pure and simple retro jerk. I believe in keeping MTBing racing through out the year.
So let's go on the I am old. I would rather the team get involved in a enduro race instead cross. To me cross is a bored roadie sport. Sorry just my opinion. Also nothing against roadies either that's just an old mtb opinion. I don't care one bit about cross I think its a waste of time driving long distance for 45 minute race. But hey it's still riding bikes. So on that note I would never tell anybody not to buy a cross bike because well I never owned one. But I sure would make it my N+1 for sure. Would I race a cx race not unless it was in my back yard 🙂
Point is I am old fat and crotchety just the way my @pedals doesn't like me...
Ok sneaking out the back door of this female thread, sorry ladies.
@mandi
I have been mtbing since 1989 not that has anything to do with this but through most of my racing time I raced mtbs from March to December. Racing then was very grass roots and everybody was just awesome. We had a race basically every weekend in 100 radius, thanks to dirt rag for informing us. I am old, a hold back and pure and simple retro jerk. I believe in keeping MTBing racing through out the year.
So let's go on the I am old. I would rather the team get involved in a enduro race instead cross. To me cross is a bored roadie sport. Sorry just my opinion. Also nothing against roadies either that's just an old mtb opinion. I don't care one bit about cross I think its a waste of time driving long distance for 45 minute race. But hey it's still riding bikes. So on that note I would never tell anybody not to buy a cross bike because well I never owned one. But I sure would make it my N+1 for sure. Would I race a cx race not unless it was in my back yard 🙂
Point is I am old fat and crotchety just the way my @pedals doesn't like me...
Ok sneaking out the back door of this female thread, sorry ladies.
Arwen's Mom
Mother of Dragons, Breaker of Chains
I might as well post my opinion
I agree with Mandi and MissJR
If you want her to love riding, then you need to cultivate that. While you can give her opinions about what you think, in the end this is about HER.
Take her to halters, let her try a few bikes to see what she likes. Or borrow some bikes. I have a 24" mountain bike she can try. I cant loan it to you, as my daughter would KILL me, but if you and your daughter ride with me, your daughter can try it for a ride.
Also, this is IMPORTANT!!! what you perceive as an EASY trail your daughter may not. Dont take her any place that is intimidating as you may scare her away. Females typically look at obstacles differently than males.
I also think it would help if she did a group ride, as she could feed off others enthusiasm.
Just my 2 cents from a mom and gender challenged female.
I agree with Mandi and MissJR
If you want her to love riding, then you need to cultivate that. While you can give her opinions about what you think, in the end this is about HER.
Take her to halters, let her try a few bikes to see what she likes. Or borrow some bikes. I have a 24" mountain bike she can try. I cant loan it to you, as my daughter would KILL me, but if you and your daughter ride with me, your daughter can try it for a ride.
Also, this is IMPORTANT!!! what you perceive as an EASY trail your daughter may not. Dont take her any place that is intimidating as you may scare her away. Females typically look at obstacles differently than males.
I also think it would help if she did a group ride, as she could feed off others enthusiasm.
Just my 2 cents from a mom and gender challenged female.
I bought an entry level mountain bike for my wife two years ago to see if she would be into it at all. She has her own sports/hobbies and isn't really into riding, but we ride around the lake once and a while. The only thing she cared about when buying the bike was the color. I wanted to buy her the slightly upgraded model, but she liked the way the cheaper one looked more. Just something to keep in mind.
Steve Vai
Endurance Guy: Tolerates most of us.
I'm obviously biased here, but fat bikes do make a lot of sense for newer riders. They're very stable and can allow a newer rider to go over terrain that may discourage them on a normal bike. We have 3 girls on our team that ride Small Fatboys and love them compared to much higher end, fancy, full-suspension race bikes. Get her on what will make the experience best for her, whatever that may be, and to heck with the nay-sayers.
I'll go out on a limb and say I've put more road miles on my fat bike than most have done on their road bikes 😉
I'll go out on a limb and say I've put more road miles on my fat bike than most have done on their road bikes 😉
Mr.Moto
Well-Known Member
I believe that there are a few factors that will help get your daughter riding more. She has to like the bike and be comfortable on it whether it is a regular or fat bike. Having friends or family out there riding with her definitely helps. Depending on her personality, she may prefer easier riding instead of hills or trails.
Of the bike itself, I find that two things are key besides fit. JimN hit on one - aesthetics. Letting her pick what she likes is key. My daughter has very specific color preferences. If I ever got her bike in a color she did not care for, I'm sure she would not be happy with it and be less likely to ride it. I think weight is important as well especially if you are riding any distance or have hills. I went with the lightest build I could, aluminum frame and rigid fork, so that she can keep up and ride hillier terrain without feeling gassed after 15 minutes.
As someone who has built and rides fat bikes, I know there is the unique / different factor that you feel might help her to like biking more. If that works, great. Just keep in mind that the lower cost fat bikes tend to weight in well over 30 lbs. or more. Color choices and weight ultimately was the deciding factors in going with a standard 26" hardtail for my daughter. I would love to be out riding with my kid on a fat bike, but at this point (she is a few years younger than yours) the 26" hardtail made more sense.
Having said that, if you are interested but can't find a small fat bike to test ride, I'll be happy to offer mine for a ride.
Of the bike itself, I find that two things are key besides fit. JimN hit on one - aesthetics. Letting her pick what she likes is key. My daughter has very specific color preferences. If I ever got her bike in a color she did not care for, I'm sure she would not be happy with it and be less likely to ride it. I think weight is important as well especially if you are riding any distance or have hills. I went with the lightest build I could, aluminum frame and rigid fork, so that she can keep up and ride hillier terrain without feeling gassed after 15 minutes.
As someone who has built and rides fat bikes, I know there is the unique / different factor that you feel might help her to like biking more. If that works, great. Just keep in mind that the lower cost fat bikes tend to weight in well over 30 lbs. or more. Color choices and weight ultimately was the deciding factors in going with a standard 26" hardtail for my daughter. I would love to be out riding with my kid on a fat bike, but at this point (she is a few years younger than yours) the 26" hardtail made more sense.
Having said that, if you are interested but can't find a small fat bike to test ride, I'll be happy to offer mine for a ride.
Ok, let's do some quick math here.
1. From the pics it seems your daughter is maybe like 80-90 pounds.
2. If you buy her a fat bike, my guess is that it will weigh ~30 pounds at best, likely more.
So let me ask everyone this question. If I gave you a 60-65 pound bike - roughly the equivalent ratio we're looking at here - do you think there's any chance at all you would enjoy it? Now you're answering this as a somewhat seasoned biker with legs that are used to riding. Imagine your first ever mountain bike was on a 65 pound bike and you had never really ridden a bike before.
I see absolutely no scenario where this works out for the best. People need to check their fragile egos and apply a little common sense. @mandi is a very seasoned cyclist and the bike weight issue is a major concern for her. And I'm guessing that your daughter is closer to her size than anyone who regularly rides a fat bike.
1. From the pics it seems your daughter is maybe like 80-90 pounds.
2. If you buy her a fat bike, my guess is that it will weigh ~30 pounds at best, likely more.
So let me ask everyone this question. If I gave you a 60-65 pound bike - roughly the equivalent ratio we're looking at here - do you think there's any chance at all you would enjoy it? Now you're answering this as a somewhat seasoned biker with legs that are used to riding. Imagine your first ever mountain bike was on a 65 pound bike and you had never really ridden a bike before.
I see absolutely no scenario where this works out for the best. People need to check their fragile egos and apply a little common sense. @mandi is a very seasoned cyclist and the bike weight issue is a major concern for her. And I'm guessing that your daughter is closer to her size than anyone who regularly rides a fat bike.
Delish
Well-Known Member
Hey, I resemble that comment.
Sheesh, simmer down fat bike crusaders. Nobody is trying to take away your guns or religion or fat bikes. I embrace bikes of all kinds. Seeing people on bikes is what makes me happy. Seeing people happy on bikes makes me especially happy.
I also believe it's best to use the right tool for the job whenever possible. The "job" in this situation is to get a relatively small kid who sounds reluctant to ride out there riding more. If a fat bike is the tool that achieves that goal then go for it! If that's what she wants at least pony up and get her something decent from a legit bike shop. A Walmart fat bike is not the right tool for any job.
Pearl
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
I'm sure the OP isn't ignoring the women's opinions, but you can't say fatbike in a mountain bike forum and not start a "discussion" about them. Also, I'm not sure about everyone else, but I never notice what forum a post is posted in, as I just use the new posts link.
qclabrat
Well-Known Member
okay as the OP, I'll answer some questions and make some clarifications
@Norm, AB is 5'5", about 105 lbs. Since she is not particularly athletic, a +40 lb bike will be sig heavier than her current build which is about 28lbs and yes would potentially discourage riding
@Delish, that's my position, get anything which gets her to want to ride some more, I see fewer and fewer kids riding nowadays
@JimN, I'm putting out the option for others to weigh in, she's already tried a comfort bike and a her current 26" mtb, since she'll be moving to the next size and we don't have a Small framed bike in our fleet, I'm considering any other bike type except road and bmx bikes
@MissJR, yes, I intentionally posted here to get more responses from the female members, I'm glad to have gotten so many responses so far. Teenage girls and their personalities are so foreign to me, help needed from any former teenage girl, but welcome anyone's position where there is valid experience
@pearl, not giving up on riding yet, after having pushing her to stay active in anyway for the 6-7 years, I'm not folding on this one as easy as soccer, swimming or running. sorry, I find lots of kids today to be flat out lazy
@Arwen's Mom, are there teenage girls bike rides out there? like "girls on the run" How about "girls like to bike"? Maybe setting up for a mtbnj.com sponsored event? (calling @Norm) I'd been interested in signing her up for one. She'd definitely be more resilient without me around. How many teenagers like being around there parents anyways
@mandi and @MissJR, okay guilty here, I've always picked my kids bikes for them, and maybe it's time my older chooses her own, but to my defense I've didn't write in the OP that my daughter needs a new bike and going to get her a fat, just a consideration. We will go out and look at a variety of bikes, she may want another mtb or a larger 650b, or even a fat bike. Which is why I've come here for some feedback. Would I have been better off trying a bunch of bikes then coming back here for a recommendation afterwards? the latter seems to make more sense
thanks for the offer @Mr.Moto, I think we'll head out to either HG or Hilltop in the coming weeks as they are nearby
@Norm, AB is 5'5", about 105 lbs. Since she is not particularly athletic, a +40 lb bike will be sig heavier than her current build which is about 28lbs and yes would potentially discourage riding
@Delish, that's my position, get anything which gets her to want to ride some more, I see fewer and fewer kids riding nowadays
@JimN, I'm putting out the option for others to weigh in, she's already tried a comfort bike and a her current 26" mtb, since she'll be moving to the next size and we don't have a Small framed bike in our fleet, I'm considering any other bike type except road and bmx bikes
@MissJR, yes, I intentionally posted here to get more responses from the female members, I'm glad to have gotten so many responses so far. Teenage girls and their personalities are so foreign to me, help needed from any former teenage girl, but welcome anyone's position where there is valid experience
@pearl, not giving up on riding yet, after having pushing her to stay active in anyway for the 6-7 years, I'm not folding on this one as easy as soccer, swimming or running. sorry, I find lots of kids today to be flat out lazy
@Arwen's Mom, are there teenage girls bike rides out there? like "girls on the run" How about "girls like to bike"? Maybe setting up for a mtbnj.com sponsored event? (calling @Norm) I'd been interested in signing her up for one. She'd definitely be more resilient without me around. How many teenagers like being around there parents anyways
@mandi and @MissJR, okay guilty here, I've always picked my kids bikes for them, and maybe it's time my older chooses her own, but to my defense I've didn't write in the OP that my daughter needs a new bike and going to get her a fat, just a consideration. We will go out and look at a variety of bikes, she may want another mtb or a larger 650b, or even a fat bike. Which is why I've come here for some feedback. Would I have been better off trying a bunch of bikes then coming back here for a recommendation afterwards? the latter seems to make more sense
thanks for the offer @Mr.Moto, I think we'll head out to either HG or Hilltop in the coming weeks as they are nearby
Pearl
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
i get that 100%, but forcing something isn't going to make them enjoy it..... spoken like someone with children 😉 i'm sure theres something that will get the kids to be active with you, or even with her peers. best of luck!