When you see someone riding a fat tire bike, it's hard not to do a double take. The cartoonishly large tires look so out of place on a standard bike frame that you have to think someone is pulling a prank.
Yet these bikes that were initially designed for riding through the snow have become, while perhaps not yet familiar, certainly visible on trails year-round in most parts of the country. Why? They're just fun to ride, whether in snow or on the rough trails in the summer months. You get more traction and grip over rough terrain without giving up much in efficiency.
See for yourself what the fuss is about by riding a Specialized Fatboy SE ($1,600), an aluminum-framed mid-level model that will be a good choice for a large number of riders. The lightweight alloy fork is designed to work with the fat tires to absorb bumps on the trail and offer you an exceptionally smooth ride.
The compact frame gives you good maneuverability when both pounding up hills and screaming down descents, and the mechanical Tektro disc brakes will make sure you stop on a dime, even in cold weather.
