fatbike

{{More citations needed section|date=April 2015}}

File:Strange But True 07 crop.jpg in the cycling press, before 1932]]

Early versions of fat-tired bikes were probably built as long ago as the early 1900s but modern versions were not developed until the 1980s. An early example is the custom three-wheeled in-line longtail-style bike with fat tires, designed by French cyclist Jean Naud in 1980 for desert travel. He rode it from Zinder in Niger to Tamanrasset in Algeria,{{citation needed|date=December 2015}} and later rode a similar bike in 1986 across the Sahara using prototype fat tires from Michelin.{{Cite web|url=http://cyclo-long-cours.fr/2013/02/10/trois-roues-pour-tombouctou/|title=Trois roues pour Tombouctou|date=10 February 2013}}

In the late 1980s, Alaskan frame builders began experimenting with custom components and configurations designed to achieve a large contact patch of tire on snow. Steve Baker, with Icycle Bicycles in Anchorage, was welding together two rims and even three rims and built several special frames and forks that could accommodate two or three tires together. In 1989, Dan Bull, Mark Frise, Roger Cowles and Les Matz, rode the {{convert|1000|mi|km|adj=mid}} length of the Iditarod Trail.[http://www.nuggetnews.com/main.asp?SectionID=6&SubSectionID=6&ArticleID=23161 "The evolution of the fat-tire mountain bike"], 1/20/2015, Bjarne Holm, nuggetnews.com

Simultaneously, in New Mexico, Ray Molina had commissioned Remolino {{convert|3.1|in|abbr=on}} rims, {{convert|3.5|in|abbr=on}} tires, and frames to fit them. He wanted the bikes for his guided tour business in the soft sands of the Mexican and Southwest arroyos and dunes. Mark Gronewald, owner of Wildfire Designs Bicycles in Palmer, Alaska, met Molina at the 1999 Interbike convention in Las Vegas and rode one of Molina's prototypes at demo days. In late 1999, Gronewald and another Alaskan frame builder, John Evingson, collaborated to design and build several bikes using Molina's rims and tires. Gronewald and Evingson then began producing their own separate lines of fat-tired bikes in 2000. Rims and tires were imported to Alaska where Wildfire and Evingson began making small, handmade production runs and custom-ordered frames built around Remolino {{convert|80|mm|abbr=on}} rims and {{convert|3.5|in|adj=mid}} tires. Gronewald coined the trademark "Fat Bike" in 2001 and used it as the model name for his bikes. Gronewald initially worked with Palmer Machinery for welding and later contracted frame building to Mike DeSalvo at DeSalvo Cycles of Ashland, Oregon. Gronewald continued to sell his original fatbikes until 2011. Gronewald's design featured an {{convert|18|mm|abbr=on}} offset wheel and frame built to allow full range gearing, since he was using standard hubs and bottom brackets available at the time.

Wildfire and Evingson bikes were used in the Iditarod Trail races beginning in 2000. Also that year, Mike Curiak from Colorado set a record on the Iditarod Trail in the IditaSport Extreme race to Nome on a modified Marin bike with Remolino rims and tires. Surly Bikes released the Pugsley frame, in 2005,{{cite web |url= http://gearjunkie.com/gear-review-adventure-bikes|title=Adventure bikes – Surly Pugsley, Evingson Cycle Voyageur |last1= Regenold|first1= Stephen |date= 14 July 2006 |website=gearjunkie.com |publisher= Monopoint Media LLC|access-date= 11 Apr 2015}} and began producing Large Marge {{convert|65|mm|abbr=on}} rims and Endomorph {{convert|3.8|in|0|adj=mid}} tires in 2006. The Pugsley frame, rim and tire offerings made fatbikes commercially available in local bike shops worldwide.{{cite news |last=DeMarban |first=Alex |date=27 Dec 2011 |title=Alaska's fat-bike mania spreads its tire track across world |url= http://www.adn.com/article/alaskas-fat-bike-mania-spreads-its-tire-track-across-world-0|newspaper= Alaska Dispatch News|access-date=11 Apr 2015 }} The Pugsley bikes also featured the offset wheel and frame build.

Other early versions of the fatbike were normal mountain bikes equipped with SnowCat rims, created by Simon Rakower of All-Weather Sports in Fairbanks, Alaska, in the early 1990s;{{citation|url=http://www.allweathersports.com/winter/snowcats.html |title=SnowCat page on All-Weather Sports website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208232715/http://www.allweathersports.com/winter/snowcats.html|archive-date=2008-02-08}} or with multiple tires seated on two or three standard rims that had been welded or pinned together.{{cite web |url=http://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/a-brief-history-of-fatbikes/ |title= A Brief History of Fatbikes |author= |date= 13 Feb 2014|website= www.adventurecycling.org |publisher= Adventure Cycling Association|access-date= 6 April 2015}} Rakower was involved with technical support aspects of the Iditabike (later IditaSport) race, which started in 1987. Since 2002 the race continued on the same trail under the name Iditarod Trail Invitational (ITI). Rakower started hand making extra wide rims for participants by welding two rims together and cutting off the middle ridge known as the snowcat rims {{convert|44|mm|abbr=on}}. S. Rakower produced those rims from 1991 through 1999. Many riders on the Iditarod Trail used a Geax tire with the snow cat rim. Enthusiasts would cut and sew tire-carcasses together to maximize the size of the tire and utilize all the available space between the seat stays and chain stays; this tire and rim combination would maximize the bicycle's footprint, increasing flotation on winter trails. Soon after, Rakower decided to design a {{convert|44|mm|abbr=on}} rim from scratch and had it produced. SnowCats revolutionized winter cycling, as they could be fitted to nearly any commercially available mountain bike.

Mike Curiak from Colorado set a record on the Iditarod Trail in the 2000 race to Nome.{{cite web| url = http://www.iditarodtrailinvitational.com/1000mile_finishers.php| title = Iditarod Trail Invitational 1000 mile_finishers| access-date = 2015-04-03| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150401092122/http://www.iditarodtrailinvitational.com/1000mile_finishers.php| archive-date = 2015-04-01| url-status = dead}}

Surly Bikes released the Pugsley frame in 2005 and began producing Large Marge {{convert|65|mm|abbr=on}} rims and Endomorph {{convert|3.8|in|0|adj=mid}} tires in 2006.{{cite web |url=http://gearjunkie.com/gear-review-adventure-bikes |title=Adventure bikes – Surly Pugsley, Evingson Cycle Voyageur |last1=Renegold |first1=Stephen |date=14 July 2006 |website= gearjunkie.com |publisher= Monopoint Media LLC|access-date=11 Apr 2015}} The Pugsley frame, rim, and tire offering made fatbikes commercially available in local bike shops worldwide. The Pugsley bikes also featured the offset wheel and frame build. Fatback Bikes came online in 2007 adding the carbon Corvus fatbike. Another Alaskan brand 9:zero:7 joined in 2010 also offering a carbon fatbike. Other bike manufacturers have also entered the fatbike market recently including Trek, with the Farley, Salsa with the Beargrease and Mukluk, and Specialized with the Fatboy and On=One with the Fatty. Others followed since 2014 Rocky Mountain, Felt, Kona, Pivot and many more. Since 2014, Dorel Sports has utilized their Mongoose brand to make fatbikes even more accessible to the general public, with models such as the Beast, Dolomite, Hitch, and Malus selling for around $250, considerably less than their higher-priced predecessors. Until approximately 2012, the TommiSea company of Virginia Beach built fat bikes for use on beach sand.

As the popularity of fatbikes has expanded,{{cite journal |last=Averill |first= Graham|date=16 Jan 2015 |title= Love to Fat Bike? This is where to ride |url= http://www.outsideonline.com/1928641/love-fat-bike-where-ride|journal= Outside Online|location= USA|publisher= Outside Magazine|access-date=11 Apr 2015 }}{{cite news |last= Marshall |first= John|date= 7 Apr 2015|title=Why fat bikes are going from niche sport to mainstream |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/why-fat-bikes-are-going-from-niche-sport-to-mainstream-1.2315189 |newspaper= ctvnews.com|access-date=7 Apr 2015 }}{{cite news |author= |title=Finns go wild for the fatbike -- perfect for biking in the snow |url=http://www.adn.com/article/20150312/finns-go-wild-fatbike-perfect-biking-snow |newspaper=Alaska Dispatch News |location=Alaska, USA |date=12 Mar 2015 |access-date=7 Apr 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414062540/http://www.adn.com/article/20150312/finns-go-wild-fatbike-perfect-biking-snow |archive-date=2015-04-14 }} fatbike specific events (races, race series, tours, and festivals) have emerged. Examples include the Snow Bike Festival,{{Cite web|url=http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/events/event-346895528.html|title=Snow Bike Festival Gstaad|website=MySwitzerland.com|access-date=2016-08-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827000015/http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/events/event-346895528.html|archive-date=2016-08-27|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://marathonmtb.com/2016/06/30/snow-bike-festival-stays-gstaad/|title=The Snow Bike Festival is set to stay in Gstaad|date=2016-06-30|website=MarathonMTB.com|access-date=2016-08-25}} the annual Global Fatbike Summit{{cite news |last=Suder |first=Jason |date= 15 Jan 2015|title= Fat Bike Summit at the King |url= http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/sports/features/fat-bike-summit-at-the-king/article_c82b9659-4c67-56e9-9e3d-67d84c6b6e2c.html|newspaper= Jackson Hole News & Guide |location= Wyoming, USA |access-date=7 April 2015 }} (since 2012),{{cite web |url=http://fatbikesummit.com/history/ |title=Global Fatbike Summit: History |author= |date=20 Jan 2012 |publisher=fatbikesummit.com |access-date=7 Apr 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208093252/http://fatbikesummit.com/history/ |archive-date=2015-02-08 }} the Fatbike Birkie race{{cite news |author= |date= 7 Mar 2015|title=Fat Tire Birkie is a hit |url=http://www.fox21online.com/news/local-news/Fat-Tire-Birkie-is-a-Hit/31675684 |newspaper=fox21online |location= Cable, Wi, USA|access-date= 7 Apr 2015}} which is part of the Great Lakes Fatbike Series (2014–2015 season: 8 races held across 3 states),{{cite web|url= http://www.greatlakesfatbikeseries.com/post/97899681397/2015-series-schedule-announced|title= 2015 Series Announced|author= |date= 2014|website= greatlakesfatbikeseries.com|publisher= Great Lakes Fat Bikes Series|access-date= 11 Apr 2015|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150411174613/http://www.greatlakesfatbikeseries.com/post/97899681397/2015-series-schedule-announced|archive-date= 2015-04-11}}{{cite news |last= Lindgren|first= Suzanne|date=30 Dec 2014 |title= Snowy times call for fat bike measures|url=http://www.presspubs.com/osceola/news/article_ecbf52f0-8f72-11e4-b96a-bfad320317ce.html |newspaper= The Sun|location=USA |access-date= 11 Apr 2015}} the US Open Fatbike Beach Championships (inaugural, 2015),{{cite web |url=http://www.wral.com/nc-bikers-dominate-fat-bike-championships/14514640/ |title=NC bikers dominate Fat Bike Championships |author= |date=14 Mar 2015 |website= WRAL.com |access-date=7 Apr 2015}} the USA Cycling Fat Bike National Championship (inaugural, 2015),{{cite news |author=|date= 6 Feb 2014|title= USA Cycling adds fat bike National Championships for 2015|url= http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/usa-cycling-adds-fat-bike-national-championships-for-2015|newspaper= cyclingnews.com|location= USA|access-date= 11 Apr 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.pinkbike.com/news/usa-cycling-fat-bike-national-championships-2015.html |title=USA's First Ever Fat Bike National Championship |last1= Lloyd|first1=Steven |date= 16 Feb 2015|website=pinkbike.com|access-date=11 Apr 2015}} the Ontario-based Substance Projects OnFatbikeSeries (OFBS), the 45Nrth Fatbike Triple Crown race series{{cite news |last=Sinnema|first=Jodie |date=25 Jan 2015 |title= Edmonton's fat-bike riders now have monthly race to strut their stuff|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/health/diet-fitness/edmontons-fat-bike-riders-now-have-monthly-race-to-strut-their-stuff |newspaper=Edmonton Journal |location=Edmonton, AB, Canada |access-date=1 Apr 2016 }} and the UK Fatbike Championships (inaugural, 2013).{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/UKFatBikeChamps/|title=UK FAT BIKE Championship|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2018-09-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://hyggebikes.com/cycle-scheme/|title=What Are Cycle To Work Schemes?|website=www.hyggebikes.com|language=en|access-date=2018-09-20}}

The Iditarod Trail Invitational (formerly known as Iditabike and Iditasport Extreme and Iditasport Impossible) race in Alaska has grown into an international event offering an extreme {{convert|130|mi|km|adj=mid}}, {{convert|350|mi|km|adj=mid}} and {{convert|1000|mi|km|adj=mid}} distances. The event spurred the creation of many other winter ultra events in the United States, Canada and Europe that are accepted qualifiers to get into this Invitational.

A number of extreme expeditions have also been made on fatbikes. In December 2012 Eric Larsen attempted to ride a fatbike to the South Pole, but made it only a quarter of the way before he had to turn around.{{cite web |url=http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/excursions/post/polar-explorer-falls-short-of-south-pole-cycling-goal-but-sets-world-record/ |title=Polar explorer falls short of South Pole cycling goal but sets world record |publisher=GrindTV.com |date=2013-01-16 |access-date=2014-07-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808044135/http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/excursions/post/polar-explorer-falls-short-of-south-pole-cycling-goal-but-sets-world-record/ |archive-date=2014-08-08 |url-status=dead }} Maria Leijerstam became the first to cycle to the South Pole, across the South Pole Traverse road on a tricycle with fatbike tires.{{cite web |url=http://www.whiteicecycle.com/ |title=IceCycle | World first cycle to the South Pole 2013 |publisher=Whiteicecycle.com |access-date=2014-07-17 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224454/http://www.whiteicecycle.com/ |url-status=dead }} On 21 January 2014, Daniel P. Burton became the first person to ride a bike across Antarctica to the South Pole, starting at Hercules Inlet and biking {{convert|775|mi|abbr=on|order=flip}} to the South Pole on a carbon fiber Borealis Yampa fatbike[https://fat-bike.com/2013/06/new-fat-bike-borealis-yampa/ Borealis Yampa] with {{convert|4.8|in|abbr=on}} wide tires.{{cite news |last=Mcfall |first= Michael |date= 21 Jan 2014|title= Utah man sets a world record biking to the South Pole |url= http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/57389591-78/burton-pole-wrote-expedition.html.csp |access-date= 13 Apr 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://connect.garmin.com/activity/538852024 |title=South Pole Epic by dpburton at Garmin Connect - Details |publisher=Connect.garmin.com |date=2013-12-03 |access-date=2014-07-17}}

Popular fatbiking destinations are predominantly found in the northern latitudes of the United States, Canada, and some Nordic countries.

File:Carnegie Science Center Sun Spider AT.JPG|Sun Spider AT fat tire bicycle on display at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

File:15-07-19-Fahrradcorso-RalfR-DSCF6576 1.jpg|Fatbike in Mexico

File:2018 Trek Farley EX 9.8 Full Suspension Fat Bike.jpg|Full Suspension fat-tire bike

File:Bikepacking on a fatbike in Eastern Oregon.jpg|Bikepacking in the U.S. state of Oregon

File:TommiSeaFatSandBike.jpg|TommiSea Fat Sand Bike equipped for long-distance beach trekking, photographed at the Virginia-North Carolina border.

• Antarctica Cycling Expeditions
• Outline of cycling
• Electric bicycle
• Mountain bike
• Reverse trike
• Cargo bike
• Hunting

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite web|last=Zhang|first=Mayo|date=2020-12-28|title=Fat Bike 101: The Complete Guide [2021 Updated] {{!}} Rinasclta Bike|url=https://rinascltabike.com/fat-bike-complete-guide/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Rinasclta Bike}}

{{Wiktionary|fatbike|fat bike}}

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