Fatbike feedback

DJP

Sealiner
Whether you are looking to escape the crowds, have a keen sense of adventure or just like cycling many have considered being a beach bicycle and particularly a fat bike aka dikwielfiets!
A couple of months ago I bought two second hand Surge fat bikes. We live close to Hermanus plaat and although you can legally access some parts with a 4x4 some parts are just easier to access with a bicycle (in theory).

So in this thread I will give some general feedback of my experience and for those of you that do use bicycles or have questions around it you are more than welcome to contribute.
 

DJP

Sealiner
Ok, so my general experience have been mixed, but as I've reduced my gear and figured the capabilities of the bicycle out I'm enjoying it more and more.
Honestly, I was close to selling the two bicycles not to long ago, they take up space and we have a small 4x4 which provides access to many spots. But I have realised that there are still some spots not accessible or a far walk away, and these seem to be the least fished and quite "wild" still.

Also just a disclosure, I do mountainbike so my general bike fitness is ok. If you dislike exercise this isn't for you. It's mostly fun and games on low tide when the sand is hard packed, but on a high tide and strong head wind you might decide to relinquish your fat bike as a skeleton coast ornament.

That brings me to another point... High tide soft sand will kill you on some beaches, but there are people that just ride sand dunes for fun... so you have to gauge your fitness here. Or just plan properly and wait the tide out.
 

DJP

Sealiner
Not all fat bikes are the same but for fishing I wouldn't spend to much on them.
Entry level fables probably cost around R5000 if you can still find a Makro special, then these surge fat bikes go new for around R11 000... as with all bicycle s the upper cost limited goes stupid to over R60 000 a pop... your choice.

You will need to do maintenance on them and replace parts, sea sand and water kills bicycle parts. Your bicycles are likely to remain in different states of working in their life, but on the beach gears and brakes are generally overrated and you should get by in a low gear with some brakes... General Shimano entry level components are fairly cheap and obtainable so my idea is rather go cheap and replace than go expensive... and replace...

Wash the bikes off properly with low pressure hose after every use, and general bike cleaner like Muckoff also works great.
 

Tappit

Member
DJP, jip, spot on, I did 4 cape epics and have a fair idea of mtb riding. If you only going to use it on the beach as transport tool, remove the brake system and save weight, rather add a plastic rod holder to the outside of the front fork. You go so slow on the beach, just stop paddeling and stop.
A big issue why many stop is that your bum is not use to the saddle, so be prepared for some stiff legs and a sore bum afterwards. and if you ride with a wet pant home, possible bum sores of the wet salty water.

For me, having a bike already (not the fatty wheels) I will rather spend that R5k on a nice rod, reel and braid etc. Walking is easier, maybe taking time (but we as pensioners have plenty of that :) ), but on a bike you can skip a spot because there is something better lower down. You maybe not getting to all the remote spots, thats also good, that gives a secure safe space for fish to fead, breed, grow and then when they leave home, you are feeding them some juicy fresh prawn on a sharp piece of wire.

Cheap components, like the spokes and nipples will pick up rust in no time,a lot of bike maintenance after every ride.
 

DJP

Sealiner
Yes yes and yes.

Your bum will get sore if not use to cycling, can use a more forgiving saddle but not always that good for paddle postion.

Good idea to take dry clothes and vaseline with (tights) but that goes for walking as well.

I have been to few places that are "remote" only to find people there with 4x4... I won't go into that...

You can also fit a little engine to the fat bikes but in my opinion this is a motorised vehicle and just as illegal as a motorbike / 4x4/ quad.

On hard beaches you can ride with a normal mountain bike with deflated tyres so a fat bike is not a must. You can also get quite wide normal MTB tyres, 2.8in (or anything from 2.25 to 2.5in) where fat bikes tyre ar about 3.7in. to 5.2in.
 

DJP

Sealiner
What I do like about the fatties are that you can get around to some cool places. You also cut down on travel time, and it is a little less overall effort, but maybe a bit more intense. Let say a walk that normally would take an hour will probably take you around 10-15minutes on a fat bike.

Dislike, takes up storage, maintenance and extra cleaning, limiting who goes fishing with you. If something goes wrong with the bike it's a K@walk.

Luckily there are quite a few places that do fat bike rentals so best is to go try it out as fun activity and then do the maths if you will really use it enough and if you are capable enough.
 

DJP

Sealiner
The bikes I'm currently using...
 

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DJP

Sealiner
Soft sand beache, for these you need to be fit.
 

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DJP

Sealiner
Not a sole in site, or fish for that matter... hence the sunset photo.
 

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DJP

Sealiner
Awesome little spot here in the Overberg, few people fish here..
 

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Tappit

Member
@DJP..... 2 bicycles? en een ou, maak nie sin ?

of is die 2de een vir uitgenooide gaste? (ouens wat baie rooi aas, seekat poot, tjokka, mossel en prawn het? ) :woohoo
 

Bloks

Member
Thanx DJP. Ja-nee, daai sagte sand sal n man se bene vreet as jy onfiks is.

Ek geniet die stap, vat lank, maar ekke raak net haastig langs die water sodra die vis begin byt.:lol:1
 

DJP

Sealiner
Tappit wrote:
@DJP..... 2 bicycles? en een ou, maak nie sin ?

of is die 2de een vir uitgenooide gaste? (ouens wat baie rooi aas, seekat poot, tjokka, mossel en prawn het? ) :woohoo

Ek maar twee gekry as die vrou of pel wil saam trap.
Die een is large en ander een medium frame. Moet sê die medium werk einttlik vir my biejtjie beter as large. My gewone MTB is large.
 
duidelik het jy nog nie vis op die fietse gekry nie.
want daars nie vis pics nie.

fat bike fishing is not for the feint hearted!
guys are having great success up at st lucia, with Jeff Asherwood and fatbike fishing
 

Lofty

Senior Member
eks bly ek het hier gelees,eks taamlik onfiks en my kuite is afwesig so ek sal maar moet stap of soos n pel van my een met n petrol enjin koop en hom afsit as jy verby ander hengelaars ry
 

DJP

Sealiner
Yes, dis lekker maar nie vir almaar nie.

Plekke wat ek weet Fatbikes uit verhuur is St.Lucia, jullie kan die ouens of FB volg, hulle hengel lekker daar met die vetties!
Wilderness daar oorkant Pomodoros.
De Kelders hier by Gansbaai.

Seker daar is klomp ander, beste is maar om dit eers te probeer.
 
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