Logging road bike - what say you?

[Carl]

All,

Would this be a good logging road bike?  It's cheap and I'm only looking to get from point A to B on the dirt roads. 

All opinions welcomed.

Thanks,
Carl


https://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Huffy-Men-s-Fortress-Mountain-Bike-Blue/49058108

[Mfowl]

Hey Carl, the biggest issue with buying the cheaper version is that it is likely to fail when you need it. It would probably work well initially but as time goes on the reason it is sold for less will show itself.
Also I believe the fat tire bikes are more geared towards downhill mountain biking. When pedalling uphill there will be more resistance and thus more energy expended on your part. I wouldn't buy without searching Craigslist or bike shops for a high end bike at a discounted price. Or just splurge and get a Rambo bike with a trailer!

[Special T]

I personally think you can get a higher quality bike for the same or less $ via Craig's list. Fat Tire bikes are great for snow and sand.

[syoungs]

I wouldn't buy it, itll be more trouble then its worth, you can buy a lower end bike from a local bike store, that is fitted to you, and enjoy your experience much more, as well as being much more robust.

[Carl]

Thank you, gentlemen. I'll take that advice and check out CL or a bike shop.

Carl

[Magnum_Willys]

Rambo bike at Sportsmans warehouse looked good. Electric !

[Gutpile]

Do a bunch of research and definitely buy from a bike store. I spent five hundred bucks on a Giant Talon and I love it. I almost bought another bike from from Dick's at the same price and it was basically junk compared to this. I'm not saying that this bike is the best in the world but for the money it's pretty damn good. I had no idea how far these things that come in the years since I have had a bike back in the day. The people at the bike shops are pretty into the sport and they're pretty damn helpful so that would be my recommendation. REI is a good spot to but they are little bit overpriced

[fish vacuum]

The people at the bike shops are pretty into the sport and they're pretty damn helpful so that would be my recommendation.

When I was buying my bike at a bike shop, I mentioned riding gravel roads for hunting. They thought it was cool and said they sell quite a few bikes to hunters. They even talked about trailers and bow racks. You don't have to be a spandex wearer to get good service.

[syoungs]

That's good to hear! One of my lbs didn't appreciate the fact I was buying a bike to get in shape and hunt off of. Looked down their nose at me the whole time. I drove 3 minutes to a small shop and spent 1000$ 10 minutes later. Blew my mind that the first shop was acting that way.

[fly-by]

For logging roads, a quality hardtail (no rear suspension)  saves weight, complexity, and expense and will be just as comfortable.  You may also want to consider 1x8 or 1x9 gearing with a small front chainring.  You will sacrifice some top end speed but can still pedal at 15mph+ on flats or downhills.   For hunting the objective is durability, simplicity, and light weight.  Not every bike shop will have this combo but there is one fore sale on Seattle CL now in Bremerton for $350.   I set up a dedicated hunting bike in this way and really like it.

[fish vacuum]

I prefer a bike with 29" wheels, aka a 29er, for gravel roads. The bigger wheels smooth out the bumps a little more than smaller ones.

[floatinghat]

  

For logging roads, a quality hardtail (no rear suspension)  saves weight, complexity, and expense and will be just as comfortable.  You may also want to consider 1x8 or 1x9 gearing with a small front chainring.  You will sacrifice some top end speed but can still pedal at 15mph+ on flats or downhills.   For hunting the objective is durability, simplicity, and light weight.  Not every bike shop will have this combo but there is one fore sale on Seattle CL now in Bremerton for $350.   I set up a dedicated hunting bike in this way and really like it.

Good advice, I would buy the best you can afford.  Don't forget you tools, patch kit, tube, pump... Also, it's easy to think I will go back 10 miles and haul it out easily.  It's not that easy, even with a meat wagon.   29ers are nice however, the lateral strength of the wheels is less.  Also many of the newer tires are much harder to do repair work.

[Labs07]

You should look at a fat bike.  I saved up and bought this one.

[dreamunelk]

You should look at a fat bike.  I saved up and bought this one.

How is it working for you?

[Carl]

Wow, that's some bike!    

Is that the name of it, "Fat Bike"?

[Labs07]

It works great!  Low geared so can climb hills and I can go places skinny tire bikes can as well as way more traction than skinny tire bike.  The downside is that it is heavy!

[Labs07]

It is a Cogburn.... Check it out: http://www.cogburnoutdoors.com/

[Gutpile]

I've been doing a little reading on those they're really trying to get into the hunting and fishing niche. I'd like to try one out. Those fat bikes are getting to be all of the rage we ran into them when we were up cross country skiing in Winthrop last winter

[Labs07]

I have studded tires for this bike as well and with air pressure at around 6 pounds it will go really well on ice and hard pack.

[luvmystang67]

I have a full suspension Specialized FSR... Good bike in its day, circa 2001 or 2002.  Its a 27 speed.  Paid $250 for it.  I LOVE the full suspension on gravel/logging roads and have had no issue with it.  Keeps your butt in one piece instead of ripped down the middle.  I would put a strong preference towards old quality rather than new bargain build.

Skinny tires work just fine and are less resistance... I don't think the big fat tires do much for you if you're not trying to float it on a jump into a pond.

[KFhunter]

fat tire bikes good for loose rock which around here is becoming more common due to all the logging.  The rocks are pretty big in places.  I think a good mountain bike with 29" tall wide 3" plus tires would be a good compromise from going full fatty.

[L8NITE]

Nice ride Labs07...what does one of those cost?

[Labs07]

Total build with everything about 2300

[Special T]

I test road a fat bike 2 years ago up in Pemberton BC. The shop owner said he likes to drop the psi down 3 lbs and can cross country in a foot of snow. That is flatly impressive.

[KFhunter]

I wonder how bad they get flats?

[Special T]

For thorns and goat heads they would be horrible.  Flats on rocks won't happen they would conform to the rock due to the much lower air pressure.

[Labs07]

I run tubeless with sealant in the tires.  Not had a flat yet.

[Bofire]

I bought a Walmart bike once, nothing was adjusted well and every nut/bolt loose. It just fell apart.
I got my next bike at REI, great service, I got to ride it all around for as long as I wanted, well set up, adjustments perfect, I got the 27 inch wheels and they make me feel like I am really up there was about $250-275. still works good, I got a non suspension bike.
Carl