Fat and mountain bikes originated as rigid steel bikes, making it challenging to ride in the mountains due to their heavy weight and high resistance. However, the emergence of carbon fiber bikes has changed the game, and adding full suspension to a fat bike makes it easy to cross any rugged mountain road. This raises the question: do we need a full-suspension fat bike?
I will share my experience after buying a carbon full-suspension fat bike in this text. You will discover that fat bikes can reach places that others cannot, and with a full-suspension system, you can tackle even the most challenging terrain. My full-suspension fat bike could handle a two-story drop, although I must admit that I am too afraid to try it.
When I owned a full-suspension mountain bike, I was surprised by how enjoyable the ride was. I appreciate their characteristics and find them a wonderful addition to any ride.
Gripping With Full Suspension
Fat bikes gained popularity due to their ability to provide traction and flotation while climbing rough terrains, much like mountain goats. With the introduction of full-suspension fat bikes, riders can benefit from increased grip and traction, allowing them to stay in control on the ground.
Full suspension is about comfort and ensuring that the tires maintain contact with the ground. Compared to rigid bikes, suspension forks offer better grip, significantly reducing crash risk. If you're looking for a bike that ensures you stay upright, a full-suspension fat bike is the way to go.
We all love going out for a bike ride with our friends. It's common for small accidents to happen during such activities, but nothing serious. However, to feel like a superhero for the rest of the day, you should try a full-suspension fat bike. This type of bike can level up your riding abilities and offer a great experience.
You might think I'm just trying to sell you the idea of using a full-suspension fat bike, but that's not the case. If you want to become a mountain bike instructor, fat bikes are banned from most courses. The reason is not that people don't like them. They make the skills sections too easy, making completing the course less challenging.
Time-pressured Cycling
If you're finding it difficult to ride as much as you used to due to work, family, and friends, you may find that most of your riding time is spent trying to maintain your abilities. In such a scenario, a bike that lets you ride without any worry is an ideal choice. This is why full-suspension fat bikes are popular.
Back in 2014, Salsa introduced the world to fully suspension fat bikes with the aluminum-framed Bucksaw. While this bike was removed from the Salsa range in 2019, it set the benchmark for all full-suspension fat bikes that followed. However, ICAN has not compromised on quality with its SN04 model and has matched the Salsa quality without charging a high price.
Unlike the Bucksaw, which had a fancy name, trendy colors, and fancy marketing, ICAN has named its model SN04, harking back to the early days of fat bikes. SN stands for snow, and 04 is the fourth fat bike model and the first full-suspension fat bike that ICAN has made. By giving the bike a simple inventory title, ICAN saves the customers money.
The SN04 comes in black carbon fiber and can be custom-painted if you prefer. The lack of paint saves you a significant chunk of money. Buying directly from ICAN cuts out all the middlemen, allowing you to save more money on your purchase.
"Going direct" means receiving a high-quality bicycle straight from the factory at an affordable price. In this case, you're purchasing a 100mm travel full-suspension fat bike from ICAN. It comes equipped with a well-fitted Rock Shox suspension, featuring an industry-leading Bluto fork on the front and a Monarch XX on the back. The Monarch XX is a simple yet effective shock, making it a great choice for a fat bike.
The bike also features a Shimano Deore groupset, which helps to keep the price tag affordable without sacrificing performance. It's more important for a groupset to function well than to be flashy or lightweight, especially when exploring new territory with your full-suspension fat bike. You don't want to be stranded out there!
Full Carbon Fiber Frame
The standout feature of the ICAN is its Toray T700 carbon fiber frameset and set of Toray carbon fiber wheels. By default, the bike is equipped with carbon fat tire wheels, but the carbon fiber wheels are exceptional. They can be easily converted to tubeless and come with sealed bearing hubs. These wheels are ideal for off-road adventures.
Many people may consider a full-suspension fat bike a niche product that is unnecessary. However, I'm afraid I have to disagree. For me, a full-suspension fat bike has quickly become my favorite bike, making my other bikes seem unnecessary. It is a bike that is fast and fun to ride down trails yet climbs well. Moreover, it is perfect for extreme bikepacking. Personally, a full-suspension fat bike has made my life more enjoyable, particularly during the cold winter months.
Do you want to own a full-suspension mountain bike? Have you had any exciting experiences with this type of bike? I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
