Big tire mountainbike shootout

(Last of two parts)

CEBU, Philippines - The Bikes: A 29er Full suspension Giant trance, 29er Hard tail Niner One 9 bike, 26 Mongoose Fat Bike rigid fork with LX group set and Salsa Fat Bike Xt Group set with rock shock fork.  Both Fat Bike is fitted with a 4” Fat Tire which would have a slight bigger total tire diameter from the 29er bike.

Day 2 take us 1,300 feet above sea level to the mountains of Bukidnon and Dahilayan Mountain Resort. The ride started early as the sun was just about to peak at the horizon and it was freezing. Weather in Dahilayan has dropped to 16 degrees. We began our decent on a 20km off road downhill. With the breathless view, I quickly saddled up on the new Salsa Fat Bike with a Rock shox front suspension and Carbon Fiber frame. This bike was totally different from the Mongoose I used in Day 1.   Easier to handle and maneuver maybe because the rims used in this Salsa bike were narrower  compared to the Mongoose bike.  And you don’t have to open your hips while pedaling because the bottom bracket is just same as a normal mountainbike. The suspension fork made the big difference downhill. The momentum you gained was mind boggling it goes faster and faster on the downhill. After the first part of downhill Terence and I switch bike it was my time to use the Niner one 9 hardtail 29er fitted with Schwalbe tire Rocket Ron front tires and Racing Ralph rear tire. (I didn’t bother checking the tires on Fat Bike it was a non factor.) Terence was not at all confident on the Niner because of the tire. Rolling resistant was low and he was slipping left and right. But as soon as he switched to the Fat Bike it was different story. He blasted away on the downhill section and it was my time to eat his dust. I tried hard to catch up by pedaling faster but the momentum of the Fat Bike was just far greater than the Niner.

At the end of the downhill, we again switched bike. We totally forgot that Ramon Rodriguez have not tried on the fat, bike but it was too late as we already pedaled back to Dahilayan. Along the pineapple farm land as far as your eyes can see, we had a 10km stretch but it was going uphill. The slope was not that steep but on the Fat Bike, I could only manage an average speed between 10-12kph as the Fat Bike tires was taking its toll. At the very end of the route was three killer short uphill this where the Fat bike suprises you and when you thought you run out of gears to shift, I decided to stand up and pedaled it was soft and smooth. I don’t have an explanation for this but it was different feel when you pedaled standing up.

At the end of the day it all boils down to what the rider preference, needs and wants. I can't decide on a winner from the   three bikes. But here are some options:

If fun is what you want and have no plans to join any Mountain bike races, then hands down get the Fat Bike. It is the most FUN bike in the Big Tire Challenge. If I will ever need a second mountain bike I would love to have this instead of a Full suspension bike. Fat Bike is a sure head turner if you want attention.

For the budget-conscious riders or those who can afford only one bike, then the hard tail 29er comes in as my top choice for the Big Tire Challenge. It rules on all angles from the Flat terrain, uphill and is the fastest among the three. And most of all it is almost Maintenance Free!

For all-around comfort both in racing and fun ride, I suggest you get the full suspension mountainbike. The only downside of the full suspension is when it comes to maintance. The more moving parts, the more problems there would in the future. And the FS bike gets old quickly, meaning, newer models always comes in makes your FS looks old. But if you have unlimited funds, why not get all three bikes and enjoy every ride.

SIDE LINE: Congratulations to Cornerstone for last weekend's 8080 Triathlon it was a huge success. Especially for our number one triathlete Ms. Zusette Co who topped in her division and Dandy Maturan who placed 3rd! And to the rest of the Metafit Tri Team a big thumbs up for a job well done!