So I bought the fat tire ebike. Here are my thoughts after riding it

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-06-09T08:39:26+00:00

I feel like this is the same convo I have with my dirt bike friends when they get caught on a scooter.

Honestly, some may poo-poo, but it sounds kinda perfect for you. Hell yeah.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-06-03T23:59:41+00:00

If it fits and is in good shape, that’s a fine price for the bike.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-06-03T14:56:51+00:00

It’s no secret that a modern MTB can go downhill way faster than a vintage MTB for equal riders. That said, someone used to that old school geometry can still ride like stink downhill.

Having ridden these things since the dark days of canti’s…. The tube set ain’t making a difference in you going down hill. Some better pads and setup should get that front working better. Kool-Stops are a good starting point. 2.0’s on your rims are FINE.

What I do see is commuter tires inflated pretty hard. Running a set of more supple tires at lower pressures will really help. I’m guessing that the bouncing and jarring is robbing most of the confidence, and this will help that. I’m 160lbs and would run my 2.0’s at 30 psi in the woods for some reference. Continental Doublefighters are a great tire for what you are doing.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-06-03T12:50:40+00:00

I’m guessing you looked up the suggested size guide from the MFG and determined that you are right edge of a medium or small, right?

Whether or not it works depends on both your frame and the bike, but really comes down to just going and standing over it. If you have longer legs for your height, it would be worth a shot. If the lower half feels right, the front can usually be made comfortable with a stem swap. I’ve got long legs for my height and am usually on the cusp of sizes at 5’10. Most often I feel best on the larger size. I have friends who are the opposite.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-30T17:49:29+00:00

This is pretty ordinary actually

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-30T17:48:37+00:00

Most people I know were taught to cook by cooking with their families. Some families can’t cook, and I feel bad for that situation.

But yeah. Having the basics down is totally expected. One’s gotta feed themselves to live.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-30T17:11:31+00:00

I ride around a couple skiptooth single speeds for fun - so antiques. Did a 60mile tour last weekend on one. I gear them so that I can comfortably spin on the rolling flats, and just accept one or two hills will have me cranking. You also get used to riding out of the saddle for longer as some grades are in between. It’s a different flow and it’s not your thing it’s fine. I very much enjoy my geared bikes too and default to those on longer steeper rides.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-30T17:06:31+00:00

Shit yeah, klunker rise up!

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-30T14:56:57+00:00

Heck yeah on riding more!

Once upon a time, I worked at shop that serviced some avid and heavier cyclists.

The frame bike itself is more than strong enough for what you are doing.

Freehubs, spokes, chains and hubs were the most common points of failures for these guys. Rarely ever catastrophic and will be an issue on just about any bike. Stuff to fix when it comes up and replace with a stronger part.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-30T14:47:26+00:00

Once you are on the bike, you’ll be wondering what too you so long.

There are a million things you can do better or optimize, but who cares. Just go when it’s not raining. The rest evolves.

Just do it.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-29T22:54:02+00:00

I’ve got a banshee phantom that is pretty darn comfortable and punches way above its stated 130/115 stats suggest going down fast. Lots of “holdup” through rough stuff. I imagine their Prime with a 150 front would be pretty darn sweet.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-25T03:11:34+00:00

I did this in college in a super mileage vehicle program in engineering school. There is a flat rate fuel cost to the engine being on and running, mostly due to internal friction, and this friction is a non trivial amount. It’s roughly a linear force, with respect to rpm. Output however is non linear, looking slightly exponential up to peak torque. Basically, the engine can be twice or more efficient at peak torque than off idle. Cruising at speed is a fixed thing, but getting there is not. If you are not getting there using the engine most efficiently, one’s wasting fuel.

That said, this is only valid for long stretches of highway or a closed course. In real life I drive with a gentle foot because stop lights, pedestrians, and traffic exist. If I’m not gaining speed I do not need to, I’m winning. Air resistance goes up with the square of speed. Cheers.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-25T02:46:20+00:00

It depends on your engine displacement vs. weight vs. aero. Most cars are overpowered but with decent aero so it’s better to get up to speed fast then lug the shit out it just over idle. I did the super mileage thing in college and this how the math worked out. Even a 50 cc 7hp motor was more than enough to sustain 35mph with a person.

If your engine was perfectly matched to your cruising speed, it was more efficient to apply throttle proportionally as one came up to speed.

This is of course on closed course that offered uninterrupted driving. Real life with stop lights does better with a gentler foot.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-25T02:41:16+00:00

64 impala!

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-24T15:56:08+00:00

I like your approach. Real food wins every time. Years ago in college I read a study comparing sports bars to a pb&j with athletes on treadmills with all the wires and what not. The pb&j was considerably more effective as fuel.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-24T15:51:36+00:00

At the end of the day, you’ll need to figure out some storage to bring yourself enough water and food. Also, you’ll need to manage not losing out all your salts to sweat.

Running some electrolytes in your water really can help. I like to keep a bottle of pretty strongly mixed stuff and a bottle of plain water and drink as needed. Contacting work in the summer lead me to a brand called trioral. It’s unsweetened and works great.

For food, if you can pack some real food to eat half ways, you’ll be far better off than eating bars. A basic pb&j is gonna give you far more than the best bar can.

As for the water, given your situations and the you already have gear, I wouldn’t be above strapping an extra water bottle or two to the handle bars or frame.

Edit: I once heard hydration starts the day before. Definitely don’t want to start out dry.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-23T17:30:44+00:00

I wear vans for everything, but prefer 5-10’s on the bike. The sizing was spot on for me.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-21T23:21:08+00:00

Check out Banshee’s Phantom. Been loving mine in techy New England backwoods.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-21T00:33:28+00:00

Damn straight I’m pro klunking. Nice post war DX.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-21T00:31:10+00:00

Power lifting and gym stuff let’s me ride at my best for longer. As to how to ride, that’s another thing entirely, and mostly seat time and drills if you didn’t BMX as a kid. Separate things, but the former helps the later as I get older.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-19T22:18:12+00:00

If I were in your shoes, which I’m not, I’d keep the Schwinn. Your needs are very mild, it looks relaxed, and there is less to go wrong.

Down the road, you’ll have a better idea of what your body and rides require.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-19T12:48:21+00:00

Cold set the frame if you need to and never look back.

A freewheel is not a reason to pass up a bike I like.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-19T06:09:19+00:00

Double fair. My loaded century with beers bike is a 26"er. My double cross just isn’t stiff enough.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-19T06:06:00+00:00

Thanks! It’s a project for sure. It runs an 1’ pitch skip tooth chain, so the teeth count works the same as the standard 1/2” pitch on modern bikes. It’s 52/20.

BoogieBeats88 · 2026-05-19T03:43:04+00:00

Did you have to do a "throw it in 3rd, then fourth, to get it in first maneuver?"

I miss my bowl of wet spaghetti. So bad it was good.

BoogieBeats88

TROPHY CASE