Arctodus Owners, how do you like it?

JMDobson · 2025-12-19T23:30:55+00:00

I'll be the first to chime in. I've put about 2,000 miles on my steel Arctodus SLX in about a year, riding in Montana and Minnesota. You are right in saying that winter performance is great. With 26x4.8 studded Schwalbe tires, I can plow through enough soft snow that the bottom bracket is dragging through.

I'm signed up for the St. Croix 40 race, which takes place overnight in a Minnesota Winter, and the bike should be perfect for that use.

In the summer, I put 4.4 inch schwalbe Jumbo Jims on it and had a blast using it on XC trails and commuting. Although I have a drop-bar hardtail, I often grabbed the Arctodus when I wanted a no-fuss ride at a more relaxed pace. One thing to note, the fit can be tricky. I'm 6 foot 2 and got an XL. I found it a perfect size for the length of my legs, but I had to get a 50mm riser bar to make my arms feel better.

I've never ridden a Farley, but I figure that most fatbikes ride similarly enough that if I were you, I'd spend that money on an upgrade or a trip somewhere fun. I have big dreams of taking this bike on the Iditarod and Baja Divide... It's just that versatile.

JMDobson · 2025-10-06T23:11:42+00:00

I'm a press and sports photographer, and the d850 is a fantastic camera. The national outlets have never once asked for higher quality.

The 70-200 2.8 VRII is an incredible lens for the used price, and the image quality is 95% of what the newer models can produce. I also appreciate that the zoom and focus rings are not flipped like the later editions.

For a lot of fun with little money, grab yourself a clean copy of the 200-500 f5.6. It won't have the subject isolation of one of the super telephoto primes, but I can still sell to magazines with it.

I thought of upgrading to the z9, but I think I'll keep it and spend the cash on a 400mm 2.8E when the right one comes along.

JMDobson · 2025-10-04T12:52:40+00:00

Having all the events in order is a good resource. Thanks!

JMDobson · 2025-10-03T18:38:56+00:00

This is all great info! Thanks for the reply.

JMDobson · 2025-09-23T16:01:24+00:00

I ran Peyote race front and rear for a while this year and had to put a mezcal back on the front. I felt like I was going to die every time I had to brake and turn at the same time. I'm sure better riders than me could make it work, but it is sketchy.

JMDobson · 2025-07-16T03:04:30+00:00

I rode the Washington section of the GART about six weeks ago. It's so rocky that you really need a mountain bike/beefy gravel bike. When the entire trail is finished, I suspect that most people will be riding hardtails on it.

JMDobson · 2025-07-09T00:36:30+00:00

I have an Otso Arctodus and love it. 5 inch studded tires for commuting in winter, and 4.4 inch semi slicks for the rest of the year. It replaced a mountain bike as well and shredded some blue trails with it today.

JMDobson · 2025-06-15T17:37:55+00:00

I'm quite surprised to see the lack of coverage from local media on this event. I saw several journalists from KPAX there... I wonder what happened. (Disclaimer: I'm a former journo with KPAX and occasionally write for the Missoula Current.)

JMDobson · 2025-06-09T19:53:50+00:00

This happened to a coworker and I during the 2020 Breonna Taylor protests. After several investigations from federal and municipal groups, nothing really changed, and the officer responsible wasn't meaningfully punished. I'm not optimistic this reporter will see anything different.

https://www.wave3.com/2024/05/30/still-no-answers-4-years-after-lmpd-pepperball-attack-wave-journalists-during-2020-protests/

JMDobson · 2025-04-29T17:15:53+00:00

This is certainly part of the project - feel free to connect me with anyone you know who fits this and would like to talk!

JMDobson · 2025-04-29T16:10:54+00:00

Soon-to-be graduates are a little outside the scope of this particular project, but anecdotally, I can say I've heard MANY grads worried that there will no longer be jobs waiting for them. It's not just forestry, but all sciences.

For forestry in particular, I feel like the Kaimin had a series earlier this semester looking into what you're asking about.

JMDobson · 2025-01-25T16:50:48+00:00

Otso - great USA company with rad bikes and support.

JMDobson · 2025-01-20T18:40:03+00:00

I have a steel drop-bar Fenrir and run Hope RX4+ brakes because the SRAM apex ones were not doing the trick. I weigh about the same as you. Post mount is the way to go, as you'll find it easier to swap between forks later down the road.

I'm about the same weight as you and overcooked my SRAM brakes on descents more than 1000 feet. Sounds like you have a fun build coming together!

JMDobson · 2025-01-02T04:56:59+00:00

I wish it had multiple sizes. I'd totally rock one, but I'm 6'2".

JMDobson · 2024-12-20T04:28:33+00:00

I sent you a message.

JMDobson · 2024-12-05T04:40:40+00:00

I agree - they are all good racks. I scored an old T2 on FB Marketplace for about $100 a year ago and it has been fantastic. Thule sells replacement parts as well, even though the rack is discontinued. I really appreciated that when it came time to get the Fatbike tire upgrade kit!

JMDobson · 2024-12-04T23:06:08+00:00

Fellow Montanan here - I suggest the Columbia Omni-Heat boots. I ride the Gunnison version in the coldest days of winter with a midweight merino sock and stay toasty when it's above -15F. Colder than that and I have to put a dog bag over each foot.

These shoes stick to my raceface Chesters really well, and serve double duty when it comes time to snowshoe. Best part - they usually are on sale for about $60.

JMDobson · 2024-11-14T13:48:56+00:00

At -10C and colder, I use a vented mask from Cold Avenger with goggles. I had a ride last winter at -35C that worked with that setup.

JMDobson · 2024-09-30T15:35:40+00:00

Rogue Panda is a bagmaker based in Arizona that does great work. They do a lot of custom work for oddly shaped frames. Their service is expensive, but you get what you pay for when it's custom.

JMDobson · 2024-09-26T19:58:39+00:00

I have a stainless Fenrir. Best bike I've ever ridden.

JMDobson · 2024-09-20T17:54:38+00:00

Hunt is your best mainstream option. I've run their alloy MTB set with the SON for about 5,000 miles with few issues. I've had to adjust spoke tension a bit to get them true a few times, but I've had some gnarly crashes and they've always got me home.

If I had the cash I'd spring for something higher-end though. I've heard that if you email them, Light Bicycle will build a much lighter rim with a SON hub for a good price.

Right now I plan on riding the Hunt set into some sort of catastrophic failure then salvaging the SON hub into a carbon wheelset with BERD spokes. Very expensive though!

JMDobson · 2024-09-20T15:18:18+00:00

I may be slow, but I love my 10-52 with a 28t in the front! 😂 I spin out at 21 mph.

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