I’m half-fat with a 26 x 3.7″ Surly Larry tire up front and a 29 x 2.35 Schwalbe Big Apple in the rear. A 29 inch wheel is a great way to optimize a fatbike for summer singletrack, touring, or pavement. Half-fat is my half-baked idea of a bike that can go anywhere, but doesn’t ride like a tank. Half-fat: not half bad.
The simple and cheap option to refit a fatbike for general use is to select a high volume 26″ tire such as the Maxxis Hookworm 2.5 or Holy Roller 2.4; Schwalbe Big Apple or Fat Frank 2.35; and a host of other 2.3-2.4″ tires from WTB, Specialized, Kenda, and others. These tires mount nicely to a 65mm rim such as the Large Marge, but may be unworkable on anything wider. While the bottom bracket of the Pugsley is lowered over an inch, the height measures about the same as the Surly Long Haul Trucker and pedal strike is not a serious concern when cornering. For less than a hundred bucks, the bike is transformed with a fast rolling, durable, all around tire. The Maxxis Holy Roller 26 x 2.4 does the job on Lael’s Pugsley. Baby fat. Holy roller.
I’ve got love for the Holy Rollers.
I’d have liked some 26×2.35 Schwalbe Fat Franks. I love the Apples, but there’s not much rubber there. The Frank has just a little bit more material. The Holy Rollers roll nice as well, which is what I always hear from people that have switched from more aggressive mtb tires. They have lots of rubber, so should be long wearing and would bite better in the dirt than the Frank. Overall, they roll well with a little noise as they are about 50/50 positive/negative tread.
I’m diggin your Big Donkey.
I’m curious to know if there is any possible chance I could fit the Marge Lite / Big Apple 2.35 combo on my Surly Troll…
Do you know the total (width) measurement of the tire mounted and inflated on that rim?
It may be possible. I have seen a Surly 1×1 with Marge Lite rims and 2.5″ Kenda Slant Six tires. The clearances are similar on the Troll and 1×1 (not exact), although you may find that the cantilever studs present an issue. In the past, when fitting very large rims and tires to a 1×1 frame, riders would remove the cantilever brake mounts.
Let me know if it works out for you.
nicholas
You may consider the 47mm Schlick Northpaw rim (http://schlickcycles.com/bikes/northpaw-47mm-rim/). It would be a more suitable size for the limited tire clearance int he Troll frame (limited relative to a proper fatbike), and is a lot lighter than the Marge Lite.
The 50mm Jeff Jones rim may also be suitable (http://www.jonesbikes.com/vmchk/Wheels/Rim-50mm/vmj_funky.tpl.html).
The 47mm double-walled Kris Holm rim may also be an option. I don’t see it on the KH website anymore, but it is still available form online retailers (http://www.unicycle.com/kris-holm-26-inch-freeride-rim.html).
Unfortunately, Alaskan Snowcat rims may be discontinued as well, but their 44mm width might have been a nice option (http://www.allweathersports.com/winter/snowcats.html)
Finally, there may be some DH rims in the 35-42mm range that may work for you. They will be heavy, but it also may be possible to lighten them with cutouts.
Like Nicholas said Snowcats are a great option, and the good news is that you can get them again. 616 Fabrication in Michigan apparently worked out a deal with All Season Sports and has them available.
http://616fab.com/wheel/snowcat-wheels/