One day, as I passed by my usual bike shop, I saw a bicycle with incredibly thick, motorcycle-like tires parked out front.

I instinctively went inside and called out to the shop owner.

It turned out to be a fat bike, a derivative of an MTB.

When I asked about the price of the fat bike displayed outside the shop, it was about 200,000 yen. As expected, it was a pretty decent price.

And then, the shop owner pointed to an even more imposing fat bike inside the shop.

And that's how I unexpectedly encountered a fat bike.

The fat bike inside the shop was even more expensive, close to 300,000 yen.

Upon closer inspection, the frame was carbon, and it even had front suspension and a dropper post.

※ MTB: Mountain bike, a sports bike that can be ridden boldly off-road.

※ Front suspension: A front fork with suspension, a type seen on MTBs.

※ Dropper post: A device that allows the seat post to be moved up and down, just like on serious MTBs. It lowers the saddle for downhill riding to facilitate weight transfer.

Looking at the fat bike's frame, it was clear that its basic structure followed that of an MTB, and its purpose was easy to imagine: off-road.

However, a new question arose here.

Why would one need tires even thicker than those of an MTB? Wouldn't they be heavy? Was it just a cool-looking gimmick?

The shop owner grinned, turned his computer towards me, and started playing a video.

Snow-capped mountains spread across the screen.

A fat bike was loaded onto a ropeway.

When the ropeway reached the summit, several fat bikes were lined up on the snow.

No way...?

The next moment, the fat bikes started riding down a ski course through the trees.

The bikes sped down the somewhat compacted snowy surface.

There's no way this wouldn't feel amazing!

After watching the video, still slightly excited, I took a closer look at the fat bike.

I could see countless small circular indentations on the tires.

Apparently, spikes could be inserted there.

It's the ultimate machine for snowy roads. Impressive.

Still, those unbelievably thick tires. Surely they must be heavy?

The shop owner prompted me to pick it up.

I lifted it.

Light!?

It was incredibly light, completely disproportionate to its appearance. It must be about the same weight as an MTB.

The shop owner smiled meaningfully.

"Want to ride it?"

There was no reason to say "No."

The fat bike parked outside the shop was a test ride model.

"The tire pressure is a bit high for city riding," he said.

I straddled it. The riding sensation was indeed that of an MTB.

I started riding. The tires immediately made a loud road noise, far more than an MTB.

The ride was exactly as cushioned as I imagined, with a broad feel. Yet, it didn't feel heavy at all.

I felt eyes on me.

I don't know of any other bicycle with a greater impact in the city.

My embarrassment was overshadowed by the sheer excitement.

Perhaps owners of lifted off-road vehicles feel a similar sensation.

I was convinced that there would definitely be people who would fall in love with this.

Back in the shop, I shared my brief impressions, and the shop owner began to speak again.

He explained that by changing the tire pressure, it's possible to adapt the ride to different terrains.

When the tire pressure is set to its maximum, even though it's a 26-inch tire, its outer diameter becomes comparable to a 29er MTB, allowing for high-speed riding. The difference in MTB tires is apparently not comparable.

The role of air volume on rough terrain is enormous, providing sufficient shock absorption even without suspension.

This was amply conveyed during the test ride earlier.

※ MTB 29er: MTB tires come in 26-inch, 27.5-inch, and 29-inch sizes. The largest, 29-inch, is called a 29er (twenty niner).

The shop owner told me there was another enjoyment to be had with tires.

Going tubeless.

The tubes in fat bikes weigh 400-500g each, which is heavy. Converting to tubeless can reduce weight and change the riding experience.

※ Tire weight reduction: Among bicycle parts, reducing the weight of tires and wheels has a significant effect and is said to be the first component one should consider replacing.

I checked my watch. Oh no, I'd stayed too long at the shop.

When I left the shop and switched to my own cross bike, I laughed at how flimsy it seemed.

Back home, I opened ICAN's website.

From there, I went to the fat bike catalog page and eagerly gazed at the orange-colored frame. Ⓗ

【ICAN Fat Bike Official Website】

ICAN offers two types of authentic fat bikes.

〈SN04 Series〉

ICAN's flagship fat bike model.

It features full carbon and full suspension, with three variations depending on the equipment.

It weighs 15.95 kg, and prices range from 352,590 yen to 427,695 yen.

〈SN01 Series〉

A high-performance model with a full carbon frame. It comes in three variations.

It is lightweight, starting from 12.38 kg, with prices ranging from 249,970 yen to 317,345 yen.

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