Fat tire bikes have been all the rage for a while, but now, the fun and excitement of “go anywhere” with pedal power has spilled over into human powered recumbent tricycles! For trike pilots who have always wanted a machine that will take them far off into the remote hinterlands, far away from obnoxious automobiles, far off the beaten path of pavement, and into areas of raw earth, the time has finally arrived to get going! Fatrikes are here!
the Azub extreme terrain vehicle
What is a Fatrike? Well, it’s a generic term that describes a recumbent trike with large knobby off-road tires and really ultra low gearing that allows intrepid backcountry explorers to have their way in the wilds. In other words, these newly available tricycles are specially designed, fabricated, and intended for rough country use and utility. They are not configured to go fast on pavement, but rather to go slow on dirt roads, or no roads at all. These trikes will test the mettle of the most adventurous and athletic off-road fanatic, and they make available the rest of Earth that conventional trikes were never able to roam.
the ICE extreme terrain vehicle
Most folks these days are referring to this type of human powered vehicle, whether bike or trike, as “fat tire” rigs. ICE makes the Full Fat. Utah Trikes makes the Fat Tad Crawler. Azub makes the Fat-Tris. TerraTrike makes the Rambler Fat. More are in the works, and will soon follow. The wave is rapidly growing. Crazed trikers worldwide are sending clear messages to the trike producers to give ’em these thrill machines because life has become too boring on paved automobile byways! There is no way to stop all this momentum. There is something in every one of us that screams to have one for those days when pressurized modernity has sent our brains to the boiling point, and we just have to get away from it all, let it all hang out, and have a whopping good time! The wilds are waiting … for YOU!
Ride in all weather conditions. Ride in the snow. Ride in the sand. Ride at the beach. Ride in the mud. Ride through areas where normal trikes could never go. Ride any type of terrain in any type of weather. Ride it all. Find your limits … then exceed them!
Want to explore the mountains behind your house, on those mysterious dirt roads that just invite your curiosity? Want to pedal off into the desert on two-track dirt roads for miles and days on end? Want to pitch your tent so far away from humanity’s insanity that no one will ever find you? Want to live on the wild side with all your gear? Want to be self-sufficient out there in the boonies, surrounded by feral creatures that take on frightening proportions once the sun goes down? Want an adventure like no other you’ve ever had?
Then clearly, you NEED a FAT TIRE trike more than anything else in the world, and you need it RIGHT NOW! There is no question about it. Life is too damn short to fill with excuses! There is never a good time to get out beyond normalcy, to jump off the edge, to feel the rush only the untamed Earth can provide. You’ll need some cash to start, at least $2024 USD, but if that is not a stumbling block for you, then the adventure is yours for the taking. The Earth is your frontier – rediscover all its grandeur on your FAT TIRE trike!
Below are some photos, movies, and links that will whet your appetite. The trikes range in price currently from USD $2024 to around USD $8500 or more, depending on which one you opt to acquire, and how many accessories you need. If you plan on simply short day rides in local abandoned fields or around town to impress your friends, you don’t need much more than the bare trike itself. But, if you plan on an overland jaunt through undiscovered territory for several days on end, you’ll need fenders, racks, panniers, camping gear, food, water, and other supplies. Depending on how serious you are, you may opt for goodies that bump up the price to USD $9000 or greater. You don’t need to be rich to have a fat tire trike however! Besides, money is boring – but fat tire trikes are FUN … make the switch!
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HOW TO MEASURE YOUR X-SEAM TO DETERMINE TRIKE BOOM LENGTH:
X-seam PDF document for download onto your computer (click HERE):
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“Full Fat” trike by Inspired Cycle Engineering in England. Click HERE to learn more.
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“Fat Tad Crawler” by Utah Trikes in USA. Click HERE to learn more.
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“Fat-Tris” trike by Azub in Česká republika. Click HERE to learn more.
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“Rambler Fat” trike by TerraTrike in USA. Click HERE to learn more.
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“Hartlander Fat Trike” in Netherlands. Click HERE to learn more.
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“Sun Seeker Fat Tad CX”. Click HERE to learn more. Notice miniature fat tires.
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The “Trident Terrain” from Trident Trikes. Click HERE for more information.
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ReActive Adaptations fatrike. Click HERE for more information.
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VIDEO CLIPS – COOL!
Fat-Tris trike, by Azub:
Fat Tad Crawler, by Utah Trikes:
Full Fat trike, by ICE:
Terrain folding fatrike, by Trident Trikes (box to assembled):
A truly epic journey on an Azub fatrike, by Jan Žďánský:
ICE Full Fat, by the old Trike Hobo:
Mark Waters riding an ICE Full Fat near Bend, Oregon:
Steve Greene’s “Leave No Trace” fatrike film in California’s Mojave Desert:
You can escape the paved jungle on a fatrike, just like this:
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The ICE Adventure compared to the ICE Full Fat:
Quite an impressive difference!
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GIMMICK TRIKES? THINK AGAIN. WATCH THESE TWO PRESENTATIONS:
Preparation for the South Pole record … on an ICE trike:
The amazing odyssey to the barber pole and chrome ball:
These extreme terrain vehicles really do conquer the impossible.
Guinness Book of Records
Dear Miss Maria Leijerstam,
We are delighted to confirm that you have successfully achieved a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for ’First person to cycle to the South Pole’. We would like to congratulate you on your record-breaking achievement. You are OFFICIALLY AMAZING.
~
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF MARIA’S HISTORIC OVERLAND JOURNEY:
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BTW: You can download your own copy of Maria’s 45 minute film documentary from Vimeo – just visit her website and follow the link to acquire the presentation! Amazing!
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Fat Tire trike gallery:
AZUB FAT-TRIS:
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UTAH TRIKES FAT TAD CRAWLER:
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TERRATRIKE RAMBLER FAT:
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ICE FULL FAT:
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Hartlander Fat Trike
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WANT IT NOW? HERE’S HOW:
If you want an ICE Full Fat, or an Azub Fat-Tris, call Mark Waters, a recumbent dealer in Bend, Oregon, at 1-541-323-3460, or email him HERE, or visit his website HERE. You can also get an ICE Full Fat immediately from Hostel Shoppe by clicking HERE. If you want a Utah Trikes Fat Tad Crawler, call Ashley Guy, a recumbent trike dealer and producer in Payson, Utah, at 1-866-446-2065, or email him HERE, or visit his website HERE. If you want a TerraTrike Rambler Fat, click HERE to visit their website. At this writing, there is a 3 week lead time for the Fat Tad Crawler from Utah Trikes, each one being custom built for the trike pilot, and a 6 week waiting time for the ICE Full Fat, also built on an individual order basis. So, order today, have it in time for summer … Yee Haa!
PHOTOS OF MARK WATERS ENJOYING HIS ICE FULL FAT:
Want to learn more about using a fatrike in the backcountry? Check out this book trailer:
PHOTOS OF SCOTT CHRISTOPHERSEN ENJOYING HIS ICE FULL FAT:
Scott Christophersen, pictured above, lead mechanic at the Hostel Shoppe says, “Since I have had my Full Fat, I’m loving the trike. It has been very cold here, but I have been commuting on it anyway. Three to four inches of snow doesn’t seem be a problem, as long as I can get traction with the rear wheel. I have been running about 6 psi in the tires (which means about 3 psi at 10 degrees F). The ride is very cushy, as one would expect with 4.8 inch tires. I have been able to run up and over some curbs without any problems. I’m looking forward to summer and being able to get it into the woods for some trail blazing. It has been a real head turner, with many people wanting a photo of it.“
Here is the ICE Full Fat available through Hostel Shoppe.
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FAT TIRE TRIKE POLL:
Please comment below if you wish to add thoughts to your poll choice!
Get One! Get Dirty! Have Fun!
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More from Utah Trikes (Fat Tad Crawler):
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Or, if you want four wheels, Utah Trikes has this custom Catrike quadcycle:
The drawback to four wheels however is that in uneven terrain, one wheel will usually be lifting off the ground, placing immense stress on the frame and welds. With three wheeled trikes, this does not occur because transitioning from one plane to another, such as going down a steep hill and turning onto another steep hill running perpendicular to it, the single wheel allows a smooth interface with no wheel lift. This Catrike quad has no suspension, thus the issue with frame and weld stress. If compared to a Jeep, for example, which is completely suspended, one can envision the difference quite readily – imagine a Jeep with no shocks or springs! How long would it last in the extreme conditions Jeeps encounter?
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THE AMAZING MARIA LEIJERSTAM ON HER ICE FAT TRIKE:
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Chris Parker, ICE co-owner, discusses Maria’s trike and expedition:
More images of the awesome ICE Full Fat extreme terrain vehicle:
the ICE extreme terrain vehicle
“Full Fat” trike by Inspired Cycle Engineering in England. Click HERE to learn more.
“Fat Tad Crawler” by Utah Trikes in USA. Click HERE to learn more.
“Fat-Tris” trike by Azub in Česká republika. Click HERE to learn more.
“Rambler Fat” trike by TerraTrike in USA. Click HERE to learn more.
“Hartlander Fat Trike” in Netherlands. Click HERE to learn more.
These extreme terrain vehicles really do conquer the impossible.
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Scott Christophersen, pictured above, lead mechanic at the Hostel Shoppe says, “Since I have had my Full Fat, I’m loving the trike. It has been very cold here, but I have been commuting on it anyway. Three to four inches of snow doesn’t seem be a problem, as long as I can get traction with the rear wheel. I have been running about 6 psi in the tires (which means about 3 psi at 10 degrees F). The ride is very cushy, as one would expect with 4.8 inch tires. I have been able to run up and over some curbs without any problems. I’m looking forward to summer and being able to get it into the woods for some trail blazing. It has been a real head turner, with many people wanting a photo of it.“
Here is the ICE Full Fat available through Hostel Shoppe.
The drawback to four wheels however is that in uneven terrain, one wheel will usually be lifting off the ground, placing immense stress on the frame and welds. With three wheeled trikes, this does not occur because transitioning from one plane to another, such as going down a steep hill and turning onto another steep hill running perpendicular to it, the single wheel allows a smooth interface with no wheel lift. This Catrike quad has no suspension, thus the issue with frame and weld stress. If compared to a Jeep, for example, which is completely suspended, one can envision the difference quite readily – imagine a Jeep with no shocks or springs! How long would it last in the extreme conditions Jeeps encounter?
Trike Asylum 
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