About Riders
The FATWHEELS Experience
When riding any bike equipped with a balance aid, the rider will not lean into turns like a typical rider. This can feel at little strange especially if you once road a two wheeler and now need the added support of a balance aid. Most of our riders say they adjust to the new sensation within the first 15 minutes or so of riding their newly equipped bike.
Riders who have never had the sense of balance will adopt the feeling of remaining vertical on the bike at all times and love the support they provide.
The Good News!
All FATWHEELS kits are adjustable. The wheels in our kits can be moved up as the rider gains confidence in riding. You can start with the training wheels place on the ground fully for maximum support and then slowly move them up to promote balance.
About Bikes
Best Bikes for FATWHEELS
There are four basic features that work best for compatibility with FATWHEELS kits:
- "A" frame bike with a straight chain stay
- Solid rear axle
- Rear axle thread extends at least 3/16" past nut
- Rear axle thread 3/8" X 24 or 26 tpi (threads per inch)
About Standard Bikes
This chart will help you determine the best bike size for your rider.
What About Fat Tire Bikes?
Fat tire bikes sit higher off the ground than typical bikes so you need to measure your bike's rear height from the ground to the center of the bike's rear axle nut to choose the appropriate kit.
Small FATWHEELS:
Rear Axle Height Range (7 1/4" - 10 1/2")
Large FATWHEELS:
Rear Axle Height Range: (10 3/4" - 14 5/8")
What's Your Tire Size?
Bike size is determined by the height of the tires. The size is printed on the sidewall of the rear tire. The first number in the sequence is the height of the tire - this tire fits a 29" bike.
What About?
Multi-speed bikes with derailleurs
All FATWHEELS products are designed to accommodate bikes with derailleurs
Small and Large FATWHEELS kits including Upgrade Brackets will not work with bikes equipped with a Nexus shifter
Bikes with active rear suspension
FATWHEELS will not work on bicycles with active rear suspension
Bikes with quick-release hubs
The Small & Large FATWHEELS cannot be used on a bike with quick-release hubs - they require a solid rear axle.
The Small HD and Adult FATWHEELS are designed differently and can be used on bicycles with quick-release hubs.
Folding bikes of any kind
FATWHEELS will not work with folding bikes due to their unique frame designs. These bikes are shorter in overall length and the rider's feet will contact our bracket set.
Tandem bikes & tag-a-longs
We do not recommend that FATWHEELS bikes be used with tandems or tag-a-longs - they are designed to be used by a single rider on one bike.
Electric bikes or e-Bikes
We do not recommend that FATWHEELS be used with electric bikes - our kits are not designed for higher speeds and should not be used at speeds greater than 6-10 miles per hour. Modern e-Bike have complex rear frame shapes and are equipped in most cases with drive components that make it different than a typical pedal bike which we adapt to. If your e-Bike has a frame design compatible with our product, we recommend that the bike be speed governed to a speed not to exceed 6-10 MPH. We highly suggest you work with one of our technicians to determine a fit in this case. You can access help from a tech at this link: Need Help From A Tech?
