Fat bikes are cool, and as we approach winter (in the Northern Hemisphere), you might be thinking about getting one to make sure you don't get hit with the winter blues. If you want to build your own fat bike, you will be thinking about a frame and which one you should choose. The right frame for your fat bike project will be the limit this winter.

Build a Fatbike - Fatbike Frame

It's a great idea to start your fat bike project with the frame as this allows you to know the standards for other parts of the build. There's nothing worse than buying a set of fat bike wheels only to find that they don't fit the frames you're considering.

The main reason for different standards in fat bike frames is the question of how you can accommodate those massive tires and still have acceptable tire clearance. This leads to two main differences in the rear ends of fat bike frames: offset rear ends and symmetrical rear ends.

Staggered fat bike frames tend to shift the rear end of the bike frame 17.5mm to the right. Shifting to the right allows your chain to pass through the huge tires you will be using. Staggered designs tend to be used with a traditional axle width of 135mm. You will notice that these designs are now being phased out in favor of symmetrical rear ends.

Symmetrical rear ends are used with wider hub spacing. You will notice that 170mm and 190mm rear ends are now much more common. The wider spacing allows you to have a good chain line and prevents the chain from rubbing on the tire. You'll probably want to prefer one of these wider rear ends to make it easy for you to buy new wheels.

Carbon fiber or steel fat bike frame?

The next big question to ask yourself when deciding on your new fat bike frame is whether you want a steel one or a carbon fiber one. As with everything in life, both materials have their advantages and disadvantages.

The internet is full of debate about whether steel or carbon fiber is the best material for bike frames, aluminum is usually thrown into the debate too. Instead of repeating all these arguments that many of us have seen many times before, let's give you one point.

Due to their nature, fat bikes require a lot of material. Because of this, they will always be heavier than “normal” mountain bikes. That's why it's worth considering carbon fiber. You can save a lot more weight with a carbon fat bike than with a carbon road bike. You'll appreciate a lighter fat bike when you're trudging through a swamp in the middle of nowhere.

Full suspension or hardtail fat bike?

The final main question you should ask yourself is whether you want a full suspension fat bike or a hardtail. Similar to the choice above, both options have their advantages and disadvantages.

If you live in a region with a large thawing and refreezing pattern, a full suspension fat bike is a good choice. In such a place, deep lanes will develop and make most routes appear like a black summer route. You'll appreciate that your fat bike keeps you upright and allows you to ride further on terrain that might not be as fun on a hardtail.

A hardtail is an excellent choice if you enjoy adventuring into the winter wonderland. If you like adventure, a framework that is simpler and less likely to go wrong is the difference between a terrible trip and a great one. You'll also spend less money on bearings and bushings when you're out on mud rides.

If you want a fun fat bike for icy and bad conditions, it makes sense to consider a carbon fiber full suspension fat bike frame. If you want to go on longer adventures and bikepacking trips, you should consider a carbon fiber hardtail fat bike frame .