Mountain Bike Hunting

[rcichosz]

Any tips on what to get for mountain bike hunting and where to buy at?

 

[Ildor]

I bought a Felt Fat Bike from Santiam Bike down in Salem right before archery season last year. Definitely the ticket for a hunting bike but not altogether useful if you intend to spend time out on the road during the offseason.

 

[rcichosz]

Thanks. I'll check them out

 

[go4thegusto]

I am a life-long mtn biker and sometimes use to them hunt. Personally I think unless you are snow riding the fat tire bikes are overkill and very heavy unless you spend $3K. I just recently put 27.5 rims (650B) rims on a frame with 3 inch tires. Allows a standard type frame with standard bottom bracket and rear hub spacing but still has a lot of floatation and tire suspension. There are many of these bikes popping up now from most of the majors.

That said, if you have the coin the electric assist bikes are coming on strong. I believe the owner of Felt is a bowhunter and came out with a fat tire model with E-boost for hunting.

 

[Bubblehide]

If your going to go the electric bike route, I'd go with a mid-drive like the Bafang BBSO2 or BBSO3, 750 watt motor. It is classified as a pedal assist, so it is legally still considered a mountain bike, and not a motorized vehicle. You can purchase them as a complete bike, or as a complete conversion kit. With a smaller front sprocket, they will climb anything your willing to climb.

 

[Floorguy]

I guess I am not sure what you are defining heavy as. I only have 2 bikes my 9zero7 fatbike and a CX bike. Depending on terrain it could be overkill but for where I live I wouldn't want to go regular mtn bike too much muck bog and other crap.

I would check to make sure there are rack mounts on whatever you go with.

I am getting a 27.5+ wheelset for dirt/gravel summer riding but come hunting season the fat tires are coming out.

I won't ever go ebike. If you do make sure to check the regs ebikes can't be used on nonmotorized trails at the same time some areas (designated wilderness areas) don't allow bikes at all and in other places that classify bikes as vehicles and don't allow them on trails either.

 

[elkguide]

Bikes have their place and are awesome at giving much easier access to some areas. Check on your wilderness regs if you plan on going deep. I watched a Fish cop take a kids skewers and make him let the air out of his tires 15 miles from the road because bikes weren't allowed in wilderness area. I've used both mountain and fat and find the mountain did everything for me until it snowed.

 

[Bubblehide]

In National Forest, when they close the roads, no motorized vehicle is permitted. However, bikes are permitted on closed roads. Any E-bike that has a pedal assist function, despite having a throttle only mode or not, is considered a bike. Thus far, here is the U.S. any E-bike that is 750 watts or under, is street legal. Anything over 750 watts, is not street legal, but still meets the NF requirements of being considered a bike. And the manufacture/kits I mention above are made to fit most any bike/configuration.

With the multi user approach, it is getting difficult to understand what you can and can't do. However there are plenty or resources to educate yourself. Sure most trails are non-motorized. However, there are many trails that are bike approved, one just needs to check with the managing agency. Here in Ca, it is common place for the NF to close dirt roads, at anytime of the year. Although they do tend to open them during peak summer season. But by the time Deer season rolls around, many are closed; which limits most people in the areas they can reach to hunt. A mountain bike, especially a good electric one, allows a person to legally travel those closed roads, and cover some good distances. It's a good option for such situations. Wilderness areas do not allow anything mechanized, so bike and carts are clearly not an option

 

[Floorguy]

In National Forest, when they close the roads, no motorized vehicle is permitted. However, bikes are permitted on closed roads. Any E-bike that has a pedal assist function, despite having a throttle only mode or not, is considered a bike. Thus far, here is the U.S. any E-bike that is 750 watts or under, is street legal. Anything over 750 watts, is not street legal, but still meets the NF requirements of being considered a bike. And the manufacture/kits I mention above are made to fit most any bike/configuration.

With the multi user approach, it is getting difficult to understand what you can and can't do. However there are plenty or resources to educate yourself. Sure most trails are non-motorized. However, there are many trails that are bike approved, one just needs to check with the managing agency. Here in Ca, it is common place for the NF to close dirt roads, at anytime of the year. Although they do tend to open them during peak summer season. But by the time Deer season rolls around, many are closed; which limits most people in the areas they can reach to hunt. A mountain bike, especially a good electric one, allows a person to legally travel those closed roads, and cover some good distances. It's a good option for such situations. Wilderness areas do not allow anything mechanized, so bike and carts are clearly not an option

That's how it is in CA, Alaska is different that is why it is important to know the laws and regulations for where you are. The dedicated bike and walking paths stipulate no motors electric or otherwise. Some of the state park trails are for non vehicular use with a stipulation that bikes are considered vehicles (but only for those particular trails). I am pretty sure the Kenai Pen has some regulations particularly on resurrection trail about when bikes can be used. Chugiak state park opened some trails to bike use this winter with stipulations on tire size and it is getting closed the end of the month and going back to foot traffic only.

For the packraft rondy I am thinking about bringing my fatbike. Luke has video in the rondy thread showing the terrain, in talking to him about it a normal bike wouldn't work I am fairly certain my fatbike would do just fine since I have ridden in stuff like it before. If I do bring it anyone that is interested in trying it out will have an oppurtunity to give it a go.

Your terrain will dictate whether you need the flotation or not. As with everything people have their opinions which is great. See if you local LBS carries fatbikes and check into renting. The places up here if you rent and then buy they deduct the cost of the rental from the bike. Or if you know someone with a fatbike ask them to try it out. If anyone in the Anchorage area wants to check one out I would be happy to go out and let them check it out.