An alumnus of the University at Buffalo, Daniel Sheflin spent more than two decades as an engineer for Honeywell before recently retiring. In his retirement, Daniel Sheflin enjoys giving back to the community through his volunteer work and support of groups such as the United Methodist Church. He also maintains an active lifestyle by exercising and riding a fat bike.

1. Three Tips for Fat
Biking in the Snow
Daniel Sheflin

2. Introduction
 An alumnus of the University at Buffalo, Daniel
Sheflin spent more than two decades as an engineer
for Honeywell before recently retiring. In his
retirement, Daniel Sheflin enjoys giving back to the
community through his volunteer work and support
of groups such as the United Methodist Church. He
also maintains an active lifestyle by exercising and
riding a fat bike.
Although fat bikes have been around for more than
a century, it has only been in recent years that this
unusual cycle has gained traction with the larger
public. Featuring wide tires set to a lower pressure,
the fat bike offers cycling options in conditions
where traditional bicycles would have difficulty, such
as snowy landscapes. Here are three tips for fat
biking in the snow:
- Tweak your tires. One of the great advantages of
fat bikes is the ability to ride with tires set to low
pressure. For best results in snowy terrain, keep the
pressure below 10 PSI, with a range of 8 to 10 PSI
considered ideal by experts. For especially rough
terrain, consider looking into studded tires.

3. Fat Biking
 - Use flat pedals. Though clip pedals are
the standard for most cycling, they can
cause problems when biking in the winter,
both because they tend to collect debris
and because it is difficult to slip your foot
into a clip when it is caked with snow.
Flat pedals avoid these issues and allow
for a wider range of footgear.
- Bring your emergency kit. While it’s
always a good idea to carry extra supplies
when doing any kind of distance or
backcountry fat biking, it’s especially
important in the deep winter when a
mechanical or physical problem could
leave you stranded in the cold. In addition
to a compact blanket and compass,
consider adding a lighter, pocketknife,
and small flashlight to your emergency
pack.