Cannondale Fat Caad

Mountain bikers have long known the virtues of wide tyres. A fatter tyre offers more grip, smoother rolling and greater versatility across a wider variety of surfaces. Fat bikes take that same theory to the next level, with enormous width rubber that’s designed to be run at super low pressures for maximum traction. In the case of the Fat CAAD from Cannondale, that’s a 4.8” wide tyre, which is just as capable on snow, sand and scree as it is on regular singletrack. In this sense, a fat bike is possibly the most versatile go-anywhere mountain bike available. Of course it’s not the lightest bike out there, so racer heads will want to look elsewhere. But if you simply want a fun all-terrain vehicle for mixing it up on all kinds of different terrain, then it doesn’t get much more versatile than a Fat CAAD.

Like the Beast Of The East plus hardtail, the Fat CAAD is equipped with a lightweight alloy frame that has been reinforced in key areas to ensure it remains stiff and strong on the trail. One look at that massive downtube will indicate that Cannondale has gone to some lengths to give the Fat CAAD a solid backbone. Despite the enormous tyres, the Fat CAAD has been designed with handling that is more alike a regular mountain bike, with short chainstays and a slack head angle offering up a nimble, but planted feel on the trail. The riding position is relatively upright, so you don’t feel like you’re going to be sent over the handlebars when you point the Fat CAAD downhill.

Each Fat CAAD model features powerful all-weather disc brakes, lightweight Cannondale cranks, and a wide handlebar to increase your leverage over the front wheel. Want more comfort? The Fat CAAD 1 and 2 models use a Lefty suspension fork up front that significantly increases the bikes capability for tackling more technical trails.