Thread: MoonLander

Originally Posted by Lord_Barnyard

Just wanted to add my two cents worth.
I turned 50 years of age last February and to fulfill the obligatory "midlife crisis" took possession of a new Salsa Mukluk one week before my birthday. It was indeed cheaper than other midlife crisis toys [a Porche perhaps].

Wise move.
My dumbass turning 50 idea was to do Leadville.

Originally Posted by Lord_Barnyard

Just wanted to add my two cents worth.
I turned 50 years of age last February and to fulfill the obligatory "midlife crisis" took possession of a new Salsa Mukluk one week before my birthday. It was indeed cheaper than other midlife crisis toys [a Porche perhaps].
I am blessed in that I live about two hundred feet from approx 200 kilometers of single track trails that crisscross and meander through a protected forest / wetland area. The trails are used by bikers, hikers, cross country skiers, snow shoe'rs and dog walkers. The resulting snow pack-down is superb for winter riding.
I have found that a temperature of between -7 degrees Celsius [I am Canadian] and -15 C is awesome. The grip between the snow and the very soft [5 - 7 PSI] tires is incredible and it is sooooo much fun being able to tip the bike over on its edge while ripping through the woods [with lighting systems in the dark after work].
After a winter spent on the bike [and looking very much forward to the coming winter] I spent the entire month of August ripping these very trails on the 'fat bike" with increased tire pressures [i.e. 20 PSI - 30 PSI made it to choppy and bouncy] and found it to be incredibly fun and soft underfoot. The bike behaved very well and I went for group rides every Tuesday night and had no difficulties keeping up.
Some of the greatest fun I had while touring around on the bike was parking it somewhere people congregate and hanging out beside it to wait for the inevitable "stoooooopid" comments, especially from non-bikers. This lent me hours of quiet guffaws at their expense.
I will admit though, that sometimes, while riding around, I felt pretty much like a Shriner's clown riding around in one of their little cars. The bike just lends itself to goofiness. But if you like to bike and you like having that "s***t eating grin that I associate with biking and downhill skiing - go get one. You shant regret it.

"That is all"

If I had any reservations that review just wiped them out. thanks for that.

Anyone grab one of these beasts yet?

ETA at Surly is 12/15. We've got 2 coming when they get in house.

anyone getting a moon lander (and selling the old, crappy, "skinny" snow bike)? medium to large type size. let me know.

^^^ There should be some available soon. BTW I as able to fit the new BFL on large marge rims stuffed into my Pugs frame with minor tweaking and full use of 2x9 gearing.

PS, The new Nate tires are a mud boggers dream.

a buddy has a ML on order and is supposed to be at the shop early Jan

bump
thinking about moolander for this winter, any other reviews?

Word on the street is there will be bigger options coming as in 182 hubs and moar 4.8 tires. The black pugs is a good option to the Moo particularly if you upgrade it with holey RD wheels.

Fatback has a new rocker frame up for preorder that is belt, SS, IGH friendly.

I picked up a Mukluk this spring, and I have been making small parts improvements to it all summer. I think the last thing I need to do at this point is grab a set of Husker Du tires.

I was looking at the Moonlander as well, but a couple things put me on the Muk: 1) a snowless winter here in MN, 2) the geometry of the Muk is a bit more comfortable - less "MTB-like"; you sit ON a ML, and you sit IN a Muk, and 3) the Muk was about $1k less.

"Shit eating grin" is a perfect description of every ride I've taken on this thing. It's just FUN. It takes "go anywhere" to new levels. I'm really looking forward to night rides in the river bottoms this fall after the weeds dry up, and the bugs die. This winter, I'll probably ride it on the snowmobile trails by the ski area while the other guys are skinning before the lifts open. It should make golf courses a good time in the winter too, and the dog will enjoy winter a little more as well - off-leash.

Not that I crave attention, but any fat bike is an instant conversation starter. Everyone that sees them wants to know a little bit about them. It's fun, and when people who aren't even riding it are smiling when they see it, I think that's nothing but a good thing.

Again, it's a gas to ride, and opens up doors of riding many never thought of. I'm looking forward to riding this winter. Lakes are gonna be the new home base. We have a few of those in MN after all. Don't knock it til you try it. You might actually enjoy it. I know I do. Look for deals on used rides. Mine was a shop demo, so I did pretty well on the purchase, and I still get new bike warranty/treatment.

I really dont like to add on new components, I want something I can buy out of the box and go.
When is the fat back going to be available? So it is SS and belt drive compatable as well as IGH (what does that stand for?)
The black puglsy, is it the same bike as the moonlander but with the smaller tires. or is the moonlander have a different geometry?
Thanks

Any new moonlander owners since this thread went quiet? I've got the jones for a fat bike pretty hard right now.

Originally Posted by ticketchecker

Any new moonlander owners since this thread went quiet? I've got the jones for a fat bike pretty hard right now.

I have one ordered and hopefully it will be in my possession by the end of the week. I really hate waiting for toys to arrive, I'm worse than I was as a kid waiting for Xmas.

I was on the fence between a Necro Pugs and Moonlander. Decided on the Necro Pugs (they now come w/ Holy Rolling Darryls). My idea is to run it with a 4.8 tire (Surly Bud) + Clownshoe up front on the deep days and the stock wheels/tires once it's packed or mixed snow/dirt riding (less weight). Best of both worlds.

i have been riding mine for the last 3 months pretty fun, not the quickest turning. All in all a great bike,

Originally Posted by ColMan

I was on the fence between a Necro Pugs and Moonlander.

That's where I'm sitting. I want to make sure it'll work as a trail bike year round.

Originally Posted by ticketchecker

That's where I'm sitting. I want to make sure it'll work as a trail bike year round.

I'm planning to use my Moonlander year around as my main bike. For the last 4 years I've always ridden with my dogs, and my average speed is from 4 to 6 mph. I think the Moonlander fits that description. Plus I wanted to be able to run the largest current tires.

Originally Posted by ticketchecker

That's where I'm sitting. I want to make sure it'll work as a trail bike year round.

I don't think you can go wrong either way. I would love to have both (with a Bud/Lou on the Moonie for snow). I used the $$ I saved to upgrade parts (hydros are a big improvement over the BB7s, esp with all the rotational weight).

My LBS has a moonie on the floor in my size. That may make the choice easier for me.

My knees will applaud when I tear my 1x1 down to rob some bling off it too.

I want one so bad. They're perfect Anchorage bikes. Guys drag car tires to groom the singletrack and they ride all winter.

There was a fat bike demo day 1 1/2 weeks ago in the Reno area, would have loved to have checked it out if the skiing had not been so dam good. Found this video from that day with a moon lander, now I think I need a new toy, dammit.

Originally Posted by ColMan

I was on the fence between a Necro Pugs and Moonlander. Decided on the Necro Pugs (they now come w/ Holy Rolling Darryls). My idea is to run it with a 4.8 tire (Surly Bud) + Clownshoe up front on the deep days and the stock wheels/tires once it's packed or mixed snow/dirt riding (less weight). Best of both worlds.

Do you think you need the clownshoe?

Originally Posted by TahoeBC

There was a fat bike demo day 1 1/2 weeks ago in the Reno area, would have loved to have checked it out if the skiing had not been so dam good. Found this video from that day with a moon lander, now I think I need a new toy, dammit.

I have yet ridden a Moonlander on snow, but this guy is going a lot faster than I think I would be comfortable with. Maybe I'll gain a new perspective on Saturday.

You'd be amazed how fast you can go on a bike on snow. Given the right conditions.

Originally Posted by Chugachjed

You'd be amazed how fast you can go on a bike on snow. Given the right conditions.

The going fast isn't my concern, it's the turning and braking that I'm worried about.