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Bicycles and Equipment History and Legends Special Bicycles

Fat tires – not a new invention

W. Ritchie, Balloon Tyres (1924)
Many people think fat-tire bike is a new invention, but it's not. W. Ritchie, a track rider was the first who built a bicycle fitted with balloon tires many years ago. The photo above is from November 1924 issue of the magazine "Cycling".

In recent years, fat tire bikes are getting quite popular. Before 2006, They were made only by custom frame-builders who liked to pedal in the snow (or sand, like beaches). Then, in 2006, a Minnesota-based bike manufacturer, Surly Bikes, mass-produced the first notable bike in the “fat” genre with its Pugsley frame. They still build a lot of fat-tire bicycle models.

Surly Wednesday - a bike fitted with fat tires
A bike fitted with fat tires: Surly Wednesday – in the full-forward, short chainstay position you can run 26 x 3.8˝ tires on 80mm rims, and in the full-rearward, longer chainstay position you to get the option of 26 x 4.6˝ tires on an 80mm rim. Wednesday is made out of our own proprietary 4130 CroMoly steel and is ED coated. ED coating is a process that leaves a coating that, externally, provides a solid foundation for paint while also providing an added layer of corrosion protection internally. Photo: Surly Bikes

So, many people think it is a new invention, but actually, it’s not. W. Ritchie, a track rider was the first who built a bicycle fitted with balloon tires at the beginning of the 20th-century. The photo below is from the November 1924 issue of the magazine “Cycling”.

W. Ritchie, Balloon Tyres (fat tires) (1924)
“Balloon” tires -a motoring fitment- are now suggested for cyclists, but W. Ritchie, the famous track rider built a bicycle fitted with them many years ago. Now they are called “fat tires”.
Virtual indoor cycling training idea from 1888

Related: Futuristic virtual indoor cycling training idea from 1888

Cycling, November 1924
November 1924 issue of magazine “Cycling”. It mentions W. Ritchie, a “famous” track rider who built a balloon tire (fat tire) bike.
M. Özgür Nevres
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By M. Özgür Nevres

I am a software developer, a former road racing cyclist (at the amateur level), and a science enthusiast. Also an animal lover! I write about cycling on this website, cycling-passion.com. I also take care of stray cats & dogs. Please consider supporting me on Patreon.

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