This is my informative, and what turned out to be lengthy, response to his questions regarding where he could find a used bike or just ride one and if we had any other recommendations or advice for a new rider.
You're in a common situation... it's just like packrafts, ice tools, skis, etc... there are very few ways to try the most expensive gear items unless you just choke down the hefty price tag. Very few people ever sell them used, once they own.
Unfortunately, you're down there and we're up here, so rental is out of the question. We don't have any used bikes for sale at the moment, so sorry we can't help out there.
Good idea to ask, though. I've scored a couple deals on packrafts and other high dollar items the same way.
However, there are tons of people 'Outside' (lower 48) with fatbikes. And, if you're up for a road trip, go to Minnesota and visit the awesome dudes at Surly. They would positively be giddy to outfit you with a fatty.
If you got on the fatbike forum, you could probably find someone not too far away that would let you take their's out for a spin. Problem is, that is their bike, tricked out (or not) how they like it, not necessarily how you would build one.
As far as how they ride and if you'll like it... just go buy/build one. Don't worry - you won't be disappointed with fatbiking... maybe only with the specific selection of the components you choose. They ride beautifully, rolling over almost anything, floating with their wide footprint, barely leaving a track, unlike normal mtn bike tires that cut through and ruin trails. They are super easy to pedal, very comfortable to ride, and just flat out fun to be on. They make riding a gravel road fun.
The fat tires make it feel like having a snowmobile track in front of you when riding on snow, while their high volume acts like a low-travel dual suspension. I have ridden mine through/on/over: dirt, sand, mud, tussocks, logs, creeks, snow, river beds, etc, etc, etc...
They truly are a whole different machine. It's not really comparable to normal bike tires/wheels, although, it is still a bike, so you can't just ride through the snow next to someone on alpine touring skis in the backcountry. You do need some sort of a trail on snow.
Summertime, I've found sustainable riding to max out on about continuous 5+ inch rocks/tussocks or so. Anything else, outside of bottomless muck, should be ridable, for the most part.
Please watch this video for a better understanding of what fatbikes were designed for and what you can ride on/over/through, etc. Then watch this one to see what you can't ride on/over/through, etc.
I even hook up my four Alaskan huskies and bike-jor with them on the trails here in the winter.
One thing I would recommend - build one. Save up and drop about $2500 and do it right.
There are so many specific recommendations I could make, that I'm not going to, because it all depends what you want to do with your fatty. My Pugsley is fitted with two Larrys on Flattop 100s, lightweight Specialized 26x2.? tubes, platform pedals, carbon riser bars (non-cold-conducting), single speed (22-18), and two BB7s, with a monstrous frame bag (one reason I went with a Pugsley) and rear rack if I'm doing a trip.
BUT, that build is specific for what I do, how I ride, and where I do it. It is not my general recommended build, as someday I'd also like to build another (summer-oriented) fatty on 80s with gears and Surly's new knobby rubber.
Take home message, do a lot of research but take a lot of people's builds with a grain of salt... many don't have a practical, functional reason for their build... they just wanted it to be cool. I think mine is cool cuz it's all dark gray and black with Rolff spoke design on my 100mm wheels (only ones in the world???). That's where cool stops and function begins, like my white platform pedals and how they are easier to see at night when my headlamp shines on them. And recently, I tested the strength of the wheels while riding a rough trail for 14 miles (not like I hadn't done that part yet) and then jumping my bike a few times, all with 55 lbs of gear on it, PLUS me at 175. No problems. There's so much air to soften the hit and those rims are really strong, although they may not look like it, with that custom cheese-grater pattern.
If you have more questions or want to learn winter/fat biking, I'd love to help.
I'd also take ya for a ride and show/teach ya some stuff if you ever found yourself in Fairbanks.
I hope this helps.
Good luck and happy riding,
Josh
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