Looking likely that I’ll receive my job offer today to arrive in NS - it’s very exciting.
Assuming a few months to mobilise myself out there, and sending all my bikes in a container until I’ve bought a house… I’m likely to only have one bike to have in temporary accommodation.
So a bit of a humble brag warning… I have a few bikes… So what would suit the majority of the riding in November / December time?
Wow, an embarrassment of riches! Given the November/December timeframe, I’d opt for the fat bike. Not necessarily because I would expect there to be snow, but it’s a rainy time of year and the trails are soft and it would be the least damaging.
Otherwise, take the roadie and work on the base miles…er…kilometres
Just my $ 0.02. Now everyone else will tell you why you need to bring the b+ bike.
I say FS trail bike. Great all rounder. If the trails were wet from rain you shouldn’t be out on them anyway, those are gravel grinder or bike maintenance days.
Depending what the hardtail has for front suspension, id bring that. Lots of fun fast flowy jump lines and trails throughout the province. Lots of good downhill and freeride runs too. Depends what type of riding you do. I have a north shore style freeride hardtail with 150mm travel in the front, and 26x2.65" tires i run year round on almost every trail no problem
Personally I would pick ether the FS trail or the Fatty. The FS trail is probably a better pick but I personally have no problem ridding my Fatty on the trails around here and some times I prefer it.
I suspect that the fatty will be out based on weight limits once it’s boxed up - I’ll get the scales out later.
The 650B+ Hardtail has 130mm forks up front, and does all the burly trails asked of it so far as it’s fairly slack. I’ve a pair of 29er wheels I could swap out?
The Trail Bike, is fun downhill - not so much fun on the flat mind
For your amusement… This is the most snow I’ve ridden in EVER
I will say there is is equal amounts of climbing as there is descending so I would keep that in mind. If your not a fan of climbing with the FS then maybe you might have more fun on the hard tail or fatty.
Pretty much stock, except I run a 27.5 x 2.35 Vittoria Goma in the back and spin a
1 x 10 drivetrain (34 / 11-42). Good all around bike for the trails here. Any limitation is the rider and not the bike. I am an experienced rider and ride most of the trails in the area… Like @rolls said, it is all hero dirt (frozen ground) at that time of the year and just about any bike will eat up the trail. Typically we don’t see much snow until January but ANYTHING can and has happened with our weather in November and December.
Having said that I am looking at a fat bike for the upcoming season. Certainly not a necessity but a darn good option to have methinks
Welcome to Nova Scotia and ECMTB. Both awesome places to be! Let us know when you arrive and we’ll show you around.
Based on your comment that the FS is “not fun on the flats” but the hard tail has eaten up everything you’ve thrown at it, then I’d be tempted to go with the hard tail. Swap if you want the 29’s, but I’m happy riding 27.5’s on these trails.
Fatbike addict here. 
