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Review: Borealis Echo – Fat Bike Skills, Mountain Bike Performance

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Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (6)

When RockShox took the lid off the new Bluto suspension fork, something happened to the world of fat bikes. All of a sudden, the line between super fat all terrain crusher and traditional mountain bike was obscured in the roost of a 4.8″ tire thanks to the availability of a mass produced suspension fork. Not only does the fork expand the abilities of fat bikes as we know it, it also has caused frame manufacturers to alter the geometries of their bikes, building new suspension corrected fat bikes with more traditional mountain bike geometry.

As one of the newer players in the fat bike market, Borealis worked with RockShox thanks to their proximity to introduce the all new Borealis Echo as soon as the Bluto got official. After an impressive showing at Sea Otter, Borealis boxed one up (in two boxes!), and shipped it to us for review.

Put away your preconceptions, and hear what the Echo’s all about, next…

Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (9)

Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (11) Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (10)

Most likely, the Echo would be nothing if not for the RockShox Bluto suspension fork. Yes, there were fat bike suspension forks before Bluto, but RockShox has the ability to mass produce the forks at a price people can afford. It’s light. It’s simple. And it works. All good things when it comes to a new product. Our only complaint so far with the Bluto is that when running a 4.8 Surly Bud on the front with an 85mm rim in the mud, you are left wanting more tire clearance in the arch. Otherwise the suspension damping was adequate, and after some server thrashing it’s working perfectly.

Our test bike was set up with Borealis’ Carbondale rims laced to their own hubset built to 197×12 rear and 150×15 front to match the Bluto. Like the addition of any carbon wheels to a mountain bike, the wheelset definitely had a huge impact on the ride quality in a good way. Expensive yes, but very impressive. For the hell of it, I took a tire completely off the rim to see how difficult it was to get back on and seated tubeless. Without any loud pops or bangs, the tire gradually slid into place and held firm with an air compressor (a weak one, that is on its last legs). No complaints here.

Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (13) Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (14)

Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (15)

Continuing the build was a 1x drivetrain mixed with XX1, X01, and RaceFace components. RaceFace 35mm carbon bars and an Atlas stem provided the cockpit in addition to the RockShox Stealth Reverb seat post. Yes, a dropper post on a fat bike. And it’s awesome.

Of course all that awesomeness comes at a price. In this case, the XX1 stock build of the Echo retails for $5999. Add in the price of the dropper post and $1599 for the Carbondale rims, and you have a fat bike north of $7600. Definitely not cheap. Rolling the stock aluminum rims with smaller 4″ Husker Du tires should work out to a similar weight though.

Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (2) Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (20)

On the scale the complete bike came in at 28.59lbs which is not super light by today’s fat bike standards, until you consider the dropper post, suspension fork, and 4.8″ tires. In case you’re wondering, the fork itself weighs in at 1,820g or 3.99 lbs with a steerer tube cut to fit and the Maxxle installed.

 

Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (1)
Muddy victory. Photo c. Sean Keith

Riding Impressions:

Reactions to the Echo were a peculiar thing. Nearly everywhere it went, reactions were equal parts astonishment thanks to the big tires, and also pity at the fact that it would inevitably be a painfully slow ride. Of course, at each stop along the way the Bluto equipped Echo proceeded to blow everyone away demonstrating that speed and agility aren’t just for regular mountain bikes. Even with the added girth of the tires, the Echo proved to be just as capable as any hard tail I’ve ridden. No, scratch that, the Echo is more capable thanks to the added flotation and insane amounts of grip the big tires provide.

Going into the review there was an upcoming short track race, that even I was a little hesitant to race it on a fat bike. There was a fat bike class though, so I saddled up and actually won. Not just the fat bike class, but I finished well ahead of the entire field. Admittedly, thanks to a monster downpour just before the start of the race, the conditions were favorable for bigger tires (it was the muddiest race I’ve done). Still, none of the spectators or promoters expected a fat bike to cross the line first, and by such a large margin.

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Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (26) Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (25)

That race set the bar for the Echo experience, and it proved time and time again that it was up to the task. The bike is just so damn fun, and thanks to the high zoot build kit gives up little in terms of performance compared to skinnier options. It wheelies effortlessly, jumps with the best of them, and handles just like you would expect from an aggressive hard tail mountain bike.

Once you get past the mountain bike tendencies though, the Echo’s fat bike skills shine through. Really the only condition this review doesn’t cover is the typical fat bike playground – snow. Deep sand at the beach, mud bogs a foot deep, dry single track, slick rock, you name it, the Bud and Lou tires dig deep and keep you moving forward. True to its fat bike DNA, the Echo goes where you point it.

I honestly can admit I wasn’t completely sold on the idea of a fat bike suspension fork, but after riding the Bluto I’m completely sold. Of all the review bikes that I’ve had to ship back to their homes, this was one of the hardest bikes to let go. With that said, since this is really the first bike of this class that we’ve had a chance to ride long term, it’s difficult to say how much is the bike, and how much is the type of bike. One thing is for sure though – the Echo is a riot that should not be overlooked. Thanks to the ability to run 29+ wheels and tires, I would honestly buy a fat bike like the Echo before buying a standard hard tail going forward.

Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (53) Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (49)

In order to get some photos of the Echo in action, we let Michael the intern have a go at the Echo. Michael had never ridden a fat bike up until this point, and got on the Echo with the typical skepticism. It wasn’t long before he was hooked and screaming how much he liked the bike as he rode in creeks, off lips, and down chutes. I think he liked it.

Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (52)

Michael’s Take:

I can safely say that my first fat bike experience exceeded all of my expectations. Prior to today I really did think fat bikes were slow, heavy, clumsy machines. After riding the Borealis Echo all of those opinions were altered 100 percent. I’ve come to realize that you can get the same performance output from a fat bike as you can on some 26-29 inch rigs, possibly even better, when conditions permit.

The carbon frame of the Echo was plenty stiff leading to the bikes impressive handling in spite of the squishy tires mounted on Borealis’ Carbondale rims. The bike accelerated surprisingly easily and was willing to be thrown around over logs and rocks. Running a tubeless setup with the Surly Bud and Lou tires, the Echo trekked up loose hills, tacked onto slimy creek rocks and cornered muddy turns as if they were bone dry. Not only did the tires provide incredible traction and grip but, due to their wide 4.8 inch profile, they offered better stability when rolling over tall brush, slick roots and shaky rocks. The Echo sports the RockShox Bluto fork that absorbs large and small bumps really well. Equipped with Sram’s Motion Control damping system, the fork helped track ruts and softened landings significantly.

The Borealis Echo was the perfect ride to introduce me to fat bikes, and the versatile riding style that they offer. This will not be my last ride on a fat bike.

Borealis Echo Fat Bike Suspension fork carbon review (58)

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professorVelo
professorVelo
9 years ago

Bluto has to be the best name ever for a fat bike fork…
that is if the reference is john Belushi, not Popeye…
okay, even if it’s Popeye.

groghunter
groghunter
9 years ago

I want a fat bike for the pump track. because I want to sound like a monster truck going around the pump track.

Kevin
Kevin
9 years ago

Fat bikes can be fast. I rode a 48km race and never saw the fat bike that came 4th. started few rows back and first 4km was road and still never saw it.

carbonfodder
carbonfodder
9 years ago

I am lucky enough to have a park across the street from my house that ‘somehow’ has had a 1.5 mile singletrack cut into it (mother nature is such a good lass). I do regular 6:40 laps on my ibis Mojo, and 7:00’s on my Borealis Yampa (unsuspended).
The fatty is a bit slower on flat and down, but on real climbs it is actually quicker than a normal MTB because the traction patch is so huge (5 psi front, 6 psi rear, Husker Dus). The fatty is not the answer for every day, but man it’s fun 95% of the time…
Wagon wheels on a dually may be different though (next year?)…

Topmounter
Topmounter
9 years ago

It still seems strange that one needs / wants a suspension fork on a fat bike.

Baz
Baz
9 years ago

I dont just want a fatbike, I NEED a fat bike!

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
9 years ago

I’m not sure it’s strange at all to want the increased travel and the better damping control that comes with suspension. It’s a natural evolution.

DavidG
DavidG
9 years ago

I don’t understand why with such large diameter wheels and with so much traction to profit from, a 8″ disk was not used in the front.

Pablo
Pablo
9 years ago

I’ll take the custom Lefty that Mendoncyclesmith is putting out over this any day.

bsimon
bsimon
9 years ago

“RockShox has the ability to mass produce the forks at a price people can afford”

I work in the industry & can buy at a price point well beneath retail & still find that fork quite unaffordable.

Sevo
Sevo
9 years ago

A Bluto takes a fat bike from being a “fun” bike to a “fast” bike really quick. Nuff said.

The Echo’s light carbon frame magnifies that 10x. If you have the cash, this is the bike for you.

Price got ya down? Singular’s Puffin is one of the few frames that the Bluto clears without an issue as is. Super short chain stays. Reasonable weight. Upgrade to the carbon wheels from Borealis. There ya go.

MG
MG
9 years ago

I agree with Sevo, 100%. The Singular Puffin is a great choice to run with a Bluto. I’ve been running that setup for a couple weeks now and it’s awesome.

Marcel Chretien
Marcel Chretien
9 years ago

Does anyone have an idea of how the Bluto fork would behave in winter at temperatures around -10 deg. C (14 deg. F) ? Is it getting stiff because the lower oil viscosity available for these applications is better suited for summer ? Or is it filled with oil that can do for both summer and winter conditions? Or would it be required switch oil between summer and winter ? Also would the freezing of the seals themselves in the winter contribute to stiffen the fork behavior ?

Ernie Campbell
Ernie Campbell
9 years ago

Marcel, the stock oil does not perform well below 10 degrees F. However, there is a $55 US upgrade to the seal kit that was just announced and looks VERY promising! Turnagain Fat Bike Components puts it out.

Ray
Ray
9 years ago

OK I will say it.. I live in SLC and when the temp. is below 35 deg. F the bluto is VERY VERY stiff. Since its made for a bike designed in the winter it should perform as well as it does in the summer! I might switch back to ridged in the winter and bluto in the summer, not what i wanted. My left mod. worked great last year! Step it up Sram!!

Ben
Ben
9 years ago

I’ve ridden the Bluto into the teens and I never noticed any change other than needing to add some air pressure; cold air rakes up less volume. The Bluto should not be stiff in cold weather, if anything it would be slow and soft. I can’t see needing the cold temp kit unless you ride single digits or colder. I can’t wait until we get some more fat fork choices, hopefully we get something for 4″ tires.

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