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First Look: Big Ed Fat Bike brings Big Tires for Scott 2015

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There was a bit of talk about horses for courses among the Scott Week presentations, since bikes that may work well in one area of the world, might not be ideal in others. The horse analogy may have continued in the naming of Scott’s new fat bike, but instead of Mr. Ed, meet Big Ed. We expected to see a number of impressively light, super capable mountain bikes among Scott’s 2015 offerings, but a fat bike? That was surprising.

Fortunately for Scott, being new to the fat bike scene means that they are able to jump right in with a RockShox Bluto equipped bike. Built with suspension corrected geometry and modern axle sizes, Big Ed looks like it will be another popular option in the world of fat bikes.

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Designed around the 80mm rims with 4″ Kenda Juggernaut tires, Big Ed still has plenty of clearance. We know the Bluto is capable of clearing 4.8″ rubber on 80mm rims, so it’s safe to assume the rear should be as well. Front axle spacing is 150mm with a 15mm TA for the Bluto, but the rear sticks with a standard quick release at 190mm wide.

Big Ed is the first fat bike we’ve seen to use the RockShox Bluto with a remote lock out which functions just like their other forks.

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Down below you’ll find what looks to be a brand new option from e13 – a press fit 121mm bottom bracket option for their TRS fat bike double. It also looks as if the crank itself has received some updates with a more rounded profile near the spindle. On fat bikes, the 121mm press fit bottom brackets accept the same cranks as the standard 100mm threaded.

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Speced with a 2×10 SRAM drive train, Big Ed sees a mix of X7 and X9 components. The front derailleur uses a clamp style mount with a high direct mount adapter. Other component highlights include a Syncros cockpit complete with 35mm bar and stem.

Big Ed Scott fat bike bikerumor (4)

Big Ed Scott fat bike bikerumor (1)

Weighing in at 33.66 lbs (including a bottle cage), Big Ed’s weight isn’t bad considering the hydroformed aluminum frame and RockShox Bluto fork complete with remote lockout.

First Impressions:

Out on the trails of Deer Valley, UT, fat bikes still turn heads. I got more questions, surprised looks, and smiles when cruising by on Big Ed than any other bike – which is usually par for the course with a fat bike. Fortunately, Big Ed can back up the looks with a fun ride. Our first ride on the Kenda Juggernauts proved satisfying, with plenty of grip in extremely loose corners. Much like other Bluto equipped fat bikes, Big Ed can shred with the geometry leaning towards the mountain bike end of the spectrum with shorter chainstays and longer top tube designed around shorter stems. The only possible concern is the potential for heel or calf rub on the seat stay as they are quite wide. Ideally we’d like to see a little more shape to the stays, but many riders seemed to have no issues.

Honestly, if you haven’t ridden a fat bike with the Bluto yet, it will force you to look at the bikes ina different light. Suspension makes the big bikes even more capable and fun, and Big Ed is no different. Pricing and availability is TBD.

 

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Fanboy
Fanboy
9 years ago

while it’s nice to see more companies getting into fat bikes.
QR rear axle? fail.
square holes in the rims? fail.

Superstantial
Superstantial
9 years ago

I’m curious, why does the shape of the hole in the rim matter?

Tad Dickman
Tad Dickman
9 years ago

The rim cutout shape doesn’t matter in the least. Surly uses rectangles on the clownshoe, many others are square. A QR on the rear isn’t that big of a deal either.

drew southern
drew southern
9 years ago

A QR ruins everything all the time. Why, just this morning, I was riding my ’91 Bridgestone in the smoky Utah sun, upper seventies on the alcohol thermometer, thinking, “You know why this ride sucks? Quick releases. Just aren’t good enough. Can’t corner like the banshee my mom thinks I am, can’t pedal uphill like the demon I want my girlfriend to think I am, can’t grow a beard like my cousin can, dang. Life sucks. IF ONLY I HAD A THROUGH-AXLE.”

billy bonney
billy bonney
9 years ago

Squares are not favoured by the Taoist. Neither are those quick releases, which turn all bikes into undrideable noodle dishes. Tasty, though. I prefer drunken noodles.

Fanboy
Fanboy
9 years ago

Superstantial
the square cutouts (with a tight radius) are more prone to cracking from the corners. I’ve seen a hell of a lot of cracked Fatback rims. All in the corners. The Syncros rims have a similarly tight radius.

Tad Dickman
The Surly cutouts on the clown shoe have a much greater radius. hence less cracking.

There is probably more to it than just the radius for sure. Things like the alloy used and so on. But why start with a bad idea.

As to the 190mm rear QR. You’re right. It’s not that big of a deal. But if you’re designing a new bike, from scratch, why would you use a dated design? 142/12 has really helped to tie the back end of mountainbikes together tighter. (more-so with longer travel and larger diameter wheelsizes) I have personally seen 190mm QRs pop out of the dropout under sideloading and braking.

haromania
haromania
9 years ago

Fanboy, I don’t believe you’ve seen a “heck of a lot of cracked Fatback rims”….I find it interesting that I don’t think I’ve ever read about a single rim crack from them, anywhere.

Topmounter
Topmounter
9 years ago

“never trust a square”

QFT

johnny
johnny
9 years ago

@drew southern

Way to put words to how we have all been feeling, but do not have the words to express.

I tip my hat to you good Sir. Thank you for the laugh.

Bazz
Bazz
9 years ago

Mistake #3 pressfit BB. Why? Wait 6 months and you’ll see…

FBCanada
9 years ago

Great comeback comments. Personally have never heard of a broken fat rim other than early carbon rims. Drop outs vs TA I will say I have had problems with but it is a problem with the frame I have and am sure Scott will not have the same issue. We expect to have the first Canadian model here for review next week!

Mike C
Mike C
9 years ago

@Billy Bonney: Sublime, truly a master of the Tao.

Jake
Jake
9 years ago

Please, tell me how a through axle stiffens the back end of a hard tail? I’d love to hear this explanation of marketing hype.

david velez
david velez
9 years ago

@drew southern

You must consume

skip
skip
9 years ago

Some mornings, the comments thread here is the greatest thing ever.

Alb
Alb
9 years ago

Thru-axle all you like but isn’t the Bluto meant to be super flexy as RS cheaped out with 32mm stanchions?

Big mike
Big mike
9 years ago

Not that care one way or the other, when it comes to a QR or TA, but an axle that is larger in diameter and threads into the frame is going to make the bike as a whole stiffer. An axle of any diameter that threads into the frame is going to be stiffer because of the mechanical advantage it offers over a quick release. That being said I have been riding for 18 years and never had a QR come undone. And if you still don’t think a threaded axle is stronger look at the holding power difference in a nail and a screw in a piece of wood, same principle of mechanical advantage.

henrik
henrik
9 years ago

@drew

Thanks for making my night!

greg
greg
9 years ago

who here thinks this bike was named after a particular longtime SRAM employee?

Jason Stella
Jason Stella
9 years ago

I’ve got to say truly impressed with the Ed. I was kindly loaned this rig at Winter Park this Weekend. 1st Fat Bike ride ever… Had a blast doing 2 DH runs on it… Rainmaker jump trail and assorted black diamond/blue runs… bike jumps well and corners like a dream. I was on the heels on my buddy who was riding his DH rig. To think I though Fat
Bikes are dumb not after this…

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