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EB14: Full Suspension Fat Bike Roundup + All Things Fat

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If there was any doubt to the future of full suspension fat bikes, one only needed to browse the halls of Eurobike to realize it’s not limited to a few companies. In fact many frame manufacturers seem to be attempting to cash in on the trend with either completely new frames or modified rear ends to compensate for the huge tires.

Brands like MAXX are jumping in with their Huraxdax which offers 120-140mm of travel. Available in an incredible range of colors, the MAXX full suspension frame is available in S-XXL making it a viable option for the exceptionally tall (up to 6’8″ according to their chart).

MAXX wasn’t the only company joining in, there were quite a few other companies showing off full squish and rigid fat bikes in all shapes and sizes. fat bike (32)

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With tire clearance listed at 140mm (5.5″), the Huraxdax should have no trouble with the bigger tires on wide rims. The bike is shown with a Schwalbe Jumbo Jim and the clearance is tight on the seatstay bridge, but it fits.

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MAXX also offers rigid fat bikes like the Jagamoasta in standard trim and the new version for the Rohloff XL IGH. Also capable of running 5″ tires, the frame has a split seatstay and adjustable dropouts to accommodate a Gates belt drive.

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Want something a bit more exclusive? Alutech Cycles is trying out the full suspension fat bike angle with a limited run of Fat Fanes – the fat bike version of their Fanes Enduro bike.

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The Fat Fanes will be hand built and limited to just 20 frames to test the waters. If they are successful, we’re told the company will look into a full suspension fat bike frame that they can scale up production. The bike above was an early prototype using a standard front triangle mounted to a test swing arm.

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The weren’t shown at Eurobike, but two new major additions to the full suspension fat bike world come from two well known American companies – Turner and Foes Racing. The Turner King Khan has been spotted tearing up the course at the Kamikaze Bike Games and Outer bike, while the Foes Mutz fat bike was recently announced via their web page.

As is usually the case, builders with access to their own fixtures and tooling are able to turn out prototypes or entire new models in a hurry and it looks like Turner and Foes have wasted zero time.

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Those not interested in full suspension may be interested in this very sexy Charge Cooker Ti fat bike we spotted in the Fabric booth. Details were slim, but it appears the brand may be set to release a titanium version of their Cooker Maxi fat bike in the near future.

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Some key changes to the Maxi frame include a tapered head tube to be able to run the RockShox Bluto – which happened to have one of the best custom decal jobs we’ve seen for the fork.

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The stickers give it away. This Ti Cooker uses a threaded bottom bracket and what looked to be a 190 spaced rear end with QR dropouts.

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Ok, so you can’t buy this one, but this fat ICE Trike has been to the South Pole! Piloted by Maria Leijerstan, she became the first person (man or woman) to cycle from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole.

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To do it she used this customized ICE trike fitted with special reduction gearing system that essentially provides twice the low gearing of a standard bike. That, along with special pedal cages designed for mountaineering boots and a Surly Lou rear tire allowed Maria to power through the insane head winds and up steep grades. All of the controls were wrapped in athletic tape since exposed metal isn’t ideal at -29 degrees C.

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After 10 days, 14 hours and 56 minutes, Maria made it to the Pole pedaling the whole way. After pedaling for 10-17 hrs per day, Maria still lost over 8% of her body weight in spite of a calorie dense diet. Total bad ass.

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For those of us who aren’t super human like Maria, there are other options like this stealthily painted Surly Moonlander outfitted with a BionX motor. It won a major award!

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Along those lines of weird, check out the Bottechia “American Fat Bike.” While the name seems like it might be a slam on our infatuation with the big tires, I’m not sure Bottechia really expects to sell many of these…

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Kids are the future which is probably why we are starting to see quite a few 20 and 24″ fat bikes. This Zeal Fatbike 20 looked quite good with a simple 1×9 drivetrain and rigid aluminum frame with chromoly fork and hydraulic disc brakes. What kid wouldn’t love roosting the tikes on sleds with this?

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This fat bike hanging out at the Wipperman booth was looking good with the two tone color scheme.

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Showing their continued commitment to fat bikes, KHS had a number of models on display including the full carbon 4Season 5000. With 4 different models for 2015, the brand has the bases covered with the 500, 1000, 3000, and of course 5000. The 3000 and 5000 both feature 1.5″ tapered head tubes as well as 150mm front axle spacing for Bluto compatibility as well as 12×190 rear spacing for maximum tire clearance. Retail prices are set between $1099 -$3299 making these bikes very attractive for the money.

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Timquila
Timquila
9 years ago

I love witnessing the Fat Bike arms race. Thank you BR, for keeping us in a front row seat.

Kenjo
Kenjo
9 years ago

Can this fad be finished now?

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
9 years ago

If something is here to stay, can it still be a fad? I think not.

Mattbyke
Mattbyke
9 years ago

Fads never last. Real innovation and improvement tend to stick around .
Half of the U.S is perfect for these bikes.
Just another tool for the job.

alex
alex
9 years ago

Fad? Not so much. I don’t own a fatbike, but they are fun, and they have been around for a long time now. Not going away any time soon. Thanks bikerumor for covering the “fad”!

Izck
Izck
9 years ago

The fat bike fad will probably fade along that 29er fad.

COrider
COrider
9 years ago

I agree, no fad here. They also said 29’ers were just a fad back in the day and now look. Fatbikes are great for all kinds of terrain.

Ryan
Ryan
9 years ago

The clearance on the Maxx with the Jumbo Jims would get clogged with muck though, which is when you typically ride a fatty…in the muck. I’d love a rigid fatty, carbon fork, 4+ tires, 1×9 or single though…and with lots of clearance.

Fatbike907
Fatbike907
9 years ago

KENJO….

Obviously, you have no idea what you are talking about, and have never ridden a fat bike.

Jimmy
Jimmy
9 years ago

I tried a fatbike last November and loved it for one reason, it makes you feel like a child! So now I own one and can’t wait for the snow to arrive (probably by the weekend 🙂 ) and justify it in a not so child like way.

There are downsides, you have one speed and that is not fast, without suspension it can feel like a space hopper when you land a jump badly. So, chill out, smile and don’t go jumping if space hoppers bring back bad memories.

abc
abc
9 years ago

Funny how all the Fatbike haters try to convince everyone it is a fad while it is all the contrary.

satisFACTORYrider
satisFACTORYrider
9 years ago

didn’t realize haters try to “convince everyone”. it’s not a fad, it’s just cool right now. as long as people don’t use em as a free pass to ride ’em on trails closed due to heavy rain and possible erosion it’s all good.

vic
vic
9 years ago

nothing against Maria Leijerstamor or her accomplishment, but she did not cycle from the edge of Antarctica, but from a much further point inland.

Dave
Dave
9 years ago

Remember when Single Speed 26″ were all the rage, then 29’er were overhyped,I guess 27.5 is dead and Fat is where its at.

PartyTime
PartyTime
9 years ago

Cannondale had a lefty fat bike on their instagram too. Who doesn’t make a fat bike now?

Mick Foley
Mick Foley
9 years ago

It’s been said that within 10 years,Fat Bikes will have 10% of the entire cycling market.I think they have successfully re-invented the wheel.The Fat wheel.

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