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Reader’s Ride(s) – The Fat Pearl

singlespeed-fat-bike-2454

Burnsey from over there at Single Speed Pirate sent us info on his latest singlespeed fat-bike build for you all to check out! Here goes!

Does a bike-building addiction come standard issue, as a part of the cycling experience? I’m not sure what to do, as I am on a constant mission after many years of riding bikes, to continually find sweet parts and create a gem-of-a-ride – in this case, the Fat Pearl.

Living in the Midwest we have to be prepared for all forms of weather, all types of trail conditions, and a lot of closed minds. I for one try to push the envelope of fun and craziness that is Kansas City Cycling via rogue group rides and fun race events in-the-saddle. I ride single speed bikes exclusively, there is something about the simplicity of it that keeps me close. Being limited during winter and rainy months, a fat bike build has been in-the-cards for some time. I finally pulled the trigger and the recoil has knocked me straight on my back-side – in a good way.

Sticking to the single speed train of thought, I chose a Surly Pugsley Necromancer frame to start from; simple, proven, steel for a comfortable ride, track dropouts and reliable. I knew that most of the time spent on this new steed would be on dirt trail and sand, but I wanted it to be ready for snow and other less-than-perfect conditions whenever the occasion might arise . Less weight, less rolling resistance, a comfortable cockpit and a sexy look. Yeah, now were getting things dialed.

I did my research and started finding parts. My goal was sub-thirty lbs.

Here’s the build:

  • Surly Necromancer Pugsley 18″ steel frame, Black
  • Carver Ti fork
  • Surly Rolling Darryl Limited Edition Rims – Grape Ape
  • DT Swiss Double Butted Competition Spokes – Black
  • Paul Disc WORD rear SS Hub – bolt-on, Black
  • Paul Disc WHUB 135mm front hub, Black
  • Salsa Skewer, Black
  • Thomson X4 90×10 stem, Black
  • Thomson Masterpiece 27.2×330 post
  • SilverSurly SS Clamp, Black
  • Specialized Phenom Saddle, 130mm
  • Avid Elixer 7 Hydro Disc Brakes w/Carbon Levers
  • Avid 160 Rotors
  • Chris King Headset, Pretty and Strong (pink)
  • Surly Knard 26×3.8 120tpi Tires
  • Bontrager Race Lite Cage, Black
  • Crank Brothers Eggbeater II Pedals
  • FSA Carbon Pro Cranks, 100mm BB
  • Salsa SS Ring, 34t
  • White Industries ENO freewheel, 20t
  • SRAM 8 speed chain
  • Sury Tuggnut/bottle opener
  • Surly Toob Lites
  • Surly Rim Strips over Glow-in-the-dark Tape
  • Oury Grips, Glow-in-the-dark

The Fat Pearl has been everything I imagined and more. I rarely ride my skinny tire mountain bike anymore. The ride of the Fat Pearl is great, she corners like a dream, floats over baby-head rocks and gets lots of attention at the local pub.

We’ve been cranking out consistent snow, trail, non-trail and riverbank sand rides – Fat Tuesday as we call this group ride that we miscreants host. It seems that with each passing week we gain one more body and another set of big rubber goodness. What started out as one lone fella in our crew riding the fatness has since grown in the past 60 days to at least seven of us rolling the sweet goodness – the monster trucks of cycling. We’ve even been racing our beauties on the local underground race circuit. How can we be so skinny and live so FAT!

To check out their latest adventure/shenanigans, visit Burnsey & The Pirate Crew at singlepeedpirate.blogspot.com.

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5 Responses to Reader’s Ride(s) – The Fat Pearl

  1. stratosrally February 1, 2013 at 6:04 pm #

    Did I miss which handlebar is used in this plum-crazy ride?

    Enquiring minds want to know…

    • Burnsey February 4, 2013 at 10:45 pm #

      The bar is a Ritchey WCS Flat Carbon 10D. A sweet bar, however I’ve since replaced it with a Black Sheep Ti Mountain bar which you can feast your eyes on here http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V1wVWl9Utrs/UQ759kJpSHI/AAAAAAAAE88/Sxi2flvoSK4/s1600/photo+2+(1).JPG
      Reason simply being…um, well, errr, its WIDER (single speed requirement) and TI (smoother ride). The Ritchey bar was sweet and also comes highly recommended.
      The Fat Pearl has been super fun. Looking forward to many more rides on the beauty.
      Cheers!

  2. appleSSeed February 4, 2013 at 8:33 pm #

    The handlebars in the pic are ritchey WCS carbon flat bars. The ones that are sort of an “alt” bar. They’ve been replaced recently by a set of Black Sheep mountain moustache bars which are a beauty to behold.

    The bike is even nicer in person.

    The black pearl is a beaut!

  3. Hughonabike March 4, 2013 at 5:07 am #

    It’s everything that’s awesome, and beautiful. Damn!

  4. Orlando May 20, 2013 at 12:53 pm #

    How many $$$?
    Why no quick release in back?
    Love the glow in the dark touches!
    Takes me back to my childhood looking at glow in the dark stuff under the bed!

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