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Product Spotlight: Farley 9.8 by Trek

Farley asses the Cuyuna trails from atop Miner's Mountain.

Farley asseses the Cuyuna trails from atop Miner’s Mountain.

Walking into my studio last week I noticed two ginormous boxes. Immediately I thought to myself, “now what did we buy and what is it?” I was relieved to see instead the shipping address coming from Waterloo, Wisconsin and the contents reading Trek Farley 9.8. That’s a good way to start a work day.

Over the next few months I’ll be riding the new Farley 9.8 over the same red dirt trails I’ve had the opportunity to test ride the original Trek Farley, the Salsa Bucksaw, and Framed Alaskan. In the coming weeks we’ll be providing a red dirt report to learn more about how the 9.8 performs on dirt, and then once the snow flies, we’ll repeat the effort from Cuyuna’s groomed single track.

Bontrager's WAMPA 27.5 carbon and tubeless ready rims. Sprinkled freshly with red dirt.

Bontrager’s WAMPA 27.5 carbon and tubeless ready rims. Freshly sprinkled with red dirt.

Having now placed a few miles on this bike, and had the opportunity to study it while it was put together, here are a few sound bytes that stood out to me.

In case you were wondering. Under 25 pounds with Shimano Saint pedals installed. #NotBad

In case you were wondering. Under 25 pounds with Shimano Saint pedals installed. #NotBad

Museum Quality Carbon Frame Design.
I have not seen every carbon fat bike frame in person, but this Farley 9.8 frame is gorgeous on the eyes. Long gone are the days of carbon fat bike frames being chunky. The 9.8 welcomes a design complete with edging and bold contours I’ve not seen on a carbon fat bike prior. It’s easy on the eyes, I hope it rides as well as it looks.

TrekFarley98_3262

Spared No Expense.
Remember the “old guy” from the original Jurassic Park? “We’ve spared no expense” was his payoff line throughout the entire movie. Looking at this bike I’m feeling a similar energy here. From the seat, to the post, to the wheels, to the Next SL cranks, to the handlebars, to the head set spacers, it’s carbon, carbon, and . . . wait for it . . . carbon. (Even the steerer tube on the fork is carbon, believe me, the original Farley did not have this, that bike’s fork was an anchor!)

197mm Stranglehold adjustable thru axle dropouts = Versatility.

197mm Stranglehold adjustable thru axle dropouts = Versatility.

27.5″ x 3.8″
Glad to see this day came, excited to see Trek found a way to allow cyclists the ability to ride 27.5″ x 3.8″ Hodag (here’s a link to my review on the 26″ 3.8″ Hodag), or 26″ x 5.0″, or even 29″ x 2.4″ – One bike. Potential for year round happiness.

Permission for take-off granted. In 5, 4, 3, 2 . . .

Permission for take-off granted. In 5, 4, 3, 2 . . .

Here’s all the other goodies that come standard on the 9.8.

Colors: Matte Carbon Smoke

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon, E2 tapered head tube, internal derailleur & dropper post routing, Carbon Armor, PF121, 197mm Stranglehold adjustable thru axle dropouts

Fork: Bontrager Haru Pro, OCLV Carbon lowers, E2 tapered carbon steerer, 100mm suspension corrected, 15x150mm

Sizes: 15.5, 17.5, 19.5, 21.5″

Wheels: Trek Wampa Carbon Tubeless Ready, 80mm rim, 150×15 front, 197×12 rear

Tires: Bontrager Hodag, Tubeless Ready, 120tpi, aramid bead, 27.5×3.8″

Shifters: SRAM X1, 11 speed

Rear derailleur: SRAM X01, Type 2

Crank: Race Face Next SL, 30T

Cassette: SRAM XG-1175, 10-42, 11 speed

Chain: SRAM PC 1130

Saddle: Bontrager Montrose Pro, carbon rails

Seatpost: Bontrager XXX, OCLV Carbon, 31.6mm, 5mm offset

Handlebar: Bontrager Race X Lite, OCLV Carbon, 31.8mm, 15mm rise

Stem: Bontrager Race X Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree

Headset: FSA IS-2 carbon, E2, sealed alloy cartridge

Brakeset: SRAM Guide RS hydraulic disc

Grips: ESI Chunky

Price: $4,799.99

There's a hole in my saddle dear Liza, dear Liza! Unexpected to say the least — get to know the Bontrager Montrose Pro.

There’s a hole in my saddle dear Liza, dear Liza! Unexpected to say the least — get to know the Bontrager Montrose Pro.

Check back for the red dirt review of Trek’s top of the line Carbon Farley some time around GFBD. For further information about Trek Bicycles visit – www.trekbikes.com

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8 Responses to Product Spotlight: Farley 9.8 by Trek

  1. Julian October 22, 2015 at 9:53 am #

    WOW! what a beaut! look forward to more experience rides from u boys on this rig and giving your expert opinions.

  2. thub October 22, 2015 at 11:47 am #

    Nice looking bike! What is the largest tire it can take with a 26″ rim?

  3. Mark October 22, 2015 at 12:18 pm #

    I just bought a new Trek Farley 9 (aluminium hard-tail frame, Bluto fork, 27.5 x 3.8″ tires). After 2 long test rides on dirt single track, I found the Farley 9 to handle almost as well and roll almost as fast as my five year-old, aluminum, full-suspension Specialized Epic 29er with 2.4″ tires. They weigh about the same. This bike rolls faster than any other Fat bike bike I have ridden. I don’t know if it is the new 27.5″ wheel size or the tire – probably both. If well designed, Fat bikes can make great trail bikes!!! I can’t wait to try my Farley in the snow. I guess I’m guzzling the Fat bike Kool-Aid. I intend to make this bike my year round ride. I look forward to reading your long-term review of the Farley 9.8 and the new 27.5″ wheel size. Ride strong!

  4. Harold October 22, 2015 at 12:33 pm #

    Interesting choice to go 27.5″ Vs 26″ I’m curious to the weight of a 27.5×3.8″ vs 26×4.0 and the rotational mass. Trek seems to have made those calculations and decided the float at 27.5×3.8 beats out 26×4.0 for this class of light weight bike. MTBR.com had threads on 29×4 and 27.5×5″ etc. 27.5 x4.8 low profile? where’s it heading?
    $4800 is more than what I spent to turn my whole family “fat” for 3 bikes, racks, accessories etc… Got to be a niche product for sure.

    • Stephen October 22, 2015 at 2:09 pm #

      $4800 sounds like a bargain for a carbon frame, carbon wheel, carbon bit, X1 equipped bike.

  5. Gary October 23, 2015 at 8:36 am #

    Is anyone making a 27.5 x 4.8 Fat bike tires? I have a 27.5 + HT with 3.,00 tires and would need to make a bigger jump up to the 5″ range.

    Cool looking bike, look forward to reviews

  6. Dave October 25, 2015 at 9:44 am #

    Trek & Cuyuna fan. Love these write-ups from Aaron. Keep them coming.

  7. Guy Hiney October 27, 2015 at 12:36 pm #

    Hey Aaron! I picked up the 9.6… the finish on the frame is so smooth, there is not enough o’s in smooth to describe the finish. the bike works so well it just made riding…… well as it says under the crossbar. “FATTIES ARE FUNNER”. I sold the moonlander and kept my Farley 8… I am happy. See you at red dirt church so time soon.. Great write up!!!

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