Framed Alaskan Alloy Product Preview by Andy Amstutz

Just when you start doubting the inevitables as inevitables, they inevitably happen.  Winter did finally arrive to northwest lower Michigan and Uncle Gomez hooked me up with another sweet fat-bike to test.  It’s been quite some time since a big bike box was pulled off the little brown truck at the end of my driveway.  But this is just what took place last week as well as our first snow day of the year.  Now that’s what I call a dog-gone banner day if I say so myself.  Out of the box jumped a 2016 Framed Alaskan Alloy fatbike with a carbon fork.  

I did some searching and couldn’t find any info about the 2016 version of the Alaskan Alloy so our favorite gnome hunter, radio show host and uncle did some requesting for me and this is what came directly from George, over at Framed Bikes:

The all new 2016 Alaskan alloy doesn’t just have a slick new paint job. It also got some serious body work from our design team! This year we listened to both our riders and our fans. What we heard was a resounding call for a more nimble, go anywhere, hard charging, performance-driven fat bike. It needed to deliver fast handling year round on single track with the ability to run a 4.8″ tire for trail breaking long hauls on snow covered bike packing expeditions. For 2016, we increased the rear triangle width in the hips and shoulders to accommodate up to a 4.8″ tire on a 100mm rim without adding length to the chain stays. We achieved this by utilizing an hourglass shape on the chain stays and modifying the shape of the seat stays to allow for rigidity when climbing the steeps and powering out of turns yet still remaining compliant and agile while monster trucking the descent. The new shape of the rear triangle accommodates a larger tire, while taking into account heel strike and Q factor. With the use of the Race Face Turbine Cinch 100mm BB with 190mm spacing we were able to deliver the ride we were looking for without sacrificing comfort or performance. The all new 2016 Alaskan alloy is your new year’s resolution to get fat.

Key Features of Alaskan Alloy Fat Bike Frame:

Frame Material:6061 Aluminum Alloy

Head Tube:Tapered; 1.125″- 1.5″

Bottom Backet:100mm

Seat Clamp Diameter:31.1mm

Seat Post Diameter:30.9mm

Rear Hub Spacing:190mm;  QR

Weight:5 lbs 8 oz

So there it is.  Straight from Framed Bikes World Headquarters.  I’ve got some riding to do (when don’t I?) and some paying attention to do and a whole ton of fun to get after for the next 4-6 weeks with this red-as-a-baboons-arse and black Framed Alaskan Alloy fatbike.  Stay tuned for our full review….