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The testing lab at Fat-Bike.com was recently offered up a Framed Wolftrax Carbon fatbike to put through its paces. Gomez reached out to see if I was interested, and after a little coordination with the brown Santa, I soon had the Wolftrax in my possession, assembled, and out on the trail in quick order.
Framed got their start with direct to consumer, online sales model. Dealer only models were then added. Across the board, these dealer only models are the upscale versions of their online counterparts. The Wolftrax Carbon is part of Framed’s Buy Local (i.e., dealer only) line of bikes and represents the top of the line of their fatbike offerings (“This is the no holds barred, no corners cut, no excuses member of the Wolftrax family”). FBdT has had the alloy version of the Wolftrax in for testing all the way back in 2015 (you can read out about that bike here and here).
The Woftrax Carbon is offered with several custom build packages to suit your fancy – drive trains (SRAM or Shimano), fork (standard carbon, RST Renegade, RockShox Bluto, and Lauf Carbonara), and even wheel upgrades are available. With all these options, price of a Wolftrax varies greatly depending on the build spec. From $1,949 (X-5 and standard carbon fork) to $2,699 (X1 or XT 11 speed and Lauf fork) and beyond (carbon wheel upgrade), the Wolftrax Carbon covers a lot of budgetary ground. The frame is well finished in a very nice, glossy white with red highlights inside the rear triangle (interestingly, the fork has a flat finish). The Wolftrax Carbon is also offered in two other colors (black and yellow).
This test bike came outfitted with Framed’s XT 1×11 build kit – XT 1×11 drivetrain (32F x 11-46R), RaceFace Ride cranks (and external, BSA bottom bracket), SRAM DB5 hydraulic disc brakes, internal FSA headset, and filled out with Framed house brand stem, bars, and post. This test bike also came equipped with upgraded wheels (Framed 80mm PUB carbon rims laced to DT Swiss Big Ride hubs – see review here) and Terrene Wazia 4.0 studded tires (see review here and here). Weight of the complete bike (without pedals) is 27.1lbs. Overall, a very respectable build that could easily be lightened up a bit by going tubeless and changing out some parts (and running non studded tires). On a side note, the bike came very well packed, everything properly torqued to spec, and required only minimal assembly . While the Wolftrax is dealer only model, I assume that Framed’s online models come equally well packed.
Compared to the Alaskan carbon frame (which is the top of the line direct, online offering), the Wolftrax carbon has several key differences . . .
- Geometry is more all mountain focused (even though on paper the numbers between the two frames are only very slightly different)
- 700T carbon which adds rigidity to the bottom bracket and chainstays
- Clearance for wider tires (clearance for up to 4.8″ tires on 80mm rims)
I’ve gotten a bit of time on the Wolftrax Carbon so far (almost all dirt since we are having the winter that was not in the lower Midwest) and have been pretty pleased. Stay tuned for a longer term ride report and review (hopefully with some snow!).
For more info on the Wolftrax carbon visit Framed