Back in the winter of 2014 Framed bikes released its first fat bike and it had a significant impact on the fat bike market to this day. The Framed Minnesota was the first thousand-dollar fatty and that affected the price points of the other few bike companies that were producing fat bikes back then. The first complete Pugslies that hit the market were priced 50% higher than the Minnesota and Salsa Mukluks were priced higher than that. Fast forward to today, where prices have gone through the roof for just about everything, Framed has given their Minnesota fat bike a new look and the MSRP is still just $1,100 USD.
The first thing that caught my eye were the three new colors that they released. Cyan/Black, Black/White & Green/Gold arranged in a two-tone paint job that steers clear of some of the more recent colorways from other fat bike brands that seem to assault the optic nerve like some kind of tropical bird’s breeding plumage or a really pissed off, siamese fighting fish. I dig the new colors YMMV.
Framed upgraded to a Shimano Deore M6000 wide range 1×10 drivetrain. The Shimano index shifting combined with a wide range 11-42 cassette and 28-tooth front chainring gives you all the gearing needed to climb up steep hills and punch it down the other side. The Minnesota retains the simplicity of the 135 front and 170 rear quick-release axles instead of thru-axles. The 6061 alloy frame and fork keep weight reasonable and the geometry of this frame puts the rider in a comfortable position. If you’re looking for fat bike fun on a budget, the Minnesota should be on your radar.
The SPEC”s
Frame: FRAMED Exclusive Oversized 6061 Aluminum Alloy frame. TIG Welded Oversized 6061 Aluminum Alloy, Integrated Headset, Replaceable Derailleur Hanger, Cage Brazeons, Sealed 100mm Bottom Bracket. 16″, 18″, 20″, 22″.
Fork: FRAMED 6061 Aluminum Alloy; oversized straight blade, disc mount, 135mm QR axle
Headset: Neco Headset 1 1/8″
Gear: 1X10, Front 28t Rear 11-42
Crankset: Suntour Zeron 28t narrow wide chainring, 175mm alloy cranks with
Bottom Bracket: 100mm sealed shell external cup bearing
Cassette: Sunrace 11-42t Cassette
Shifters: Shimano Deore M6000 10-speed trigger shifters
Front Derailleur: NA
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore M6000, medium cage
Chain: KMC X10 Stretch-resistant ECO- ProteQ for superior rust resistance
Brakes: Avid BB5 mechanical disc, Inboard Knob Pad Adjustment, 160mm rotors
Brake Levers: Avid FR-5; Aluminum, Reversible, Flat Rate Pull Reach Adjustment, Qwik-Adjust Barrel Adjuster
Handlebar: FRAMED Lightweight Aluminum Alloy, 19mm rise, 12 degree sweep, 740mm
Grips: FRAMED lightweight low profile lock on
Bar Stem: FRAMED Aluminum Alloy 80mm Threadless 6 degree rise, 4 bolt
Saddle: Velo S2
Seat Clamp: Promax Seatpost Clamp MX-86 35mm 8NM
Seat Post: FRAMED Lightweight Aluminum Alloy 400mm X 30.9mm
Front Hub: Alloy 32 hole, 135mm, Quick Release Axle
Rear Hub: Alloy 32 hole, 170mm, Quick Release Axle
Rims: FRAMED Aluminum Alloy Single Wall Rim, 80mm wide, 32h, Weight Reducing Cut Outs, Double pinned, Not Tubeless Compatible
Tires: FRAMED Fat Tire 26″ x 4″ 60 TPI Folding All weather tread ultralite casting
Pedals: Wellgo B223BN Dense Composite plastic trail pedals
Weight: 34 lbs 4oz: Framed bases the weight of their MN 2.0 bikes on an average 18″ Frame. The exact weight may vary slightly.
Framed has done a great job at keeping these entry-level fat bikes accessible for folks that want to give winter riding a try or somebody that needs a bike for sloppy winter commuting. Internet bike nerds (myself included) that want the latest, lightest, or newest standards could take a ton of pot-shots at the Minnesota, but these models have never been meant for that category of rider. When someone asks -“what’s the best fat bike that they can get for a thousand smackers?” The Framed Minnesota is a pretty great place to start the conversation.
For more information about the Framed Minnesota visit – https://www.framedbikes.com/
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