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Dose of Fat – December 2022

Milwaukee Bicycle Co. Buck Shot Fat Frame

There’s a Specialized dealer in Milwaukee called Ben’s Cycles that sells bikes with the name Milwaukee Bicycle Co. on the down tube. They just announced a new fat bike called the Buck Shot. The BS is made from Reynolds 853 main tubes and Columbus Omnicron rear stays, the frame is handmade in Wisconsin by Waterford Precision Cycles. Waterford is probably most famous for being owned by a direct descendant of the Schwinn Bicycle Family named Richard Schwinn. During a visit to the factory in Waterford several years ago, I was told that they’d never make a fat bike. Never is a really long time.

I love that they show their new fat bike with 26″ wheels mounted to big aggressive Specialized Ground Control tires. They say that the BS can also run 27.5″ wheels. The Buck Shot frame was designed with a carbon rigid fork in mind but a 100mm suspension fork would also work out just as well. The frame also comes stock with semi-internal dropper post routing. This is a true American Made fat bike. Steel fat bikes seem to be making a comeback. Ben’s estimates an 8-10 week turnaround for a new Buck Shot. The frame and fork start at $1,450. You can see all of the details at https://www.benscycle.com/milwaukee-bicycle-co–fat-frame-mkepackage_milwaukeebicycleco_fat_20834/p

New Sturmfist color and model from 45NRTH

The new Sturmfist 3 glove fits between the Sturmfist 4 and Sturmfist 5 in terms of warmth. It’s rated for comfort from 10° F (–12° C) to 30° F (­–1° C).

  • New Slate colorway
  • “Lobster-claw” design pairs fingers together for warmth
  • Wind- and water-resistant soft-shell outer material
  • Primaloft 6 oz Gold Insulation with Cross Core technology covers the top of the hand and fingers
  • Primaloft ECO needle with grip control on the palm insulates hands from cold bars
  • Soft, Merino wool-blend lining wicks moisture and is made of 44% wool and 56% polyester (35% recycled)
  • Ax Suede synthetic leather on the palm provides grip on the bars for added control
  • Pre-curved fingers create a natural hand position on the bars
  • Conductive synthetic leather on the fingertips allows for touch screen use
  • Hook-and-loop wrist cinch offers infinite adjustability
  • Suede nose wipe on thumb
  • Available in sizes XS to XXL
  • MSRP $110

the Sturmfist 4 is the extreme winter cycling glove, rated for comfort from 0° F (–18° C) to 15° F (­–9° C).

  • New Slate colorway
  • Wind- and water-resistant soft-shell outer material
  • Primaloft 8 oz Gold Insulation with Cross Core Aerogel technology
  • Primaloft Gold Insulation Eco with Grip Control
  • Soft, Merino wool-blend lining wicks moisture and is made of 44% wool and 56% polyester (35% recycled)
  • Water-resistant goat leather on palm
  • Pre-curved fingers for natural hand position on handlebars
  • Conductive synthetic leather on the fingertips allows for touch screen use
  • Drawstring gauntlet cuff closure fits over jacket cuff for protection
  • Suede nose wipe on thumb
  • Available in sizes XS to XXL
  • MSRP $130

Sturmfist 5 is a standard winter cycling glove, ratedfor comfort in temperatures ranging from 15° F (–9° C) to 35° F (2° C).

  • New Slate colorway
  • Wind- and water-resistant soft-shell outer material
  • 100 g Polartec Alpha insulation
  • Soft, Merino wool-blend lining wicks moisture and is made of 44% wool and 56% polyester (35% recycled)
  • Water-resistant goat leather on palm
  • Conductive synthetic leather on the fingertips allows for touch screen use
  • Gusseted wrist gauntlet fits under jacket cuff
  • Suede nose wipe on thumb
  • Available in sizes XS to XXL
  • MSRP $95

For more info about the full line of Winter Cycling goodis visit – https://www.45nrth.com/#/

Global Fat Bike Day Tradition – DERBY!

In Southern Wisconsin, we play a round or two of derby as part of our GFBD celebrations. It’s a pretty good way to gather everybody before the start of a group ride and can be a ton of fun. I learned to derby way back in the 1980’s. We derbied, but we called it cut-off. I believe the term derby came out of Minneapolis bike culture. Singlespeed events have derbies. One of the first recollections of being at an event, where there was a derby, was Dirt Rag’s Punk Bike Enduro near Pittsburgh. If you’re unfamiliar with Derby and you want to add it to your GFBD Celebration read on!

Here’s How to DERBY!

A group of riders starts to ride in a circle, usually in response to someone yelling Derby! The call is repeated and people grab their bikes and begin to join the group riding peacefully around and around. When a sufficient number of participants have joined the parade riding around in a circle, someone says ‘derby on’. Then the participants start to maneuver in an attempt to make other riders, put their foot down. For example, Cutting them off and then track standing in front of them. Once a rider puts a foot down, they are out for that round and help form a boundary of bikes and riders. That boundary contains the remaining riders. Riders are eliminated, till there are only two people in the derby, with the crowd gathered close around the winner is the last one on two wheels.

There are a couple of rules, that helps to cut down on the carnage. You must keep your hands and your feet on your own bicycle. There is no deliberate t-boning allowed. They say that the best bike to derby is someone else’s bike but I don’t know about that. #derbyon

What are your GFBD Traditions?

I remember seeing lots of toasts from around the world in the early days of GFBD photos. I guess the group photo or selfie tagged with #gfbd2022 is sort of a tradition. If you’ve got a local GFBD Tradition, please share it in the comments!

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