People that follow the history of fat-bikes, know that Fatback has written many of the chapters, in the book of fat-bike innovation. Fatback is still currently one of the most innovative fat-bike brands. To add to the long list of products that Fatback makes available to the fat-bike word, today they offer their carbon […]
Archive | Components
*NEW* Maxxis Summit – Moosetrak 4.8 Studded Tire
Maxxis recently held their annual “Summit” in the mountains of Northern Georgia at the Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Resort. Maxxis had some exciting news to announce on the fat bike tire front so my podcasting partner Andy and I got to head down and get the skinny on their fat. There will be a following […]
First look at the 4.8″ Snow Avalanche SC & PSC Studded Tires
First look at the 4.8″ Snow Avalanche We recently got hooked up with Vee Tire’s Snow Avalanche studded 4.8″ tires. Vee Tire Co is the only fat-bike tires manufacturer to offer a true 4.8″ studded tire in two different rubber compounds. The Silicone Compound – SC (black) and the Pure Silicone Compound – PSC (white). We’ll […]
Mid-Term Review – Terrene Wazia 4.6
This has been one of those winters where I have been pretty darned stoked to be testing studded tires. It seems like every other weekend has been “studded tire only” conditions due to a big melt and freeze cycle. During this time the 4.6″ studded Terrene Wazia tires have become my best friend because they […]
Framed PUB Carbon Big Ride Wheelset Review – by Andy Amstutz
I’m a convert. They’re worth the money. The kids might not have the warmest boots and the wife might not have the biggest diamond, but doggone it, I will have a carbon wheelset for my fat-bike. And this set won’t break the bank so the fam will still have food on the table. […]
Mid-Term Check-In: Vittoria Cannoli
I sit here and write this while psyching myself up for another 3-4 hour ride of breaking trail on the Cannolis. It has been a good winter here on the west coast of the northern lower peninsula of Michigan and we have already gotten over 5′ of snowfall. We got the okay from the National […]
Bontrager Gnarwhal TLR – 27.5 x 4.5 Studded Tire
It’s not very often, that we need to borrow a fat-bike to test a fat-bike tire, but it’s happened before with super fat sized tires and the litany of new wheel/hub and tire choices has created a similar situation at times. This time it was Trek’s new 27,5 fat wheel size that created the need […]
iSSi Trail Off-road Clipless Pedals in DL Green
Thanks to Dave Lunz for his report on the iSSi Trail Off-road Clipless Pedals you can read all about below! When the fine folks at iSSi pedals sent Sven unt Uncle Gomez a set of lime green Trail Off-road trail pedals to test, my name popped up right away for some reason! The first reason being […]
Bluto Vs. Wren – Suspension Fork Shootout – by Dustin Carlson
Fat bikes are still, somewhat of a niche right now. A byproduct of this is a lack of choices for fat bike specific components. Case in point, air suspension forks. It seems like there are a lot of choices (on paper) with Olaf, RST, Bluto & The fork of many names, but there can […]
Terrene Wazia – First Look!
Terrene is a new name on the fat bike block but is a company that brings some street cred to the neighborhood. Terrene is managed by Tim Krueger who previously worked as a brand manager for Salsa Cycles and is the founder of Advocate Cycles. Terrene recently came out with three tires: the Wazia which […]
First Look Wren Inverted Suspension Fork
Here’s a new fork with a familiar face and a name to remember. The Wren Sports Inverted Suspension fork is decidedly NOT the fork of many names that preceded this version of the fork that we’re currently testing. The Wren Sports Team brings a ton of Industry Experience to their suspension fork. If you’d like […]
SQ Labs – 611 Ergowave Active Saddle and 711 Grip Review
Grips and Saddles. Ask any cyclist and they’ll tell you about their ‘go to’ brand and model. The answers that you collect will probably be all over the map. I’m a Brooks Swift Saddle and Ergon GP1 – Size Large for grippage. Most cyclists are very loyal to the touch point components (Seat/Grips/Pedals) that they […]
Product Spotlight – Framed Carbon Wheels – By Andy Amstutz
Carbon fibers according to Google are a material consisting of thin, strong crystalline filaments of carbon, used as a strengthening material, especially in resins and ceramics. Google says nothing about being a kick ass rim material for fat bikes. I’ve been riding aluminum rims for years and jumped at the chance to test […]
Blackjack Bikes Fate Review
Back in July, I began testing my Amigo Jack’s new Blackjack Fate. We published a first look about the Fate in August – https://fat-bike.com/2016/08/first-look-fate-from-blackjack-bikes/. I pursued this review to see if an open mold, carbon fat-bike could hold a candle to the performance of two proprietary, high end, carbon fat-bikes that I spent time testing last […]
Vittoria Cannoli – First Look!
Uncle Gomez and the folks from Vittoria Tire recently helped Christmas come a bit early and sent me a pair of Vittoria Cannoli 26 x 4.8″ tires to test out. This is a tire I am pretty darned stoked about. The Surly Bud and Lou’s have been the king of the hill for all around […]
Fresh from the Show Floor – Interbike 2016
Direct from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, we have all of the freshest fat and plus bike hotness for y’all! I was going to try to separate the plus from the fat, but there’s a lot of cross-over. I saw fat-bikes that were designed to run plus and even one plus-bike that can run, […]
Gnome-Proof Gear – Sea to Summit X-Series Bowl – Ibex Shak Classic Merino Wool Jersey – RaceFace Next Carbon Cranks –
We’re back with another thrilling episode of Gnome-Proof Gear. I’m your host, Gomez Alejandro Santana de Lago, and on this episode of GPG, thee Spinner Ryerson shares a hydration system for our amigos, of the four legged variety, His Honor, the Mayor of GnomeFest 13, Steve Meurett, nominates the Ibex Shaq for GPG status and […]
Review – RST Renegade Fat-bike Front Suspension Fork
Ed – Greg Green took a “First Look” at the RST Renegade Fat-bike Fork several weeks back and now he comes at us with this long-term review after over 8 weeks of riding and tells us what he’s learned! Is the RST Renegade a contender or a pretender? Let’s find out! Hard to believe, […]
REVIEW – Atomik Phatty 85 Carbon Rims w/ I9 Hubs by Steve Meurett
The winter only fatbike realm has long since been left behind-thank goodness. This is not news-most of us who ride fatties, do so year round because they just work…are fun…go anywhere…handle well…go fast? Well, of course, if properly outfitted. Within a short period of time, manufacturers have evolved the stock fatbike into a do […]
First Look – RST Renegade Fat-bike Fork
Today we have a new tester to introduce! Greg Green lives on the Big Island of Hawaii and will be putting the RST Renegade fat-bike fork we got in for testing throughs it’s paces. Here we have a “First Impression” of the fork, installation and an initial ride or two. Look at the end of […]
Lauf Carbonara Review by Kevin Breitenbach
So I’ve got to start this review with an admission of guilt, I’ve held the Lauf Carbonara hostage for the last few months. I’ve found reason after reason to hold onto this Iclandic Native. Sure this started innocent enough, A product review of the Lauf in late winter conditions. Well, with a little help […]
Bontrager Barbegazi Review
Back in December, we received our set of Barbegazi tires from our amigos at Bontrager and I called dibs on them, because I prefer to run 4.8’s that are moderately knobbed and that accurately describes the Barbegazi (BBZ). I had lost one of my favorite 45NRTH Dillinger 5 tires to a finger sized hole, no doubt, […]
Tires Our BBR Testers are Digging
While getting to test the latest and greatest gear is one of the perks of being a Bike Black Ribbon test rider, all our riders have their own fat-bikes, some more than one, so let’s take a look at what a few of them ride on their personal rigs starting with where the rubber meets […]
First Impressions – Paul Component Engineering Klamper Disc Brake
We first got a look at Paul Component Engineering’s Klamper brake as a prototype a couple of years back at Interbike when Paul showed us the first versions of the brake at his booth. At the 2015 show I cajoled Paul a bit more as I really wanted to get them on my rig to […]
Oddity Cycles Razorbar Plus – A Custom Fabricated Handlebar
Sean “Burnsey” Burns from Oddity Cycles sent us out a set of Oddity Razorbar Plus handlebars to check out. Not your average 5d/8d aluminum or carbon bars but real, steel, custom goodness made from 4130 Chromoly. As an avid singlespeeder, Burnsey was looking for rise and sweep for comfort, hooks for climbing and cruising, additional […]
Kuroshiro Enso 685 Wheel Review by – Andrea Cohen
All the way back in November a fancy box of Kuroshiro Enso 685 wheels showed up at World of Bikes. The ever-growing fat-bike market is constantly evolving to fit the needs of all sorts of riders, and high end components are definitely being asked for. Fat-bikes are getting faster. The rise of fat-bike dedicated […]
First Impressions – Dirt Components Thumper Carbon Fat-bike Wheel Set
Product Spotlight: Dirt Components Thumper Carbon Fat Wheel Set By Dave Krueger Carbon wheel set you say? I got an email from Sven just before I headed up to Cable, WI for the Birkie. There were certainly other words in the email, but all I remember seeing in the email was “carbon wheel set” and […]
Lauf Carbonara Fork Preview by – Kevin Breitenbach
The postman told me that I had a large package…at the airport post office. I promptly drove down and retrieved a rather large, yet feather light package. Uncle Gomez sent me up a Lauf Carbonara fork to test. I was expecting a used and somewhat tortured demo unit, but I found a brand new fork in the box. As […]
Product Preview ♦ Atomik Phatty 85 Carbon Rims w/ I9 Hubs by Steve Meurett
There is hardly anything as sexy as slipping some carbon fiber of some sort onto your fatbike ride. Sure, fatbikes in the early days were pretty “big boned” and maybe not the most performance orientated as they are evolving to today. In the past, why slap spendy light pieces and parts on a tug boat […]
Product Preview – Maxxis Colossus and Minion FBFront & FBRear – By David Glover
Last year Maxxis announced they would be adding some more big rubber to the fat bike scene, a snow specific tire and a pair of front and rear specific trail tires. The Colossus, Minion FBF, and Minion FBR, all available in 26 x 4.80 with EXO protection available. A slimmer 26 x 4.0 Minion […]
Grip Studs – User Installable Carbide Studs for Fat-bike Tires
Fat-bike.com friend, Sam D, was looking for a way to stud the fat-bike tires that he currently owns and likes rather than buying a new set of dedicated, studded fat-bike tires. Grip Studs offered the perfect solution. Let’s see how Sam likes them! Grip Studs are a versatile option for those who prefer using tire […]
Product Preview- Race Face Chester Pedals by Evan LarSSon
The Chester is a new flat pedal offered by Race Face, but who is this Chester they speak of? “I heard Chester made fun of Enduro before it was cool” and “I can’t ride today” said Chester NEVER, are a couple of things I’ve seen on the interwebs. I was curious if this new line […]
Otis Turns Two – Fatback Review – The extended club version
Otis’s Story Timeline 12/25/2013 – Otis’s Introduction and Naming – http://fat-bike.com/2013/12/fatback-190-product-test-episode-1/ 12/25/2014 – Otis Turns One – http://fat-bike.com/2014/12/otis-turns-one-%E2%99%A6-fatback-long-term-review/ 2/5/2015 – Otis Gets Pimped – http://fat-bike.com/2015/02/otis-gets-pimped-part-one-otisgetspimped/ 6/18/2015 – Otis’s Pimped Parts Review – http://fat-bike.com/2015/06/hed-rims-onyx-racing-hubs-paul-skewers-6-month-review/ That brings us to today and a story that could be called Otis Gets Pimped, Part Two! I had planned all along to apply some sort […]
Video – Andy From HED Cycling Joins Us to Talk New Fat-bike Rims and Wheels
In this video Andy Tetmeyer from HED Cycling joins us to talk about HED’s new fat-bike rims and wheels. The products referenced in the video are: 24″ BAD fat-bike aluminum rim 24″ BAD fat-bike aluminum wheel 26″ BAD fat-bike aluminum rim 26″ BAD fat-bike aluminum wheel 26″ 85mm carbon rim 26″ 85mm carbon wheels 26″ 100mm carbon rim […]
Issi Pedal Review by Steve Meurett
The ground is covered with white-the first snowfall here in western Wisconsin. It won’t last to be sure, but it does get the heart pumping for fatbike season. Actually, there is no “fatbike season”….the fattys roll all year, as it should be now-a-days. But, the snow does remind us that bikes, clothing and gear need […]
First Impressions – Catalyst Pedals from Pedaling Innovations
I came across a story about a new pedal design, called the Catalyst, from James Wilson at Pedaling Innovations and thought that the concept and design of the pedal may appeal to some fat-bike riders. Fat-bikers already use flats a lot more than traditional mountain bikers and James sent us a set of Catalyst pedals to […]
How to Choose the Correct Fork for Your Fat-bike
Our friend from Sarma, Dmitry, made this nice info-graphic that shows the different fork configurations that you need to consider when you are looking to upgrade the fork on your fat-bike! Be sure to check out the Sarma fat-bike forks, they make a nice upgrade! Thanks, Dmitry!
Rever MTN1 Disc Brake Review by Kevin Breitenbach
Back at the beginning of the winter riding season, the old dependable mailman dropped off a box from Wisconsin. Surprised to find it devoid of cheap beer and cheese curds, I was delighted to see a full setup of the new Rever MTN1 Brakes. Living up North in Fairbanks, I’ve always used mechanical disc brakes, […]
Product Preview – 3 NEW Tires from Bontrager
The folks up in Waterloo sent us some of their new tires this week and we thought that we might just as well march them out and throw the old product spotlight on them for everyone to see. The Hodag is back in Bontrager’s Fat-Bike Tire round-up for two thousand and sixteen and is joined by […]
First Look – Brooks Cambium C15 Carved Saddle
A couple of years back Gomez had an opportunity to check out the Brooks Cambium C17 and Brooks recently offered us a chance to check out the narrower profile C15 so, being a guy who prefers narrower saddles, I decided to stick my rump on this one. Just a bit about the saddles that I […]
Product Preview – KUROSHIRO WHEELS by Andrea Cohen
As we all know the fat bike market is exploding. We also all know that the wheel really makes a fat bike what it is. The introduction of new wheel options are essential for fat bikes to grow and change. The Kuroshiro enso 685 is a fat carbon rim option offered by Raceware. Raceware […]
Industry 9 Introduces New Fat & Plusbike Wheels
Straight out of the heart of Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Industry Nine, is introducing new rim options for Mountain, Fat Bikes, and Plusbikes. Two new tubeless Fat Bike rim options join the well-received BigRig 825 Carbon, The new BigRig 975 Carbon and the alloy BigRig 845 are built on Industry Nine’s proven Torch FatBike […]
First Look – Rever MTN1 Disc Brake
Uncle Gomez got his hands on what we believe is the first production version of the new Rever MTN1 mechanical disc brakes in the US! (We expect to see the retail shipment very soon!) Before we sent the MTN1s to our Alaskan testing partner and ITI champion, Kevin Breitenbach, up there in Fairbanks, AK I […]
Video – Andy from HED Cycling shows us new 24 and 26 inch aluminum Fat-bike wheels
From the Show Floor at Interbike 2015 Andy from HED Cycling shows us new 24 and 26 inch aluminum Fat-bike wheels. In this video you will hear Andy extolling the virtues of 24-inch fat-bikes and 24-inch fat-bike wheels. To see more about what can make a 24-inch fat-bike a real consideration for riders of smaller […]