I thought long and hard about that. I rode the BG this summer. Is it AWESOME--loved it for single track fun. I also rode the Spearfish and others at the same time. If you are looking for a do-it-most bike for trail and snow, the BG is pretty sweet.
I tried to figure the $$$ I would need to pony up when selling the Muk2 and buying the BG. It was pretty close to $1000. Maybe more, maybe less, depending on the deals you can swing and your buyer.
In the end I decided not to go for it. The BG is really cool; if I didn't have a fat-bike I'd buy it over the MUK2.
Of course, I also like the cheaper Surly offerings for nearly half the dough...
I bought one of the mediums from Derrick at Cycle Haven. Adding a couple of personal touches to it. Probably pick it up next week some time. I'll let you know the true weight set up tubeless.
He has a couple more mediums if anyone wants one...a small & a couple of XLs too!
I'm planning on buying mine next week when they arrive at my shop. It will be my first fatty...I was thinking about the mukluk 2, and am planning on making a final decision when I can ride them side by side, but dang the bg looks sweet. (muk looks like it can run bud and lou, bg would be bud/nate for when speed is not the objective, but that seems like the only think pointing towards the muk. I'll probably end up with the beargrease!
Rode the bg yesterday. Amazing looking bike, and I loved how it felt. Deposit placed. I pick it up tomorrow! That's something to be thankful for!
Beargrease frameset Large
XTR deraileurs, shifters brake levers & calipers
XT cassette, chain and rotors
eThirteen double (from fatbikes.com.. this is the old style crank arm & bb)
Hope Hubs
Schlick rims 47mm (wheelset was built by Schlick in Milwaukee)
Cane Creek headset (40 upper, 110 lower)
Salsa Pro Moto stem (110)
Salsa Pro Moto carbon bar
Salsa skewers
Salsa seat collar
Thomson elite post
Flite Ti saddle
Crank Bros 3 pedals
This bike weighs just barely over 27lbs with pedals and everything you see in the picture.
The two reasons I didn't buy a stock Beargrease was that I don't like Sram 10sp and I didn't want the heavy wheelset that comes stock.
I'm using a Larry and Endo tire combo with tubes. Still waiting for the new batch of 45Nrth tires, which I will run tubeless. I'm also going to swap out the stem for a Thomson and replace the saddle with an SLR.
This bike could be a lot lighter. I decided to save a few dollars on rotors, cassette and chain and use XT. That meant a heavier cassette. But this bike will see a lot of gravel roads this winter and plenty of wet riding. I knew I'd thrash the cassette and chain, so the prospect of ruining $400 worth of drivechain in under 16wks made me err on the side of value instead of weight. For my neck of the woods I could also get away with a 1x10 and save half a pound at least. But I plan to do all of the Great Lakes Fat Bike Series races as well as some fun riding in the northcountry this winter and I know I'll need a granny to get through it. I had originally purchased a Carver O'Beast fork. Its 200grams lighter than the Beargrease fork. But after riding a Beargrease Demo bike I decided against using the Carver. There are also lighter bits and pieces out there.. like carbon posts and ti pedals. However, I've long been riding a combo of Thomson/Salsa parts and stainless steel pedals. I think it's the best combination of value/durability/weight.
On single track this bike handles an awful lot like my Mamasita hardtail (which has the same drivetrain & brakes). Handling is like a hardtail mountain bike and much different from the Stock 2011 Mukluk 3 I was riding last winter. The Schlick rims, even with heavy wire bead tires and tubes make the wheels feel amazingly light. They also narrow the contact patch a lot, which makes for better rolling on gravel roads. The Beargrease fork is amazingly stiff. Stiffer than any of the carbon fat forks available and lighter than all but one of them. The tapered headtube and steerer are a big part of that. I've used many rigid forks on my 29ers over the years, everything from a Niner to White Bros to several custom steel ones. This fork is the best rigid one I've ever had. The Beargrease frame is also amazingly stiff. The drawn tubing and wide bb and headtube make this bike feel like riding a high end MTB. Compared to all the steel frames (stock & custom) and even last year's Muks this thing is hands down the best fatbike I've ever pedalled.
Beargrease frameset Large
XTR deraileurs, shifters brake levers & calipers
XT cassette, chain and rotors
eThirteen double (from fatbikes.com.. this is the old style crank arm & bb)
Hope Hubs
Schlick rims 47mm (wheelset was built by Schlick in Milwaukee)
Cane Creek headset (40 upper, 110 lower)
Salsa Pro Moto stem (110)
Salsa Pro Moto carbon bar
Salsa skewers
Salsa seat collar
Thomson elite post
Flite Ti saddle
Crank Bros 3 pedals
This bike weighs just barely over 27lbs with pedals and everything you see in the picture.
The two reasons I didn't buy a stock Beargrease was that I don't like Sram 10sp and I didn't want the heavy wheelset that comes stock.
I'm using a Larry and Endo tire combo with tubes. Still waiting for the new batch of 45Nrth tires, which I will run tubeless. I'm also going to swap out the stem for a Thomson and replace the saddle with an SLR.
This bike could be a lot lighter. I decided to save a few dollars on rotors, cassette and chain and use XT. That meant a heavier cassette. But this bike will see a lot of gravel roads this winter and plenty of wet riding. I knew I'd thrash the cassette and chain, so the prospect of ruining $400 worth of drivechain in under 16wks made me err on the side of value instead of weight. For my neck of the woods I could also get away with a 1x10 and save half a pound at least. But I plan to do all of the Great Lakes Fat Bike Series races as well as some fun riding in the northcountry this winter and I know I'll need a granny to get through it. I had originally purchased a Carver O'Beast fork. Its 200grams lighter than the Beargrease fork. But after riding a Beargrease Demo bike I decided against using the Carver. There are also lighter bits and pieces out there.. like carbon posts and ti pedals. However, I've long been riding a combo of Thomson/Salsa parts and stainless steel pedals. I think it's the best combination of value/durability/weight.
On single track this bike handles an awful lot like my Mamasita hardtail (which has the same drivetrain & brakes). Handling is like a hardtail mountain bike and much different from the Stock 2011 Mukluk 3 I was riding last winter. The Schlick rims, even with heavy wire bead tires and tubes make the wheels feel amazingly light. They also narrow the contact patch a lot, which makes for better rolling on gravel roads. The Beargrease fork is amazingly stiff. Stiffer than any of the carbon fat forks available and lighter than all but one of them. The tapered headtube and steerer are a big part of that. I've used many rigid forks on my 29ers over the years, everything from a Niner to White Bros to several custom steel ones. This fork is the best rigid one I've ever had. The Beargrease frame is also amazingly stiff. The drawn tubing and wide bb and headtube make this bike feel like riding a high end MTB. Compared to all the steel frames (stock & custom) and even last year's Muks this thing is hands down the best fatbike I've ever pedalled.
Awesome build and super light, great job. I can't blame you for doing a custom build, I don't think the stock version is a good bang for the buck.
Great build. I am getting ready to buy a beargrease if i can get my hands on one. I have found a size Large but was looking for an XL. Just curious, what is your saddle height in this picture? Measured from the center of BB to top of saddle. Enjoy that new bike.
Originally Posted by Scottytheoneandonly
Beargrease frameset Large
XTR deraileurs, shifters brake levers & calipers
XT cassette, chain and rotors
eThirteen double (from fatbikes.com.. this is the old style crank arm & bb)
Hope Hubs
Schlick rims 47mm (wheelset was built by Schlick in Milwaukee)
Cane Creek headset (40 upper, 110 lower)
Salsa Pro Moto stem (110)
Salsa Pro Moto carbon bar
Salsa skewers
Salsa seat collar
Thomson elite post
Flite Ti saddle
Crank Bros 3 pedals
This bike weighs just barely over 27lbs with pedals and everything you see in the picture.
The two reasons I didn't buy a stock Beargrease was that I don't like Sram 10sp and I didn't want the heavy wheelset that comes stock.
I'm using a Larry and Endo tire combo with tubes. Still waiting for the new batch of 45Nrth tires, which I will run tubeless. I'm also going to swap out the stem for a Thomson and replace the saddle with an SLR.
This bike could be a lot lighter. I decided to save a few dollars on rotors, cassette and chain and use XT. That meant a heavier cassette. But this bike will see a lot of gravel roads this winter and plenty of wet riding. I knew I'd thrash the cassette and chain, so the prospect of ruining $400 worth of drivechain in under 16wks made me err on the side of value instead of weight. For my neck of the woods I could also get away with a 1x10 and save half a pound at least. But I plan to do all of the Great Lakes Fat Bike Series races as well as some fun riding in the northcountry this winter and I know I'll need a granny to get through it. I had originally purchased a Carver O'Beast fork. Its 200grams lighter than the Beargrease fork. But after riding a Beargrease Demo bike I decided against using the Carver. There are also lighter bits and pieces out there.. like carbon posts and ti pedals. However, I've long been riding a combo of Thomson/Salsa parts and stainless steel pedals. I think it's the best combination of value/durability/weight.
On single track this bike handles an awful lot like my Mamasita hardtail (which has the same drivetrain & brakes). Handling is like a hardtail mountain bike and much different from the Stock 2011 Mukluk 3 I was riding last winter. The Schlick rims, even with heavy wire bead tires and tubes make the wheels feel amazingly light. They also narrow the contact patch a lot, which makes for better rolling on gravel roads. The Beargrease fork is amazingly stiff. Stiffer than any of the carbon fat forks available and lighter than all but one of them. The tapered headtube and steerer are a big part of that. I've used many rigid forks on my 29ers over the years, everything from a Niner to White Bros to several custom steel ones. This fork is the best rigid one I've ever had. The Beargrease frame is also amazingly stiff. The drawn tubing and wide bb and headtube make this bike feel like riding a high end MTB. Compared to all the steel frames (stock & custom) and even last year's Muks this thing is hands down the best fatbike I've ever pedalled.
Great build. I am getting ready to buy a beargrease if i can get my hands on one. I have found a size Large but was looking for an XL. Just curious, what is your saddle height in this picture? Measured from the center of BB to top of saddle. Enjoy that new bike.
I run 30.25" measured that way. I'm 6'1" tall. That's a 410mm Thomson setback post. Not sure how many MM are in the frame, but there's plenty left. My wife rides a medium frame and runs a 410mm post set 31" above the bb spindle.
Thanks, that helps. I run 32" center of BB to top of saddle.
Originally Posted by Scottytheoneandonly
I run 30.25" measured that way. I'm 6'1" tall. That's a 410mm Thomson setback post. Not sure how many MM are in the frame, but there's plenty left. My wife rides a medium frame and runs a 410mm post set 31" above the bb spindle.
Got my new beargrease out for a ride today on dry Denver area singletrack. (16.5 mi, 1300 feet of climbing, lots of fast descending and twisty gravel-over-hardpack. I love the traction and predictable break-away of the tires. The gearing was great. I did take note that it was less jumpy and more pumpy than my stumpjumper, and much harder to accelerate, but it was a blast to ride! This will be my new social ride bike, and I can't wait to get it on snow!
FYI I just got my large Beargrease last night. Had preplanned a little and swapped tubes for Qtubes ultralight 3" ers and my specialized toupe saddle. Borrowed saddle and $20 in tubes for a weight of 28.1 lbs. not bad huh. Glad I didn't go another route and spend my self to death just to get "close". Now I can put some into a bar, lighter cassette and maybe lighter rims and hubs/wheel set and get into serious territory. Meanwhile it's freakin amazing as is. Rolls up way better than the twenty2 bully and surly versions I've ridden. Now for some snow.............
And that's without pedals.
Last edited by Brogrease; 11-28-2012 at 09:18 PM.
Reason: Missing stats
Looks like we might have different weather here. My first ride today on my new Bear was at -32c. A quick loop on our local river trail was enuf to get a great feel for this awesome bike! WOW...
Last edited by Derek.Endress; 11-29-2012 at 10:32 AM.
Reason: adding pics
I recommend the Medium...I am 5'5" and ride the small, with the seatpost jacked up as high as it safely should go. It fits great, but with those extra 3" you should go medium.
Here's mine. Only mod so far was swapping out the blue hoops and setting up the black ones tubeless. Gonna roll it Saturday for the first boogie session
Here's mine. Only mod so far was swapping out the blue hoops and setting up the black ones tubeless. Gonna roll it Saturday for the first boogie session
I'm loving these reviews. I ride a Mukluk 2 and LOVE IT!! If anyone has ridden both and can compare it would be great. My Mukluk 2 weighs in at 34 pounds, sounds like the Beargrease could be brought in under 30 pounds rather easily. I'm glad my LBS doesn't have one in stock or I would own two fatbikes right now.
Looks like we might have different weather here. My first ride today on my new Bear was at -32c. A quick loop on our local river trail was enuf to get a great feel for this awesome bike! WOW...
I'm loving these reviews. I ride a Mukluk 2 and LOVE IT!! If anyone has ridden both and can compare it would be great. My Mukluk 2 weighs in at 34 pounds, sounds like the Beargrease could be brought in under 30 pounds rather easily. I'm glad my LBS doesn't have one in stock or I would own two fatbikes right now.
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