So now we have a dedicated thread where we can find links to the handful of fatbike frame manufacturers out there...but I have yet to see any analysis of how those frames compare. What are the characteristics of the fatbikes frames available?
Excellent post IPA Rider (I'm an IPA fan too)...let's see if I can help.
Fatbike frames, issues, and characteristics (from what I can tell from websites available):
Surly Pugsley - http://www.surlybikes.com/pugsley.html
- Cost: $575 - $600
- Frame: chromo; 5.66lbs (18")
- Fork: 2.52 lbs uncut; 135mm spacing
- Wheel issues: 135mm hub spacing front and back; funky 17.5mm offset
- BB: 100mm
- Dropouts – horizontal
- Made in:
- Warranty:
- Ride: I don't know, never been on one
Fatback from Speedway - http://speedwaycyclesak.com/pages/fatback.html
- Cost: it says $1500 for frames; custom forks starting at $400 (is that on top of the 1.5K? I'm stoopid)
- Frame: sweet Ti, custom available with lots of fork options; 3.5lbs (18”)
- Fork:
- Wheel issues: 165mm rear spacing; no offset
- BB: 100mm
- Dropouts:
- Made in:
- Warranty: 3 yrs
- Ride: I don't know, never been on one
Wildfire Fatbike - http://www.wildfirecycles.com/fatbikes.html
- Cost: $995
- Frame: Chromo; 4.5lbs (19”); custom options
- Fork: 2.5lbs; spacing?
- Wheel issues: 160mm rear hub spacing; no offset
- BB:
- Dropouts:
- Made in:
- Warranty:
- Ride: I don't know, never been on one
Chain Reaction 9:Zero:7 - http://www.chainreactioncycles.us/907.html
- Cost: $1899
- Frame: Ti; 3.3lbs (17”)
- Fork:
- Wheel issues: 160mm rear spacing; offset?
- BB: 100mm
- Dropouts:
- Made in: USA
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Ride: I don't know, never been on one
Jones
- Not sure…in development?
As you can see, I’m pretty worthless regarding how these things ride (and don't have that much info to share on the rest), but this is a start on comparing the options. Perhaps others will EDIT AND ADD TO this…
here is my take on the lack of replies. most people are on their first snow bike at this time. think about it. a pugsley at 550. for a frameset is a deal. there is not much you can do on a pug that you can do better on a high end snow bike.
here is my take on the lack of replies. most people are on their first snow bike at this time. think about it. a pugsley at 550. for a frameset is a deal. there is not much you can do on a pug that you can do better on a high end snow bike.
Mostly the lack of reply is a show of respect to the other designers. All of us believe we have the best product, so what can you do. I can tell you why I think the Fatback is the best design, but I'm not going to do it here. Looks like most things got listed though. I will say the ride characteristics are much different on a Fatback than on a Pugs-no disrespect to the Pugs, just two different animals. Maybe that matters to you, maybe it doesn't.
I think thirstywork pretty much spelled it out. There are several nice frames to choose from, and each of them reflects the designer's ideas and philosophy on snow biking. Your best bet is to do some research, ride the different bikes if you can, and decide on your own.
Here is some additional information regarding the 9:ZERO:7:
Chain Reaction 9:Zero:7 - http://www.chainreactioncycles.us/907.html
- Cost: $1899
- Frame: Ti; 3.3lbs (17”)
- Fork: Built around a 450mm A-C, The Pugs 100mm fork will work. We also stock Black Sheep Ti and Desalvo forks to match.
- Wheel issues: 160mm rear spacing, non-offset
- BB: 100mm
- Dropouts: Vertical.
- Made in: USA
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Ride: Indisputably the best (This is an inside joke, so don't hammer me on this - I say it tongue in cheek).
Mostly the lack of reply is a show of respect to the other designers.
I almost made a similar speculation in the original post...and the fact that no one talks in such terms on this forum raises the posted question.
I don't want to stir things up in what seems to be a very positive group, but after reading the descriptions of the 9:zero:7 on their website, it got me thinking about how different they really ride, and what difference its features make.
It wouldn't be bad to get the design concept out there and what people think about the ride (without dissing others). Perhaps this isn't possible to do well (?)
I was looking for ride characteristics, but specs is all I could (begin to) come up with...thought they might help for folks looking to make a decision.
I just got the chance to spend a couple of hours on Thirstywork's own personal Fatback, and it did certainly ride quite differently than my Pugs. Then again it was fully rigid and my Pugs has a Mav SC32 fork and a Thudbuster post. My pugs probably weighs a solid 4 or 5 pounds more to boot. All this makes a real comparison difficult because the parts play a pretty dramatic role in how the bikes feel. I will say that both cruise the flats similarly, though the Fatback did accelerate and handle generally with a lighter feel. The steering was superb with absolute no-input-required tracking and neutral handling. My Pugs seems to wander a bit and the steering feels heavy. That may be a head angle issue due to the fork resulting in wheel flop. I hit the pedals on some snow chunk with the Fatback so the bb felt lower: again probably the forks. When standing to climb, the Fatback's overall light feel and superb handling stayed exactly the same while my Pugs feels like I'm doing the tango with a 200 pound octopus. This was the most obvious difference. I'll post up some pics soon.
If I find a sack of cash washed up on the beach I'll pick up a Fatback for me and Barny.
tscheezy, I appreciate the review. While I understand, and admire manufacturers/vendors showing the class to remain neutral in the conversation, it's difficult to drop as much on an unfinnished bicycle as my cousin dropped on a fully functional Kawasaki ZX6 a couple months ago, without having some real-world impressions.
I've been researching fat bikes for a little while now. The idea appeals to me alot. I've even called Sram about a Hammerschmidt with a 100mm BB compatability. They were less than enthusiastic with the idea. Shame, because a 2X system while keeping a clean chainline seems ideal.
Like others, I've dropped what I considered big money on new technologies and been disappointed. My Proflex 856 was a prime example. And it's not like I can just hop over to my LBS in Iowa to testride the newest fatbike. For some reason, fatbikes are not a regularly stocked item at my LBS. I've seen a few reviews online, but comparisons are difficult to come by.
Just tried out, should be on the market within 4-6 weeks:
- Cost: depending on tubing and finish between 500 & 800 $
- Weight: depending on tubing and finish choice between 4.2 and 3.75 lbs
- Frame: aluminium
- Wheel issues: 165mm rear spacing, no offset
- BB: 100mm
- Dropouts: vertical
- Made in: Belgium
- Warranty: 2 yrs
- Ride: pretty darn good, for my first try on a fatbike. Could do anything my 120mm fully can and much, much more.
- Package deals: can be sold with 70mm, 2 lbs pre-drilled rims, own 165mm Shimano type adjustable bearing rear hub with grease guard and likewise 100mm BB.
Plenty of space for wider rims and 3x9 speed. See pictures below with one of the prototypes I had the chance to try: 70mm rims, 3x9 and the usual Endomorphs. This one still had an Isis BB and a QR modified DT rear hub.
Sweet ride.
Ebay of all places, if you know of any other source for those skinwalls, let me know - I want a pair for my own fat bike to be. Much nicer than the black walled version if you want my opinion.
I just ordered their top of the line anodised, hydroformed XL frame with a steel fork and with all their special hubs and BB.
I think I'll give the Maverick fork a pass, I'm pretty big and could feel the fork twist sideways when braking (Avid Code's with 180mm disks mounted). I forgot after a while but it didn't inspire too much confidence...
They promised me I would have the frame in about 4 weeks time - will keep you posted how it turns out. I'm gonna go to try to mount it with full gears but "light" as an XC and sand rig, for the moment
Ebay of all places, if you know of any other source for those skinwalls, let me know - I want a pair for my own fat bike to be. Much nicer than the black walled version if you want my opinion.
I just ordered their top of the line anodised, hydroformed XL frame with a steel fork and with all their special hubs and BB.
I think I'll give the Maverick fork a pass, I'm pretty big and could feel the fork twist sideways when braking (Avid Code's with 180mm disks mounted). I forgot after a while but it didn't inspire too much confidence...
They promised me I would have the frame in about 4 weeks time - will keep you posted how it turns out. I'm gonna go to try to mount it with full gears but "light" as an XC and sand rig, for the moment
That frame looks nice! Do you have contact info for the manufacturer? If so, please post. Thx.
That frame looks nice! Do you have contact info for the manufacturer? If so, please post. Thx.
Will do as soon as I can and they let me, they want to come out with the finished products (choice of tubing, forks, hubs and BB) and the options (like anodising, integrated or normal headset, horizontal or vertical dropouts, 70mm rims) all at the same time.
They promised me mine (hydroformed tubing, anodised, their rigid fork, hubs and BB, vertical dropout, normal headset, gear rack attachments and two water bottle fittings) will be the first "client" one, ready in about a month. By then their website pages will be up and running, if not earlier.
They won't sell the prototypes (the medium one on the pictures was non-butted, plain tubing and painted with a spray can ). They told me once they've everything in place for production an order would be honoured in summertime within two weeks tops, in winter a bit longer because they've got too much work building other (cyclocross and track) frames.
Which reminds me, they can also do steel frames - no titanium.
I'm pretty curious to see their hubs which will have adjustable bearings, like Shimano hubs. With a kind of grease guard. In my point of view a huge advantage over industrial bearings, especially for this application (general use of this type of bike, expedition reliability...).
The BB will be a 100mm one with external bearings, haven't seen one of those either. I'll certainly post something here when I show my new stead on the pictures thread , or sooner when their fat bike site is up.
PS I also ordered a pair of their 70mm rims, but I'm wondering about something: are similar rims that "loose" ? Meaning the tire almost drops off when not inflated ? Once inflated they stay put, even at very low pressures. But I had one tire slowly deflate with a tiny puncture when on a car rack and after a while the wind blew the tire off the rim. I had to stop because the tube was flapping in the air.
Makes it almost too easy to change tubes, the tire keeps slipping off the rim like five times when inflating with a handpump.
Until the tube expands a bit and seats the tire against the rim sides. I think I read something about similar rims being a pain when trying to get a tire off or on ?
I've been winter biking for 20 years now and I'm happy report I've finally joined the fat tire club!! I've been winter biking for a long time on SnowCats and big tires, but the new dedicated snow bike offerings have now surpassed my expectations by a mile. They just work and work well. To be clear, I have limited amounts of time on fat bikes, but all I can say is they make the marginal snow conditions a blast to ride. I would typically go XC skiing in those conditions, but the snow bike makes the riding possible if not more fun than XC skiing. I dropped some coin on a Ti frameset and it should be ready for next winter. I haven't been this excited about a new bike for a long time.
Like you, I was unwilling to get into the market early on because I recognized the technology and designs were far too fluid. I first saw a pugsly about 5-6 years ago and thought "there's an interesting idea", but was unwilling to commit give how new it was. But, standards are now being set and the bar has been set with creation the original Fatback a couple of year ago and now the new 907; 100mm BB, 160 mm rear hubs (symmetrical rear ends), 135mm front hubs (Pauls and Phil Woods), Cranks with X-type BB (Surly), 80-mm single wall rims, slacker headtube angles, longer chainstays, and compact geometries for a more up-right riding position. It's all come together this past season and it makes sense to me to jump in. Plus, AK seems to be the nexsus for this new development and I’m glad to be apart of it.
I predict the popularity curve will accelerate with a production AL fat bike version with these new standards. I hope to see as many fat bikers as skiers in the next few years here in Anchorage!!
Regards,
EndUser
__________________ My advice and $3 will buy you nothing more than a tunafish sandwich.
I've been winter biking for 20 years now and I'm happy report I've finally joined the fat tire club!! I've been winter biking for a long time on SnowCats and big tires, but the new dedicated snow bike offerings have now surpassed my expectations by a mile. They just work and work well. To be clear, I have limited amounts of time on fat bikes, but all I can say is they make the marginal snow conditions a blast to ride. I would typically go XC skiing in those conditions, but the snow bike makes the riding possible if not more fun than XC skiing. I dropped some coin on a Ti frameset and it should be ready for next winter. I haven't been this excited about a new bike for a long time.
Like you, I was unwilling to get into the market early on because I recognized the technology and designs were far too fluid. I first saw a pugsly about 5-6 years ago and thought "there's an interesting idea", but was unwilling to commit give how new it was. But, standards are now being set and the bar has been set with creation the original Fatback a couple of year ago and now the new 907; 100mm BB, 160 mm rear hubs (symmetrical rear ends), 135mm front hubs (Pauls and Phil Woods), Cranks with X-type BB (Surly), 80-mm single wall rims, slacker headtube angles, longer chainstays, and compact geometries for a more up-right riding position. It's all come together this past season and it makes sense to me to jump in. Plus, AK seems to be the nexsus for this new development and I’m glad to be apart of it.
I predict the popularity curve will accelerate with a production AL fat bike version with these new standards. I hope to see as many fat bikers as skiers in the next few years here in Anchorage!!
Regards,
EndUser
Aluminum isn't my favorite frame material, but for a winter bike here in the salt belt, it makes more sense than steel. Ti seems like the best investment with all the salt around here in the winter. Dunno, I suppose it will be a matter of how the economy treats me.
Nice looking Terrain Camino - where was this Bike Test Ridden and photo taken?
The designers knew I was going to the Hoggar desert (south rim of the Sahara, Algeria) to prepare a mtb raid and asked to take the prototype along and give it a beating - which I did
Good thinking of them, because I ordered one my size afterwards (the prototype they gave me was a M size and I'm like 6' 5"). Hence the really long seat tube and the stack of spacers below the stem.
I tested it on a variety of terrains, from soft sand in the washes to rock gardens where it was really difficult to even walk.
I had read enough (here for instance) about fat bikes to expect their good performance on soft stuff: Even on very soft sand it was perfectly possible to keep on riding. I didn't even once bog down (fully laden with water and gear my total weight was about 265 lbs, not counting the bike). Not even in the real fine stuff. Amazing.
But what made me decide to order one was its stunning performance over rough terrain. I own a Marin Mount Vision which I decked out with 2.4 tires. Very happy with the bike. But it gets relegated to second place over really rough terrain like some of those rock gardens I had to cross, go up and rocky singletracks with sharp turns. Opens up whole new possibilities for me to go biking.
I posted some pictures on the appropriate thread, I hope you enjoy them:
another frame with 165 rear spacing can only be good news for fatback owners. especially being on the other side of the world. more demand for 165 hubs might translate into wider availability and possibly lower prices for hubs of that size.
two of the italian cyclists in the iditarod were riding one off aluminum snowbikes, made custom just for them. they were both offset as far as i could tell though.
I understand EndUser's enthusiasm, but I do still get the feeling that this niche has a a lot of room for development. Lot's of nice options out there that are REALLY tempting, but I get paralyzed by the classic dilemma of when to jump into the technology stream (it took me forever to get an HDTV). Given that the winter riding season is about closed here, I'll be waiting and watching until late this fall. But next winter I WILL be fatbiking (regardless of what the Family Financial Officer says)!
I believe the foundational standards are set. Beyond this we can expect evolution to proceed normally. Specifically, what are you concerned about?? Standards and/or price??
What this market needs now are lower cost 165mm symmetrical rear AL frames in mass production. This will then drive additional component manufactures into producing more and cheaper fat bike specific parts. More choices around BBs, Cranks, hubs, rims, tires, forks and front derailleurs would be very nice. Right now we are paying premium for these parts.... but as early adopters we should expect this.
Regards,
EndUser
__________________ My advice and $3 will buy you nothing more than a tunafish sandwich.
I believe the foundational standards are set. Beyond this we can expect evolution to proceed normally. Specifically, what are you concerned about?? Standards and/or price??
What this market needs now are lower cost 165mm symmetrical rear AL frames in mass production. This will then drive additional component manufactures into producing more and cheaper fat bike specific parts. More choices around BBs, Cranks, hubs, rims, tires, forks and front derailleurs would be very nice. Right now we are paying premium for these parts.... but as early adopters we should expect this.
Regards,
EndUser
to run a 2x7 on 9 speed spacing with hundies, you need the cassette 21mm to the right of where it is on a 135 spaced frame. I think we need 180mm rear spacing.....
to run a 2x7 on 9 speed spacing with hundies, you need the cassette 21mm to the right of where it is on a 135 spaced frame. I think we need 180mm rear spacing.....
100 mm rims, the solution on 165mm rears (with 100 mm BB) has been to space out a 9-sp cassette away from the hub flange then drop the two (or three) smallest cogs. This will grant the proper chain clearance regarding tire rub and doesn't affect the Q-factor.
So, if 180 mm is a rear standard..... what happens to the Q-factor? Do, BB widths also need to get wider and/or do spindle lengths get wider effectively widening q-factor??
It's hard to de-couple Q-factor and width of the rear.... they have to move in lock step or chain lines start to get out of whack quick. Wider q-factors might be fine for some the smaller riders will certainly suffer.
Anyhow... here in AK, 70-80 mm rims seem to be the norm. Only those that are racing seem to run the biggest rims.
Regards,
EndUser
__________________ My advice and $3 will buy you nothing more than a tunafish sandwich.
100 mm rims, the solution on 165mm rears (with 100 mm BB) has been to space out a 9-sp cassette away from the hub flange then drop the two (or three) smallest cogs. This will grant the proper chain clearance regarding tire rub and doesn't affect the Q-factor.
So, if 180 mm is a rear standard..... what happens to the Q-factor? Do, BB widths also need to get wider and/or do spindle lengths get wider effectively widening q-factor??
It's hard to de-couple Q-factor and width of the rear.... they have to move in lock step or chain lines start to get out of whack quick. Wider q-factors might be fine for some the smaller riders will certainly suffer.
Anyhow... here in AK, 70-80 mm rims seem to be the norm. Only those that are racing seem to run the biggest rims.
Regards,
EndUser
My rear hub is offset 20.5mm to the drive side. I can clear only 7 of the 9 speed-spaced sprockets. With a 165mm centered hub, that is effectively the same as 15mm of offset on 135. By my calculations, that means i could only fit 5 sprockets in the rear and still have the chain clear the tire. How are others getting away with more gears? Longer chainstays? just letting it rub occasionally?
On my 20.5mm-offset 135mm-spaced (functionally the same as 176mm width non offset) frame, the chainline is actually pretty good. I think it is better than on my standard chainline MTB, in that the frequently used gears line up pretty well. The q-factor is the same as just about any other 100mm bb, and I see no reason for it to need to get wider unless tires get bigger than 4.3"
My rear hub is offset 20.5mm to the drive side. I can clear only 7 of the 9 speed-spaced sprockets. With a 165mm centered hub, that is effectively the same as 15mm of offset on 135. By my calculations, that means i could only fit 5 sprockets in the rear and still have the chain clear the tire. How are others getting away with more gears? Longer chainstays? just letting it rub occasionally?
On my 20.5mm-offset 135mm-spaced (functionally the same as 176mm width non offset) frame, the chainline is actually pretty good. I think it is better than on my standard chainline MTB, in that the frequently used gears line up pretty well. The q-factor is the same as just about any other 100mm bb, and I see no reason for it to need to get wider unless tires get bigger than 4.3"
What frame are you riding?
The Fatbacks and the 907s (both have 165mm symetrical rears with 100mm BB) can be ridden with a fully equiped tripple chainring set-up and run a full 9-sp complement with 80mm rims without chain rub. I demo'd a 907 with this set-up and it worked like a dream.
I don't know about the Fatback, but the 907 does use longer chainstays.
The Fatbacks and the 907s (both have 165mm symetrical rears with 100mm BB) can be ridden with a fully equiped tripple chainring set-up and run a full 9-sp complement with 80mm rims without chain rub. I demo'd a 907 with this set-up and it worked like a dream.
I don't know about the Fatback, but the 907 does use longer chainstays.
wow... the chainstays on that 907 look to be about 2" longer than mine.... The endo on the 100mm rims measures out at 4.29" (at 15 psi) on my calipers. It sort of makes sense that it doesn't take much difference in overall width to open up the possibility of more gears.... then the long stays on top of that have to help a bit. I was considering going with a narrower rim next time around to give the rim more protection from rocks, but so far it hasn't been a problem at all. maybe I will still go with narrower rims on the basis of gearing...
I am having trouble viewing this thread on my tiny laptop, so I may be asking a dumb question, but did caminoloco ever give the frame manufacturer's name?
Hey Caminoloco, any more news on the Belgium frames?
Yep, I just got a call from the builder that he'll deliver the 3 frames and forks (two of my friends also ordered one) next wednesday.
I'll post pictures of all: two hydroformed, triple butted alu ones and a triple butted steel frame with oversized tubing. All steel forks, one with all the braze ons for panniers.
I'm from Belgium and didn't know anything about a belgian framebuilder/company designing a fatbike.
And I recently (last weekend, during the world cup in Houffalize) put this probably enormous stupid idea in my head to buy myself a rigid fatbike and race it next year in Houffa.
Just took some pictures of our 3 brand new fatbike frames "in the nude". Tomorrow they're going off to various directions to be powdercoated and shotblasted but I coudn't wait and intercepted them
The first one is the steel frame, nice oversized tubing with the top tube ovalized: wide from above, narrow seen from the sides. Weighs in at 2250 grams, medium size.
This is the steel frame seen from above. We all want to install continuous cable housing for the shifters. The 3 cable guides in a row lengthwise are for that, to keep all cable and hose lines clean & straight without resorting to straps.
This is the steel fork, weighs 1140 grams. This one has all possible pannier braze-ons.
The hydroformed aluminium frames (a medium for another friend and an XL for myself). Pretty impressive and "something else" than what's on the market now - I love the looks and can't wait to have it assembled. The medium weighs 1740 gr and the XL 1890 grams.
Nice welds !
In a few weeks time the fatbike population of Belgium will boom
The guy said he will have his website/webshop up and running by the end of next week or beginning of the week afterwards. He's starting with the 3 frame options (straight alu, hydroform alu, oversized steel) and the steel fork. The geometry on all bikes is the same and things like integrated or not headset, type and number of cable guides and pannier braze-ons can be specified when ordering. Pretty cool.
Weightwise I saw this on my scale, for medium sized frames with pannier braze-ons:
- non-butted alu 1920 gr
- butted & hydroformed alu 1740 gr
- butted oversized steel 2250 gr
- steel fork with all the braze-ons 1140 gr
From ordering to sending he told me it should take between one and two weeks for untreated frames. He'll have powdercoated and shotblasted (satin) finish options which would add another two weeks.
I'll post the URL when it's up.
I'm going to have mine shotblasted to a satin finish and then a clear powdercoat over it, I like the look of unpainted metal.
Hey Caminoloco and Hydrus, I'm from Belgium too! Fatbikes seem incredibly interesting to me, even though we don't get that much snow, do we? Any chance where I could try out a fatbike in our 'low' country? I live in Geraardsbergen, by the way. I bet it would be fun to ride up and down 'De Muur' on a fatbike, especially taking the steps :P And I've got some other places in mind to test fat tires around here...
__________________
If money were no object, what would you do with your life?
Snow is obviously one good use for fatbikes but roots and rock gardens are too!
I like the ability of high volume tyres (and I'm talking about 2.3-2.4 max, havn't ridden anything bigger) to absorb the terrain.
I don't like gears, I don't like suspension.
I found a way to solve the 'wrong gear' problem: walk when the gear is too high or get my feet of the pedals (fixed gear) when the gear is too low. And I think I now found the way to solve the suspension problem. (I've ridden many forks, Fatty's, Lefty's, Reba's, SID, Fox but none does what I want it to do)
I'm really looking forward to testriding a fatbike to see if I like it as much as I think I would
Hey Caminoloco and Hydrus, I'm from Belgium too! Fatbikes seem incredibly interesting to me, even though we don't get that much snow, do we? Any chance where I could try out a fatbike in our 'low' country? I live in Geraardsbergen, by the way. I bet it would be fun to ride up and down 'De Muur' on a fatbike, especially taking the steps :P And I've got some other places in mind to test fat tires around here...
Hey, I didn't know there are so many fat tire lovers in little Belgium !
PM me (in het "Vloms" mag ). I'm from the middle of the country. You're welcome to give my bike a spin once it's finished, it's an XL and it'll be a "rough terrain" steed - with a Maverick fork and a Gravity Dropper seatpost.
The rest of these bikes are medium sized ones, the other "hydroform" guy wants his bike as high end as possible (XTR or XO), built for speed on sand and the other one will build his steel one up for expedition use.
It will be interesting to see what they end up like and how the parts will influence the ride, considering they all have the same geometry.
I'm pretty sure they'll let you try out their bikes as well if you want to.
Tip: lure your biking friends to the gnarliest stretches of cobblestones you can find. To a fatbike it's like tarmac
This is so great, a European builder of fatties, who would have thunk it! I will tell all my my buddies (several) that want the fat that theres a easier way than even the Pugsley avaliable now. Keep that flame burning now!
__________________
If you pay peanuts - you get monkeys!
If you hire monkeys - they only think about banana!
Just got back from two weeks abroad without internet (yes, those places still exist ). Tomorrow I'll go get my and my mates' frames, which should be finished by now. And check on the progress of his webshop.
I do hope my frame is ready, because I'm going to participate in a "Enduro" race next saturday. 4 timed downhill runs over rough terrain (no freeriding), linked together with non-timed stretches. Normally it's done with fullies with 6" travel front and rear. But after trying the fat bike out in the rough stuff of southern Algeria I'm pretty certain I can do it with on those fat tires as well. Should be mayor fun, if only for the looks on the faces of my fellow competitors
I've got all components ready and will take the bike on it's maiden trip there - expect some pictures next week monday... if I survive... I'd better get a full-faced helmet, just in case
At last, "habemus papam"... white smoke I just got my Sandman Gobi frame. It looks stunning: glassblasted aluminium with a clear powdercoat.
Too busy now to take pictures, I still have to make a bike out of it and race it in the French Ardennes tomorrow morning !!
I'll post pictures when/if I survive next week when I get back.
The guy is still working on the webshop but at least he's got the initial page up with his email for all enquiries: www.sandmanbikes.com
I'd like to take credit for the name, but not quite. When asked for possible names I remembered a post somewhere on this forum (can't find it right away, will do next week) where someone presented his fat bike with the title "Enter Sandman". That stuck and apparently the builder liked it too
Have you some more details on the Sandman frames like:
rear hub and front hub spacing
BB shell size
offset or non-offset wheels
would be nice
THX
Rear hub is 165mm (but I hear they're probably going to offer a 155mm option). Front forks will be standard and 135mm options. BB 100mm. Non-offset wheels (for the 165mm at least).
I got my Sandman Gobi finished at 3 am (together with half a crate of beer...) , to bed around 4, rose at 7 and started in a enduro (between all-mountain and freeride) race with it at 10 am... without having ridden it for more than 100 yards. My first run was a disaster - just too much nerves, my second runs' time put me in the better half of the 100-participants field
The race took all day with two more runs in the late afternoon, but those I had to forfeit due to family obligations. But I left a very happy fat-tired biker !
Those big tires are no subsitute for 6" of suspension, but I had a blast and got incredulous looks from everyone who saw me coming
The bike is real, real good, everything I expected from it and more (it isn't too heavy and climbs real well). I felt immediately right at home on it, it fits me like a glove, very stable as expected, high BB so I can keep on pedalling in the rough stuff. Heaps of rear tire clearance: with a 70mm rim I think there's still about an inch of space on either side of the Endomorph. And, last but not least, it looks stunning, the curves of the frame give it a special, elegant look in combination with those huge tires. The frame is glass-blasted with a clear powdercoat finish.
Here are some pictures, I hope there will be some action shots from during the race on the organisers website because in all the rush I forgot my camera... these were taken afterwards around the campfire - finishing off the other half-a-crate
Here's a shot (I took a bunch from every possible angle !) of the rear triangle. It almost makes the tire look skinny...
It's on a 70mm rim, so the tire is wider than on a Surly rim, it only just fits the Maverick fork (you can get an idea on one of the campfire pictures).
In case anyone's wondering, I had zero problems hitting the rear triangle with my shoes (I got a size 13).
Looks like a 70mm front/100mm rear combo may well be the one to run with a Mav up front.
I see you decided to keep your Maverick as you did say you were thinking about a rigid fork earlier. What made you change your mind as a matter of interest?
P.S:- I wouldn`t swap back to rigid, I love my Mav
I see you decided to keep your Maverick as you did say you were thinking about a rigid fork earlier. What made you change your mind as a matter of interest?
P.S:- I wouldn`t swap back to rigid, I love my Mav
That's because I discovered the lock-out knob on the prototype's Maverick fork... after trying that for about 20 yards I decided not to go entirely rigid
Not for the use I'm putting it through anyway (a gravity dropper seatpost is on its way), but I did order a normal-hub rigid fork. If I go ride on the beach I'll swap the Maverick for that one.
What I like about the Maverick is its decent suspension action. Not world class, but decent. But it flexes like hell (I'm a big guy) and it's a pain to install the front wheel.
Here's a shot (I took a bunch from every possible angle !) of the rear triangle. It almost makes the tire look skinny...
It's on a 70mm rim, so the tire is wider than on a Surly rim, it only just fits the Maverick fork (you can get an idea on one of the campfire pictures).
In case anyone's wondering, I had zero problems hitting the rear triangle with my shoes (I got a size 13).
Wow great looking bike... Mind if I repost these pics on my blog with credit and a link back here?
That's because I discovered the lock-out knob on the prototype's Maverick fork... after trying that for about 20 yards I decided not to go entirely rigid
Not for the use I'm putting it through anyway (a gravity dropper seatpost is on its way), but I did order a normal-hub rigid fork. If I go ride on the beach I'll swap the Maverick for that one.
What I like about the Maverick is its decent suspension action. Not world class, but decent. But it flexes like hell (I'm a big guy) and it's a pain to install the front wheel.
I`m 260 LBs and whilst I would say the Mav is not the most rigid fork it does do all that I ask it too.
I ride on the beach with my Mav and have to say it`s much better than riding with a rigid front. All the corragations in the sand are damped down beautifully.
The fork guards keep most of the sand off the sliders too.
It`s a very easy fork to work on as well.
I'm wondering when the sandman website become's "active"
I would love just to see more pictures of the three diferent frame's and the fork options etc..
I'm wondering when the sandman website become's "active"
I would love just to see more pictures of the three diferent frame's and the fork options etc..
guido
+1
I just got official clearance from the family financial officer to buy a fatbike (acting like a four year old crying "I wanna fatbike, I wanna fatbike" for the last year and a half finally paid off (FWIW - I believe the key here is integrating the whine with arm flapping and foot stomping so as to not simply annoy, but effectively convey the depth of one's true longing for and commitment to having a fatbike).
So come fall it will be decision time. If I can swing the budget, I'm leaning toward a Fatback...if not, the budget option is obviously a Pug. It would be nice to have something intermediate in price that doesn't weigh a ton. I'm also hoping for some better fork options (price and weight wise). In any case--WOO-HOO! Thanks Sweetie!
...how about an update on Sandman Bikes. I've tried emailing them a while ago but didn't get a reply. Can we get them to give us a substantive update on this thread? What do you hear?
+1
I've tried asking for information all over the net, and everybody said mail them on sales@sandmanbikes.com.. So I did and still no reaction.
Maybe the economical crisis got to them to?
+1
I've tried asking for information all over the net, and everybody said mail them on sales@sandmanbikes.com.. So I did and still no reaction.
Maybe the economical crisis got to them to?
Guido
Nothing bad happened, I spoke to him today (he has my fixed fork for normal hubs ready, I'll post a picture of it when I get it).
He does have trouble getting the "special parts" together. The Taiwanese contacts he has for BB' and rear hubs are incredibly slow to respond and he wants that figured out before he starts selling his frames.
He said "...no use me selling frames if people have trouble assembling them into complete bikes...". He did promise to answer his mails, didn't get to it because he was quite busy building road frames (thanks to the Tour de France cycling madness ).
I just can't believe the change from a year ago. Not just the volume of choices but also the quality of those choices and it just keeps getting better. It will be cool to see this thread in another year.
I'm waiting a bit longer to buy ,have some other projects to finish ('Doggy 8, On One SS) but I hope by next winter to have my fatbike ready as well. Then load up the van and go looking for some snow
). They told me once they've everything in place for production an order would be honoured in summertime within two weeks tops, in winter a bit longer because they've got too much work building other (cyclocross and track) frames. 
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