Back in 2010, some 14 years ago almost to the day, I built my first fat bike, a Surly Pugsley, apparently named after the fat kid in the Addams Family. It came in a fetching sickly green colour called either curry squirt or grandpa’s jammies and it was quite a challenge actually building that bike. Not only had I never built a bike from scratch before and had to face a steep learning curve understanding how all the different components worked together but I also had to source parts from across the globe. The frame and tyres came from across the pond, from Jensen USA in California. All the other parts were sources either here in the UK or elsewhere in Europe.
Back in those days pre-built fat bikes, also referred to as fatties, were like hen’s teeth and building one was my only practical option. But thankfully, today, things are different and you can purchase a fully assembled fat bike fairly easily here in the UK. I say fairly easily as the so-called fat bike craze has passed its peak here in the UK and models are fast vanishing from many of the main bike brands. Once you could list 50 or so models but today only a handful, unless you fancy the complications of ordering from the USA where fat bike brands are still plentiful. However, a few brands have models still available, Trek with the Trek Farley and Salsa with their oddly named Beargrease. Surly also produce two fat bikes, the Wednesday and the Ice Cream Truck.
But before we delve any further into the topic of fat bikes, let me pose a question. Why do I desire to purchase another fat bike, especially when I’ve recently just got rid of one, something I’m not allowed to forget by certain parties at this domicile. And the simple answer is I miss having a fat bike. The thought of waking up one morning to a fresh coating of snow is not something I want to face when I don’t have a fat bike to ride. What I also miss is that magical feeling you get riding a fat bike across fresh snow up in the hills or across the sandy beaches and dunes of East Lothian. I want that old magic back.
Fat bike technology has also moved on since my first Surly Pugsley, a model now no longer in production. The major differences are mainly increased tyre sizes and lighter weight bikes with frames and forks made from carbon fibre. It must be said that early fat bikes were heavy beasts, not so noticeable when cycling but certainly when having to manhandle them. There were a few carbon fibre fat bikes available but only for those with very deep pockets indeed, and back then, my pockets were most definitely not deep.
Today, now that I’ve reached the fine old age of 63-years and happily retired, I’m amazed to say my pockets are now much deeper, something I find rather strange, and I can afford to purchase those fat bikes that were out of reach back in the day. By back in the day, I refer to the early 2000’s. So, with funds available, partners happy and room for another bike in the bike shed, what’s the plan?
There are four bikes in the list. One the one hand we have two from Surly, the Surly Wednesday (sister bike to the Surly Pugsley) and the Surly Ice Cream Truck (also known as the Surly ICT). Both are steel framed bikes and both weigh in around 16 kg. On the other hand, the Trek Farley 9.6 and the Salsa Beargrease C SLX, both have carbon fibre frames and forks and weight in around 13 Kg, so quite a lot lighter. I’m tempted towards the latter models but whether they are actually in stock for purchase is another matter. What is stated on the web site and what the real position is and often quite different.
All the above bikes are very similar and the main differences being geometry, frames and forks materials, components specifications and wheel/tyre combinations. And, of course, price. At the moment, I’m veering towards the Trek Farley (shown above), mainly because it comes in a lovely orange colour called lava and has matching front and rear racks available. It also looks like I’ll be able to actually purchase one without having to wait months for stock to arrive in the UK. I’ve sent a couple for emails out to see what the actual status is before ordering. Hope to find out more in a day or so.
Another aspect I’ve not mentioned with regards fat bikes is that I want to start making more fat biking videos. Back from 2010 onwards I made dozens of videos featuring the fat bike I had at the time, the Surly Pugsley, and had a blog called Pugsley on Patrol. My aim is to create many more of those. It’s actually very hard work making those videos. Even a short 5-minute film might contain a hundred different clips with each requiring considerable time and effort. For example, ride the scene, ride back, setup camera, ride scene, ride back, collect camera, ride on again. Can be back aching work.
This time round I have far better video and audio equipment including more advanced versions of the GoPro video camera, along with the GoPro Max a 360-degree video camera and also a compact and very portable DJI Neo video drone. The drone is something I longed for back then and now I can hopefully get those shots I’ve always wanted to record. One was to have the drone flying along beside me as I ride the fat bike along the top of the dunes out in Aberlady bay. Then there’s the audio equipment I now have, namely a Rode wireless microphone setup. So, looking forwards to getting back out filming again. Back soon.
Image curtesy of Trek UK.
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