Our tall guy with a camera, Brad Quartuccio, reports once more from the NAHBS show. A couple of years it seems all the builders were making $10,000 townie bikes to show off their craft. This time it’s the turn of the fat bike. (Click on the pics to make them extra biggerer). Looking at some of these, you’d think that California was Frozen2, (er – frozen too, but can you see what we did there? Badum-tish)
Peacock Groove
Based in one of the coldest big cities in the United States, Peacock Groove is well versed in fat bikes and cold weather riding. If you want to ride in Minneapolis, you’re going to have to deal with some snow — there’s a reason the modern fat bike was more or less “invented” by the bike industry in and around Minneapolis. Erik Noren is one of the most talented builders around, with the creativity and finish work other wish they could harness so succinctly. This fat bike featuring color shifting paint, a Rohloff hub, and enough rack and bottle mounts to get plenty dangerous is no exception. Minneapolis, Minnesota. www.facebook.com/peacockgroove
Reeb Cycles
Oscar Blues Brewing started its own brand back in 2011, and in the years since, Reeb Cycles has established itself as a favorite Colorado-based builder. Along with a RockShox Bluto fork and red Gates Carbon Drive, this titanium fat bike features a built in Pinion gearbox, eliminating most external sources of drivetrain failure. While some fat bikes are meant to plod along on soft surfaces, this one is clearly meant to go fast, and go anywhere — note the upright position and dropper post. Longmont, Colorado. www.reebcycles.com
Retrotec Cycles
This Retrotec fat bike is the personal bike of builder Curtis Inglis, and was judged the Best Mountain Bike of NAHBS 2015. Curtis is the modern master of American cruiser-like frame construction fit for current use, and year after year brings out show favorites. Note the segmented fork and seatstay construction, and final prototype Paul Components disc brake calipers,190mm wide hub and matching thru-axle QR. Napa, California. www.ingliscycles.com
Wiseman Frameworks
David Wiseman is the rare mountain bike builder still choosing classic brazed steel construction throughout. Done well, brazed frames look seamless like carbon, yet the tubes remain classically proportioned. This fat bike features internal front triangle cable routing, and impeccable paint finishing.
Naperville, Illinois. www.wisemanframeworks.com
Comments (11)
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Lovely!
That Wiseman is beautiful. Almost looks like a normal bike. I really like Peacock Groove, too; Erik just does things differently.
The Reeb,looks like an awesome trailing conquering weapon.You have to love the workmanship and the paint finish
my Christ – the best Friday treat i’ve ever seen on STW
The Reeb is incredible – i even had a little sex wee 🙂
The new brake callipers from Paul Components look amazing.
Oooooo noice
I’m not fussed about fat bikes, so why do I “need” that Wiseman:-)
I so “need” a Wiseman! Can’t stop drooling…
Some beautiful things on display. Stunning attention to detail!
First time I’ve realised I need a Fat Bike…..
@Brad are you sure the Reeb is Ti?
Its the rowdiest fatbike I have seen; lovely
I think I _actually need_ a fatbike for next winter. Marathon Winters and an old SS’d DEAN just won’t cut it anymore.