The Fatbikes of Interbike '15-Part 2

The large number of fatbike offerings at this year's Interbike and Outdoor Demo proves that fatbikes are not a fad.  Many new things were seen including new lightweight carbon frames, multiple wheel size options and new fatbike tech.  There was something here for every size, budget and ability.  Some of these bikes are now available while others are coming to your local bike shop in the near future.

Origin8

Origin8's Amarok XLT was introduced at Interbike and according to their Facebook page, it will retail for under $1000 but no further information could be found on the web or J&B Imports' website regarding details of the build and when it would be available.

The Scout XLT comes with SRAM X7 shifters, a 2X10 drivetrain with a SRAM X5 crankset and Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes with 6 bolt 180mm rotors.  Sizes are 15.5", 17.5", 19.5" and 21" and retails for around $1600.

Borealis

Borealis premiered their new carbon fiber model, the Crestone which they claim is the "lightest and toughest carbon fatbike on the market".  It comes in two color choices and two builds, SRAM XO1 or XX1 components.  The SRAM XO1 build lists for $5150 and the XX1 build lists for $6050.

The Borealis Flume "capitalizes on all the sweetness of the Crestone, but does so in lightweight, 6000-series aluminum".  It comes with SRAM GX components, a Bluto suspension fork, two color choices and hand-built wheels for $2399.

9:Zero:7

9:Zero:7 debuted their new carbon race model, the Whiteout Team Edition fatbike.  The build they had at the Outdoor Demo weighed in at an incredibly light 18 lbs. 15 ounces.  No word yet on when it will be available but I was told that the frameset would list at $3100.

KHS

KHS was at the Outdoor Demo and the show with several models from their 4 Season line.  The 4 Season 3000 (shown above) comes with a 2X10 drivetrain with SRAM X9 Type 2 rear derailleur and SRAM X7 front derailleur with SRAM X7 shifters.  This model also sports Hayes Prime Sport hydraulic disc brakes and Vee Rubber Snowshoe XL 4.8" folding bead tires.  Retail price is $2199.

For the more budget-minded rider there is the 4 Season 1000 which also comes with a 2X10 drivetrain but with a SRAM X7 rear derailleur and SRAM X5 front derailleur with SRAM X5 shifters.  Hayes Dyno hydraulic disc brakes and knobby 4" folding bead tires round off this build which lists for $1399.

Fatback

Fatback introduced their new carbon Skookum trail-ready fatbike at the Outdoor Demo.  This bike optimized for 1X drivetrains comes with a 197mm rear axle, Bluto suspension fork and 4.8" tires but can also accommodate 27.5+ and 29+ tires.  Pricing and availability are not available yet but Fatback is expected to release that information soon.

Devinci

Canadian bike company Devinci enters the fatbike market with their 2016 Minus RS.  This is an aluminum frame build with a 1X10 drivetrain, Avid BB5 mechanical disc brakes and Vee Bulldozer 4.7" tires.  This bike will be available in small, medium and large.  No information yet on availability but the list price is $1599.

Surly

Surly introduced their new "OmniTerra" bike, Wednesday to riders at the Outdoor Demo.  With Surly's proprietary 4130 CroMoly steel frame, this new offering boasts a centered 170/177 mm rear end, is Bluto-ready, comes with the new My Other Brother Darryl 80mm-wide tubeless compatible rims and 3.8" Surly Nate tires.  Wednesday's new one-piece cast Surly Dropout allows for more clearance that will fit 4.6 ̋ tires.  The fork will accommodate tires up to 5.25".  Comes in Robins Egg Blue for only $1499.

Interbike 2015 Outdoor Demo Finds

I spent two days looking at all the new offerings from the bike industry and what a better place to see them first and test some of them out than at the Interbike Outdoor Demo.  While my posts concentrate on the fatbike and gravel scene, I came across some products for those that also share my interests.  Below are some of my finds.

Vee Tire Snowshoe XL

Vee Tire is introducing the Snowshoe XL Studded fatbike tire for 2016 with a 120 tpi folding bead (shown above) and a 72 tpi wire bead with a silica compound that is designed to hold traction at lower temperatures.  This 4.8 inch studable version has 240 carbide-tip studs and a Vee rep told me the folding bead will retail around $200 putting it more affordable than 45NRTH's folding bead Dillinger 5 and Bontrager's 3.8" Gnarwhal.

9:Zero:7 Whiteout Team

The 2016 9:Zero:7  Whiteout Team carbon limited edition frame/fork combo to build up was displayed at the Outdoor demo as a super lightweight build of 18 lbs. 15 oz.  $3100 price tag to start your build.  This bike was crazy light and is expected to be the fatbike racing choice coming into this Winter.  Get one before they are all gone.

Raleigh Roker

 

For the gravel enthusiast, Raleigh has taken the Tamland to the next level with two lightweight carbon choices.  The Raleigh Roker LTD is their top-notch carbon gravel/adventure bike with clearance for tires bigger than 40c, hydraulic disc brakes and Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting.  MSRP on the Roker LTD is $5299.99.  For the budget-minded cyclist that wants the same lightweight carbon chassis there is the Raleigh Roker Comp.  This model features the new Shimano 105 shifter and hydraulic disc brakes with a price tag coming in at $3299.99.

Crank Brothers Candy 7

Crank Brothers introduced its new Candy 7 pedal for 2016.  Although not yet available, the Candy 7 is "competition-oriented with new integrated traction pad" with an all new body shape.  This pedal has upgraded the Candy 3's inner needle bearing with an igus LL-glide bearing and an enduro cartridge outer bearing that the rep told me would not have to be rebuilt as often as the Candy 3.  When available, the Candy 7 will retail for $165 a pair.

SKS Fatboard Fender Set

Coming in January from SKS is the Fatboard Fender Set.  The quick-release rear fender with an adjustable two-hinge arm to accommodate your bike's geometry and a downtube front fender with straps,  they quickly and easily attach to to the bike.  Made of rigid plastic, they have plenty of coverage to keep you dry on those messy Winter/Spring rides. MSRP is $54.99 for the set.

GoPro Hero4 Session

GoPro introduces their new Hero4 Session, which is their "smallest, lightest, most convenient camera yet".  It shoots video in 1080p60 and photos in 8MP.  This tiny camera weighs in at only 74 grams and has an easy one-button control to capture video or time-lapse photos.  Use it with the free GoPro app for your smartphone or the Smart Remote to access most of its modes.  It is compatible with all GoPro mounts, is waterproof to 10m and has Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity for remote app control and social media sharing.  Available now for $399.99.

Surly Wednesday

I had a chance to ride Surly's newest offering, the Wednesday fatbike.  It's a 100% Surly 4130 CroMoly steel frame bike who's geometry I felt really comfortable with.  I test rode a small frame and it felt really good out on the trails at Bootleg Canyon.  I don't have a chance to experience the elevation changes and climbing like Bootleg Canyon has to offer and this bike made me feel right at home on trails that are much more technical than those back in Minnesota. The Surly Nate tires grabbed the loose terrain nicely proving that they are not just a snow tire.

With its 2X10 drivetrain, I never felt the need to shift into the smallest chainring on some of the steeper climbs where converting the Wednesday to a 1X10 drivetrain is definitely an option.  This bike is Bluto-ready and comes with the new My Other Brother Darryl tubless-ready rims for the affordable price of $1499.

Q & A with Winter Ultra Endurance Athlete Charly Tri

Image Credit: Tina Stiller

With the completion of the Arrowhead 135 earlier this week and several other really tough ultras coming up, I wanted to talk to a veteran of this type of demanding fatbike racing.  Charly Tri of Rochester came to mind having competed in both the Arrowhead 135 and the Iditarod Trail Invitational.  The extreme cold combined with the long distances of these races can be tough on equipment and even tougher on the athletes that compete in them.  I got in touch with Charly and he was happy to answer some question so we can find out what it takes to race a Winter Ultra.

How do you prepare mentally and choose the equipment/clothing for the extreme cold that both the Iditarod Trail Invitational and Arrowhead 135 are known for?

"Well that is a 2 pronged answer I guess. Mentally I try to put myself into scenarios and think about what I would do. For instance, I had planned what I would do if I broke through ice and found myself soaking wet in nowhere Alaska at sub freezing temps (cry and yell a lot). Equipment and clothing would involve a lot of reading, testing, read more, test more, ask other guys I know, test more, repeat. It is funny, but as people moan about cold temps coming, riders doing this rejoice...more testing!"

Image Credit: Sveta Vold

Being an endurance athlete, how do you adjust for your asthma in the extreme cold?

"I am not sure I am the guy to ask, as I still have issues! My first Arrowhead I dropped out with an asthma attack at -20F not knowing I even had asthma. I had my suspicions, but nothing like that! Mayo Clinic has been one destination along with the drugs that brings. The Coldavenger has been a big step in the right direction for sure. I wear it anytime it is below freezing. I remember one Arrowhead all I did was focus on keeping my breathing steady and relaxed. Also, finding triggers are a big issue. I have found to stay away from processed sugar and alcohol. Processed food in general is bad news, better to stay away from it. I am human though. I forget, do things I shouldn't, pay for it, and learn from it."

Image Credit: Charly Tri

How has your asthma affected you in past years' races? What have you learned to manage it and has using the ColdAvenger cold weather facemask helped you?

Image Credit: Charly Tri

"Oh, I have DNF'd out of 2 Arrowhead 135's and 1 Tuscobia 150 because my asthma was so bad I could barely stand or worse. Iditarod I had issues coming out of every checkpoint, took 1/2 hour or so for the breathing to calm down and settle into a nice pace. The Coldavenger makes the cold possible for my lungs."
 




The brutal cold was definitely a factor at last year's Arrowhead 135. What were some of the lessons learned that will help you this year?

"Well, last year had plenty of cold days so plenty of time to test. I ended flatting about an hour into the race at close to -30F. I found out that tubes are awfully stiff at that temp and the seam will burst really easily when filling quickly with a co2:) Took me a bit to figure out why my tube wasn't taking air as it happened silently. Also found out that I have at least one friend in Ben Doom, whom stop to help. At those temps the nature of your equipment takes on a whole new dimension. I could probably write a few pages on how things change at those temps as is pretty crazy. Just imagine having to unfold a tube using the force of both hands as it is so stiff. Pretty nuts, and as long as you come out the other end healthy, pretty cool. My race ended early at the 1st checkpoint as I was battling sickness though which was pretty disappointing." 

Image Credit: James Stull

What are the coldest and most challenging temperatures/weather conditions you have raced in and what helped you through it?

"-30F would be the coldest air temp. I went on some rides last year when the windchill was around -50F. What got me through it? The fear of dying I guess. Also, the thought that I need to master those temps to prepare for the time it is even worse. You can't fool around or take things for granted. Honestly, I wish I had more opportunities to ride and train in those temps. I am jealous of those Fairbanks guys. You know, it is not like I started riding at these temps overnight. It has been a progression." 

Image Credit: Charly Tri

You have to rely on your experience, knowledge and equipment to get you through the Arrowhead 135 and Iditarod Trail Invitational. What was the most valuable lesson learned as an experienced veteran during these brutally challenging races?

"Most valuable. Train and test. Look for those absolute coldest days, and if it means waking up at 3am to finally get a ride in at -20F the do it. Pushing yourself through crappy weather in training gets you ready to push yourself through crappy weather in races. Leave your bike out overnight on the coldest nights and see if it still operates correctly in the morning. Do the cables still work well? Do your axles turn without a lot of added force, pulleys? Brakes still retract? Tires still hold air? If you can't ride all night at silly cold temps, you at least can make sure you bike tries it." 

Image Credit: Tom Morgan

With the large number of calories burned during races of this magnitude, how do you fuel up before and during a race to give you the energy you need?

"I have a steady diet of butter and ice cream leading up to a race. Kidding, kidding. I really don't eat differently. I will make sure I am full all the time the day or 2 before, but you can only load your body with so many calories. Also, you body adapts, especially the long the effort. It learns to feed off your own fat stores more (I have a lot). I am always surprised how much less I eat than I anticipate in these really long races. Now, you need to eat, regularly, but it is not like you need to stuff your face at all moments. You need to ride your bike a lot. I find my asthma is effected by processed sugar, so I tend not to fill my feedbags with such things. I have found recently though, it is something good to have on hand." 

Image Credit: Tom Morgan

How do you keep dehydration becoming an issue when you are out on the course for many hours at a time between checkpoints?

"I drink.
You want more?:) I bring a 100 ounce reservoir. That is enough for between checkpoints for me in most ultras. For Iditarod, I also brought an insulated thermos to carry hot water. My theory is if I ran out of regular water, I could stuff my Camelbak full of snow, and melt it down with with the hot water quickly. Never had to do it, but it I was prepared to. Also, you need to bring the ability to melt down snow."

Image Credit: Adrienne Gillespie

I've heard stories of racers encountering wolves out on the Arrowhead 135 course. Have you experienced this in the past 5 times you've competed?

"I wish, but don't wish at the same time, but no. Seen tons of tracks. Two years ago the snow was coming down extremely heavy, I saw fresh tracks as I had my head down at one point. Had I been looking up I am sure I would have seen one. In all of Iditarod I saw one moose, at night. I don't have any good animal stories, sorry. But, my plan for Iditarod is if it gets to cold is to slice open a Tauntaun's belly and sleep inside." 

Do you have a training regimen to get you ready for the Arrowhead 135 and Iditarod? How do you work it in to your schedule with work and having a family? Both must be very supportive of your endeavors.

"My wife is amazing. She is a marathon runner that understands much of the "why" in what I do. She is great and I could not do what I do without her. That being said, it is not uncommon for me to leave the house late at night in order to sneak in a ride. Rochester Cycling is also very accommodating to my silly attempts at trying to kill myself. I have a plan I often follow leading up to events, much based off of Joe Friel's book."

Image Credit: Charly Tri

Your choice of bike, components and equipment are very important to being successful during these extreme winter endurance races. What bike/equipment choices do you think give you an advantage over the competition?

"I don't think of my gear choices as an advantage as much as seeking out the best. Thanks to 9:ZERO:7, Bike Bag Dude, Nextie Rims, and Wolftooth Components I have extremely light equipment that is able to take a huge amount of abuse. Reliability is what I value above all else, but I, like everyone it seems, also strive for a light set up. The rest of what I ride has been acquired over the years, often as Xmas gifts and such. I want absolute confidence when I start again on the Iditarod Trail or any other ultra race. My sponsors, especially 9:ZERO:7 make what I do possible." 

Image Credit: Tom Morgan

The cold temperatures that the Arrowhead 135 and the Iditarod Trail Invitational are famous for can wreak havoc on the functionality of your bike's components. How do you avoid these problems and have they ever played a role in cutting your race short?

"The cold has tried to wreck my race, but equipment wise it has not yet. Changing a tube at -30F is an experience I would rather not relive. But I seek out cold days to test, test, test."

Thanks again for doing this. I really appreciate it. I know how important having sponsors for my own site can be and I make sure to promote them every chance I get. Without them I wouldn't be able to do what I do and I'm sure you would share the same sentiment with regard to your racing.

"THANKS DUDE!!"

Charly placed sixth at the 2015 Arrowhead 135 with a time of 15 hours 51 minutes.  His next challenge is the Iditarod Trail Invitational which starts on Sunday, March 1st.

2014 9:Zero:7 Frames and Custom Builds Now Available at Penn Cycle

2014 9:Zero:7 Aluminum SRAM X7 190 Centered Custom Build

Penn Cycle & Fitness, the Twin Cities' exclusive 9:Zero:7 Authorized Dealer now has 2014 framesets and custom builds ready to roll in time for winter fatbike season.  With over 50 new 9:Zero:7 frames in all sizes and colors (including raw aluminum) and the new Whiteout Carbon, there's bound to be one you'll fall in love with.  For the first time, 9:Zero:7 framesets include a color matching aluminum fork, 190mm rear dropout spacing to accept up to 4.8" tires/100mm rims and a 44mm head tube that is compatible with any fat bike fork.  Each frame is crafted out of 7005 aluminum and features six rack mounts, three water bottle mounts, fender mounts, and full cable housing.

Stop into your local Penn Cycle & Fitness to see one of these beauties for yourself and take a test ride.  Click here to find a location near you.

'14 9:Zero:7 Aluminum Sram X7 190 Centered Build

'14 9:Zero:7 Aluminum Sram X7 190 Centered Specs

Frame:  2014 9:Zero:7 190mm Aluminum Frame
Fork:  2014 9:Zero:7 Aluminum Fork
Headset:  Cane Creek 10 inset 1 1/8 Threadless
Wheels:  Surly Marge Lite 65mm wide 32-hole rims 
Hubs:   9:Zero:7 135mm front 9:Zero:7 190mm Rear
Spokes:  DT Champion 2.0
Tires:  45North Huser Du
Crankset:  SRAM X5 Snow 175mm
Chainwheel:  36T x 22T
Bottom Bracket:  SRAM External
Chain:  PC1030
Front Derailleur:  SRAM X7 Direct Mount
Rear Derailleur:  SRAM X7 Mid Cage 10 Speed
Rear Cogs:  SRAM PG 1030
Shifters:  SRAM X7 2x10sp
Handlebar:  Salsa ProMoto 2
Stem:   Bontrager Select 105mm 7 Degree Rise
Brake Levers:  Avid FR5
Brakeset:  Avid BB5-disc
Seatpost:  Kalloy 30.9 Alloy
Colors:  Black, Raw, Orange, Blue, Green
Sizes:   X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
Weight:  31 lbs.
* Subject to change without notice.  Component spec may vary due to product availability.

The 2014 9:Zero:7 Aluminum Sram X7 190 Centered Build lists for $2199.00.  Call the Minnetonka store (952-593-5030) for up to date information on this bike.  Since Penn Cycle builds bikes from frames, they do not have up to date information live on their website.

Framesets are also available including the new Whiteout Carbon and can be custom built to your specifications.  These 2014 9:Zero:7 framesets and this custom build are in limited supply.  Contact one of the Penn Cycle locations near you for in-store availability.