Wow-Fatback riders Kevin Breitenbach (AK) and Tim Berntson (AK) go 1-2 with a convincing win over 3rd place finisher Dan Dittmer (MN), and Eszter Horanyi (CO) sets a new course record in the womens event with an incredible performance. Congrats to all.
We finally got the first shipment of anodized frames in yesterday (black only), with more arriving next week. The first few shipments are black, and orange frames next week. Here’s a pic of an 18.
I’ll keep posting here as we get more in. We’ll be working hard to get them out asap.
I just wanted to share a pic of one of the coolest and funnest riding bikes we have sent out the door. It’s for one of our team riders, Mr. John Lackey himself. In just a few short years, John has  established himself as a dominant force in any race he enters, be it snow, mountain, road, or cross. He is also as much fun to hang out as he is to ride with. 
We finally received word today about delivery of the first batch of US aluminum frames. They are behind in production, but as you can see, they are in the works. The first to arrive will be the “raw” frames, as they don’t need to get sent to another facility for finishing. This is about as maintenance free as it gets. Nothing to chip or eventually rub through. It is similar to the look in the photo, but uniform.
Anodizing takes time, so black and orange frames will be a week or so behind. It takes about 8 hours to complete a frame, and only so many can be done at once.
Keep in mind we want these frames here as much as anyone. It’s a long winter, so hang in there!
We have been getting lots of calls/emails and posts about our geometry. Here is a diagram which shows why we have longer effective top tubes than our competitors, as well as most current mtbs. With the taller head tubes, the rider is pushed into an up right position. We lengthen the top tubes to put the rider back where they should be.
The reason for the bent top tubes is shown as well. More stand over without maxing out your seat post.
Here are a few more shots of our new frames. This is a pre-production 20 inch US made frame that I’ve been banging around on the last few weeks in Oregon and Utah.
Our frames are designed to work with a full 3×9 drivetrain when using the 3.8 Larrys or Endos on a 70 or 80 mm rim. This particular bike is running our new 90 mm rims with the 4.5 Big Fat Larry tire. As you can see, there is plenty of tire clearance in the frame ~7mm at chainstays and seatstays, but because of the added width of this new tire, there will be some drivetrain limitations. I’ll write more on this later.
Also, worth noting is that I’ve been running this tire rim combo tubeless the last few weeks and I’m really starting to love this set-up. Just 3 scoops of Stans and it has been trouble-free.
In a few more weeks, I’ll have more info on complete bikes we’ll be selling along with a new crankset!
Here’s a pic of one of our new aluminum frames made here in the US. We moved production here since our ti and steel frames are made in the US as well. It’s been a year long process, but just about ready. There are a few advantages to these frames over and above keeping Americans employed. First is the oversized head tube. This stiffens the front end laterally, allows the use of our new tapered carbon fork, and gives the option of an adjustable head tube angle using Cane Creek’s Angleset headset. Headset life is extended as well with the 1 1/2″ lower bearings, as they carry the majority of the load.
Next comes the new direct mount front derailleur giving as crisp as shifting possible.
The new frames also have more tire clearance to allow use of the 4.5 BFL tires. Depending on the rims used, there might be some mods needed on gearing.
We have designed a new fixed drop out, as well as an adjustable (belt compatible) drop out for those of you wanting to run single speed coming later this year. They look very similar.
Being light and durable, anodizing is the most practical finish available for an aluminum frame. Colors will be orange, black, raw for now. We’ll be updating the site in the next week, so please stay in touch for the latest info.
We’ve been getting lots of calls about the new BFL tires fitting on our bikes. Since the tires just became available, we have been guessing up until now. Here’s a pic of the chain stay clearance with a Big Fat Larry on our new Uma 90mm rim (which gives a tire width of about 111mm). There are limitations to the drive train with a wheel this wide, but if you have to have that much float, you gotta have it. It will be overkill for most of our riding around Anchorage, but until we get time on snow, it’s all speculation.
All of the 2012 model ti, aluminum, and steel frames will be capable of running this combo.
While we are on the subject, just a quick word about our rims. The 70mm rims give the same tire width as 80mm rims, which is about 94-95mm. Keep in mind that tires vary in width by a couple of millimeters.
Our 90mm rims give the same width as 100mm rims.
We have lots of new products arriving soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
I had the opportunity to fly out to King Salmon with fellow ITI competitor, all around nice guy and badass Brian Hartman last week for the peak of the King season. Brian has a beautiful 185 and the trip out Tuesday night was great. Flying out to the Nushigak river the next day, Brian showed me the area I will be riding on a beach trip in a few weeks. Looking forward to meeting up with friends and riding a few days without phones…
The fishing was great (I hadn’t been fishing for Kings since 1992) and the hospitality second to none. Thanks to all of the Hartman’s. Those folks know how to live.
Another incredible year of racing for the Fatback brand! We continued the last few year’s dominance with Jeff Oatley winning the Sheep Mountain 150 back in early December. Next came the Arrowhead 135 where Jeff struck gold again along with his super tough wife, Heather Best, who set a new record.
Then came the Susitna 100, with Fatback riders going 1-2-3 in the men’s race (Tim Berntson, Jeff Oatley and John Lackey finishing well ahead of fourth place. In the women’s race, Julie Berberich won, with Kristin Wolf 2nd.
A week later came the Grand Daddy of them all, the Iditarod Trail Invitational, where Fatback riders Pete Basinger, Jeff Oatley and I went 1-2-3 in the men’s race, and “La Ruta” Lou Kobin blew away the old course record in the women’s race. Congratulations to Pete and Jeff for another painfully close 1-2 finish.
Finally, the newest race, and in my opinion, the best of the 100mi races, the White Mountains 100 in Fairbanks, where we went 1st and 3rd in the men’s race (me and Jeff), and 1-2-3 in the women’s (Heather Best, Janice Tower, and Jill Homer).
A special congratulations goes out to Jeff Oatley for being the first racer to do all the races in one season. That is a terrible amount of suffering. Hat’s off to you brother!
Thanks to all the great riders and racers for their continued support. We’re looking forward to the coming season.
