With tires so large, can you feel a difference in frame materials?
Yes. aluminum is the stiffest frame, Ti the most compliant. Steel falls somewhere in the middle. The differences are not drastic, but they are noticeable.
Do you offer a single speed version of any of your frames?
Yes, we have Ti frames with sliding drop outs, as well as our new aluminum frames with rocker drop outs. The aluminum frames are also belt drive compatible. The Ti frames are not, nor are the steel frames.
How big of a tire can I fit in your frame?
With the release of the new Bud and Lou tires from Surly, we have reached the limit for tire clearance. These tires were released long after frame production began. They will fit on the new 2013 Ti frames in size 18 and 20 on a 90mm rim. Mounted on a 90mm rim or narrower, they just barely fit in the aluminum frames size 18 and larger. A bit of lug trimming is needed to keep from rubbing. The adjustable rocker drop out frames should provide enough clearance.
What kind of brake mounts do your frames have?
All frames have IS disc mounts. Our carbon forks have post mounts.
Sizing
We size the bikes the same as a normal mtb. The geometry has been adjusted already.
I’m unsure about what size will fit me best.
If you're still unsure about sizing after reviewing our recomended sizing chart, please contact us.
Shipping
How are the complete bikes shipped?
Due to the extremely large wheels, we have an oversized box made. Minimal assembly is required to finish the bike.
How much does shipping usually cost?
For a complete bike shipping is usually in the range of $150-$175
Frames generally ship anywhere in the US for $25 to $50.
What assembly is required with complete bikes?
You will need to install the handlebar using either a 4mm or 5mm hex wrench and the front wheel. Pedals will also need to be installed. If you don’t feel comfortable performing these operations we recommend you bring the bike into a bike shop.
Do you ship outside North America?
Sure. Read this first, then contact us for purchases from outside the US.
Changes to stock builds
Can I order a custom build kit?
We’ve assembled our stock builds to provide you with the best mix of price and durability. In the case of small parts substitutions, we recommend you use your local bike shop. If you would like a completely custom build, please contact us. Custom builds will require additional time and expense.
Do you do custom frames?
Due to the extreme wait times and expense, we no longer offer custom frames.
General
Should I get 70 or 90 mm rims?
For all around riding, we recommend our 70mm Umas. These offer enough float for 95% of the conditions. If you are a large/heavy rider, the 90mm rims would be a better option, or, if your region has soft trail conditions.
Why do all your stock builds come with 9 speed twist shifters?
Twist shifters work without any problems in the cold weather. Up until recently, SRAM did not offer a twist shifter option for their 10 speed drivetrains. It has also been our experience that the 9 speed X-9 components are superior to their 10 speed counterpart and therefore we have chosen to spec them on our bike builds this year. As products change and improve, we may change our build kit options for 2012/13.
Can I run an internal (IGH) gear hub on your frame?
We have an amazing new dropout design that will be available for 2012/13 that has an adapter option that will allow the use of an internal geared hub (IGH) like the Rohloff an the Shimano Alfine. More information can be found here.
I want to run BFLs. What do I need to know?
BFLs require that 2 cogs be removed from the cassette and the rear derailleur be locked out so that there is adequate chain to tire clearance. We have found that certain rear derailleurs work better for locking out gears than others and currently recommend using an X-0 rear derailleur for this application. When we build your bike, we take care of all of this during assembly if you choose to upgrade to the BFL tires. If you decide you want to upgrade to BFLs on you bike order, please contact us about pricing.
What is the difference between the Import and Hadley hubs?
Hadley makes our US hubs, and we consider them to be the finest hubs available in any width. They have proven themselves time and again under the most extreme conditions both hot and cold. Our imported Fatback hubs come from the largest hub manufacturer on the planet. They feature a 9mm front QR and 10mm rear, much like a thru axle system, but they work on standard frame and fork drop outs. They have proven to be very reliable as well.
Can I run a 3rd chain ring on my crankset with the Fatback?
Our FSA cranks sit 2.5 mm farther outboard compared to other standard 100mm crankset offerings in order to gain a little extra chain to tire clearance. You can run a 3rd chainring, but the chainline suffers a bit. Many of our riders choose to run a 42 t 3rd chainring and we have not had any problems, but because the chainline is maxed out in this position you may experience some premature wear on you drivetrain.
If using the E 13 crankset, a 3rd chainring works fine, but the E 13 crankset sits more inboard to the frame and therefore has a little less chain to tire clearance.
Do I need to winterize my hubs?
There are two parts to winterizing a hub. The first and most important is the grease in the freehub body. The Hadley hubs come stock with a light oil in the freehub body and will work fine down to extreme temperatures without any modifications. The Import hubs have a slightly thicker grease in the freehub and we recommend replacing it with a lighter oil if you’re riding in conditions below -10 Fahrenheit.
The other part to winterizing a hub is the bearing themselves. All our hubs use cartridge bearings and are equipped with grease designed to perform at low temperatures. We do not recommend replacing this grease. At extremely low temperatures (-30 F and below) you may find that there is some added resistance in the bearings. While this is sometimes a function of the grease thickening a bit, it’s largely a result of the many seals in the hubs stiffening up and the added resistance is insignificant.
How can I become a dealer?
We are currently focusing our efforts on customer direct sales, but if you want to be a dealer we'd like to hear from you. Please contact us.
Fatback
