Tom's Pro Bike: Mountain Bike Monday - SPECIALIZED FAT BIKE

It seems as though all of the players are coming out with a "Fat Bike" now that it is not just a niche in the market. They are a very versatile bike that are going to be around for a long time - just like the Mountain Bike.

Surly and 9Zero7 really started the ball rolling in this market many years ago. Custom builders have offered some beautiful options and then Salsa got involved with the Mukluk and it seemed to have taken off from there. Now there are full carbon Fat Bikes available and there are even rumors of full suspension models coming out in the future. Personally I think that is overkill - you can dial the suspension in perfectly by playing with tire pressure but if there is a market there will be a bike - just like the Fat Bike now that Specialized and other major manufacturers are adding their models. Today we are going to put some information out on the Specialized Fat Boy which is on order for Tom's Pro Bike but not due in for a couple of more months.

Some basic specs of the Fatboy are:

Two Models called the Fatboy and Fatboy Expert
Aluminum Frame
Tapered Head Tube with Carbon Fork
5” Tire Clearance
26 X 4.8” TIRE – Ground Control Tread
90mm Wide Rim – 795 Grams Per Rim
135mm Front Hub
190mm Rear Hub
Hydraulic Disc Brakes
100mm wide PF30 bottom bracket
Weight is 29.9 lbs without pedals
Price is To Be Announced

Interview with Product Manager Todd Cannatelli

We interviewed Todd Cannatelli, Product Manager for the Fatboy and he answered our burning questions about the bike.
1) What is the difference between the Fatboy and Fatboy Expert. What are the weights, projected prices?
Both bikes feature the same frame, fork, rims, hubs, tires, tubes, and shifters. Here are the main differences between the two models:
Fatboy Expert

SRAM X0 rear derailleur
e.thirteen crankset/BB (36/22)
Shimano Deore brakes
Butted spokes
Alloy nipples
Specialized Bennie pedals
Weight: TBD (current show bike is approx. 30 lbs with Surly tires)
Pricing: TBD (targeting $2,500-2,750)

Fatboy

SRAM X7 carbon cage rear derailleur
Custom Samox crankset/BB (36/22)
Tektro Draco 2 hydraulic brakes
Plain gauge spokes
Brass nipples
Metal cage pedals
Weight: TBD
Pricing: TBD (targeting sub-$2,000)

2) What are the stock tires and what tire options will be available? Are the demo bikes equipped with Surly tires just temporary?

Yes, demo bikes with Surly tires are just temporary, which is one reason I can’t give final bike weights. We’re developing our own tire based on our Ground Control tread. It will be one tire, 26×4.8”, identical tread front and rear, 120 tpi.
3) The valve stem seems to be sticking out of the rim tape. Is that the final design or just temporary?
Yes, this is temporary as well. Some of the demo bikes had earlier rim designs. The show bikes have the accurate rim with a dedicated valve stem hole in the rim extrusion.
4) What are the details? Spec, Geometry
Geometry is essentially the same as our Crave 29, since the outside diameter of the 26×4.8” tire is almost exactly the same as a 29er. The Specialized Crave Geometry is available HERE.
5) What is the seatpost size? Is there dropper post routing?
Seatpost size is 30.9 on all models. We made this size for Command Post compatibility. No “dedicated” routing for Command Post is available at this time however.
6) Who is the customer for this bike?
This bike (and fatbikes in general) have broad appeal. The fatbike category is one of the fastest growing segments right now, and it’s a very approachable bike. For us, it’s really about having fun. But we didn’t want the performance attitude of our brand to be lost on this rider, so the focus was really on light weight and handling. If you rode the bike, you likely noticed how agile it was. We wanted to make sure this would be accessible and approachable to the general public, while still delivering the performance Specialized is known for, so the chassis, carbon fork, and light weight wheelset are just as at home on a race course as they are on a multi-day bike packing trip.

7) When can a customer buy it?
We’re hoping to have the bikes available to purchase late-2013.

To get more information on The Fat Boy or any other model of snow bike stop by the shop. Most Saturday's I ride mine into the shop and if you want to take it for a spin I am fine with that!

Reservations are being taken for our test ride at our Specialized Demo Days August 23rd and 24th: