All In – My FatXC Bike
This past summer I wrote about committing to riding a fatbike as my mountain bike. Back then, I was riding a prototype Salsa Beargrease set up fully rigid. Then while in Utah in July, I rode my friend and coworkers Salsa Mukluk with a custom, modified Cannondale Lefty. I wrote about it here, it was a game changer for me. It is the second most popular post I’ve written on this blog. Ever since then, I’ve been working on putting together my own Mukluk with a Lefty. I finally have finished it and have begun to break it in. Today, I’ll share a few details.
My full on fatXC – Salsa Mukluk Ti with custom Lefty
At first glance, one might notice a few things that are different than the last Mukluks I’ve been riding for the past 2 years. This summer fatXC bike is smaller than the Mukluk I ride in the winter. Why is that? Well…In the winter, I ride a large Mukluk with a shorter stem as it gives me more frame bag space. For my summer fatXC, I chose a smaller size with a longer stem. I like the extra slope of the top tube. I also like having more weight on the front of the bike due to the longer stem.
Component highlights include a mostly Shimano XT 10 speed driveline, E-13 cranks in a 22-34-guard, Marge lite rims, Salsa 170mm cassette hub, Project 321 front Lefty hub, a prototype Surly Knard front tire and a 45N Husker Du rear tire. It’s a pretty special bike. It is crazy though, when you look at it how much the fat wheels and Lefty dominate the appearance of this bike. I love it so much and besides a few small tweaks and possibly changing to Shimano XT brakes, I don’t want to change a thing.
Lefty – Thank you Mendon CycleSmith
Where’s righty?
Slide these back a bit and I’ll be able to test Surly’s new 29+ tires.
Some will also likely ask why I did not mount this on a new Salsa Beargrease frame as it would be even lighter as a full on fatXC bike? Well…Two reason. I like titanium. It is just so sweet looking, durable and it rides just right. Also, I plan to try some 29+ wheels and tires in this rig once they are available. With the Mukluks sporting Alternator drop outs slid backwards from the position shown above, they should fit. The geometry may not be optimized, but I am looking forward to trying it anyway.
Anyway, that’s my summer fatXC set up. I am all in.
I really want to ride that thing!
Is that a Knard up front? Initial thoughts?
Yep. Love it so far. Fast. Seems a smidge wider than the Husker Du on the back.
Sweet looking bike! I know this isn’t really related to the post but what kind of seat bag is that on there??
Ryan that bag is a 20 year old Granite Gear and it is absolutely killer.
Yeah it looks like a nice size and profile. I wonder if anyone makes anything similar to this these days.
Reblogged this on ridingagainstthegrain and commented:
Here’s Gnat’s new Lefty fatbike. It is oh, so delicious. Titanium (instead of aluminum, like the one I rode). As I said a month or so ago (and as Gnat said further back yet)…the fatbike + front suspension is a game changer.
Sweet looking ride Gnat. I look forward to hearing more about the Lefty Conversion. I have to say, riding the Muk is just too much fun. The Ti just rules on all fronts!! Great pics as well.
Such a beautiful bike. Got to see this in person last week. It’s even better in person.
Nice…..
Sweet looking bike! I love ti too, gotta say….
Thanks for the plug. So happy you guys seem to be enjoying them, cause yeah, they really do turn it up to 11 =:)
awesome bike Gnat. you’re giving me ideas…
Great bike! Nice to see the acknowledgement of the Mendon Cyclesmith. That is a great bike shop in the Rochester, NY area.