Salsa Beargrease, new for 2013

[Christophe Noel]

It's amazing to me how popular fat bikes have become in such a short amount of time. I will confess, I was a bit dismissive of the trend, and thought it a novelty. However, I've started scouting out turf fit for fat tires and have now decided these are great machines. Combine the right bike with the right rider on the right trail and you have the trifecta of fatness.

Check this baby out:



http://salsacycles.com/bikes/beargrease

Santa is going to have a helluva time getting that down my chimney.

 

[Co-opski]

Nice to see John Beargrease's name on a fat bike. Truly one of the most spectacular areas of the country Two Harbors to Thunder Bay. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Beargrease
Nice bike salas has btw.

 

[Sloan]

They are stupid fun, I have a Mukluk that I ride on the beach here in Santa Monica.

 

[Alaska Mike]

Flounder- Just about everyone (with the exception of me, it seems) up here has one. Every shop in town has them, and the two enthusiast shops market their own (Fatback and 9 Zero 7). Beats riding the trainer all winter, but unfortunately I don't have the time or money, and I'm too much of a roadie to get one just yet. Then again, I ride for the shop that makes Fatback bikes, so it might be in my contract somewhere...

 

[Bushcoat]

Nice to see John Beargrease's name on a fat bike. Truly one of the most spectacular areas of the country Two Harbors to Thunder Bay. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Beargrease
Nice bike salas has btw.

Agreed 100%, although I dont know that this bike would be a great hwy 61 cruiser!

Ive had my heart set on picking up a surly pugsley but I will have to seriously consider this beargrease. Always loved the salsa products and formerly had an ala carte in my stable.

 

[ywen]

Agreed 100%, although I dont know that this bike would be a great hwy 61 cruiser!

Ive had my heart set on picking up a surly pugsley but I will have to seriously consider this beargrease. Always loved the salsa products and formerly had an ala carte in my stable.

hmm a complete beargrease from salsa is 2x the price of a pugsley complete.. not the same level of components obviously, but not in the same ball park at all

 

[Flagster]

I might just have to rent one for a day...they look interesting...I still can't see it being much fun ripping twisty singletrack???

 

[Maddmatt]

I don't know - I don't have a lot of budget for stuff like this, and just bought a new bike this last spring. But....

There I was, minding my own business last month in downtown Telluride when a guy rides up on a Surley Moonlander.

"That's a cool looking bike" says I, trying to look less like a mid-40's balding, fatting, guy who spent the last three hours baiting hooks for 5 kids in the rain, and more like a guy who would look at home on a bike like that.

"Take it for a ride" bike guy says.

"Do you sell them here" I ask, pointing to the store behind me.

"No, I don't even work there" he says. "Take it for a ride".

And I did. Up and down main street, which was closed for a Festival. Off curbs. Up curbs. Around the block. Around another block. Back to the store.

"Where did you go daddy?" the kids say. Followed by "Did you buy that bike? That's cool"

No, I didn't. Once I found the guy who owns it and said my thanks (gotta love Telluride) I came up with some first impressions.

1) Interesting on pavement. That 4.5" front tire has some grip, and you need to pay attention.
2) Feels and rides much lighter than it looks.
3) I don't need one.
4) I'm absolutely obsessed. I will have one. I don't care if it's just to ride with the kids to get ice cream. Some things you need, and some things you want just because you want one.

 

[fairweather]

I've had my Pigsley for 3 years and really enjoy it on hard pack snow trails and snow packed commuting. I can see how it would be fun on a beach but not too many of those around here. Rocky, twisty single track? Nope, took it on a few trails and would much rather be on my Superfly. Deep snow, nope, gotta have a firm surface within 6 inches or so, if it is steep forget it.

As stated above the wide tires do handle erratically when there is good grip.

The stock Endomorph tires are junk, worthless in snow, I have the Nate on the back now and am much happier.

i have thought about going lighter or upgrading the wheel set but now i like that it is slow and heavy, perfect for minimizing wind chill and off season training

 

[ywen]

Ha just skip that deluxe trim package on the next car purchase and you'll have a fat bike and then some!