I don’t know precisely how lengthy it’s been. Possibly 5 or 6 years? I believe it was 2013 once I first fiddled with 29+ tires, and the world simply hasn’t seemed the identical since.
However a number of individuals have ridden plus tires. They really feel completely different from every thing that got here earlier than however nonetheless kind of regular. Like, regular, however with extra cush and extra privileges bestowed upon the rider. I briefly rode 26 x four″ tires they usually had been loopy succesful however equally sluggish. That part burned scorching, vibrant — however solely briefly earlier than I moved on. The place I actually turned a nook was once I began driving “B Fats,” aka 27.5 x three.eight″ tires.
There’s something about this combo that simply works for me as a each day driver on the Colorado Plateau. The power to run excessive single digit pressures is a part of it. The aptitude of 5″ or 6″ of journey suspending the rider above these meats is one other.
There are different choices for this wheelsize on the market — I’ve ridden each one I may get my arms on — however it took Devin Lenz and his fabrication wizardry (Lenz Sports activities) to dial within the geometry.
Tires this dimension won’t ever strategy the climbing velocity of a 29 x ~2.5″ setup. However the rougher the path, the extra chossy the road, the extra %^&$ed up the touchdown, the extra the Lenz Fatillac shines.
I don’t take pleasure in crowds in order they proceed to flock to my present dwelling trails I discover myself driving extra of the perimeter routes and many off piste. This chassis shines at that kind of factor: Plump tires to easy out the tough, low gearing to tractor up, um, something, sporty geometry to maintain me grinning when issues level down, and tying all of it collectively is supple, tractable, tunable suspension that may be (and has been!) dialed to go well with me. Otherwise you.
It’s not a lot of a secret that I did unspeakable issues to my physique within the years that I used to be harassed by endurance racing demons. I’m paying that invoice now. I would like a comfortable, compliant experience or I’m restricted on how lengthy I can experience, or how usually. I’m delaying ankle fusion so long as I can as a result of that’s a one-way road, and in that hopefully substantial interim the Fatillac pictured right here is my ticket to experience.
I discussed above that I turned a nook once I began driving B Fats. It’s kind of like consuming plain macaroni day by day and being completely high-quality with it. Then someday you uncover that you could has cheese…
The previous few years have seen a gradual stream of producers providing bikes that may be swapped from 29 x 2.5″ wheels to 27.5 x 2.eight″. Decisions are good, proper? The bummer is that that dimension of 29″ tire is so harsh, and that variant of a 27.5″ tire is so brief. From the place I sit that combo is actually the worst of each worlds—until we’re speaking 26″. Which we aren’t.
In the same vein, I’ve a second wheelset with 29 x 2.eight″ tires that I can quick-switch into this bike when wanted. I spent about 30 minutes micro shimming the rotors out such that no brake changes are wanted: Once I need to swap wheels for a experience it’s a 2-minute job and out the door I am going.
However that’s uncommon. I like cush—just about require it—and the calm, competent cushiness of the B Fats Fatillac has been a revelation this spring.
Our trails have solely been dry sufficient to experience for roughly three weeks, and in that point I’ve repeatedly torched my legs whereas incinerating endorphins (and grinning ear to ear) 6 days out of each 7.
It’s not for everybody. Nobody bike is. For those who like chunky, chossy, messy trails, or exploring washes and off piste, or steamrolling by way of babyheads…’
And a video of Mike having fun with his bike with the massive meats
This put up initially appeared at Lacemine29.
