For many parts of the world, winter does not have to stop mountain biking. Those of you in southern California and other parts of the “warmer side” are used to keeping the stoke rolling throughout the colder months, but in places like Alaska…riders have to get a little bit more creative in their off-road exploits.
Earlier this week, I got to talking with Bike198 reader Daniel Christianson about fat bikes.
“Surly has been making the Pugsley for some time and think that is where the originals started. Salsa has recently introduced the Muktuk and it looks to be a pretty decent contender in this small market, great components and a simple/sturdy build.
I do not own one myself, I don’t spend enough time there in the winter to justify it yet. But I wouldn’t be worth my weight in Salmon skin if I didn’t really push the two major brands being produced right in Anchorage.
My buddy Greg at Speedway Cycles is building the Fatback. Just watching the slideshow on his opening page of the site will let you know how serious they are. I was in Anchorage last week and Greg informed me he had a spotlight coming out the next issue of Dirt Rag. Greg is a great guy and I know he’d be happy to talk with you or return an email if he has the time.
The other local bike is a 9zero7 built out at Chain Reaction Cycles in south Anchorage. Offering a titanium model these quite often have a higher price tag than most others in this field. Great build info on their site. I don’t know these guys personally but am sure they would set you up with some info if you requested it.
When I first started seeing the fat bikes I remember thinking that’s great, but I don’t think they will catch on- I was wrong. If you’re a serious rider who lives anywhere that is frozen for more than a couple months a year, you know what a snow bike is and if you don’t have one yet you probably will someday.
Here is a pro blog from Anchorage and a guy who is a big supporter of the whole bike scene there. All the riders there share a lot of camaraderie so just throw out the word and you will get more info than you need I’m sure…Alaska Bike Blog.”
Day Trippin’: Alaska Embraces Winter Cycling
Winter Mountain Bikers in Anchorage, Alaska
The PhatSchtickel
Outside of the conventional options like the Surly, custom steal builders like Steve at ByStickel have been asked to build bikes like this “PhatSchtickel” for Jay.
It is progression like this that really shows us what the mountain bike is capable of…truly an all mountain machine.