If you caught our Fezzari HQ Tour earlier this year, you already knew this bike was coming. But now, Fezzari has unveiled all the details on their latest fat bike. That bike has also already been properly tested with the claim of the “first fat bike crossing of Iceland,” by Chris
Burkard and Gus Morton, along with Rebecca Rusch. Having successfully completed the north-to-south route across the island of fire and ice, the new Fezzari Kings Peak should be up to adventure you can get yourself into.
One look at the new Kings Peak confirms that it’s a completely different beast. Gone is the humped top tube in favor of something that should not only lower standover height, but adds a three-pack mount for accessories. Also gone is the small triangle reinforcement in front of the seat tube resulting in shorter seat tube heights for increased dropper post size. There are more mounts, and everything is more svelte, from the fork to the rear dropouts. The previous Kings Peak was a good bike, but this one looks massively improved.
Monoform Fat Bike
Fezzari points out that those 197 x 12 dropouts are a big deal, since they were able to produce this carbon fiber frame with their MonoForm 1-piece molding in spite of the massively wide dropouts. That means that this frame is molded in one piece, rather than two or more that are later bonded together. Their claim is that this avoids adding additional joints and excess resin which results in a lighter frame with better ride characteristics.
2022 Fezzari Kings Peak Geometry
The geometry chart highlights two other big changes for the Kings Peak—it now rolls on 27.5″ wheels and tires, and they added a fourth frame size. When it comes to wheel size, there are still quite a few 26″ holdouts, but it seems that the industry has moved on to 27.5″ as the defacto tire size for fat bikes. Fezzari claims that comes down to the size of the tire contact patch, stating that the contact patch for a 27.5 x 4.5″ tire is longer than the contact patch of a 26 x 5.0″ tire.
A bigger contact patch should provide more traction, flotation, and the bigger wheels should roll faster, so other than the increased weight of a 27.5″ wheel and tire, there are a number of benefits. However, the frame can still run up to 26 x 5.0″ tires if desired.
Kings Peak Pricing and Models
In terms of specifications, the Kings Peak is built around the SRAM Fat 5 crankset with a 208.5mm q-factor and 76.5mm chainline. Those cranks are mounted to a 100mm BSA threaded bottom bracket shell, and the frame runs internal cable routing through the ZS44/ZS56 head tube. While all framesets include their rigid Fat King Carbon V3 fork, it’s perfectly sized at 511mm axle to crown and features a 150 x 15mm axle for easy swaps to a suspension fork—like a 100mm travel RockShox Bluto with the same axle to crown measurement.
All complete bikes are also initially priced without a dropper seat post, though Fezzari allows you to add a dropper once you put the bike in your cart. They also give you the option to choose frame color of Ash Gray or White Amber, add pedals or dropper post, add a tubeless setup, an extra derailleur hanger, and more.
Pricing for complete bikes starts at $2,399 for the Kings Peak Comp with SRAM NX Eagle, and $2,899 for the Kings Peak Elite which bumps up to SRAM GX Eagle.
Limited Edition Frameset
Want a frameset? Fezzari will also be offering the ‘Chirs Burkard Expedition’ frame in yellow with special graphics throughout the bike. These are a limited edition, and they also include the shortest lead time—just 1-2 weeks. Compare that to 6-18 weeks depending on the model and color, and this is definitely your best chance of getting the new Kings Peak before the snow flies (or finishes).
PHOTOGRAPHER: Ryan Hill Athletes: Rebecca Rusch, Chris Burkard, & Angus Morton
As for the original frame that Chris rode through Iceland? That bike is currently on display at a bike shop back in Iceland, and will eventually be auctioned off with all proceeds to be donated. We’re also told that there will be a documentary soon on the expedition, likely around the first of the year.
Cool to see the trip design being released. That was a great trip to follow and we’re proud to be the racks used!
Another fatbike without proper rack mounts smh
Seems like it has a good balance of mounting options to me. What don’t you like about it?
The frame has lower mounts for racks or fenders, or you can go with an axle mount like the new OMM racks use which boost the rack weight capacity.
For the upper mounts you can either use something like the OMM puck system, or one of the many seat tube clamp rack mounts. Both of those options prevent Fezzari from having to weaken the seat stay by putting a hole in it, or beefing it up to accommodate the (probably) small percentage of people who will want to mount a rack to this bike.
Chris used the OMM axle mount and puck system (which is rated to 70lbs for load capacity) across Iceland. Seems like it must have worked well?
I take issue with the comment about the longer footprint of 27.5 being better than the wider 26. If that were the case ski’s would be better for walking on snow than snowshoes, which is quite the opposite. What am I missing?
I do own a fatbike, have for many years, I do not have 27.5 wheels tires, generally run it in 26×4.8 or 29+ (< not a huge fan of, much prefer the 26).
I like everything they are saying, low BB, low standover, short chain stay… but the numbers on this bike are decidedly average. 65mm BB height is pretty average for a fat bike, as is the 450mm chain stay length. 29.5″ standover in the Medium frame is generally higher than average compared to other fat bikes. And I don’t know for sure, I’m pretty sure a 67° HTA is going to produce a lot of wheel flop when pushing through the snow, especially with a 51mm fork offset. I feel like they just threw some numbers at this and didn’t do enough winter testing. Looks like a great desert explorer bike though!
Agree that this bike is missing the proper rack mounts. Sure the OMM rack can work with multiple add-on accessories and attach to the seat stays and axle. The tire size then also needs to be reduced. The default Cake Eaters won’t fit according to OMM.
Fezzari even markets it as “Designed for the ultra endurance rider, the bike-packer, or the adventure junkie.” Per Fezzari web site.
Where do you see that “The default Cake Eaters won’t fit according to OMM”? According to the OMM website, the Divide Fat will fit up to 26 x 5″ or 27.5 x 4.6″. The Cake Eaters on this bike are 27.5 x 4.5″.
Finally a Fat bike with a longer reach and steeper seat tube. I’m hoping Trek will update the Farley next year.
It looks great. But I’m thinking now of a fatbike with a sprung fork.
The new OMM Divide racks DO work with Cake Eaters. The old Sherpa/Classic racks did not. The Divides will fit any tire up to 5 inches.
Is your carbon frame fabricated in house or is it farmed out to someone else ?
@Zach Overholt
For one, I can’t seem to reply to your comment directly.
Anyways, I’m a fan of real rack mounts as they deliver a much cleaner looking set-up and allow for a variety of rack choices.
One of my biggest peeves when I worked in a bike shop was telling people that the brand-spankin’ new bike they just bought for more money then they ever thought they’d spend on a bike is that they need some little accessory to make something as simple as a rack work. The set-up for a OMM Rack+fit kit for this bike is $258, vs. $120 for a comparable Salsa Alternator rack.
In my experience, selling a fat bike with no rack mounts (Specialized Fatboy) was much more difficult than selling a fat bike with rack mounts (Fatback/Corvus, Salsa, Kona).
Is adding rack mounts to the seat stays really that big of a deal? Corvus/Fatback have managed it just fine and it’s hard to find a bike that’s been raced harder than that.
@Booyah, fair points and good question. I figured it would be best to hear straight from Fezzari, so I asked them why they omitted the upper rack mounts:
“We decided to put the main rear rack mounts near the rear axle and using alternate upper mounts instead of weakening the seat stays with upper rack mounts. We would recommend either using the Old Man Mountain puck style system or to attach to the seatpost directly. This places the stresses in strong areas of the frame without having to put holes in the seatstays. We didn’t want to sacrifice strength or ride quality. In the case of the cheaper Salsa rack mentioned, you can get the Rack-Lock seat post clamp that gives you mounting points. We are also seeing more and more options for under seat bags and frame bags that are replacing racks.”
@Booyah, also, it’s worth noting that the Akio (the only Corvus carbon model that has upper rack mounts), has them located above the seatstays, almost on the seat tube (basically the same location as the original Fatback Corvus). My guess is they’re not on the stays for the same reasons outlined by Fezzari. And the dropped-stay design of the Kings Peak means that mounting location probably wouldn’t work that well.
New to fat biking and just picked one up. With shoes/boots I’m a little shy of 5’10”. They determined a large was the right fit for me. When standing over the bike my crotch is touching/slightly resting on the top tube. What’s everybody’s thoughts on that? Should I have been put in a medium. Wondering how their “23 point” custom fit is going to work out for me.