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IB13: Borealis Yampa SL Fatbike is Insanely Light, Fast, and Tubeless

Written by Zach Overholt
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When we spoke with Adam about the new Borealis Carbondale tubeless fatbike rims just before the show, he told us they would have an SL Yampa build under 23 lbs. The truth? The bike is actually 21 lbs 9 oz, without going to extremes on the build.

Get the scoop on possibly the lightest fatbike around and check out the Carbondale rims first hand, next.

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Borealis conveniently had a stand equipped with a scale to see the lightness first hand. The early samples of the Carbondale rims weigh 570g just like Adam claimed.

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The tubeless carbon rim is actually pretty interesting with tubeless tape not even needed under the bead of the tire. So far Borealis has been using packing tape but plans to have Stan’s tape made in the best size. Their current set ups run tape only as wide as the spoke holes with the tire bead resting on bare carbon. With one scoop of sealant per wheel the tires have stayed inflated nicely.

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While a selection of lightweight components have been assembled, nothing is particularly crazy. An XX1 drivetrain sits next to XX brakes and Truvativ Noir carbon bars and seat post. A 3t stem, ESI grips, a carbon Selle Italia saddle, and Race Face Next carbon crank are also used. Wheels are Borealis’ Carbondale rims laced to their own hubs. 45NRTH Husker Du tires are set up tubeless with Stan’s sealant. Oh and it’s a large frame.

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All that and it’s still rack compatible. Metal threaded inserts bonded into the stays will accommodate a rack.
Zach Overholt
5,775 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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22 Comments
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Burnt-Orange
Burnt-Orange
11 years ago

My first upgrade would be pedals
I put them on all my bikes

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Dr. Monkeypants
Dr. Monkeypants
11 years ago

Yeah, nothing too extreme there, aside from the top of the line carbon everything and XX1 drivetrain. Just your average, run of the mill $10000 carbon fatbike. Nothing to see here, move along.

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Jones
Jones
11 years ago

Yes it’s expensive but its also very innovative. Everyone else will be doing this soon and prices will come down some.

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alex
alex
11 years ago

Sweet! Can’t wait to only have to cough up 8500 for a 23 lb fat bike!

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ummmm
ummmm
11 years ago

Now this is a cool bike! Wish I could afford one.

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Pedals
Pedals
11 years ago

Salsa Beargrease can be had around 25 lbs less. With the carbon rims you could very likely build it up lighter.

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Naton
Naton
11 years ago

Innovative? Taking a bicycle component and making it out of carbon fibre is about the least imaginative, least innovative thing you can do these days. The bike looks awesome, but is derivative in nearly every way.
I really, really want one, anyway.

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Jdog
Jdog
11 years ago

There is no way that one scoop of sealant will remain liquid. My experience has been that a week later most of the sealant will be absorbed into the casing. If you want flat protection you are looking at 2-4 scoops.

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Big Cow
Big Cow
11 years ago

This is not the lightest fatbike in the world.

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brian
brian
11 years ago

well then what is? link us, you big stupid cow!

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Eric NM
Eric NM
11 years ago

Absolutely awesome. Between this and the Crumpton / FWB 8.88 lb. (4.03 kg!) road bike, I personally love to see the builders pushing of the envelope, tech-wise. (Obviously, as long as it is safe for the intended use. Duh.)

As for the complaints about the (admittedly ridiculous) cost, hey: you don’t read Car and Driver to drool over the Subaru Outbacks, Toyota 4Runners, and Ford Explorers (=the cars that most of us drive.) You read the magazine to salivate over the Aston Martin Vantages, the Ferrari Californias, and the McClaren 12c’s.

Lighten up, hombres…

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notapro
notapro
11 years ago

agreed, Eric. how do you forget that you’re in vegas? sit back & enjoy the lap dance, gentlemen. what happens in vegas…you know the rest..

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Weirdo
Weirdo
11 years ago

Still waiting on a tubular tire for Fatbikes… I really need to spend >$200 per tire.

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dude
dude
11 years ago

specialized’s new fat bike is 2800 and 26 pounds….

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don
don
11 years ago

Can you run fatbike rims tubeless down to 7-8psi without burping? My fat bike is mostly for snow riding and tempted, but not going to deal with pumping up a fat with a small pump because of a burp.

don

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Nathan
Nathan
11 years ago

Don, I run mine tubeless in the winter at 5 to 5.5 psi. No issues at all. 2 scoops of Stan’s per tire. And the Stan’s lasts all winter due to the colder temps vs in summer where it can dry up after a few months of riding.

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Tad Dickman
Tad Dickman
11 years ago

don – that is basically the pressure that everyone runs their tires at in the winter tubeless… or in the sand. I ran mine with tubes down to 5psi in the winter… I have my tubeless setup now at 7.5 psi and am riding on dirt. Bud/Lou.

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Chainwhipped
Chainwhipped
11 years ago

This looks like it would be fun to ride. As much fun as a Surly Pugsley or a Salsa Hogwarts,
or even a Specialized guadela-who-the-hell-cares.

If you live in a place that demands a fat bike, you’re not going to care if it’s three lbs lighter.

The Tubeless feature is of interest, but show me a bead-lock of some kind. I have no interest in risking a burp at 8 psi.

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don
don
11 years ago

thanks nathan/tad, my mukluk is going on a huge diet this season, it’s around 36 pounds and thinking with carver obeast fork, wheels/tires I can take a huge chunk off. I’d love a 23 pound fat, but will shoot for sub 30 first. 🙂

don

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Morpheous
Morpheous
11 years ago

Fatbikes have become a victim of type casting (which seems predominant in this industry/market) . Take your heads, unwrap them from fatbike being for snow, sand, and mud and realize that the sky is about to break loose with more dry trail oriented fat bikes (full suspension included) because once you try them in the dry dirt, you get it. They are just fun as hell to ride on your normal trail rides, and they will slay a bikepark with FS. and yes you can run above 10 lbs enjoyable, they are not sloggy or slow when you put a reasonable amount of air in them. higher pressure fat tires combinesd with air suspension wil make for superb fun.

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rgeniec
rgeniec
11 years ago

Love the peanut gallery. Classic

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John
John
11 years ago

I rode it in Vegas and I can tell you that this thing rips. It handles and feels like a mtn bike. Maybe better. I was blowing by people on the demo trails and even passing them in the rough off-track crap.

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