For many of us, winter means a bit of a break from riding. However, if you live somewhere with long, snowy winters it may also mean fat biking time! Panorama Cycles is based in Quebec, Canada, where winters are long enough that you’ve got to embrace it and get outside or you’ll go stir-crazy.
Panorama has been around for nine years, and is focused on producing adventure bikes. The new Chic-Chocs 3 is the third generation of this fat bike model, named after the Chic-Choc mountains in Quebec. Aside from offering compatibility for rigid or suspension forks, the Chic-Chocs 3 is available as a frameset or a complete bike with plenty of custom build options to choose from.
Panorama Cycles Chic-Chocs 3:
The Chic-Chocs 3 is built around a carbon frame, which Panorama says is lightweight but strategically reinforced. A curved top tube keeps the standover height low, and the seat tube is kept short above the top tube to maximize clearance for long-travel dropper posts.
Panorama’s builds come with 27.5” wheels and 4.5” tires, but the frame and fork can accept 29×3” or 26×5” tires if preferred. Suspension-corrected geometry allows for rigid or suspension fork options. Panorama offers either their rigid carbon fork or a Manitou Mastodon EXT 120mm fork upgrade option.
The Chic-Chocs 3 features a narrow crank axle for a fatbike. Panorama says its 203-205mm Q-factor is the smallest possible with 27.5×4.5” tires (depending on the chosen crankset). Hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm front and 160mm rear rotors handle stopping duties.
The Chic-Chocs 3 frame features sleeved internal cable routing and SRAM UDH-compatible dropouts.
Small frames come with 125mm dropper posts, mediums come with 150mm and larges get 170mm posts. Panorama notes the frames can fit longer travel posts, but the collar may sit a little above the seat tube.
Storage is key for long-distance adventure rides and bikepacking excursions, so the Chic-Chocs 3 features in-frame storage. The compartment is in the frame’s down tube, and a tool bag is included with each frame.
In addition to in-frame storage, the frame and fork offer 18 mounting points for bags, racks, etc. There are three water bottle mounts on the seat mast, the underside of the down tube, and the top of the down tube.
Geometry:
The Chic-Chocs 3 was designed with modern geometry, aiming to feel agile on climbs but stable on descents. Frame sizes S, M, and L are available, which should fit riders from 5’ to 6’2”.
The frame has a 66.5° head tube angle and a 75.5° seat mast. Reach numbers are 430mm for smalls, 455mm for mediums, and 480mm for large. The chainstay length for all frame sizes is 450mm. See the above chart for all other angles and measurements.
Build Options:
Panorama’s bikes are all assembled in-house in Canada, so they offer custom-build options. Many options are listed on their website, and buyers can email them to inquire about further customization.
The base price of a complete Chic-Chocs 3 with Panorama’s carbon fork is $3599 CAD (approx. $2492 USD). For an additional $695 CAD you can add a Manitou Mastodon EXT 120mm suspension fork.
Base level build components include: Sun Ringle wheels, 45NRTH Dillinger 5 tires, a Shimano Deore 11spd drivetrain, SRAM Level T disc brakes, A Kalloy dropper post, and Race Face Chester cockpit components.
Buyers can upgrade their builds with carbon HED wheelsets, Terrene studded tires, Shimano SLX/XT or SRAM GX AXS 12-speed drivetrains, Hayes A2 Dominion brakes, KS Rage-i dropper posts, and OneUp carbon cockpit components. If you pick all the highest-end upgrades the bike’s price rises to roughly $9700 CAD ($6700 USD)!
The Chic-Chocs 3’s wheels come set up with tubes, but the rims are pre-taped for tubeless setups. For $45 CAD you can buy a tubeless kit (sealant and valves) alongside your bike if you want to ditch the tubes.
Panorama says the approximate weight of a size medium complete build is 29lbs.
The Chic-Chocs 3 is also available as a frameset for $2399 CAD ($1660 USD). This includes the frame with Panorama’s carbon fork, front and rear axles, headset, seat clamp, chainstay protector and UDH derailleur hanger.
Panorama covers their frames with a five-year warranty against manufacturing defects, and they offer a lifetime crash replacement policy in case of accidental damage.
Buyers can pick up their bike at a local Panorama Cycles dealer or have them shipped to their homes. International shipping is available, and Panorama suggests buyers outside of the USA or Canada contact them for a cost estimate.
