Fatback is obviously known for their line of carbon and aluminum fat bikes, but there’s more to the brand than meets the eye. For the past few years, owner Greg Matyas has quietly been selling a Fatback gravel bike as well. Keeping mostly to local sales through his other business, Speedway Cycles, the Haul Road has been mostly kept to the local roads and trails around their Alaskan headquarters.
That’s all about to change as Fatback is making a bigger push with the Haul Road to sell it nationwide, and beyond. Named after the “famed, gnarly, and primitive Dalton Highway” which goes north from Fairbanks 414 miles to Deadhorse, Greg says this road was made for gravel bikes – since using the term “road” is a bit generous.
As for the bike itself, the carbon gravel bike is built to run up to 700c x 42mm tires or 700c x 40mm with fenders, and the frame includes rack mounts for extended journeys.
Offered in five sizes, Greg says the geometry is skewed towards the comfort side of things. Starting at $2,700 with a SRAM Rival kit, there are a number of build options since these are sold out of Speedway Cycles.
On the fat bike side, Fatback was showing their new lightweight aluminum rim called Big Su. Measuring 78mm internal with a tubeless profile and large cutouts, the rim claims to be able to set up tubeless with just a floor pump. Available separately in August, the rim will also be stock on all of Fatback’s lower end bike builds which should be a nice upgrade with a 650g claimed weight. We’re also told that Fatback has a new carbon rim in the works as well, so keep your eyes out for that.
