The Trek Farley fat bike continues the Wisconsin brand’s strange 2014 product rollout of non announcements. Shown at Trek World, orders flooded in and the entire inventory was basically purchased before anything ever rolled off the factory floor. So, when we say it’s “available” as a complete bike or frameset, what we really mean is you better hope your local Trek dealer placed an order this past summer and is patiently waiting for it to arrive. And that you better call said dealer if you want one – and you will, if you’re into fat bikes.
The frame, made with Trek’s Alpha Platinum Aluminum, has virtually every option you’d want, all while remaining fairly lightweight and darn good looking. It’s built around the 170mm fat bike standard and made to accept any other standard component.
We first spotted this bike racing around the Pisgah Brewing/Asheville Cyclocross Series race under several Industry Nine folks, using it to test their new fat bike hubs and Endless‘ new single chainring (see those here). Thankfully, I9’s Ricky sent more pics of the bike our way once we realized it was such a rare bird. Roll down and see why this fatty earns some love…
Up front is their E2 tapered headtube with full internal, integrated bearings. Shift cables run internally, with the front cable running through the top tube for a top-pull derailleur, and the rear running through the downtube.
The fork (and geometry) is a suspension corrected affair, which tells you they’ve thought ahead. The unique dual crown looks good and likely keeps things stiff while still allowing the height necessary to eventually throw on a suspension fork. We’ve seen prototypes floating around from other brands, so it’s coming. Spacing on this is 135mm.
Post mount front brakes would be nice, but at least there are multiple rack mounts. A thru-axle would be nice, too, if only because there’s one on the rear.
The rear brake hose runs externally on the bottom of the downtube. The cable guides have dual grooves to accommodate stealth dropper post routing, just in case you plan on getting super rad.
Rear shift cable pops out and runs full housing from BB to mech.
Direct mount front derailleur tabs could easily hold a chain guide, too. The bike’s designed around a 2×10 drivetrain, and the complete bike ships with an X7/X9/X0 shifter/derailleur mix, Shimano cassette and Race Face Turbine cranks.
Stealth dropper post cable entry port.
A convertible rear thru axle design allows use of standard quick release hubs, too.
The low standover and a whopping five stock sizes (from 14.5″ to 21.5″) means there’s a Farley to fit anyone.
Post mount rear brakes and more rack mounts.
This lovely baby blue hue is only available on the frameset, which retails for $879.99. Complete bikes will come in a black with green color scheme (also available as a frameset) and MSRP at $2,629.99.
Rumor is the limited number of complete bikes (reportedly just 500 units) is largely due to the available stock of Surly rims and tires. We’ve heard they’re shipping way more framesets, but those are reportedly sold out, too. Going forward, we’ve heard they’re developing their own fat bike rims and tires under the Bontrager label that should not only ease supply concerns, but if things go the way we think they’re going, will help usher in tubeless rims and tires. They won’t confirm it, but our sources on this one are pretty good. Until then, you can just order up Hed’s carbon tubeless fatty rims!
Want more fatties? Check our Interbike Fat Bike Roundup.
