Strengths: Well thought out designb, light, nimble, durable, versatile
Weaknesses: 1" headset/steerer - very few suspension fork options now available.
Bottom Line:
This is hands down the most versatile bike I have ever ridden. I have raced cross country, downhill, cyclocross nationals, road bikes, I have ridden in the East, the West, the Rockies, Moab, the UK....I have ridden full suspension bikes, front susp, rigid, downhill specific, race bikes, XC bikes, I was one of the very first people in new England to get a set of the RS-1 rock shox....I've ridden with some of the fittest and most skilled riders in the word. I spent 10 years in the bicycle business and attended Barnett Bicycle Institute.
I have ridden down MONUMENTUS in the Blue Hills, ona steel bike, with a rock shox Mag-21, without lower my seatpost.
Thsoe are my qualifications. in my experience, I can say that my Wicked (lite) FAT CHANCE, made in Somerville MA, is hands down, the est all around, most versatile bike I have ever ridden or owned. A close second would be a Moots YBB, but my bike has rack and fender mounts and longer chainstays that make for better climbing abilities on steep technical loose rocky climbs.
The Yo Eddy is too stiff, and a pure race bike. The Team Comp - chainstays are too long, also a pure race bike. Wojcik - beautiful welding, nimble, but again, a race bike. The Bontrager - bombproof, a bit more nimble inb the real tight twisty tech stuff (front trail, shorter chainstays, but still, if I had could only keep or have one bike for all purposes ever, it would be my Wicked.
Many bikes do one thing exceptionally well, and some bieks do most things good enough, but the Wicked does everything really well.
Similar Products Used: Bontrager, Rhygin, Ted Wopjcik, etc
Bike Setup: original Wicked Lite with FAT unicrown fork, full Suntour XC-Pro non-microdrive 7 speed. Yes, in 2010. And when set up *properly*, this stuff still workd GREAT.
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Submitted by
designh2009
a Weekend Warrior
from San Bruno, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2009
Strengths: The best geometric design, workmanship (welds and paint job) and climbing ability. If only we can build cars with quality as the Wicked we won't be bailing out U.S. car manufacturers. This the best bike that I have ever owned. I still owned a Klein Rascal another excellent U.S. made (aluminum) bike, but I like the Fat Chance Wicked the best because it more forgiving down hill (steel tubing). I will never sell my Wicked Fat Chance bike, I love it so much.
Weaknesses: None, maybe the purchase price, but you get what you paid for.
Strengths: Strong, tight, tough. The rear end tracks like a stripper around a pole. I could not be happier with these bikes.
Bottom Line:
I could not be happier with these bikes.
The Wicked was purchased new in 1989 by another bike messenger, and was the first Fat Chance i ever rode. I own the exact same bike three people later, and while it has been abused and overused, it is a great machine, that allows me to roll trails faster than most of my buddies, and it climbs like a Mt. Goat.
The second fat Chance was purchased by my friend off of Ebay, then sold to me. it is a single speed also, with the G.P. Wilson lugs and dropouts, and the bullet stays.
While I questioned this bike as a regular one to ride, it turns out that it is even finer than my other one, off road and on. My research has told me that it is one of the "unusual" bikes built between 1989 and 1990, that were neither a Monster, a Wicked, or a Yo. it is much lighter, more nimble, and tracks better than the Wicked I own.
Bike Setup: 1. Single speed Fat Chance Wicked, 1989, Henry james dropouts by M. Schwar
2. 1989 single speed, one off Fat Chance, unknown dropouts by unknown welder
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Submitted by
Max Merlin
a Cross Country Rider
from Downeast, Maine
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2006
Strengths: This frameset was designed for the super tight, rock and root infested, tree lined New England single track and in this element, nothing is more precise or more intuitive.
Weaknesses: Pressed-in bottom bracket can be a pain if you've never beforechanged out the bearings. Phil Wood still sells bearings and spindles and is generous with advice.
Bottom Line:
Purchased new by me in '89 I rode the bejesus out of this bike in the Maine woods for years, and only quit when the Deore XT components just would go no more. Too poor to replace them, I hung it in the garage and focused on my road bike. Years later, getting bit hard by the fixed gear bug, I took the ole' Fat down off the wall and sent it to Mike Flanigan, an old original Fat City Cycles guy who is still making beautiful tig welded bikes in the Boston area. (www.antbikemike.com) He stripped off all the unwanted braze-ons, narrowed the rear end to 120mm, installed horizontal drop-outs, applied a shiny black powdercoat and sent back to me a virtually brand new, factory modified fixed gear Wicked Fat. It's gorgeous. I welded up an old Bendix manual 2 speed hub for it and now, rigid and fixed, I have the best damed trail bike I could want. If a retro rigid bike appeals to you, read down through these reviews - there's not one negative comment. Find one in good shape and buy it. Keep in mind the Wicked Fat was designed as a non suspension-corrected frameset and so was sized a little larger than today's. The 19.5" frame, for example, has a 22.83" top tube, 30.5" stand-over height and was intended for a person 5' 9.5" to 6'. Good info and original specs atwww.mtb-kataloge.de/Bikekataloge/PDF/Fat_Chance/1987.pdf Be patient ... 3.7mb
Purchased At: Southwest Cycles, Southwest Harbor, Maine
Similar Products Used: Trek, Specialized, GT, Redline, etc.
Bike Setup: 2 speed fixed gear.
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Submitted by
Bryce Osborne
a Weekend Warrior
from Mission Viejo, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2005
Strengths: geometry, geometry, geometry.......On this bike I feel I can climb a tree
Weaknesses: never found one
Bottom Line:
This bike took me to places, views that I'll never forget. It is a priceless old friend that never let me down......Well done good and faithful servant.
Bike Setup: IRD (Interloc Racing Design) front forks, brakes and seatpost. Cooks 181mm crank set, Deore XT & shark fin.....Mavic headset, hubs, rims. Salsa stem, Aerosport bars/ODI.
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Submitted by
Big Bunny
a Cross Country Rider
from Henderson, NV
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2005
Strengths: Indestructable. Best geometry EVER. Truest-tracking MTB on technical. STIFF. Great riding position, and I'm 6'4".
Weaknesses: Ain't no weaknesses.
Bottom Line:
I looked at a lotta bikes before buying this thing. It was between this and a Kestrel when I decided that the Kestrel, although it looked cool, had way to whippy a frame for someone my size. I rode it on the coast, in the Santa Cruz Mountains and in the Sierras when I lived in Cali; moved to Illinois and rode the Kettle Moraines and a lot of other nice Midwest-type places - I put on the Marzocchi in '88 and it helped me track better on high-speed descents - it's a kinda heavy fork, but I'm a kinda big guy. And now that I've moved to Nevada, it starts a new phase of its life, once the temp drops below 110 - can't wait. I'm going on 50, the bike's going on 16, and I know I'll always have it. The decals have started to peel, but that just adds to the vintage look. It's too bad YOU can't get a new one anymore - but since they never break, see if you can find one. Mine's black with poison green decals; the original fork is poison green as well. another great thing is - wherever you go on a Wicked, you'll have the only one in the house. Outstanding bike.
Similar Products Used: Prior bike was a Mt. Fuji LTD., the pink one w/roller cams. Yeah, I've still got it too... Other bikes are a '71 Gitane Tour de France, which I bought new, and a 2005 Cannondale T2000 tourer - good bke for an ageing man.
Bike Setup: Cook Bros. cranks, Salsa stem, XT gruppo (all original), Sun Rhyno-Lites, Marzocchi M2 Bomber, Cook Bros. titanium bars, WTB saddle, Kool-Stops, Salsa bar ends, ODI Mushroom grips and, believe it or not, a Shark Fin that was put on it the day I bought it.
Strengths: I have beat on this frame for years and it keeps going strong. I have owned other bikes but have never felt such a kharmic connection with them as I do with this. It is solid and gives reassurance when attempting technical stuff.
Weaknesses: None, I wish I could own one from every year. I did install front suspension forks about 5 years ago and couldn't install Rock Shock Judys so I settled for RS Jetts instead, but still, the frame was made in 1988. Why even complain, I rode it for years without shocks with just as much control.
Favorite Trail: Wissahickon (Philly) Central Park (NYC)
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At: From old friend (Collateral for back rent)
Similar Products Used: 1989 Bridgestone Frame is the closest I've used which doesn't even compare really.
Bike Setup: 1988 Frame with original Shimano Deore Light SIS 7 components with Simano Biopace chain rings. Replaced Araya rims and added Ryno Lite Sun Rims, VelociRaptor WTB DNA Tires.
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Submitted by
Niall Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Erskine,Renfrewshire,Scotland
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2002
Strengths: Sheer craftmanship - as the saying goes 'they just don't make em like they used to'. It really does ride as good as it looks.
Weaknesses: That funny old press in bottom bracket, getting very hard to find these days.
Bottom Line:
Although not built with suspended front end in mind it works a treat, well worth doing - but dont go over the top in travel terms.It looks beutiful, is absolutely fantastic to ride - clean and precise and awesome for climbing.I'm very sorry to hear that Chris Chance is no longer in business. It is a great loss for all those who have yet to experience what a bike like this can do for you're riding and enthusiasm for getting out there. Everyone will love this bike. My friend bought one and I wasn't convinced - till I rode it. It is so fast and smooth.And comfy. I was hoping to get a ti fat chance, this is looking very unlikely now as I know that I will never sell my wicked so what's the chance of me finding a Ti. If you see one - do yourself a favour and grab it. These really are the best. Chris, if you're reading this then build me ti.
Similar Products Used: Univega(good for the money),Specialized(sucked),Kona(pretty good)
Bike Setup: Pace RC36 Carbon fibre 3" travel front fork, Spinergy rev X roks carbon fibre wheels, full XT 8sp groupset.
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Submitted by
Matt Soffa
a Cross Country Rider
from Syracuse, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2001
Strengths: This frame has almost all you can expect from something made in 1985: Compliant yet stiff ride, light weight, smooth-as-silk welds and paint... The list goes on.
Weaknesses: The geometry is, well, 1985. If the head tube were a bit steeper and the chainstays a bit shorter, I'd never have bought another bike.
Bottom Line:
I commute on this bike every day. it is currently set up as a single speed, but it makes a fine multi-speed bike as well. For extra kicks I ride it on singletrack occasionally as well. The ride isn't a nice as my Merlin, but it cost 1/40 as much to build.
Considering the age of the bike and the price you can find one for, one can end up with a pretty rad bike for low $$$$ by setting a frame like this up with the right components. You really have to pick the right fork for things to work out OK in front end land - I tried a Rock Shox Quadra 21R before settling on the Marzocchi, and it made this bad boy ride like a serious chopper! Stick with something low-travel with a crown that you can move the stanchion tubes around in to acheive the optimum angle. I imagine a Mag-21 would work pretty well.
These are classic bikes. Ride that thing with FAT pride!
Similar Products Used: 1997 Merlin Mountain, 1994 Stumpjumper M2
Bike Setup: 1985 Fat Chance Frame, Marzocchi XC-R (Shortened to steepen the head tube angle), Fat City bars, Mavic 217/XT wheelset, Ritchey Speedmax slicks, QBP single-speed adapter, Old-school Shimano DX pedals.
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Submitted by
David Bottoms
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2001
Strengths: Craftsmanship
Weaknesses: None, can't knock the fact that the frame geometry wouldn't allow for suspension - the frame was built in 1989.
Bottom Line:
Not very aggressive in geometry but fantastic the way it carved singletrack. A sweet well balanced ride. I upgraded parts over the years but the soul of a bike is in the frame and these were built with love and integrity. A year ago I traded it up to get a new Yo Eddy from the factory but I wish I had kept it. It was such a nice ride I stayed with it's rigid fork even though my style of riding was begging for some suspension relief. My Yo Eddy is everything I wanted it to be - more aggressive geometry, long travel suspension adjusted, stronger tubes, and rides like a Fat Chance - but I have to say the welds on the Wicked were even better - like melted butter (it was built in Sommerville, MA and the Yo in Saratoga, NY). I actually rode that bike so long and hard I cracked the frame at the top of the downtube. Fortunately for me Fat was still in business at the time and fixed/painted it for free. They pioneered the design of the gusset on the downtube to facilitate this. I rode it happily another 4 years after that. A Wicked is a bit retro now but it still embodies everything that is good about mountain bike riding. A classic. Owning one is a love affair.
Ideal owner: serious XC rider or anyone who appreciates a good bike. Properly outfitted this frame will carry you anywhere with comfort and confidence.
Purchased At: used but the guy had put maybe 20 miles on it.
Similar Products Used: Trek pos, Mongoose loaner, Fat Chance Yo Eddy
Bike Setup: Suntour XC Pro - don't laugh, it was hands down bettrer than the Shimano stuff. Later with WTB wheels, King headset, Paul's brakes.
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Submitted by
Richie Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2001
Strengths: One of the best bikes ever,even today.I have owned 4 hardtails ever since I started back in '95 with this one,but this is still my benchmark bike.The way all steel bikes should feel:Laterally stiff,but compliant--I ride this bike fully rigid(the way it was meant to be),and it just feels right--smooth,yet crisp.I am so impressed by the craftmanship--every weld is well-finished,and the frame bears the touch of East Coast master Chris Chance.The geometry is great--the only bike that I liked better as a singletrack machine was my 2000 Spooky Darkside(broken).This bike is like the Energizer Bunny.I will never give it up.
Weaknesses: The only big weakness is the 1" steerer tube.Hard to find suspension forks these days.But this is unimportant,considering it rides best with the rigid fork it came with.
Fat City and Chris Chance are out of business.Your bikes will be missed,Chris.
Bottom Line:
The Fats are unique among bikes in that they seem to get better with age,and my Wicked is no exception.I have loved this bike since the first day I got it and I love it even more today.Even though I have fancier,higher-technology bikes in my stable,I still throw a leg over this bike just for the sheer enjoyment of the ride it brings.This bike is simply timeless,and my updates have not diluted the feel one bit.5 chilies for a classic!
Similar Products Used: Spooky Darkside(broken),custom Seven Sola Ti(same geometry as the Darkside),'98 Klein Adroit Race
Bike Setup: 18" frame,8-speed XT componentry(vintage '95),threadless rigid fork,Thompson seatpost,Sycros stem,Answer Hyperlite bar,Chris King headset,Avid Single Digit 2.5 V's(replaced original LX cantilevers),Time Atacs,Selle Italia Flite saddle
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Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Cleveland Heights, OH
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2001
Strengths: Perfect example of a hand-built steel frame. Tight geometry and great paint. This 1991 Wicked is one of the old school Fats with perfect welds, understated gussets, and the Don't Tread on Me decal.
Weaknesses: Super squirrely on speedy downhills. Also, I overpaid since the bikes were in short supply in 1991.
Bottom Line:
This was THE bike in 1990-1991 for single track and climbing. But this bike is NO downhiller, unless you are willing to live with kidney damage.
If you want a great classic, they are sometimes auctioned for less than $500 built! That is a great price for a light handmade steel frame with sick geometry and the coolitude of the original Fat.
Similar Products Used: Merlin mountain, Litespeed Pisgah, Ross Mt. Hood!, Specialized Rock F*cker, 1964 Schwinn Typhoon
Bike Setup: 1990 XT with thumb shifters! Rigid fork, old but sturdy Mavics
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Submitted by
BoB BoBman
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati, Ohio
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2000
Strengths: Very nimble, esp. on the technical downhills. Awesome on flats and rollers. Confidence to launch over logs, etc. So very tight.
Weaknesses: Rigid design geometry
Bottom Line:
Saw an ad in MTB magazine of Stan the Mudman riding a Fat Chance. Had to have that bike. Had a lot of $ at the time and built the bike of my dreams while living in Aspen.
Similar Products Used: 1988 Stumpjumper (100 lb. bohemoth) withstood a 300 lb. indian wiping out on it. Bike was fine - Indian not so lucky. (sorry not very PC but hey - true story with a little comic relief)
Bike Setup: Custom Richey wheels with titanium spokes. Deore XT II throughout. Merlin Ti bar. Spec. Ground controls.
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2000
Strengths: Great ride quality, good handling, extreme durability.
Weaknesses: 1" headtube is only a weakness because of the market's shift to a different standard. There was no functional reason for this shift, especially for a steel frame.
Bottom Line:
This is a follow-up to the review I posted before. I have added a suspension fork, and the geometry still works fine... it added a little trail, so the front end wanders a little bit more on the uphills, but with a long rider cockpit, I can shift weight front or rear easily. This bike has a very smooth and comfortable ride, yet it is all still there for the most technical stuff I do. I wonder, too, whether this bike has any more trail that some of the newer bikes out there today with 4" travel suspension forks. How can THAT not slacken frame angles at least as much as a 75mm travel fork does on this frame? All in all, this bike has been a real eye-opener for me. I bought the bike used at a good price, and replaced most of the parts. Built new wheels for it. This is the lightest steel frame Fat City built- the top and seat tubes are a bit smaller diameter than the tubes on the Yo Eddy/Team. It has been a great bike for me- the only way I would get a new bike would be to get a new semi-custom or full-custom steel frame built with an eye toward some of the characteristics of this bike- maybe an IF, an Ibis, Strong, Steelman, Curtlo.
Similar Products Used: Trek 990, Trek 7000 bonded.
Bike Setup: 1988 frame. Manitou SX Ti fork (1997 upgraded to TPC), XT/XC pro thumbshifters, XT front der., XC pro rear derailleur, XT crank, Suntour rings, XT hubs, DT revolution spokes, Specialized rims, Fire XC Pro tires, King headset (threaded), McMahon ti stem, Qrank bars, LX v-brake front, XT U-brake rear, Nashbar/Wellgo pedals, Uno post, Flite saddle, alloy bar-ends. 25.4 pounds complete, best guess is 19 inch frame weighs 4.25 pounds or so.
Hey guys, thought I would post the first photos of my new/old ride that arrived last weekend. It's a Wicked (sporting Yo decals for some reason) using a full 7-speed XT build with Read More »
I have the opportunity to buy a 1992 Wicked Fat Chance but I do not know what these bikes are worth. I do not know much about it but it does look like it is in very nice condition. Read More »
I'm based in Bay Area. Wondering if folks might have some advice.
I own a 1991 Wicked Fat Chance, fully rigid, made in MA, that I bought new (when I lived in Oregon way back Read More »
Does anybody here have any geometry for this model? Mine was stolen not too long ago . This was my favorite mtb and I would like to build a similar frame set up for 650b or maybe e Read More »
Buy it as is (with the sweet but non-vintage wheels) or make me a deal for the frameset
[url=http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=72818&title=fat-chance-wicked-18 Read More »
