The Yo Eddy! is designed for the rider seeking all-out high performance; positive control with no compromise. The Yo! is an aggressive climber, stable descender and one of the most responsive singletrack bikes available. With its light weight, precise handling and high durability, the Yo Eddy! won't ever hold you back. Not to mention that with its new triple butted, heat treated tubeset and new 4130 dropouts, the frameset is lighter and stronger than ever before.
Hand-built in New York State, the Yo Eddy! features 16 7/8" chainstays and the craftsmanship and attention to detail for which Fat City is known. They've designed it to accommodate 2.5" of suspension travel which gives the bike great overall stability, superb handling in singletrack and excellent climbing capability, when paired with a suspension fork of like travel.
Strengths: Utterly intuitive and responsive handling. Better than anything new I've ever ridden, irrespective of cost. I keep thinking that there must be something better, a decade and a half on, but I haven't found it yet. This frame (and its custom painted by Chris Chance Rock Shox forks) was from the days of center pull brakes, and has seen many newer technologies come and go. Light, tough as old boots - just feels like home. Sealed tubes have kept the rust at bay.
Weaknesses: I'm showing my age much more than the frame, and it's getting a bit long for me these days as my back stiffens up, but it's still my preferred frame as the geometry's so well thought out. Great for X-C and climbing, not so good for trickier stuff. A shorter, higher stem seems to have done wonders for me, 'though it slowed the steering down a bit. Touching up scratches on the chameleon fade paint job isn't easy. Getting a bit difficult to source parts that fit. Continually get stopped on the trail by older riders wanting to look it over and 'have a go'.
Bottom Line:
A steel Fat Chance Yo Eddy was probably the best X-C frame out there, especially for racing. Obviously. you can't get those any more, so try Independent Fabrication, who'll make you a custom steel hard tail frame for under a couple of grand, and as these were the people who built Fat Chance bikes, it's as close as you're going to get. And spec it with a Selle SMP seat. You'll thank me. Oh, yes you will.
Similar Products Used: Several top end aluminum frames - S_Works, Pace, Klein and Yeti frames have come and mostly gone. I just like steel better. The YE stays.
Bike Setup: Original Rock Shox Forks upgraded to springs from elastomers, Chris King bearings (1" headtube), Hope hubs, 1990s XTR everything else. Oh yes, and an utterly fantastic Selle SMP Glider saddle. Wish I'd got that years ago...
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Submitted by
stillfat
a Cross Country Rider
from denver, co
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2009
Strengths: Lightning fast, rigid, built like a tank and lightweight - cool retro points for still riding one. Nowadays a collector's item - was the coolest bike on the planet back in the day.
Weaknesses: A bit too elongated of a frame for real technical stuff. 1" head tube - ancient and really difficult to find parts for.
Bottom Line:
I've had this bike for 16 years, can't get rid of it - dings, dents, indestructible. If I only rode fast, not too technical flowy singletrack it would still be my go-to ride. For this type of terrain, there's still nothing that beats it.
Bike Setup: I've broken every component on it at least 3-5 times, but mostly Shimano XT, Avid, Thomson.
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Submitted by
Dr S
a Weekend Warrior
from Northumberland, UK
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2009
Strengths: razor sharp, pin point handling, great looks, build quality, pretty light and does anything you ask of it
Weaknesses: I'll never be able to part with it. (BTW Chris King still makes 1" headsets you guys!)
Bottom Line:
Just finished a full refurb of this early 92 Yo, looking forward to another 17 years of fun out on the trails. This is my fifth Fat and my second Yo and I guess i need to stock up on more so as to last a lifetime.
Beautifully crafted frame that just gets on with the job- power transfer and handling make me look like a star out on the trails even though i'm a pretty average rider. I know there was a lot of hype around chris chance's bikes but you only have to ride one to see that these are probably the finest steel hardtails in the world.
A big thanks to all at Fat City for years of fun and frolics out in the hills!
Similar Products Used: Cotic, Wicked FAT (1987 and still going strong), PACE, Klein, Boulder etc
Bike Setup: Big One Inch fork, Ringle hubs and stem, Campag rims, Full XT, Flite Ti, Answer bars, Grafton brakes and cranks, Tioga tyres
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Submitted by
caravan2001
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2009
Strengths: This bike rules your face!
Weaknesses: zilch....
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike in 1992, and it has been slaying trails for 17 years. I recently got an Indpendent Fab Ti Deluxe, but the Yo will always have a place in my heart. It is just the joint. All of the other reviews have said it, but the balance, and feel of this bike is impeccable. Obviously, I rode it for 17 years without ever wanting another bike. $2200 was a ton of money for a mountain bike back in'92. I would say I got my money's worth. I started with the stiff fork, now have a circa 98 Sid on it. The only thing original on the bike is the cranks, and seat and seatpost, and frame of course. It is just SO fast, climbs like no other and handles tech like a dream. When I got it, it was touted as a west coast fire road bike, but believe me, it handles the twisty, east coast single track like no other. It fits me like a second skin and all I do is think about my next move and the bike is already doing it. Rad beyond description. Go get one on ebay and feel the love!
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2005
Strengths: This frame is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world!! Just turned 10 this summer, still going strong. Its from the fat shop in new york, just after they moved from mass. sapphire fade, xt drivetrain. not enough adjectives to describe it. The ride is the best. Great on singletrack, climbing, descending. Great handling. I bought another yo this summer, this one has the 1 1/8" headset on it. I wish someone would put me on an original yo eddy big one inch fork. I want to go back to the real old school and go rigid!!
Weaknesses: are you kidding, other than they are getting more rare every year. hard to find the big one inch forks now.
Bottom Line:
The greatest of all time!! you should try it all you dually riders!! Northwest fat riders unite! later
Similar Products Used: fatchance wicked lite. from 94' my first fat and started my fat addiction
Bike Setup: all xt drivetrain, manitou fork, king wheelset, king headset, conti rubber.
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Submitted by
John Goldstein
a Weekend Warrior
from New York, NY & Meredith, CO
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2005
Strengths: Just amazing balance - can stand immobile in the middle of a dry creek bed and the bike will wait, standing straight, for me to tell it what to do. Climbs phenomenally as well - road up some narrow dirt elk trails effortlessly.
Weaknesses: None?
Bottom Line:
Looking to buy more of these. If you can get one -- do so. Just awesome. Note, I am riding real back country cross-country and not hucking off cliffs or anything. But for really losing myself in Colorado wilderness, this is just perfect.
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Heckler (old style -- equivelant to SuperLite)
Bike Setup: XT; Judy XL fork; Eggbeater Candy's
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Submitted by
Ben Swanson
a Weekend Warrior
from Nashville, TN
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2004
Strengths: Frame is steel, looks killer, handmade in USA
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
A friend of mine gave me this bike, the frame is a chameleon fade. I wish it fit me it is a Medium and I am 6 foot 4. Selling on Ebay on December 10, 2004
Bike Setup: Full XTR, Manitou SX fork, Aheadset, Synchros
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Submitted by
matt aimonetti
a Weekend Warrior
from salem oregon usa
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2004
Strengths: great stability at speed , light wieght , supple ride and way cool rep
Weaknesses: made before suspension fork geometry was added and no braze ons
Bottom Line:
Ibought frame and fork brand new 10 yrs ago and have ridden nothing else since . Its a sweet bike and has served me faithfully . I'm going back to the rigid fork for a retro look since i just bought a used Heckler .
Submitted by
Cory Hughes
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, WI
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2004
Strengths: Light, Delicious, Tough.. did I mention delicious?
Weaknesses: 1" headset, they don't make'm anymore
Bottom Line:
Wowwwiee! I was looking for a bike that I could love for years to come, and I found it. Thank you Fat for building lovely bikes from the heart. I ride this bike and it is so much fun. I bought it on Ebay from a complete loser who obviously did not know how to love a bike. I spent a year getting the bike straightened out. The bike handles so nicely, is light and forgiving. The bottom line, I guess, is that if you love hardtails, climbing, and sick singletrack you will have to change your underwear just thinking about this bike.
Similar Products Used: Marin Eldrige Grade, Performance Tangent
Bike Setup: Marzochi X-Fly 80, Cane Creek DC5, Paul Love Levers, DX thumb shifters, Cook Brothers F-crank, WTB rear hub, Phil Wood front, seat-gloves-and-hat.
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Submitted by
Dan Sprague
a Cross Country Rider
from Pomona
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2004
Strengths: Love this bike, light, strong steel frame. turns on a dime, even when you just think of turning it does. This baby climbs like a mountain goat and decends faster than fast. Even though the bike is 8 years old, it still looks great. Hope to keep bike for a long time, but if ever need a new bike will buy another.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
If you ever can get your hands on one of these, do so, you won't be sorry. I can't wait to race her. I ride 50-75 miles of cross country a week and looking forward to taking her up to Big Bear. Your in BIG trouble Wee-Wee Joe.
Submitted by
Michiel Eldering
a Weekend Warrior
from Heemstede, Holland
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2003
Strengths: Frame disign and org. fork the disign is the best classic MTB evver build. like the classic lines verry much, its a bike from '91 and still perfoming like a new one. i am at least the 3e owner and the oldy still goes verry strong
Weaknesses: das it have weaknesses??
Bottom Line:
Sindce march of this year i have at last a YO Eddy aggain, and i'm more than happy to be able to obtain my dream bike aggain, this is YO nr. 3 for me, the first i broke, but got under warenty a new frame, that one was STOLEN, i stil mis it verry much. Ibought the bike whit a Manitou III fork, 3 month later i hade the chance to buy an original Fat Chance big one fork, that made the bike realy compleet. sindce the '91 bike whas disignt for a rigit fork.
on single tracks its realy a wonder flyer, excelent ballance, good cornering, you realy can feel the track under you whitout being shaked on teh bike.
Favorite Trail: where evver there are singletracks
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At: private person
Similar Products Used: de Kerf Team '96, GT Zaskar
Bike Setup: Org. fat big one inch fork, yes a rigid fork !! xt, lx mixture, Salsa steerer tube, WTB, Syncros seattube, cook bross qranks, bonetrager race lite wheels
Submitted by
alex davidson
a Cross Country Rider
from oxford
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2003
Strengths: my old one('90)is still going and going...this new one has the most sexy cameleon green paint job- still the best rides ever..makes me so happy to own them.
Weaknesses: steel can/might/will? rust..put some waxoil/dinatrol down the seat tube.
Bottom Line:
this frame i got after hearing on the grape vine that bromley bike co had two old stock 19" frames(just my size-wish i bought the other one too-its gone now).my old '90 bike is now a single speed(and 32x16 fits perfectly with no tensioner needed-as if Chris had thought about that one too...). I love these bikes. if you don't already try riding them ridgid...they are amazing. maybe one day i will put some forks on this one but as it stands i'm having so much fun riding ridgid so i'm happy for now. I was only browsing after reading my latest letter from mtbreview and i'm amazed how many more reviews there are on these bikes...its great to see more people discovering them. And everyone seems so happy with 'em. wicked. (if ever in oxford uk pop into bike zone and say hello) alex.
Bike Setup: 1" yo eddy fork(custom made for me by ex fat worker and guru -and damn nice bloke-Chris igleheart)king headset(its a must isn't it?)xt thumbshifters(and i still have two brand new pairs just waiting)old xtr hub rear,xcpro grease guard front, raceface cranks, middleburn rings,thompson stem, syncros post, wtb seat, ceramic rims, old xtr mechs, royce b/b...
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Submitted by
Olaf Verdonk
a Cross Country Rider
from Jericho Center, VT USA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2003
Strengths: best damn steel bike ever made. Tougher than nails.
Weaknesses: could be lighter.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is that this bike is bullet proof. REad all the other reviews. She handles like a knife, although a bit twitchy if your nervous, but cuts like a scalpel if your a surgeon. Super response and handling! I have owned and ridden this bike HARD for 8 years. I have raced, marathon XC, dropped, hucked, crashed, toured, and commuted on this bike and she has never failed me. However, this fall i did manage to break the unbreakable. My beautiful, Fat, black, b***h cracked just below the headtube gusset along the down tube. I never thought it possible, but what can you expect after so many years FUN and abuse. she has given me many years of happiness and faithful service. I hope to fix her soon and rig up as a single speed bike. I am going to look for a replacement YO, but i feel that it may be time to move on to full suspension... BEST bang for the buck without a doubt!
Similar Products Used: you name it, specialized, gary fisher, cannondale, ...
Bike Setup: Bought frame NEW in 1996. Built it up with XTR gruppo. White Industries Hubs, Mavic 517 rims (rebuilt on numerous occassions), variety of susp. forks. currently RockShox Psylo SL. Old school shimano 535 block pedals.
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Submitted by
René von Dach
a Weekend Warrior
from Zurich, Switzerland
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2003
Strengths: best handling, durable, art on bike, still a awesome bike after 11 years of riding!
Weaknesses: 1" headset, no production anymore, sniff
Bottom Line:
I've been riding my two Yo's (one M and one SM) for years now and must say: if you have the chance, get one! i mean, if you dont have a (Fat) Chance, get one! you know what i mean... :-) i's a investment for live. have i mentioned the beautiful fillet brazing and welding?
Similar Products Used: nothing similar, but other bikes: GT Zaskar, Raleigh Technium Peak (1989) :-)
Bike Setup: A wild mix on both Yo Eddy!'s: selfmade brakes (V-brake before shimano etc.), Syncros stem and cranks, selfmade seatpost, flight, XT-shifters....
