Perfect Downhill / Dual Slalom / Mountain Cross wheelset. Available in 26"x32 or 26"x36 hole. Fatdaddy 1.75 Rims. Quick Release front and rear hubs. Available in wheelset or rim. Formerly called Fatboy.
Submitted by
GoremanX
a Cross Country Rider
from Ile-Aux-Noix, QC Date Reviewed: November 20, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Island Line, Burlington, VT
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$389.00
Purchased At:
bombshellparts.com
Strengths:
Bomb proof, amazingly strong, super wide, look great
Weaknesses:
weight
Similar Products Used:
Alex Rims DM24 (vomit), generico crap, etc.
Bike Setup:
2008 Kona Hoss frame,custom built from scratch
Bottom Line:
I weigh 250 pounds. These are the first wheels to survive the punishment I dish out, even after 1000 miles. I ride them everywhere from pavement to rough mountain forest trails, and I do not take good care of them. I just abuse them endlessly. I trued them initially after purchase, then I never had to put a spoke wrench to them again. They continue to run strong and true.
I run these "ghetto" tubeless using half BMX tubes, and they've never failed me in that respect either. The super-wide rim makes it incredibly easy to mount tires, yet once those tires are inflated, they're on there to stay. I'm currently running a set of studded winter tires on them (also "ghetto" tubeless).
So far, the hubs have been reliable and strong, despite my constant hammering and my use of a downhill (11-26) cassette. The freewheel isn't showing any damage whatsoever from the cassette cogs. Coasting was a little loud initially, but now that it's broken-in, it sounds no louder than any other freewheel. The front hub has seen some pounding, but it's still good as new. Being able to convert from 20mm thru-axle to regular QR is brilliant. I use the 20mm method on my bike.
Customer service from Bombshell is terrible. I'd rather never have to deal with them again if at all possible. Their communication sucks. Hopefully the wheels will just continue to work well and I won't need any more customer service.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
wsccj85
a Downhiller
from Palmer, MA, USA Date Reviewed: June 12, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Weaknesses:
Weight; this wheelset is a little bit on the heavy side.
The Fat Daddy wheelset is worth the $$. I've ridden these wheels HARD for the last 2 years on BOTH of my bikes; DH and AM. They have put up with everything I've dished out. Great for my DH bike, and because I recently broke my rear wheel on my AM bike (Giant Reign) I slapped the Bombshells on it and they are great. I was worried they would be a litle bit heavy for the AM riding, but they are fine; I can pedal up mostly every hill I was riding with my stock wheels (WTB Laser Disc Trail), and the Bombshells only add another pound to the bike.
I recommend these wheels to someone that wants a STRONG, stiff platform for anything from Downhill to All Mountain riding. If you are a weight weenie, these wheels are not for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
R-DUB
a Weekend Warrior
from Arlington, TN, U.S. Date Reviewed: November 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Stanky Creek
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$259.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
everything. these wheels are sick.
Weaknesses:
none really. maybe weight...if your a wuss.
Similar Products Used:
mavic crossmax, shimanoxt/ryhno lite, sun ringle s.u.v.'s
have a set of bombshell fatboys and run the 20mm front.
the swichit hub is amazing. the stiffness is unbelievable.
these wheels are the best wheels i have ever owned. i have ridden these wheels very hard for over three years. i have only tightened one spoke after i landed a jump almost completely sideways. may be a little heavy for wussies, but i weigh 200lbs dry so for me i have had many problems with detroying wheels. my riding buddy has to get his wheels trued every week. i keep telling him to buy these wheels and quit throwing your money away. i plan on trying the easton am havoc wheels next. i hope they do not disappoint.
if they do i will put the fatboys back on and sell the eastons on ebay.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dale
a
from CDM Date Reviewed: January 25, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Once dialed-in, wheels stay true.
Weaknesses:
Freehubs, customer service is among the most unprofessional ever encountered.
Similar Products Used:
Azonic Outlaws, Performance Locos, Mavic 321
Bottom Line:
If these wheels break, you're on your own. They ran ok after I dialed-in the spokes (yes they tend to be squirly out of the box) and that's why they got 2 chilis for value.
But, the freehub pawls gave out after 6-9 months. No big deal, except their customer service (though nice) is among the most unprofessional I've ever encountered.
Delayed shipping, wrong parts sent, etc. Weeks later, I'm still without a working wheel. Can't buy a freehub elsewhere, because they say their tech is proprietary. Probably going to go buy a new wheel. Buyer beware: If you wheels break, you might as well call a rodeo clown for warranty support.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
B F
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Altos, CA Date Reviewed: November 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
420s
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$280.00
Purchased At:
Adrenaline
Strengths:
price, strength, looks, and resonable weight
Weaknesses:
front hub spacing is a tad narrow, also because of the rim width and offset lacing spokes rub the inside of my brake caliper when cornering ( f-ing annoying)
Similar Products Used:
many
Bike Setup:
El Camino brakes with an Marz. All Mtn 1 fork
Bottom Line:
Sweet rims for the price except be careful what brakes you use make sure the inside width of the caliper isn't going to hit the spokes. I already planned on changing the brakes ( El Caminos suck) so it's a none issue. But they are definately strong and not too heavy ( All mtn - DH range)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anthony Uva
a Weekend Warrior
from Stamford, CT, USA Date Reviewed: August 6, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Diablo
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$260.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
Durability, Width, Looks
Weaknesses:
Weight, Alloy nipples
Similar Products Used:
sun mtx rims on shimano hubs
Bike Setup:
specialized enduro, marzocchi Z1, fox dhx 5.0, sram, race face
Bottom Line:
When i got the wheels the spokes were loose, i tightened them up but they loosened again, i fixed this issue by replacing all the alloy nipples with brass ones. But other than that it's awesome.
Durability- i ran a diablo domination race this past weekend (Aug 4/5) and i flatted at the top 1/3 of the course at a rocky section. i ran the rest of the course on flat through moderately rocky terain, minor drops (due to lack of speed), and many roots. The rim held up beautifully! (minus the scratch where the rock hit my tire causing the flat.) There were no dings or wobbles on the sidewalls of the rim at all.
The hubs are pretty standard but easy to take apart and clean. Very happy with these rims/wheels. Buy some, swap the nipples, and enjoy!
4/5 value due to nipples 5/5 for durability
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gil
a Cross Country Rider
from Jersey City Date Reviewed: November 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
anything
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$169.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
These used to be called fatboy, great rims i haven't touched these badboys since i purchased them over two years ago.
Weaknesses:
a little heavy but who cares.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic crap, rinos and other $hit that i wasted my time on.
Bike Setup:
Giants NRS & AC,Banshee Scirocco
Bottom Line:
These rims are great i can't believe the have lasted this long, I'm sure Bomdshell hasn't changed the design. Go out and get a set. Don't waste your time on building or buying mavics, life is too short, get out there and ride. I have also bought a set of bombshell fb pedals that are just as good. Great company they have a customer for life.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fatcat
a
from pasadena, california Date Reviewed: October 13, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
I have the formerly known FatBoy, I guess Bombshell went poltically correct, those wimps! But these wheels are not wimpy. They are pretty light, the rims are wide and the hubs are high quality. The 20mm front hub is pretty narrow for a thru axle, however it can stand alot of punishment. I kinda wished the rear came in a 12mm thru axle, but the standard QR is OK. I've pretty much rode these wheels through rock gardens and off short drops and they have withstood alot.
Weaknesses:
No weaknesses except an anodized paintjob would be nice as I have scratches all over the rims from the cheap gloss black paint job.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 321 with XT, Sun Singletrack with Chris King
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Bullit
Bottom Line:
For only little more than $250 after shipping and taxes, these are a great value opposed to having some custom made rims and hubs done up at your local shop. True, they are no Chris King or Hugi hubs strung up with Mavics, but they get the job done and are fairly lightweight. After 2 years of riding on them 3 times a week, they havent taken a dump yet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lex
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Clarita Date Reviewed: February 20, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
very nice wheelset for a very nice price. tough, lite enough
Weaknesses:
none so far
Bike Setup:
Transition Dirtbag
Bottom Line:
they roll, take abuse, roll some more... so far so good. no probs whatsoever after a month of abusive riding. $250 a set and your set. can't beat that with a stick.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dav-O
a Downhiller
from Tulsa Date Reviewed: June 16, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Cass or Devils Den
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
Everything!! These rims are bad...they stay in true and just rock.
Weaknesses:
NONE!
Similar Products Used:
Azonics, MAvics, Truely built custom rims
Bike Setup:
03 Big Hit, 8in linkage upgrade, bombshells,Michelin Tubeless, truvativ cranks BB and Stem, Boxxer Race, Titec handle bars.
Bottom Line:
Simply bombproof, for the price and durability these rims are a must have!! Why pays hundreds more when you can get these bad boys for that sick price of 100 - 250 bones!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Evans
a Downhiller
from Wenatchee, WA Date Reviewed: March 17, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Dirt with stuff
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$230.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
PRICE! Strength. Super true, Looks.
Weaknesses:
what other people think!
Similar Products Used:
321's, F219, SingleTracks
Bike Setup:
Transition DirtBag with 888r flat crowns Michi's dangerboy levers, diabolus bunch of stuff, dangerboy rockers, Bucn of goodies.
Bottom Line:
These wheels are bad. I might just be lucky with a good set, but it's like hook em up and ride. I havnt had to tension or anything. Still rockin them after a year like new.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J Walter
a Weekend Warrior
from Missoula, Montana Date Reviewed: February 22, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Personel Jesus
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Adrenalin bikes.com
Strengths:
Looks, Very strong, price is cheap...Even cheaper on EBay.
Weaknesses:
None Yet.
Similar Products Used:
azonic outlaws, custom built set
Bike Setup:
Specialized FSR with all the goodies you can imagine
Bottom Line:
I am very happy with the wheelset. I have given it as much abuse as I can since the season is so early. I have been doing 180s and landing them not so well on some occasions. Was worried they would come out of true on some of my misguided attempts, but so far so good. They have taken 6-10 foot flat landings to pavement very well. I need another set for my freeride tires and I will definatly buy another set for them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Warrenton, VA, USA Date Reviewed: February 20, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Strength, looks, reasonable weight, and price.
Weaknesses:
None found so far...
Similar Products Used:
D321 w/ Hugi, XM321 w/ Hugi, etc...
Bike Setup:
'05 Yeti AS-X, Boxxer Team, Holzfeller, etc...
Bottom Line:
I've only had these a few months, but for the price I'm really stoked. They're strong & wide, and have taken the abuse this 200lb rider has dished out. I did have to true a bit after the first couple rides, but that's normal. Since then, straight as an arrow. Good value.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 369.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
