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Deciding on a Bike....Beargrease Deore vs. ICT vs. Mukluk Deore vs. Farley 5

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Discussion starter · #21 ·
Lots of good information shared here. Thanks to everyone for your thorough replies. After calling a TON of shops today (I think maybe 50+?) plus speaking with Salsa corporate for some advice, I'm really striking out with the Salsas. Two places had Mukluks (size Large) in stock, and one of them sold today, the other one I'm waiting to hear back from if they'll ship. The one place that had a Beargrease in stock, in fact does NOT have it, it was a phantom inventory list. However, a shop nearby (30min) has a Farley 5 in stock. I'm wondering if a local pickup of a Farley 5 makes it worth it over the ICT or Mukluk? Especially if the Beargrease is now out of the equation due to availability.
 
#25 ·
Don't listen to anyone who says "stay away from steel".
As far as that goes, don't listen to anyone on the internet forums.
Listen to the other riders in your area, who ride the conditions you will ride in.
If you wait too long, the decision will be made for you.
Availability is king these days.
 
#26 ·
If you are able to grab the Farley, I'm almost certain you wont be disappointed. It's a great bang for the buck, with studdable tires, and dropper. Also, while it is aluminum the frame is pretty light. I agree with what's said above about wider tires on ungroomed trail. Also, I've ridden the Farley on dirt and had a blast. It's a great bike. They all are and you'll enjoy snow riding!
 
#27 ·
fatbikeNH said:
Lots of good information shared here. Thanks to everyone for your thorough replies. After calling a TON of shops today (I think maybe 50+?) plus speaking with Salsa corporate for some advice, I'm really striking out with the Salsas. Two places had Mukluks (size Large) in stock, and one of them sold today, the other one I'm waiting to hear back from if they'll ship. The one place that had a Beargrease in stock, in fact does NOT have it, it was a phantom inventory list. However, a shop nearby (30min) has a Farley 5 in stock. I'm wondering if a local pickup of a Farley 5 makes it worth it over the ICT or Mukluk? Especially if the Beargrease is now out of the equation due to availability.
Click to expand...
The ICT is the king of fat bikes, so I wouldn't give up on it.
 
#28 ·
Buy that Farley while you can.

And be warned, if my experience means anything, you'll be riding it a lot. I got into fat biking this winter on a lark. Like you I wasn't sure how much I'd like it. Well, it's a blast!

So much of the good advice on this thread relates to the conditions you'll be riding in. I got a Beargrease because I could, and there was ONE in my size. Since I ride mostly hardpack, the narrow-ish 27.5 wheels and tires couldn't be better. Well, that's not true. They are better with the light carbon wheels I grabbed from mikesee....

However, if I rode a lot in fresh snow, wider tires would obviously be a better choice. But I own lots of skis for when the snow is fresh and deep.

Have fun with it!
 
#29 ·
Id choose the Farley over the ICT anyway. Tapered steer tube if you ever want to put on a fork and 27.5 wheels is where the industry is headed. I’ve ridden them, They are a damn good bike. But if you have skinny jeans in the closet, the Surly is a good bike too. Straight steerer and all.
 
#32 ·
Pipeliner said:
Id choose the Farley over the ICT anyway. Tapered steer tube if you ever want to put on a fork and 27.5 wheels is where the industry is headed. I've ridden them, They are a damn good bike. But if you have skinny jeans in the closet, the Surly is a good bike too. Straight steerer and all.
Click to expand...
Just curious, but are flannel shirts and visits to coffee shops and breweries required with those skinny jeans?

OP, as long as it's still available, I'd grab the Farley as well.
 
#35 ·
Pipeliner said:
Id choose the Farley over the ICT anyway. Tapered steer tube if you ever want to put on a fork and 27.5 wheels is where the industry is headed. I've ridden them, They are a damn good bike. But if you have skinny jeans in the closet, the Surly is a good bike too. Straight steerer and all.
Click to expand...
The ICT has a 44mm head tube. The factory fork on mine had a straight steerer, but installing a tapered fork required exactly zero parts, because the included headset used a larger bearing on the bottom and a conversion crown race to fit the straight steerer fork. I don't know where you got the idea that the ICT can't use a tapered steerer fork. It is a deliberate part of the design that they chose a head tube diameter that can accommodate either.
 
#36 ·
I had a carbon Beargrease with carbon rims a few years ago; it was sub-24 pounds with the rigid fork. However, I didn't like the geo much (I'm always between a Small & Medium, and this was a medium). I've never had as many pedal strikes as with that bike (it's never been a problem, except on the Beargrease I had). I had a Farley 5 (older, with the 26" wheels) which I liked better than the BG. Then, a Farley 7 (even heavier with the Manitou), and that bike was great. It probably weighed more than 10 pounds more than the BG (and I'm a small guy at 150 lbs), but it was more fun to ride. Granted, I'm not racing. Hell, I'm not even fast. But, I don't think any of the bikes on your list will make a bad first fat bike. As others have said, you just need to ride one and figure out what you like. Sell it next year and buy a different one, if necessary.
 
#37 ·
Love my 5. Loved it right out of the box. I am running a set of 27.5 3.8 hodags on it now so it is much more quick and nimble and quick than it was. +I have another set of wheels set up with the Gnarwahls for snow. I have 30+ bikes including a 21 Fuel EX 9.8 XT and if i had to sell them all but 1 it would be the Farley staying!
 
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#38 ·
I've got a farley 9.6 and I LOVE it. One of the nicest bikes I've ever ridden. I ride it just about everywhere whether going on a ride that requires a fatbike or not. If the geo is the same for the aluminum models I imagine they would also be a freaking awesome bikes.
 
#39 ·
Another Happy Farley owner checking in..

Wife and I love our Farley 7's and last year added a 9.8 and 9.6.
The lighter rigid bikes currently setup for Winter on Studded Gnarwhal's,
The 7's on Barbegazi's for everything else. (all tires 4.5x27.5's and tubeless)

1913612


1913616


With carbon frame, fork, bars, cranks and Wampa wheels my Rage Red 9.8 comes in 10+ pounds less than my Roarange 7. Makes a big difference on snow especially with a much lighter front end minus the 6 pound Mastodon.
When ever I rode the 7 in the snow I ended up locking it out, because it was not needed at single digit psi in soft snow.

Go for the 5
 

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