Fat Yo Eddy vs. Bontrager Race vs. Ibis Mojo POLL

[Dhphat]

i love what keith did for the sport, but i'm from mass, and my first image of true mtn bikes and passion 4 them was Chris's big head. sao my votes for the yo. Ibis's are cool but 2 left coast in my mind.

 

[BikePimp]

I couldn't agree more. Having owned a '99 Yo and still the proud owner of a 91, I'm going to say that the ride of each is actually very different, mostly because of that 80mm of suspension adjusted geometry. However, WRT construction, paint, finish, fit, etc..., the '99 was a better bike. I traded it for a 2007 IF Ti Deluxe... VERY similar geometry, still a classic bike, although new, and that one is even better still. Were Chris still making bikes, I believe he'd be proud.

But, the rides are different, and the setups are different. I rode a Wicked the other day, and kind of expected not to like it. I was pleasantly surprised and am now looking for one. Could I get the same or better ride and quality from a similar bike of newer vintage, sure... but it wouldn't be a Wicked.

So, my suggestion to you is pick what you like, or think you like, the idea of. You won't be disappointed with any of the three, right? I mean, in their day these were the best bikes made.

--humbly...

Nice to hear some feedback.

I figure the suspension corrected geometry will change the ride quite a bit.

The last Fat I owned was a Shock-a-Billy from the Somerville factory and I thought the welds were excellent. Haven't really compared welds on pre/post Fat Yo Eddys, but since 2 of you have had them, I figure you can't be wrong about newer ones being better quality.

I guess more than anything, I'm biased toward the older ones....though the Ibis I have in mind is way newer, but it too was made before it was sold to an investment group.

 

[Mr. Zero]

I actually prefer the double tubed seat stays on the pre-Trek Bontys.

To which pre-Trek Bontragers are you referring as I'm pretty sure Bontrager utilized the wishbone seat stays at least as far back as 1987?

 

[BikePimp]

To which pre-Trek Bontragers are you referring as I'm pretty sure Bontrager utilized the wishbone seat stays at least as far back as 1987?

Refering to the Race / Race Lite with this.....

 

[Mr. Zero]

To which pre-Trek Bontragers are you referring as I'm pretty sure Bontrager utilized the wishbone seat stays at least as far back as 1987?

Refering to the Race / Race Lite with this.....

Ah, I thought you were referring to a non-wishbone design seat stay.

It's an interesting fact that the feature to which you referred was actually borne out of the convenience to manufacture and use the same wishbone component for all frame sizes and then simply cut to length and braze the lower portion of the stay.

 

[BikePimp]

Ah, I thought you were referring to a non-wishbone design seat stay.

It's an interesting fact that the feature to which you referred was actually borne out of the convenience to manufacture and use the same wishbone component for all frame sizes and then simply cut to length and braze the lower portion of the stay.

I know...I also read that at the time, True Temper did not offer a variable sized tube for this application unless it was a big order (like what Trek could afford).

 

[Elev12k]

I think Yo geometry changed 2 times for dealing with (newer era) suspension forks. Approx '93 and '97.

Btw not only welding is higher level on Saratoga built, but paint as well. My Yo's is still brighter than an average new bike's paint.

 

[scant]

I'm surprised to see such a strong agreement in the non mass FATs being better built... but yes its true.

I could never get over the asthetics of the dropouts on a bonty.. such a minor thing, but hey-hoy :roll:

 

[Mr. Zero]

Looking to find a frame that handles like my Kona Hei Hei.

Also an owner of a Kona Hei Hei it's my impression that you'd find a closer resemblance in ride quality in the Bontrager, but I actually prefer the Yo!.

 

[purplewicked]

i have an ibis mojo and a fat wicked. hmmmm...hmmmm...
hmmmmm...

the mojo. very refined ride. elegant. fast. i prefer the 73º seat angle to the 72º from Fats.

Fat is a bike which excells in east coast woods terrain. sure.. they look cool but you should buy a bike for function. if you ride fast singletrack a bonty or Ibis is the ticket. technical, slow rocky terrain then it's a Fat.