Farley asseses the Cuyuna trails from atop Miner’s Mountain.
Walking into my studio last week I noticed two ginormous boxes. Immediately I thought to myself, “now what did we buy and what is it?” I was relieved to see instead the shipping address coming from Waterloo, Wisconsin and the contents reading Trek Farley 9.8. That’s a good way to start a work day.
Over the next few months I’ll be riding the new Farley 9.8 over the same red dirt trails I’ve had the opportunity to test ride the original Trek Farley, the Salsa Bucksaw, and Framed Alaskan. In the coming weeks we’ll be providing a red dirt report to learn more about how the 9.8 performs on dirt, and then once the snow flies, we’ll repeat the effort from Cuyuna’s groomed single track.
Bontrager’s WAMPA 27.5 carbon and tubeless ready rims. Freshly sprinkled with red dirt.
Having now placed a few miles on this bike, and had the opportunity to study it while it was put together, here are a few sound bytes that stood out to me.
In case you were wondering. Under 25 pounds with Shimano Saint pedals installed. #NotBad
Museum Quality Carbon Frame Design.
I have not seen every carbon fat bike frame in person, but this Farley 9.8 frame is gorgeous on the eyes. Long gone are the days of carbon fat bike frames being chunky. The 9.8 welcomes a design complete with edging and bold contours I’ve not seen on a carbon fat bike prior. It’s easy on the eyes, I hope it rides as well as it looks.
Spared No Expense.
Remember the “old guy” from the original Jurassic Park? “We’ve spared no expense” was his payoff line throughout the entire movie. Looking at this bike I’m feeling a similar energy here. From the seat, to the post, to the wheels, to the Next SL cranks, to the handlebars, to the head set spacers, it’s carbon, carbon, and . . . wait for it . . . carbon. (Even the steerer tube on the fork is carbon, believe me, the original Farley did not have this, that bike’s fork was an anchor!)
197mm Stranglehold adjustable thru axle dropouts = Versatility.
27.5″ x 3.8″
Glad to see this day came, excited to see Trek found a way to allow cyclists the ability to ride 27.5″ x 3.8″ Hodag (here’s a link to my review on the 26″ 3.8″ Hodag), or 26″ x 5.0″, or even 29″ x 2.4″ – One bike. Potential for year round happiness.
Permission for take-off granted. In 5, 4, 3, 2 . . .
Here’s all the other goodies that come standard on the 9.8.
Colors: Matte Carbon Smoke
Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon, E2 tapered head tube, internal derailleur & dropper post routing, Carbon Armor, PF121, 197mm Stranglehold adjustable thru axle dropouts
Fork: Bontrager Haru Pro, OCLV Carbon lowers, E2 tapered carbon steerer, 100mm suspension corrected, 15x150mm
Sizes: 15.5, 17.5, 19.5, 21.5″
Wheels: Trek Wampa Carbon Tubeless Ready, 80mm rim, 150×15 front, 197×12 rear
Tires: Bontrager Hodag, Tubeless Ready, 120tpi, aramid bead, 27.5×3.8″
Shifters: SRAM X1, 11 speed
Rear derailleur: SRAM X01, Type 2
Crank: Race Face Next SL, 30T
Cassette: SRAM XG-1175, 10-42, 11 speed
Chain: SRAM PC 1130
Saddle: Bontrager Montrose Pro, carbon rails
Seatpost: Bontrager XXX, OCLV Carbon, 31.6mm, 5mm offset
Handlebar: Bontrager Race X Lite, OCLV Carbon, 31.8mm, 15mm rise
Stem: Bontrager Race X Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree
Headset: FSA IS-2 carbon, E2, sealed alloy cartridge
Brakeset: SRAM Guide RS hydraulic disc
Grips: ESI Chunky
Price: $4,799.99
There’s a hole in my saddle dear Liza, dear Liza! Unexpected to say the least — get to know the Bontrager Montrose Pro.
Check back for the red dirt review of Trek’s top of the line Carbon Farley some time around GFBD. For further information about Trek Bicycles visit – www.trekbikes.com