The fat bike ain't dead

Trek adds more mounts and a new carbon fork to its Farley fat bike

This competition is now closed

By Nick Clark

Published: March 3, 2023 at 4:42 pm

Trek has announced the release of its new Farley fat bike, featuring 27.5×4.5in tyres.

The brand has said the bike has had a full overhaul from the previous incarnation and features a new alloy frame and 42mm-offset carbon fork with rack and cage mounts.

Four versions of the Farley are available. The aluminium-framed Farley 5 and the carbon-framed Farley 9.6 will be available in the UK.

The Farley 5 is priced at £2,130 / $2,199 / €2,299, and the Farley 9.6 at £3,525 / $3,699 / €3,799.

The new Farley uses SRAM's Universal Derailleur Hanger and a 100mm threaded bottom bracket.

Trek says the Farley should be available from mid-March.

Trek's new Farley will be available with a carbon or aluminium frame, depending on the spec level.

These frames are also available separately, with the aluminium frameset priced at £1,390 / $1,499 / €1,499 and the carbon frame at £2,590 / $2,599 / €2,799.

It is only the aluminium frame that has received updates. The Farley 9.6 uses the same carbon frame as the previous model.

Trek says the new aluminium frame features modern tube shaping with added mounts for expedition gear. This includes top tube bento boxes, frame bag mountain the front triangle, down tube bottle or mudguard mounts, and updated rear rack mounts.

Geometry updates include a slacker head tube angle, decreasing from 69 degrees to 68.5 degrees for a size-large frame.

There is also a longer reach measurement, up from 441mmm to 460mm, as well as shorter chainstays, down from 455mm to 450mm. Both figures relate to a size large frame.

The new carbon fork features an offset of 42mm, as opposed to 51mm on the previous model.

Trek says the carbon Farley didn't get an upgrade because it felt the bike was still a "benchmark for fast and light fat bike performance".

The maximum tyre size for the Farley is 27.5×4.5in when mounted to 100mm-wide (internal) rims.

The frame also features full internal dropper routing, enabling you to use a variety of dropper posts.

The Trek Farley 5 features Trek's aluminium frame and new carbon fork with an aluminium steerer. SRAM's Level brakes are specced, while MicroShift supplies an Advent X 10-speed groupset with an 11-48t cassette. There is also a TranzX dropper post with 150mm of travel.

The rims of the wheels are SUNRingle Mulefut 80 SLs with a Bontrager sealed-bearing hub.

The Trek Farley 7 uses the new aluminium frame and carbon fork. It features SRAM's Level T brakes and GX Eagle groupset with an 11-50t cassette. A Manitou Mastodon 34 fork with 80mm of travel separates the Farley 7 from other bikes in the range for its trail focus.

The Trek Farley 9 uses the new aluminium frame and carbon fork. It gets upgraded SRAM Level TL disc brakes and uses the same GX Eagle groupset found on the Farley 7. It also features Bontrager's Rhythm handlebars, with a 15mm rise.

The Trek Farley 9.6 features a carbon frame carried over from the previous model and also has a carbon fork. SRAM's Level TL brakes are specced, alongside a GX Eagle groupset. Bontrager's Barbegazi tyres are used over the Gnarwhal tyres on other bikes in the range.

Digital Writer

Nick Clark is a digital writer for BikeRadar, focusing on all things mountain bikes. Having raced XC for most of his youth, he has a deep understanding of the sport and loves bounding around the UK to spectate at events. A mountain biker at heart, Nick helped create a community of trail builders in his local forest in North Wales. Nick also loves road cycling, where he has completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand tours in their host countries. Described as having a good engine in his racing days, it's now common to see Nick wheel-sucking on club rides and sprinting for town signs. He also enjoys bike touring and has completed numerous travels on the west coast of Europe, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff. Nick has built many of his bikes from the frame up and has a keen eye for technical detail. He is currently riding a YT Capra on the trails and a Focus Izalco Max for the road.

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