Endurance test performance 13,850 altitude metres | 1,180 km
The Trek Farley reminds me of my tractor. Simple design, robust, unstoppable. The Farley even has almost the same colour as the Claas Axos. However, the poison green paint was usually covered in mud or snow. In my eyes, a fatbike is the perfect training bike for winter. Ten centimetres of fresh snow on the trail? No problem. Hard-packed snow? A dream. Two hours playing in the dirt or snow is always possible. Provided you have ski gloves, winter trousers and thermal boots.
The bike only has one gear lever. This makes riding easier, as the Sram thumb shifter can also be operated with thick gloves. Of course, you ride slower, around 15 km/h on average instead of the usual 23 km/h. And with Junior and his sled on the back, it's even more comfortable. But: I cycle where it's impossible for everyone else. I used the tyre pressure to get used to handling on snow. First with 0.8 bar, then later with just 0.4 bar in the tyres. I first had to get used to the bouncing driving experience. The tyres bounce, but they don't dampen. My highlight was the tour on the longest toboggan run in the Zillertal (seven kilometres): packed snow with fresh powder on top, brutally exhausting uphill - but a huge drifting pleasure downhill.
With a fatbike, you automatically become a communicator. People stare, chat you up, the Trek has turned more necks than any other expensive bike I've ever ridden before. Apart from a water bucket, brush and oil can, I haven't needed anything else for maintenance in four months. No flat tyre, not even adjusting the gears. Of course, where there's little technology, there's also little to break. Incidentally, I don't think a suspension fork is absolutely necessary in winter, and the 160 mm front brake disc was enough for me, as you need sensitivity for the brakes and steering on slippery surfaces anyway. The 30 mm chainring was sufficient. However, my thigh circumference grew measurably due to the effort required. I haven't yet tested how the Trek rides on a real ski slope. Let's see, maybe I'll bribe the lift man in Zillertal to let me into the gondola with the bike.
ConclusionIt couldn't be more stress-free. A fatbike like this Trek extends the bike season and is great fun. But as a third bike it would be too expensive for me.
Functionality *****
Shelf life ******
(max. 6 stars)
TUNING
- 270 km - mudguards fitted: Indispensable in nasty conditions. The tyres throw up an incredible amount of dirt.
DEFECTS
- 150 km - brakes squeal: No wonder, with 90 per cent of journeys in the wet, dirt and snow. You have to put up with it.
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