Does the number 6 currently make you think of tyre sizes? Well, it sounds a bit far-fetched, but while mountain bikes originally only had the good old 26-inch wheel, we now have six different wheel dimensions: 26 inches for dirt bikes or large children's MTBs, 27.5 and 29 inches for most "simple" bikes - each up to a tyre width of 2.4 or, this is where the limit begins, 2.5 inches. Above this are the increasingly numerous plus sizes 27.5+ and 29+ up to 3 inches. The proverbial end of the flagpole is formed by the mega rollers of fat bikes in the "26" size (with 559 mm inner tyre diameter) and up to 5 inches wide!
Les Fat - Fatbike in 27.5 inch
But fat bikes are exotic and not big sellers. Nevertheless, with a loyal global fan base, it is impossible to imagine the world of mountain bikes without them. The guys at Pivot probably thought so too, and with the Les Fat they are now presenting a new fat bike all of their own. But of course the American luxury manufacturer can't do without the extra sausage: 27.5x3.8 inch tyres - 27.5++ or 27.5 semi-fat or whatever the new dimension is called. In any case, it is supposed to reinvent the wheel once again: the best rollover characteristics and comfort thanks to the large volume, yet good cornering stability and low weight, according to the manufacturer's promises.
27.5x3.8 inch: The advantages of the new tyre size
The whole thing is made possible by a little trick. With 80 millimetre wide rims, the tyre volume is quite large despite the 3.8 mm tyres, which are nominally rather slim for a fat bike, while less high sidewalls save weight and should ensure the right cornering speed. For all those who (understandably) don't fancy a new tyre size, Pivot also assures full compatibility with all other common tyre formats. From "classic" 26" Fatbike tyres up to 5 inches wide, to 27.5 Plus and 29x2.8 (depending on the tyre manufacturer), everything should fit in the frame and make the Les Fat the one bike that can be adapted to everything.
The catch: Depending on the tyres, you only have to adjust the rear end as required due to Pivot's own "Swinger II" dropouts, but it may be necessary to convert the headset bearing shells to adjust the geometry. A simple "wheel out, wheel in" is therefore not always possible here either - assuming you have the right wheelset with a 197 mm rear axle.
Pivot Les Fat: Exotic with potential?
And then, of course, there's the exhausting question of sense: Who seriously buys a brand-new (and rather expensive) carbon fat bike to ride around on simple 29x2.4 inch tyres? Probably nobody. Nevertheless, full compatibility is always "nice to have".
And what about the Pivot Les Fat as a whole? Is that also "nice to have"? The right answer: it depends. If you're looking for a customised premium fat bike, think Pivot is cool and Eddie Masters is funny, and want to hack through tight corners at high speed despite the fat tyres, then the Les Fat is probably the right choice. The compatibility with all possible wheel sizes is a nice extra. For everyone else, the Les Fat is probably too expensive and too specialised. But that doesn't matter, on the contrary. After all, the whole point of an exotic bike is to stand out from the crowd.
The Les Fat is now available from selected dealers and will cost between 4799 and 5099 euros depending on the configuration (with rigid fork or Manitou Mastodon suspension fork, with 3 or 3.8-inch tyres). The frameset with rigid fork is available for 2999 euros. All information about the Pivot Les Fat can also be found on the Website of the manufacturer.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
