This year marks the fifth fat bike project for the magazine, and it’s always exciting to put these builds together. Each year presents unique challenges, and 2025 was no exception, with surprises as wild as ever.
The purpose
When WTB asked me to test their new I76 KOM Light fat bike rims, it didn’t take five seconds for an idea to spark. I reached out to LCKD N LDED and FSA, and with their support, we were ready to kick off this year’s project. Along with testing the rims, I wanted to showcase that there are interesting components and brands that we don’t always think of first when it comes to fat biking.
The Frameset
If the frameset looks familiar, it’s because it’s the same Louis Garneau Gros Louis 2 used for our 2024 fat bike project. With Louis Garneau’s fat bike division now out of business and the warranty no longer applicable, I decided to give the bike a fresh start by having it painted white. LCKD N LDED came up with the brilliant idea of renaming it the Werewolf as a tribute to my favorite local fat biking trails. Wheel Garage delivered an exceptional paint job in record time, bringing the concept to life.
The build
Since most of the components from last year’s project had already been reviewed, I turned to FSA and WTB to equip the bike with components tailored to fat biking. Here is the list of the components we installed, all of which have been reviewed. You can read our reviews by clicking on the links below.
Stem: Fsa grid
Saddle: WTB Volt
Grips: WTB Trace Grips
Tires: WTB Bailiff fat bike tires
Rims: WTB KOM i76 fat bike rims
Handlebar: FSA Grid 20 Riser Handlebar
Dropper seat post: FSA Flowtron Dropper Seatpost
Crankset: FSA Comet MegaEXO Modular Fat Bike Crankset 1X
Testing
Over 300 km of testing, the Werewolf performed exceptionally. The Were wolf handled every challenge we threw its way, from flat trails to steep climbs with significant elevation gains. All components worked flawlessly, even in extreme cold, with temperatures dropping to minus 30 degrees Celsius with windchill, showcasing that they performed exactly as expected for a fat bike.
Conclusion
The 2025 Fat Bike Project was another exciting endeavor that pushed boundaries and highlighted the versatility of fat bikes in challenging conditions. The Werewolf not only proved its capability on demanding trails but also showcased the potential of components from brands like FSA and WTB that are sometimes overlooked in the fat biking world. From the innovative I76 KOM Light rims to the reliable performance of all the installed components, this project reaffirmed that a well-thought-out build can handle the toughest winter adventures.
As always, the process of creating and testing this bike was a reminder of the endless possibilities in the fat biking space, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s project.
