Salsa: Beargrease Carbon Mountain Bike

Now available with a svelte carbon frame, the Beargrease feels quicker than it looks—and Salsa designed it for snow events like Alaska’s Iditabike. Unlike many fat bikes, this one puts the rider in an aggressive position. That could put too much weight on the front wheel—a hindrance on sand or snow—so the company tweaked the frame angles and tube lengths. Even on challenging terrain, I felt centered between the wheels and was able to float over obstacles. The Makwa carbon fork has proportions similar to models with suspension. A few small brands offer suspension forks for fat bikes, but no major suppliers have committed yet. If they do, the Beargrease will be ready