Fat Chance Kickstarter

[M-Power]

Also I personally don't think this is a cash in, more "I wanted to be away from the industy I love because it hurts too much, but I keep coming across all these people that are telling me to come back, So peoeel put your money where you mouth is, if you want me back, we'll do this and if we can raise the cash we will be able to set up and restart the company"

Bang on. People have been asking him for years, if he will make a comeback, myself included. It takes b@lls to do what he's doing, as it could easily end in embarrassment and tears....or glory and the rebirth of a great bicycle company.

 

[walleater]

Im still tripping over the Future Shockabilly, the last one looks to me like a Horst design, or deviated variation.

What was the last full suspension bike made with steel that was any good,....? I can only think of the Cotic Rocket, but then as much as I like it, it hasn't set the world alight.

BTR (speaking of Kickstarter)?

http://www.btr-fabrications.com/products/pinner/

 

[shogun]

Ok, so the frames are slated for August release. We're almost half-way through January, there doesn't appear to be any specs or a proto, they don't appear to be equipped to build, heck maybe there isn't even premises yet. I think it is unlikely that the torch will be fired before the end of the month.

152 working days. 250 frames. 1 man who hasn't built bikes in close to two decades...And that's not even allowing any R&D time.

I'd be very surprised if they're not built on contract for the Team Yo Eddys at least. Which wouldn't be much different to how it was back in the day anyway.

Other makers take their business risk on themselves with faith in their output; and still don't cost $2.5k USD for production steel hardtail frames.

 

[pete_mcc]

From what I understand, Chris will be actually welding the bikes himself, but will be doing it in someone else's workshop as he doesn't have one setup yet...

Not a chance, for this very reason and so many more.

152 working days. 250 frames. 1 man who hasn't built bikes in close to two decades...And that's not even allowing any R&D time.

He's also clearly stated in his blog that he's been visiting a number of builders known for their outsourcing abilities such as Sycip, Ventana and others.

 

[mr_ship]

Re:

Facebook page.....
"The frames will be made in the USA by Chris Chance. Because we are in "start up" mode, we will be working with another manufacturer until we get our shop up and running".

 

[sinnerman]

Im still tripping over the Future Shockabilly, the last one looks to me like a Horst design, or deviated variation.

What was the last full suspension bike made with steel that was any good,....? I can only think of the Cotic Rocket, but then as much as I like it, it hasn't set the world alight.

BTR (speaking of Kickstarter)?

http://www.btr-fabrications.com/products/pinner/

Did the somerset boys use Kickstarter...?

 

[hirosawa]

Im still tripping over the Future Shockabilly, the last one looks to me like a Horst design, or deviated variation.

What was the last full suspension bike made with steel that was any good,....? I can only think of the Cotic Rocket, but then as much as I like it, it hasn't set the world alight.

I don't think a future Shockabilly would be difficult. Horst linkage came out of patent last year, which is why all the companies that had single pivot bikes have got Horst bikes for 2015. You can licence DW Link or VPP for a fee. All of them are tried and proven linkage designs that work. Okay, none of them are anything earth shattering, but neither is a steel hardtail.

 

[Ollie]

Did the somerset boys use Kickstarter...?

They did indeed. They didn't reach the full amount however decided to release the bike but to be built on order ( think was this but not 100% sure ) . At least when you pledged towards the Pinner you knew what the bike would exactly look like, a couple of years r&d, a video for you to get the idea and the exact geometry of the bike.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bt ... ike-for-ev

 

[sinnerman]

Did the somerset boys use Kickstarter...?

They did indeed. They didn't reach the full amount however decided to release the bike but to be built on order ( think was this but not 100% sure ) . At least when you pledged towards the Pinner you knew what the bike would exactly look like, a couple of years r&d, a video for you to get the idea and the exact geometry of the bike.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bt ... ike-for-ev

Im bloody impressed by that. And not just the Kickstart Program, but the fact they saw it through, to the end.

 

[Ollie]

Yeah, I think they were expecting to get much more fundraising with all the hype it got all over the forums. It's good they kept the option to potential customers on a made to order system. I think putting every single detail onto the Kickstart program was outstanding and then keeping the option open even when their target wasn't reached.

I was happy when Chris announced that Fat was returning but his campaign simply isn't good enough. Who's going to build it? What geometry is it going to have? How is he going to make X amount of frames in such a short amount of time? BTR hit the nail on the head the first time round.