Fat City Cycles Inc. Chris Chance

Price Paid:  $4000.00 at several stores

Favorite Ride:
Dunes

Bike Setup:
Record 2006 ergopower (alloy cranks), Thomson Masterpiece, SLR seat, Ibis Ti stem, ITM Millenium bars, AM Classic hubs, Veloflex tires, Look Keo pedals, Sampson Fat Wrap bar tape.

Summary:
I bought this bike because I loved my Yo Eddy! mountain bike from Fat City Cycles and I wanted to have a road bike with the same riding experience. What a bike! It's resilient, absorbs flaws without a problem and is still sfiff enough for that sudden attack.

Strengths:
Climbs well, nice stretched riding position, beautiful paintjob. Still an active Chance Owner Group (Fatcogs.com)

Weaknesses:
None I can think of. Too bad they closed the factory. Maybe Firstflightbicycles can resurrect them.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale R2000, Raleigh Record Ace and others

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Fat City Cycles-Some

Favorite Ride:
Fairfax-Bolinas-Ridgecrest-Mill Valley-Marshall Wall-Marin County California

Bike Setup:
Shimano DA 8sp (non-sti)
Cinelli bar and stem
Look pedals
Selle Italia Regal Giradi Saddle
Contr

Summary:
Sweet ride especially with the loooong top tube and great climbing feel (when you are in shape that is)...Best road machine I have ever owned and excellent support from the builder (Chris Chance)over the years if I have ever needed anything.

Strengths:
Great on fast descents and climbs well also. Comfort and responsive for Il Vecchio

Weaknesses:
None- Clear coat has flaked a bit but that is to be expected after many miles of hard use

Similar Products Used:
1986 Wicked Fat Chance Mountain Bike also from Fat City Cycles

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at various sources

Favorite Ride:
anything hilly (mtb or road)

Bike Setup:
True Temper triple-butted tubing,Campy Record 8spd ergo shifters,Record Derailleurs,Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork,Salsa stem,Chris King headset, Chris King/open Pro wheelset,Sweet Wings cranks,Dura Ace brakes, Thomson seatpost,SI Era seat. (Yes,I'm a complete bike geek!)

Summary:
First of all,this frame is tough.I am 6ft 205lbs. and like to use the power in my legs that 15yrs. of racing and riding (mostly MTB) has produced. This frame is as well rounded and complete a ride as you would ever want. It is stiff in the BB ,yet compliant for the long rides. It reacts and handles as smooth as a hot knife through butter. At times, the bike seems to react as a part of me. As for the quality and looks, the welds and workmanship are as clean and beautiful as any handbuilt steel frame you will ever see. The previous reveiw mentioned magic in the frameset. I agree with enthusiasm. Thankyou Chris for your attention to detail and support of the spirit of cycling.

Strengths:
xlnt feel throughout the ride. climbs like a demon, descends as smooth as any bike I've ridden, stiff in sprints and extremely comfortable over long distance.

Weaknesses:
Fat City Cycles closed their doors last year. How sad!

Similar Products Used:
assorted steel and aluminum frames (limited Ti tests)

Favorite Ride:
Any with a tail wind.

Bike Setup:
Campagnolo Chorus/Record mix w/King headset, Ringle stem & Flite seat.

Summary:
It’s the best feeling frame I’ve had for climbing and when competent quick handling is needed. It gives these characteristics with comfort and reliability I did not get with other materials. Just throw away your break apart, and bone breaking crap and get one. Somewhere between an hour and 30 miles the comfort, handling and power will make any thoughts about weight of a steel frame disappear. You know the Fat/Campy combo is good when a bikaholic with who suffers from gottahaveit disease and chronic new toy syndrome has no desire to change. You will think AL is for beer cans and plastics for packaging and toys.

5 stars because ti is a lot of $ to save a few ounces, and because Chris puts magic in those tubes.

Strengths:
Comfort, climbing and supurb handling. Metal work and paint that puts jewlery to shame.

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
Steel, AL and composite frames from well known makers.