Where is everyone?

Vagante

New member
I can't believe there are no more posts on this site then I see. When I joined it was cranking. Now it seems like a mortuary. Where is everyone? Where did they go? They certainly aren't selling their fats because I don't see many on the market. When I look at the last post dates it makes me so sad. :confused:
 

mainlyfats

Member
I know it's not really helpful - and a bit whiny and negative - but I wonder a bit at how the roll-out of the New Fat Chance has influenced those that kept the fire burning all these years. How the new venture not only wasn't born from this site, but that we've yet to be meaningfully engaged by the parent company when so many of us have been consummate brand ambassadors. That anyone can buy a new Fat Chance now, that it's a normal bike brand selling modern bikes, has perhaps taken some of the shine off this community of fetishists. It has made me at least a bit sad and I find myself adopting a "get off my lawn" stance as I continue to admire old tech and workmanship.

I love the community aspect, though. I hope to keep on being a resource for folks who stumble upon an old mountain bike with bullet stays and end up here. If New Fat Chance fails and someone comes along to write a Harvard Business Review article on nostalgia marketing and the pitfalls of brand revival - well I guess I'll probably be around for that too.
 
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Stingercut

Active member
@ Mainlyfats, you make some good points. The artisan bike market is very crowded these days. Chris and his associates should maybe engage more with us. You can only get wistfully nostalgic for so long about such things I guess and there is mental scar tissue there of course. Plenty of ex FCC staffers pop up on FB and Insta to regale stories from back in the day. I enjoy reading them, despite a few prickly egos and the endless p1$$ing contest that is - whos got the most FB likes for their bike ?

A huge number of spin off companies and bike industry talents were spawned back in Somerville. There is a book in there somewhere but it will probably never be written. With the exception of maybe Raleigh, not many other bicycle companies have such a rich history or created such beautifully handmade bikes in their halcyon days.

Its tough for Chris. He has to make a living, control costs, yet produce bikes worthy of his legendary reputation and ALL at price people will pay, no easy task. Most of the modern generation have never heard of FAT CHANCE. They dont have the resources to make a big splash in the current crowded market. Which brings me back to the main point, which the best marques in the car industry ( Ferrari, Mercedes, Porsche, Jaguar etc ) do so well, engaging with their loyal customers and showcasing that Retro is ALWAYS COOL to the next generation. They focus on past race glories and iconic models. People get bored of modern clones, so its important to raise awareness of the amazing heritage of FAT CHANCE and its DNA that still runs in so many current knock-off bike designs.
 
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AB

Active member
"People get bored of modern clones, so its important to raise awareness of the amazing heritage of FAT CHANCE and its DNA that still runs in so many current knock-off bike designs."

Very true - as far as marques go you could not do much better than Porsche will respect to racing, iconic brand recognition and engaging current buyers with their heritage.

Strangely I don't feel the need to purchase a new Fat.
 

Jassie06

Member
Still here just the seemingly endless rain here in the Mid-Atlantic (past 4 months) has put a damper on things also.
Happy Holidays! :santa:


Sorry for the off shoot but there have been so many times that I have to laugh at my neighbor that moved to the NC to get away from extreme New England weather. On the other hand, I curse them for taking our snow with them. He can keep the flooding though.
 
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Shamobius

New member
I'm gonna say interest is cyclical.

See what I did there?

I am looking forward to building a 1989 Wicked Fat Chance soon. I want to compare the ride qualities versus my 1989 TC...

Will post a full thread and report!
 

Stingercut

Active member
Social Media & Inter-web trend driven by a number of key Influencers, is how it seems to be these days. Interested to see your thoughts on that bike comparison of same frames sizes. There is only one blindingly clear winner and undisputed champion imo, after comparing a TC v Wicked v Wicked Lite :beer::beer:
 

Stingercut

Active member
So .... Stinger which is your favorite ? I have tested and compared quite a few also :rolleyes:

There is only one stand out winner. Lets hear from Shamobius thoughts first :rolleyes: :beer: It was my first FAT and the one that got me hooked on the brand. I bought so many other brands/models of steel/Alu bikes and tested borrowed bikes against it, wanting to find one that bit better but guess what ? it’s still with me after all these years and it will go into my grave. Too many great rides and memories with it and it still amazing to ride today.
 
It's been a while, but I'm back to say hi!!! I'm in the Washington DC region and the winter is not nice to anyone wanting to ride outdoors. With that said, I'm getting too old and fat to ride hard! lol
 

I-ROBOT

Active member
Been hiding in my basement riding my new Peloton!

I know, it doesn't even come close to blasting singletrack but I've already ridden further on it than I rode all last year.

yeah, pathetic

Anyway, down 5 pounds so far this year

Spring is coming (so I hear)

Hope everyone is well
Scott
 
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