It was 20 years ago today...I think

I-ROBOT · October 27th, 2014, 5:14 AM

Hello Gang

If memory serves me, it was 20 years ago today that the power company entered 18 Linden Street, opened the main power box, yanked the fuses, and then padlocked the box; thus ending the run of Fat City Cycles in Somerville, Mass.

I had just finished welding a Slim Chance frame (don't remember what size or the serial number, sorry) and found that so ironic, since I was all about the mountain bike.

I want to say it was around mid-morning when the shut-off occurred. Chris and I shook hands, gave Wendyll a hug that would be the equivalent of a limp-wrist handshake and walked out. I realized that my time in the bike business had most likely come to end. I had no time to reflect on the situation at the time since I was faced with unemployment and had a 2-year old at home.

I continue to be amazed at the love you all show for the bikes that we sweated and bled over to build. It was awesome to be in on the cutting edge of the creation of the mountain bike and be able to advance the state of the art of welding bike frames.

I am grateful to Chris for giving me the opportunity and I hope he thinks well of me. I wish him all the luck in the world in his comeback.

Wish I could personally meet and thank all of you FAT COGGERS who perpetuate the memory of the Somerville operations and post so many cool photos and stories.

I culled myself out of the group photo that appeared in the June 1994 edition of Mountain Bike Action from the story they did on building a titanium mountain bike and use it as my twitter photo @fireball121257

Scott Bengtson
Chief Welder
Fat City Cycles
9 Olive Square and 18 Linden Street
Somerville, MA
November 1986 to October 27, 1994

mainlyfats · October 27th, 2014, 10:20 AM

Scott, you enrich this place immeasurably. Thank you for sharing your insider knowledge with us all.

colker · October 27th, 2014, 2:42 PM

sargent peppers lonely hearts club band.

tvcreative · October 28th, 2014, 7:16 AM

Thanks for your regular contributions. Your memorable insight puts a face on the bikes i love to collect.

Retro Dude · October 28th, 2014, 10:20 AM

Scott,

Thanks for the "behind the scenes" look into FCC.

It's great to get your perspective of what always seemed like the ultimate job.

laffeaux · October 29th, 2014, 10:28 AM

Great post.

yo-Nate-y · October 29th, 2014, 11:54 AM

Yup- great story! I'll raise a beer to Somerville for my evening toast then.

And as other said, thanks for all the expertise and history and general all around good forum vibes.

billyb · November 12th, 2014, 7:48 AM

Your in depth knowledge helps all of us !!!! Thanks Scott!!!

nader · November 13th, 2014, 10:55 AM

RESPECT...

KDXdog · December 9th, 2014, 11:34 PM

Scott,

A lifetime ago, I use to live in Ball Square, and bought 3 bikes from Mark at Fatheads mountain bike cellar!

Figured I’d blow your mind with that name!

I used to race (and ride every day) a first gen Monster, own an old FAT chance that was once in a catalog, and am building up a 91 Monster this winter.

Thanks for you insight here!

I-ROBOT · December 10th, 2014, 11:15 AM

A bunch of us bought more than bikes from Mark!!

I think the statute of limitations is up by now

Enjoy
Scott

KDXdog · December 10th, 2014, 3:30 PM

Yes, that back room was pretty active indeed!

That was my kind of bike shop! Perfect for the era...

misterdangerpants · December 11th, 2014, 9:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDXdog

Mark at Fatheads

Wow, a blast from the past! I lived in Davis Square (from 1988 - 1993) and frequented Fathead.

Stingercut · December 13th, 2014, 3:23 PM

Apologies if this was posted before...

http://www.ibiscycles.com/info/303030/5_fat_city/

DocChill · July 7th, 2015, 5:08 AM

Wow, what a nice, impassioned story...

! Saw it bit late...

bradallen226 · October 4th, 2015, 1:03 PM

Yup- excellent story! I'll increase a alcohol to Somerville for my night toasted bread then.

October 27th, 2014, 5:14 AM	#1
I-ROBOT Senior Member Join Date: January 7th, 2007 Location: Hudson, MA Posts: 369	It was 20 years ago today...I think Hello Gang If memory serves me, it was 20 years ago today that the power company entered 18 Linden Street, opened the main power box, yanked the fuses, and then padlocked the box; thus ending the run of Fat City Cycles in Somerville, Mass. I had just finished welding a Slim Chance frame (don't remember what size or the serial number, sorry) and found that so ironic, since I was all about the mountain bike. I want to say it was around mid-morning when the shut-off occurred. Chris and I shook hands, gave Wendyll a hug that would be the equivalent of a limp-wrist handshake and walked out. I realized that my time in the bike business had most likely come to end. I had no time to reflect on the situation at the time since I was faced with unemployment and had a 2-year old at home. I continue to be amazed at the love you all show for the bikes that we sweated and bled over to build. It was awesome to be in on the cutting edge of the creation of the mountain bike and be able to advance the state of the art of welding bike frames. I am grateful to Chris for giving me the opportunity and I hope he thinks well of me. I wish him all the luck in the world in his comeback. Wish I could personally meet and thank all of you FAT COGGERS who perpetuate the memory of the Somerville operations and post so many cool photos and stories. I culled myself out of the group photo that appeared in the June 1994 edition of Mountain Bike Action from the story they did on building a titanium mountain bike and use it as my twitter photo @fireball121257 Scott Bengtson Chief Welder Fat City Cycles 9 Olive Square and 18 Linden Street Somerville, MA November 1986 to October 27, 1994

October 27th, 2014, 2:42 PM	#3
colker Senior Member Join Date: June 1st, 2006 Location: rio de janeiro Posts: 996	sargent peppers lonely hearts club band. __________________ https://retratosdeflaviocolker.wordpress.com/ wanted: ride time.

October 29th, 2014, 11:54 AM	#7
yo-Nate-y Global Moderator Join Date: March 12th, 2009 Location: Tucson Posts: 806	Yup- great story! I'll raise a beer to Somerville for my evening toast then. And as other said, thanks for all the expertise and history and general all around good forum vibes. __________________ 1975 Witcomb USA, 1981 Chris Chance; 1984 Fat Chance, 1987 Team Comp, 1991 Yo Eddy, Monster Fat, and Wicked ....happy to have finally found a clean 80s Fat Team Comp with a box crown fork

November 13th, 2014, 10:55 AM	#9
nader Senior Member Join Date: July 17th, 2011 Location: in the harbor Posts: 313	RESPECT... __________________ ...the lord of steel

October 4th, 2015, 1:03 PM	#16
bradallen226 New Member Join Date: October 2nd, 2015 Location: United States Posts: 4	Yup- excellent story! I'll increase a alcohol to Somerville for my night toasted bread then. __________________ 48 Volt Electric Bicycle Battery

October 27th, 2014, 10:20 AM	#2
mainlyfats Senior Member Join Date: August 13th, 2004 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 703	Scott, you enrich this place immeasurably. Thank you for sharing your insider knowledge with us all.

October 28th, 2014, 7:16 AM	#4
tvcreative Senior Member Join Date: March 15th, 2010 Location: Riverside, IL Posts: 716	Thanks for your regular contributions. Your memorable insight puts a face on the bikes i love to collect.

October 28th, 2014, 10:20 AM	#5
Retro Dude Senior Member Join Date: September 5th, 2011 Location: Clay Posts: 409	Scott, Thanks for the "behind the scenes" look into FCC. It's great to get your perspective of what always seemed like the ultimate job.

October 29th, 2014, 10:28 AM	#6
laffeaux Member Join Date: July 16th, 2004 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 78	Great post.

November 12th, 2014, 7:48 AM	#8
billyb Senior Member Join Date: December 17th, 2006 Location: cincinnati,oh Posts: 113	Your in depth knowledge helps all of us !!!! Thanks Scott!!!

December 9th, 2014, 11:34 PM	#10
KDXdog New Member Join Date: January 20th, 2011 Location: Boston MA Posts: 5	Scott, A lifetime ago, I use to live in Ball Square, and bought 3 bikes from Mark at Fatheads mountain bike cellar! Figured I’d blow your mind with that name! I used to race (and ride every day) a first gen Monster, own an old FAT chance that was once in a catalog, and am building up a 91 Monster this winter. Thanks for you insight here!

December 10th, 2014, 11:15 AM	#11
I-ROBOT Senior Member Join Date: January 7th, 2007 Location: Hudson, MA Posts: 369	A bunch of us bought more than bikes from Mark!! I think the statute of limitations is up by now Enjoy Scott

December 10th, 2014, 3:30 PM	#12
KDXdog New Member Join Date: January 20th, 2011 Location: Boston MA Posts: 5	Yes, that back room was pretty active indeed! That was my kind of bike shop! Perfect for the era...

December 13th, 2014, 3:23 PM	#14
Stingercut Senior Member Join Date: July 2nd, 2013 Location: London Posts: 498	Apologies if this was posted before... http://www.ibiscycles.com/info/303030/5_fat_city/

July 7th, 2015, 5:08 AM	#15
DocChill Senior Member Join Date: July 11th, 2012 Location: Ennigerloh-Westkirchen, Germany Posts: 139	Wow, what a nice, impassioned story... ! Saw it bit late...

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