![]() |
|
General Fat Chance Discussion Anything and everything about the best mountain bikes ever made. |
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 7th, 2007
Location: Hudson, MA
Posts: 425
|
![]()
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 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 13th, 2004
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 768
|
![]()
Scott, you enrich this place immeasurably. Thank you for sharing your insider knowledge with us all.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 1st, 2006
Location: rio de janeiro
Posts: 1,043
|
![]()
sargent peppers lonely hearts club band.
__________________
wanted: ride time. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 15th, 2010
Location: Naperville IL
Posts: 716
|
![]()
Thanks for your regular contributions. Your memorable insight puts a face on the bikes i love to collect.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 5th, 2011
Location: Clay
Posts: 506
|
![]()
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. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Member
Join Date: July 16th, 2004
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 78
|
![]()
Great post.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Global Moderator
Join Date: March 12th, 2009
Location: Tucson
Posts: 809
|
![]()
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 ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17th, 2006
Location: cincinnati,oh
Posts: 113
|
![]()
Your in depth knowledge helps all of us !!!! Thanks Scott!!!
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 17th, 2011
Location: in the harbor
Posts: 317
|
![]()
RESPECT...
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
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! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 7th, 2007
Location: Hudson, MA
Posts: 425
|
![]()
A bunch of us bought more than bikes from Mark!!
![]() I think the statute of limitations is up by now ![]() Enjoy Scott |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
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... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Member
Join Date: April 11th, 2008
Location: massachusetts
Posts: 96
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 2nd, 2013
Location: London
Posts: 605
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 11th, 2012
Location: Ennigerloh-Westkirchen, Germany
Posts: 164
|
![]()
Wow, what a nice, impassioned story...
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
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 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|