One of the biggest headlines of 2014 in the custom frame building world was that Chris Chance of Fat Chance Bicycles was getting back in the business. Following a hugely enthusiastic Kickstarter, marketing and social media campaign, production has begun.
Updated with today’s technology and laid over a 29er wheelbase, here’s the modern iteration of a cult classic: the Fat Chance Yo Eddy.
The original Yo Eddy debuted in 1990; its namesake was the fictional mascot of the forerunner to Fat Chance Bicycles — Fat City Cycles. Fat City was founded in 1982, but Chris Chance had already been building frames since 1977.
After focusing on skinny-tyres road bikes, Chris got the taste for mountain biking, leading him to develop the Fat Chance frame — more robust and designed to handle the rigours of off-road riding. The Yo Eddy also featured the oft-copied segmented fork that became a Fat Chance trademark.
Another recognized feature was the ‘grello’ paint that was achieved from applying a white undercoat with a yellow and green transparent mix over the top. That, combined with the enigmatic Yo Eddy mascot, contributed to the brand’s cult status.
The first Yo Eddy to be made in 15 years was shown at the 2015 North American Handmade Bicycle Show to a new audience that had already been primed for custom steel frames and hi-vis paint jobs, and the release was an instant hit.
Chris’ flagship now sports a straight 44mm oversize head tube, adjusted geometry for a 120mm suspension fork, dropper post routing, disc brakes and a direct mount front derailleur. “I’m back”, shouts Eddy from the seat tube, and indeed he is.
You can secure your own Yo Eddy in a 29er or 27.5er frame in four colors (“Arrest me” Red, “Grello” Yellow, Team Purple and Black) for a deposit of USD$699. Head to the Fat Chance Bicycles website for more information. Special thanks to Nick Kova for the photos.
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