July 09, 2011 (Anchorage, Alaska) – Alaska is known for many things, from its great xc skiing, Bering Sea crab fisherman, big-game hunting and fishing to Sarah Palin, long winters and 20+ hours of daylight in the summer months. Increasingly, for a number of cycling enthusiasts, Anchorage, Alaska is becoming known for its production of a particular style of bike called Fatbikes (also known as flotation or snow bikes).

Fatbike from Alaska's Speedway Cycles © Dan Bailey

In 2007, Greg Matyas, the owner of Speedway Cycles in Anchorage, designed a version of a snow bike called the Fatback. Matyas, a former US Junior Nordic Ski champion and nationally ranked junior cyclist, built upon a style of bike that has been evolving since the late ’80s.

Amy Sebby snow biking at Far North Bicentennial Park, Anchorage, Alaska. © Speedway Cycles

Over the past two decades, there have been several other snow bikes in one design or another. What sets Fatback bikes apart is their symmetrical frame design. “We were the first to make a symmetrical frame capable of using the wider tires and rims, along with a 3×9 drivetrain,” notes Matyas. To accomplish this Matyas explains, “Others have bent the rear stays over about 3/4” and used a wider bottom bracket to push the chain out, then drilled the spoke holes off center so the rim could be back in the plane of the frame.”  With the Fatback design, the wheel hub is much wider and the rim is built right in the center of the hub, so there is no dish.

You'll be surprised where you can go... © Russell Worthington

Since the introduction of the Fatback in 2007, the bikes have been shipped around the world. Not surprisingly Canada – sharing a similar northern climate – is Matyas’ No. 1 international customer. You might be surprised to know that Australia is No. 2, followed closely by South Africa, where the Fatback’s flotation ability has been used for travel across deserts and beaches.

Fatbike © Christopher Soucer

For more information regarding the Fatback, check out the website at fatbackbikes.com. If you find yourself in the Anchorage area, drop by Speedway Cycles (speedwaycycles.com) to demo a bike or join the weekly year-round Shop Ride at 6:00 pm on Monday nights.