The Snow King Resort hosted both the indoor session and demo events. A groomed short track was available for head-to-head comparisons and the nearby Cache Creek trail system offered a tasty sample of purpose built snow singletrack.

The Snow King Resort hosted both the indoor session and demo events. A groomed short track was available for head-to-head comparisons and the nearby Cache Creek trail system offered a tasty sample of purpose built snow singletrack. Photo by Bob Allen

If there was still a lingering question whether or not fat bikes were just a passing fad, the enthusiastic turnout at late January's Global Fat Bike Summit in Jackson, Wyoming answered with a resounding NO!

The general trend in the fat bike industry is that wider and lighter is better, with new designs and fat bike specific products rapidly coming to market. Once just a niche for a handful of small companies, now even the big boys are offering at least one fat bike model, with heavy hitters such as Trek and Specialized weighing in with larger line-ups.

These trends were on full display at the Summit's industry sponsored demo event where attendees could comparatively ride one bike after another, and talk tech with company representatives. Mtbr contributors Bob Allen and Estela Villasenor Allen took a spin through the venue. Here's a look at some of the most exciting and interesting bikes they saw. Check back soon for an extensive fat bike gear gallery, as well as a wrap-up of the Summit itself.

Borealis Echo

Borealis Echo

Borealis Echo is a dream bike in an understated package. Available in 3 build kits, the Bluto equipped Echo offers clearance for up to 4.8 inch tires on 100mm rims and is a light and nimble platform whether it's your racing rig or backcountry adventure companion. The internal cable routing (including for a dropper post) keep the lines of the Echo artfully clean and elegantly simple. Photos by Bob Allen

Borealis-Echo-2

Durango Bike Company Hooey

Durango Bike Company Hooey

While some fat bikes pucker in technical terrain, the Durango Bike Company aims to give riders of its Hooey fat bike confidence. The Hooey is designed to be nimble and lively thanks to its slackened geometry and adjustable 130mm front suspension fork. The frame is constructed from lightweight aluminum, and the standard build comes stock with tubeless 120tpi tires and heated grips. Photos courtesy Durango Bike Company

Durango Bike Company Hooey

Felt-Double-Double

Felt Double Double

The Felt Double Double 30 offers an aluminum frame with a comfortable standover height. The Shimano 2x10 drivetrain delivers power to the trail and the stylish hydro-formed fork keeps the ride on track. Photos by Bob Allen

Felt Double Double

Felt Outfitter

Felt Outfitter

Jim Felt's passion for bow hunting was the driving force behind the development of Felt's electric Outfitter model. Based on the Bosch pedal-assist system, the Outfitter offers an ebike option for the hunting and fishing market. Photo by Bob Allen

Kona WO

Kona WO

In the second year of production for Kona's WO, the 2015 model dropped 5-pounds from last year's bike through spec'ing the tubeless ready Sun Mulefüt rims, Vee Snowshoe 4.5" tires and lighter components. Wider spacing front (135) and rear (170) allows for bigger rubber, sliding drop-outs offer a single-speed option and the low stand-over gives a roomy cockpit. Photos by Bob Allen

Kona WO

Continue to Page 2 for more fat bikes from Rocky Mountain, Salsa, Specialized, Surly and Trek »

Rocky Mountain Blizzard

Rocky Mountain Blizzard

The 2015 Blizzard is the first fat bike offering from Rocky Mountain Bicycles. It comes equipped with the RockShox Bluto up front, Shimano SLX hydraulic brakes, Shimano 1x10 XT, internal cable routing, and enough room to run 4.8 tires.

Rocky Mountain Blizzard

A custom Porcelain Rocket frame bag is useful add-on. Photos by Bob Allen

Rocky Mountain Blizzard

Salsa Blackborow

Salsa Blackborow

The Blackborow is the latest steed in the Salsa stable. The new geometry is designed from scratch to be quick and responsive. Built around the new, wider platform that fits the 4.8" Surly Lou tires and boasts short (440mm) chainstays, the singlespeed equipped bike offers performance in a simple package. The Forest Service green paint job was a hit with the land managers. Photos by Bob Allen

SalsaBlackborow

Salsa Bucksaw

Salsa Bucksaw

While not new, the full suspension Salsa Bucksaw is a head turner with the RockShox Bluto fork up front and a Split Pivot suspension and RockShox Monarch in the rear that offer 100mm of travel. The Bucksaw is the poster child for how fat bikes are evolving to be the go-to high performance choice for many riders in any season or condition. Photos by Bob Allen

Salsa Bucksaw

Specialized Fatboy Pro

Specialized Fatboy Pro

The Fatboy Pro is proof that Specialized is serious about fat bikes.

Specialized Fatboy Pro

Equipped with a Bluto fork, SRAM XO1 1x11 drivetrain, Shimano XT hydraulic brakes, a dropper Command post and 4.6 Ground Control tires make this bike an off-the-shelf performer. Photos by Bob Allen

Specialized Fatboy Pro

Specialized Kids 20

Specialized leads the pack in delivering fat to our youth. The new 20- and 24-inch models are sure to put a smile on the face of every lucky kid who rides one. Photo by Bob Allen

Surly Ice Cream Truck

Surly Ice Cream Truck

Surly's Ice Cream Truck was built to accommodate the widest of tires available without having to use the asymmetrical rear triangle of their Moonlander. By using a 132mm wide bottom bracket and either a 197mm through axel or 190mm QR, the steel frame can fit up to a 5" tire. The frame boasts Surly's Modular Drop-out System that offers 3 different axle options including a singlespeed set up. Photos by Bob Allen

Surly Ice Cream Truck

Surly Moonlander

Surly Moonlander

The Moonlander runs 4.8˝ tires on 100mm rims. Such a large footprint allows riders to run very low pressure, which enables improved traction and float. Like all Surly framesets, the Moonlander is made of 4130 cro-moly steel, with tubing designed specifically for this frame. The frame's geometry is not unlike a standard mountain bike, with a bottom bracket height that supplies plenty of clearance for bushwhacking and monster-trucking while remaining low enough for a stable ride. Photos by Bob Allen

Surly Moonlander

Trek Farley 8

Trek Farley 8

The Farley 8 from Trek looks and rides like a nimble mountain bike should.

Trek Farley 8

The well appointed spec includes the RockShox Bluto, SRAM 1x11, internally routed derailleur and dropper post cables, Avid DB 3 hydraulic brakes and the Bontrager Jackalope tubeless ready wheels. Photos by Bob Allen

Trek Farley 8