Inside Line: Ibis releases the Trans-Fat, a fat tire version/conversion of the Tranny

One of the more interesting features of Ibis’ Tranny 29 hardtail is its two-piece frame. Not only can it be taken apart to fit in a airline-legal bag, it can also be used to tension a chain for singlespeeding. Now you can take your Tranny fat-biking by replacing one piece of that two-piece frame with a Trans-Fat rear triangle available early next year. No Tranny? No problem. Get a complete Trans-Fat for $5,099 or a frame only for $1,700.

For $699, you’ll get a rear triangle with 177 mm spacing, a spacer kit to take the bottom bracket shell to 100 mm for proper chainline, and a 3 mm taller crown race. Of course, you’ll also need a RockShox Bluto fork with 120 mm travel, a crank with a 100 mm spindle and a set of fat bike wheels and tires.

Tire clearances are based on the Schwalbe 26 x 4-inch Jumbo Jim with an 80 mm rim. Geometry is very similar to the Tranny 29 with a standard 120 mm fork, except for slightly longer, yet still reasonable 17.8-inch chainstays. Ibis wanted to keep this Trans-Fat on the fun end of the spectrum so geometry is decidedly on the slacker side of the coin. The complete bike includes a dropper post, more evidence this is more of a trail bike and not a back-country explorer.

Some other features via Ibis:

• 3.25 lb carbon monocoque frame
• Designed to work with 120 mm forks
• Works with 4-inch tires
• Geared or singlespeed compatible
• Gates Carbon Belt Drive compatible
• Internal routing for dropper posts
• Clean, versatile multi-option internal cable routing
• Tapered head tube (suitable for various Cane Creeks & Chris King InSet 3)
• 100 mm BSA thread bottom bracket (with provided BB92 adapters)
• 177 mm x 12 mm Maxle rear axle
• 160 mm carbon fiber post mount rear brake mounts (we recommend 200mm/180mm rotors)
• Headset: IS ZS44/28.6 | EC49/40
• BB height w/ 4″ Jumbo Jim tires: 315 mm
• Geometry measured with 531 mm axle to crown fork and our 3 mm crown race

Current production run of Trans-Fats have been allocated to dealers already, so you best get on the phone if you want one. This first run will only be complete bikes in the orange/copper frame color. There will be another round of production in February 2016, which will include completes, rear triangle conversions and frames.

Ibis website has more information.