Trek Farley EX 9.8: fat with full suspension

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=320%2C416 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=480%2C624 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=640%2C832 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=380%2C494 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=570%2C741 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=732%2C952 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 425px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=430%2C559 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=645%2C838 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=732%2C952 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 768px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=590%2C767 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=733%2C952 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 992px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=272%2C353 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=408%2C530 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=544%2C707 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(min-width: 993px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=310%2C403 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=465%2C604 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C806 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <img class="wp-image-306034 size-portrait_thumbnail image-handler__image image-handler__image--aspect no-wrap js-gallery-grid-src-image" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383" width="295" height="383" data-crop-width="" data-crop-height="" alt="Here is Trek's Farley EX 9.8 fat bike for 2017" title="1trek_farley_ex-1486402728252-xg0vujpxoxtt-7b7b8b3" style="width: auto; height: 100%;"> Here is Trek’s Farley EX 9.8 fat bike for 2017 Russell Eich / Immediate Media

Full-suspension and fat tires are still a pretty rare pairing. The argument is that the big, mondo tires rolling single digit air pressures provide all the suspension you need.

The flip side to that argument is that full suspension allows some control to the cushion, thanks to a fork and shock’s damping qualities.

Trek’s full-suspension Farley EX 9.8 fat bike adds another twist to the conundrum, 27.5-inch wheels.

Rocky Mountain SuziQ first look Zombie apocalypse! What bike would you pick? Felt Bicycles bought by French ski brand Rossignol Trek Farley EX 9.8 highlights OCLV Mountain carbon frame, aluminum stays 120mm rear travel with ABP and Full Floater suspension Fox Float RE:aktiv rear shock RockShox Bluto RL, 120mm Bontrager Wampa Carbon 80 SL rims, tubeless ready 150×15 front, 197×12 rear hubs Bontrager Hodag 27.5×3.8in tires SRAM X01 rear derailleur, X1 shifter Race Face Next carbon cranks, 30T narrow/wide ring SRAM Guide hydraulic discs Weighs 14.06kg / 31lbs, size 19.5in <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3trek_farley_ex-1486402728258-c9r00kqcvjqt-8d5cee1.jpg?quality=90&lb=1832,1031&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3trek_farley_ex-1486402728258-c9r00kqcvjqt-8d5cee1.jpg?quality=90&lb=1456,819&background=white 1456w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3trek_farley_ex-1486402728258-c9r00kqcvjqt-8d5cee1.jpg?quality=90&lb=1112,625&background=white 1112w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3trek_farley_ex-1486402728258-c9r00kqcvjqt-8d5cee1.jpg?quality=90&lb=940,529&background=white 940w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3trek_farley_ex-1486402728258-c9r00kqcvjqt-8d5cee1.jpg?quality=90&lb=728,409&background=white 728w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3trek_farley_ex-1486402728258-c9r00kqcvjqt-8d5cee1.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,312&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3trek_farley_ex-1486402728258-c9r00kqcvjqt-8d5cee1.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,199&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3trek_farley_ex-1486402728258-c9r00kqcvjqt-8d5cee1.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,191&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3trek_farley_ex-1486402728258-c9r00kqcvjqt-8d5cee1.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,180&background=white 320w, " sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" width="1832" height="1031" class="wp-image-306046 alignnone size-full img-container__image" alt="Bontrager's Hodag 27.5x3.8 tires have a big footprint bolstered with small, fast-rolling knobs" title="3trek_farley_ex-1486402728258-c9r00kqcvjqt-8d5cee1" data-source-name="Russell Eich / Immediate Media"> Bontrager’s Hodag 27.5×3.8 tires have a big footprint bolstered with small, fast-rolling knobs Russell Eich / Immediate Media Dialed chassis As you can see from the highlights list above, the Farley EX 9.8 is pretty dialed stock. The nearly all-black build with little red pops of color make it a very attractive bike in my eyes.

There’s a country mile of standover thanks to the swoopy top tube and Trek’s designers have done a commendable job at keeping the rear suspension tidy and flowing smoothly from the front end to the back.

With fat bikes looking like this, it’s easy to say that the days of hobbled together mystery machines is over.

<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5trek_farley_ex-1486402728266-1nwtt1327w2t5-f57320e.jpg?quality=90&lb=1836,1035&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5trek_farley_ex-1486402728266-1nwtt1327w2t5-f57320e.jpg?quality=90&lb=1456,820&background=white 1456w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5trek_farley_ex-1486402728266-1nwtt1327w2t5-f57320e.jpg?quality=90&lb=1112,626&background=white 1112w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5trek_farley_ex-1486402728266-1nwtt1327w2t5-f57320e.jpg?quality=90&lb=940,529&background=white 940w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5trek_farley_ex-1486402728266-1nwtt1327w2t5-f57320e.jpg?quality=90&lb=728,410&background=white 728w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5trek_farley_ex-1486402728266-1nwtt1327w2t5-f57320e.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,313&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5trek_farley_ex-1486402728266-1nwtt1327w2t5-f57320e.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,200&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5trek_farley_ex-1486402728266-1nwtt1327w2t5-f57320e.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,191&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5trek_farley_ex-1486402728266-1nwtt1327w2t5-f57320e.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,180&background=white 320w, " sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" width="1836" height="1035" class="wp-image-306055 alignnone size-full img-container__image" alt="The front triangle is Trek's OCLV carbon, the rear is the company's Alpha aluminum" title="5trek_farley_ex-1486402728266-1nwtt1327w2t5-f57320e" data-source-name="Russell Eich / Immediate Media"> The front triangle is Trek’s OCLV carbon, the rear is the company’s Alpha aluminum Russell Eich / Immediate Media Blurring the lines In addition to this being one of only a few full-sus fat bikes, the Farley EX is also in the rare camp of having 27.5-inch wheeled fattys.

Along with the bigger hoops there are slightly narrower tires, Bontrager’s Hodags at 3.8-inches.

This makes me wonder if the Farley will feel more like a mountain bike with playful manners and less plodding.

It also leaves me questioning if the lack of footprint will leave it wanting when traction and floatation are paramount.

<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4trek_farley_ex-1486402728262-41osz3eleoz0-5fd37cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=1353,761&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4trek_farley_ex-1486402728262-41osz3eleoz0-5fd37cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=1112,625&background=white 1112w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4trek_farley_ex-1486402728262-41osz3eleoz0-5fd37cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=940,528&background=white 940w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4trek_farley_ex-1486402728262-41osz3eleoz0-5fd37cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=728,409&background=white 728w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4trek_farley_ex-1486402728262-41osz3eleoz0-5fd37cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,312&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4trek_farley_ex-1486402728262-41osz3eleoz0-5fd37cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,199&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4trek_farley_ex-1486402728262-41osz3eleoz0-5fd37cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,191&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4trek_farley_ex-1486402728262-41osz3eleoz0-5fd37cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,179&background=white 320w, " sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" width="1353" height="761" class="wp-image-306050 alignnone size-full img-container__image" alt="The 80mm Bonty Wampa rims are tubeless ready and oh yeah they're carbon too" title="4trek_farley_ex-1486402728262-41osz3eleoz0-5fd37cb" data-source-name="Russell Eich / Immediate Media"> The 80mm Bonty Wampa rims are tubeless ready and oh yeah they’re carbon too Russell Eich / Immediate Media Trek Farley EX 9.8 pricing and availability Trek makes two versions: the alloy Farley EX 8 model comes with a modest spec at $3,499, while the carbon 9.8 version, which I have in on test, retails for $5,499. They are available now from Trek dealers and at trekbikes.com.