Scott Sports is the latest mainstream brand to dive into the fat bike market with the new Big Ed. While the bike doesn't look to break any new ground, it looks like a capable contender in what is fast becoming a very crowded field.
The Big Ed's alloy frame borrows several design cues from Scott's standard upper-end alloy hardtails, including hydroformed tubing, a tapered front end, and deep-profile, forged, quick-release rear dropouts. A forged driveside, forward chainstay stub creates some extra clearance for the chainrings and rear tyre, too (although the widely spaced seatstays leave little room for your heels).
As with many other Scott frames, the Big Ed uses an extra-wide press-fit bottom bracket shell, which in this case measures 121mm across to replicate the standard 100mm-wide threaded bearing layout for fat bikes.
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The extra-wide bottom bracket shell creates a little more room for the rear tire
Other frame features include externally routed, full-length cable housing for easy servicing, a chain stay-mounted rear brake calliper (sized for a 160mm rotor), and clearance for 4.00in-wide tyres mounted on 80mm-wide rims.
The workhorse build comprises a SRAM X9 2x10 transmission, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, Syncros single-wall aluminium rims and cartridge bearing hubs, and an e13 TRS aluminium crankset. One key highlight, however, is the RockShox Bluto fork. While some may question the need for suspension on a bike with 4in balloon feet, keep in mind that that movement is wholly undamped so the Bluto should yield a big boost in control.
The RockShox Bluto fork and 4in-wide Kenda tyres should provide plenty of cushioning
Final pricing and availability is still to be announced but actual weight for a medium sample without pedals is about 15.5kg / 34lb.