Fat reduction: the Carver story

As we discovered during our Chilcotins trip, we had a weight problem.  There were a few things we crossed right off of the Iceland packing list, but I kept looking at my bike:  a Surly Necromancer.  It's a great bike - totally bombproof, handles well when loaded down, easy to fix.  Bit it's also nearing 40 pounds.

Dear Surly:  you're great and all, but could you maybe not make your bikes out of cast iron?

I was able to find a used Titanium Carver fatbike for a price I liked the week before we were supposed to leave for the trip.  The backbone of the bike is great, but the bits the bike came with added up to a lot. What follows is the Carver diet story.

The starting point.  (yes,it says "Kona".  It's not a Kona.)



Drivetrain replacement.  I went with an X1 level 1x11 drivetrain to match Caroline's bike for an easier repair situation.  28T ring up front because fatbiking is hard work in any season.

 

Cockpit changes. Way less clutter, which helps with strapping crap to the bike.  Gripshift because it's awesome, and much easier in the winter with mitts on.

 

The final result.  Dropper removed because who droops on a rigid fatbike?  Tires switched from flat and heavy to fast rolling and light.

               

That is one good looking bike.  Let's show you that again:



Iceland, here we come!