Borealis Bikes

Echo XX1 Complete Fat Bike - 2016

Borealis believes that fat bikes are meant to be ridden anywhere and everywhere, and when we see them built like this, we’re inclined to agree. It’s nearly as efficient as your favorite hardtail, but with heaps more traction and confidence over rough trails and chunky downhills. At the heart of the Echo is the 197mm rear spacing and 150mm front spacing that allow for super-strong, dishless wheels. Those wheels are built with Borealis’ own hubset, Surly rims, and 45NRTH tires, and, when paired with RockShox’s groundbreaking Bluto fork, make the Borealis Echo ready for just about anything.

We’re so used to seeing low-end spec on fat bikes at this point that seeing one built up like this Echo takes a second and third glance to make sure we’re not reading it wrong. Everything you’d expect from a top-tier hardtail is here: Race Face carbon cranks, SRAM’s XX1 drivetrain, and Avid hydraulic brakes. And gobs and gobs of traction and flotation.