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State Bicycle Co. Fattens Up For Winter on All-New Affordable 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike

State Bicycle Co. 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike, an affordable alloy budget entry-level aluminum fatbike
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Winter is coming, and State Bicycle Co. is ready with an all-new affordable aluminum 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike. Hitting the same excellent balance of affordability and just enough performance that we love from State, their new alloy fat bike is everything you need to get hooked on winter snow riding, summer sand dune exploring, or just general mud-bogging… all for under a grand…

State Bicycle Co. affordable alloy 6061 Trail+ fat bike

State Bicycle Co. 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike, an affordable alloy budget entry-level aluminum fatbike, frameset
(Photos/State Bicycle Co.)

It’s been many years since we’ve seen a fat bike from State, the last one I can really remember was the steel 4130 Megalith, the most recent gen which they debuted more than 7.5 years ago. What’s maybe interesting is that not a ton has really changed since then in fat bike tech (besides better tires), and State’s pricing isn’t that much more expensive either!

It’s sometime hard to justify that N+1 bike purchase. And a fatbike can feel so niche that it’s even harder to commit. But an affordable alloy State 6061 Trail+ fat bike might just make that purchase easier to rationalize. No matter if you are looking to explore soft sand, mud, or snow-covered trails.

Tech Details

State built their new 6061 Trail+ fat bike from a light but strong hydroformed 6061 aluminum tubeset. Then, they gave it a matching alloy unicrown fork, with a tapered 1.5″ steerer at least.

From a tech perspective, the 6061 Trail+ fat bike stays affordable by sticking with a bit older tech – both in standards and component spec. Although it does get pretty good 26″ x 4.5″ tire clearance, which would equate to about 27.5×4″ too.

Axles are quick release; 135mm front & 190mm rear. The bottom bracket is a 100mm BSA threaded BB, but comes with a square taper crank. It gets post mount disc brakes, but they are Tektro mechanicals. It uses a 31.6mm seatpost, but there’s no routing for a dropper post. Cable routing is internal in the front triangle, external out back, and there are 2 standard set of water bottle cage mounts.

State Bicycle Co. 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike, an affordable alloy budget entry-level aluminum fatbike, 1x9 drivetrain

It also curiously sticks with a very basic Shimano Altus 1x 9-speed drivetrain, with no clutch. But there’s a decent 11-42T cassette paired to the 28T chainring.

Fat Bike Geometry

As to the Trail+ fat bike’s geometry, it’s not especially progressive. But the steep angles should likely help keep a manageable ride offsetting the heft of the wide wheels and huge tire combo.

State Bicycle Co. 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike, an affordable alloy budget entry-level aluminum fatbike, geometry

State stuck with a steep 71° head angle and a non-suspension corrected fork of just 451mm axle-crown (compare that to the 544mm length of my 120mm Manitou Mastodon). Potentially upgrading down the road to a suspension fork could theoretically slacken out the front end. But the bike already has a pretty high bottom bracket, so raising the front might sacrifice some stability too.

State Bicycle Co. 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike, an affordable alloy budget entry-level aluminum fatbike, BAAW rear

Frame Reach figures are generally old school too, meaning you might even benefit from sizing up. Double check the fit vs. any other mountain bike you ride to best pick your size. Stack heights are quite low, as is standover, so moving up a size shouldn’t be an issue.

State 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike – Pricing, options & availability

State Bicycle Co. 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike, an affordable alloy budget entry-level aluminum fatbike, BAAW purple on blue

State Bicycle Co’s selling point is affordability. And even if it isn’t the most ground breaking, it’s hard to argue with getting a ready-to-roll fat bike for under a grand. That’s less than half the price of the latest and more modern alloy Trek Farley, updated this past spring. Or 60% less than the cheapest of the recently renamed alloy Salsa HeyDay!

For $999.99, pick up a 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike direct from State now in either Wildberry purple or Stone grey. There’s just one build 1×9 build kit to buy, with hollowed-out double wall alloy wheels and 26×4.5″ Kenda Juggernaut tires. Complete bike weight is claimed at 18.1kg/39.9lb for a medium fatbike.

State Bicycle Co. 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike, an affordable alloy budget entry-level aluminum fatbike, grey on red

And be ready to hit some snow packed trails any day now.

StateBicycle.com

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Dann
Dann
2 months ago

I’ve been pointing out for years that Surly should be a company doing just this, i.e. take a Pug frame, put 1×9 Advent and cheap mechanicals on it, and sell it for under a grand. Way to go, State!

PO'd former State owner
PO'd former State owner
2 months ago

I bought their Megalith fat bike and it was the worst bike that I have ever owned. The dropouts were too far apart and had to be clamped down due to a small gap between the frame and the hub, making lining the brakes up difficult. The tires were so cheap and had a ton of self steer. Buyer beware.

David
David
2 months ago

I had their 29 Pulsar frame about 5 years ago and had the same issue. That being said, it was a blast to ride and the price was right. This one at least looks like a solid option and having seen some of their newer bikes recently, quality has improved.

bill
bill
2 months ago
Reply to  David

i still have that Pulsar frame! i love it, smooth riding steel. it’s set up as a 3 speed town bike these days…

Tucker
Tucker
2 months ago

The colour options aren’t bad. Even the notion of 1×9 and mechanical brakes is all ok.

But using axle standards from 10 years ago is a total fail

It just locks you in to the parts supplied

Who go to the extra expense of fitting a tapered headtube and fork, when the front hub is 135/QR

There is no upgrade path

Jack
Jack
2 months ago
Reply to  Tucker

You guys are obviously experienced. But for a guy like me who knows nothing and just wants one to ride when it snows or to exercise, what’s your take on that?

King County
King County
2 months ago
Reply to  Jack

Some people are complaining that it does not have thru axles, (the modern axle interface), but if you are not upgrading the bike down the line there is nothing wrong with the way it comes stock. I do not know what else is out there for the price, so I suggest do your research and compare.

Jamie
Jamie
2 months ago

QR 135/190 is irresponsible in this day and age. Poor form in the name of racing to the bottom.

David
David
2 months ago

Holy cow is that thing a tank! That’s over 25% heavier than my old steel Pugsley, that had better brakes and more gears.

Kenny Williams
2 months ago

This bike is still too heavy at 40lb. I have a trek Farley. And it is 30lb. Not a good comparison with trek Farleys.

defryder
defryder
2 months ago

As someone that lives in north-central US, I ride fat bikes and I have to say missing out on 27.5/4.5 is a miss, especially for the likes of us that ride on snow-packed trails. Nothing wrong with 26/4+, but you do feel the difference with 27.5/4.5 on snow-packed trails.

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