Fat City Cycles created some classic bicycles before they folded in 2000. At the top of that heap was their Team Yo Eddy mountain bike. I wanted one of those since the first time I'd laid eyes on a Grello colored one in a bike shop on Pine Street in Seattle but that was before I had much in the way of spending money. The best I could do at the time was a Cannondale. I rode that thing for years and thrashed it so thoroughly it went to the scrap heap as it could no longer be safely ridden. It's replacement was my dream bike: This 1999 (Serotta Built) Yo Eddy I bought in 2001 and built up to my ideal at the time. It was simply beautiful.

Realities have a way of finally getting through to me. That Titanium fork was so flexy it was scary. I started seeing reports of failures so I replaced it with a steel one. This made the bike handle much more precisely. The cool USA mfg'd Precision Billet rear derailluer blew up into 5 pieces 2 summers ago when a stick got caught in it on a trail ride. I have a spare one just like it in the garage but I chose to buy a modern XT to replace it instead, opting to enjoy being able to shift under load and not having to baby it so much as I did with a CNC machined handmade piece of art which is what I consider the Precision Billet to be..

This year I decided to take up a new challenge after being inspired by a friend of mine who earned a Leadville100 belt buckle. He and I are signed up to ride the Cascade 100 MTB race in July. A century on mostly single track with a mountain bike is not comparable to a road Century. MTB'g is more anaerobic and it requires handling skills that I have neglected for many years. My friend convinced me it was time to get suspension so out I went shopping only to find out that technology has marched along leaving things like V-Brakes in their wake. What I ended up doing was having a new disc compatable wheel built up using a White Industries Hub (matches the rear) and mounting it on a New Fox Terralogic fork. First ride yesterday! Even though the bike gained a few pounds it isn't noticeable and it feels well balanced and more stable than ever. I really like how the fork is firm when it needs to be but absorbs rocks and roots without throwing me offline. Now to just get the legs n lungs ready for July. This old bike of mine will be up to the task I am sure!

That is a great C&V MTB and I'm happy to see it being raced. Oh, good call on getting the fork.

Very nice bike. What RFC says: good to see it is raced. I am a happy Yo owner too. My Yo isn't used very intensively. It was my 1st 'strange' brand purchase after my (Koga) Miyatas, but with the racy position on my bike in its setup I never felt really comfortable. The later Yo's are beautifully made, with a good paint quality.

I'm partial to the latest incarnation, that thing is sweet!

My lowly Wicked has yet to see the road since I bought it last fall. I will likely sell it to my friend instead of building it though. That same friend just let me borrow (indefinitely) his ti WTB Phoenix so I've got all the mountain bike I'll need and then some for the time being.

really beautiful bike...i'm a confirmed roadie, and haven't ridden mountain much...in any way, do you miss the rigid fork? at least in theory, i much prefer them...

I'm afraid that's all it is -- theory. I rode rigid fork for years on nasty, rocky single track. It will bounce the hell out of you. Suspension forks are a huge improvement.

Very nice build! Fox makes damn fine suspension.

+1

Cool bike Northbend.

An old friend brought his Fat Chance to the swap today and was swarmed for a moment when he brought it in to show folks.

...and no, it is not for sale.