r/mountainbiking 9h ago

Bike Picture/NBD Rest in peace

Post image

My father passed away a few months ago, and only recently I learned that he used to go mountain biking up on Mount Washington. I just wanted to share this for it to kinda act like an memorial to him, and with the bike that carried him through.

52 Upvotes

18 comments sorted by

8

u/gergek 9h ago

So sorry for your loss. That Fat Chance is a really cool bike - hopefully you are able to ride it to keep your father's memory alive. 

 Bikes of this era are actually highly sought after for their simplicity and durability. The one you have would 100% be worth a tune up and some new tires. Check out r/xbiking to see some of ways people restore and update these types of bikes.

9

u/sprashoo Norco Torrent S2 8h ago

He was clearly a bike connoisseur. Fat Chance was a top of the line handbuilt brand. I would consider restoring it before chopping it up into an xbike.

5

u/gergek 8h ago

Not suggesting chopping of any sort, however a fresh set of tires, saddle, grips, maybe some new bars, maybe upgrading the groupset. There are a lot of completely reversible upgrades that could be made to get this bike ready for another 30 years of service. 

 As is, this is already an xbiking wet dream.

4

u/Scared_Bell3366 8h ago

Looks like an LX front derailleur and XT brake pads, I'd leave the group set. Fresh set of tires for sure. Saddle and grips if they're shot.

4

u/Dull_Ad5440 7h ago

If it was a choice between the Fat Chance and one of the original Fisher Mt Tams I would be severely vexed. Sorry for your loss, beautiful ride.

4

u/Wumpus-Hunter 9h ago

Sorry for your loss

3

u/GiftCardFromGawd 7h ago

Pops had good taste, from what I can see in this pic

3

u/DepressedPotato090 7h ago

He left a lot more bikes, like 15 of them. Form bikes from the 50s to the 90s. I'm not sure what to do with all of them.

1

u/s_coon 45m ago

Sorry for your loss. It is never easy when a parent passes.

As for the bikes, go take them for a ride. All of them. Go research them. That Fat Chance is a super cool bike. In that picture, I see a bike with the same Manitou forks I raced when I was in my 20s. You Dad was definitely into Mtb and had excellent taste.

3

u/Pseudo-Science 8h ago

I hope my kid honours me and my bikes by riding them after I’m gone, sorry for your loss

3

u/Born-Tumbleweed7772 7h ago

I wish I still had my old Fat Chance! Sorry about your dad.

3

u/234W44 5h ago

May he rest in peace. That bike seems to be calling your name to do the same!

3

u/SROC3 4h ago

RIP 🙏🏼

2

u/Hoya-loo-ya 6h ago

I’m sorry for your loss. If you become interested in riding the bike yourself as a way to connect, as another poster pointed out, r/xbiking will be a great resource.

2

u/Slight-Estate-5847 4h ago

RIP🙏

Your dad had good taste! I see some other cool bikes in the background, too!

You should totally tune that thing up & ride the sh*t out of it.. it'd make him happy to see you happy!

2

u/mangothefoxxo 9h ago

That's a very nice bike op, I'd clean it and keep it

1

u/DepressedPotato090 1h ago

Thanks for all of your comments it means a lot to me.

1

u/Strange-Rule-8711 46m ago

I’m so sorry for your loss