Atomik Carbon releases fat-bike and plus-size rims

TAMPA, Fla. (BRAIN) — Atomik Carbon has released two new fat and plus-sized rims, the PHATTY 85 and CHUBBY 43.

Both feature single-wall construction wrapped around an aerospace foam core. The combination is said to create a stiff, strong and lightweight rim with superior damping characteristics and a low profile.

"When we decided to engineer a fat and plus rim, we really wanted to do something different," said Kevin Lineberger, Atomik's vice president. "In trying to keep weights reasonable, traditional fat rim designs are thin, have tall profiles and don't survive impacts very well. If profiles and weights are reduced, stiffness and strength suffer. That's fine for some applications, but we wanted a light, low-profile wheel that could be ridden hard. We looked at other sports and applications of carbon fiber. We consulted with aeronautical engineers, F1 engineers and sporting goods designers that use carbon fiber in high-stress, high-impact environments before deciding to incorporate a foam core and stronger single-wall design."

The company said the ultra-low profile (16 millimeters on the PHATTY, 15 millimeters on the CHUBBY), damage from trail debris is minimized. It said more than 75 percent of impacts on standard rims studied occurred above the 15-millimeter mark. Another benefit is that thanks to a reduced, smooth surface area, mud and snow is less likely to stick, reducing unwanted weight and mess.

The single-wall construction results in a thicker sidewall, which adds strength. The CHUBBY 43 also receives 12K weave, which Lineberger said is stronger.

"All carbon is not created equal," said Lineberger. "There is a vast difference between a proprietary high-end product like Atomik and the generic overseas knock-offs proliferating on the Internet. The devil's in the details you can't see, and those are the details we lose sleep over."

The PHATTY 85 fits most fatbikes and tires up to 4.8 inches, while the CHUBBY 43 will fit up to a 3.25-inch tire on a 27.5+ bike, with the added bonus of fitting most existing 27.5 and 29er frames as well.

"Our favorite part of the CHUBBY 43 plus wheels is that you don't need a special bike or conditions to make the most of them," said Lineberger. "They offer up the traction and trail-muting qualities of an oversized tire while maintaining the nimble and familiar ride of an all-mountain or trail bike, whether you're looking to make the most of the white stuff or just experience the trails in a new way."

Both wheels will be shown at the 2016 CABDA Expo Feb. 3 and 4, via Atomik's local distributor Aventuron.

The PHATTY 85 and CHUBBY 43 are available now as complete builds or rim-only options. Specifications and prices are shown in the image below. More information at AtomikCarbon.com.