Fat City Cycles

Chris Chance started his own business in 1977 building race bikes before starting Fat Chance in 1982 to focus solely on mountain bikes in Somerville, Mass. ¹⁾

In 1992 he took a 23 year sabbatical to open a massage therapy business: Chris Chance Shiatsu. ²⁾ In 2015 Fat Chance was resurrected with Chris back holding the welding torch: https://fatchance.bike/

Fat Chance's have a cult following, more than Steve Potts or Ibis. The https://fatcogs.com/ forum has 2,880 members and is very active. Fat Chance lists an impressive set of community resources at: https://fatchance.bike/vintage/.

Chris Chance, 1980's
https://mmbhof.org/chris-chance/

Chris Chance today, better jigs and a clearer vision instagram

1982 Fat Chance

All models from 1982 → 1985 were called “Fat Chance.” In following years they became more creative ³⁾:

• 1985: Kicker
• 1987: Wicked Fat
• 1988: Wicked Fuck'n Fat Chance
• 1988: Fuck'n Fat Chance
• 1988: Monster Fat
• 1990: Yo Eddy
• 1992: Slim Chance
• 1992: Ti Fat
• 1993: Wicked Lite
• 1993: Shock a Billy
• 1994: Buck Shaver
• 1994: Beam Bike
• 1998: Chris Cross
• 1999: Bro Eddy

Not a complete list.

See timeline for more pics.

1982 Fat Chance
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1983 Fat Chance

In 1983, Fat Chance Cycles started to transition to TIG welding, often with TIG welds brazed over by Chris for aesthetic purposes. ⁴⁾

1983 Fat Chance
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1984 Fat Chance

Shimano XT v1 (1982-84)

1984 Fat Chance
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1985 Competition

TIG welded frame with brazed bullmooses. Magura brake levers. SunTour XC RD-6300 (1984-86). Serial #85533.

1985 Competition
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1986 Fat Chance

As shown at the 2015 North American Hand Built Show (NAHBS.) Reynolds 531. Full XT.

Shark fin detail on chainstay. singletrackworld⁵⁾

1986 Fat Chance singletrackworld

1988 Wicked Fat Chance

Interesting box crown fork.

Front view, with box crown fork. velocult

1988 Wicked Fat Chance
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1989 Wicked Fat Chance

Factory custom paint job Shimano XT M730 (1987-88) - but it's uncertain how much is original. Cook Bros cranks.

1989 Wicked Fat Chance
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1990 Fat Chance

Pretty “lifesavers” paint job. SunTour XC Pro.

1990 Fat Chance
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1991 Yo Eddy

XT M735 (1990-92)

1991 Yo Eddy
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1992 10th Anniversary

Campagnolo Record OR (1992-95) derailleurs, hubs, shifters, brakes, seat post & bars.

1992 Fat Chance
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