trek farley 5 2021

2021 Trek Farley

Specs, comparisons, reviews, galleries.

This fat bike keeps you planted wherever you roll, from sand to snow and all points in-between. It has extra-wide tires that grip in any conditions, incredible stability, and an oversized dose of agility. Carbon and alloy frame options make Farley the perfect go-to for year-round riding.

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Trek Farley 5 Review – Is This Bike Worth Buying?

Fat bikes are here to stay. From a niche market among riders who wanted to explore the limits of biking snow, ice, and sand, they’ve expanded into the mainstream, taking over a significant share of the mountain bike market. Fat bikes don’t just offer the ability to ride with security on loose or slick surfaces. They can ride anywhere a conventional mountain bike can. Those huge tires soak up bumps without the need for expensive suspension. Beginners love the stability and traction, and a lot of people just love the look.

Image: Trek Farley 5

The Farley is Trek’s entry in the fat bike market, and the bikes in the Farley series show all of the experience and sophistication of the Trek brand. The Farley 5 is an affordable fat bike that brings real value to the table.

Let’s see how Trek’s entry in the sub-$2000 fat bike market stacks up.

Quick Overview: What I Think of the Trek Farley 5

Simple answer: it’s a great bike. It’s all you’d expect from Trek. The frame is well designed and beautifully built. The components deliver high performance at an accessible price. The whole package is a first class blend of performance and affordability and it will certainly satisfy anyone who buys it and rides it.

The Farley 5 is a great bike for the price, but it sits in a market niche that is absolutely saturated with great bikes. The $1500-2100 range is a sweet spot for fat bikes, with numerous contenders from reputable manufacturers. The Farley 5 is a fine bike for the price, but whether it’s the best bike for the price is less certain.

Let’s take a closer look.

What You Get

Like every bike, the Farley 5 is a package of components. Let’s see what this $1799 fat bike brings to the table.

Trek’s aluminum frames are of the highest quality, and the Farley frame is no exception. The design is sleek and understated: no swirly hydroformed tubes, just a well, built, businesslike frame.

The Farley’s geometry is designed for versatility and all-around use. The welds are flawless and the paint job superb. Shifting cables and the dropper post hydraulics are internally routed. The horizontal dropout is ready for geared or single speed use and allows some tweaking of the wheelbase. You can lengthen the distance between the wheels for greater stability or shorten it if you’re after quick handling. The small size will fit riders down to 5 feet tall and the XXL will accommodate riders up to 6’8”.

Like most fat bikes at this price range, the Farley 5 mounts its front wheel on a rigid fork, relying on the monster tires to soak up trail bumps. The Farley 5 carries a Bontrager carbon fork, which is solid and durable and peels a bit of weight off the full package relative to aluminum-forked competitors.

The drivetrain is built on mid-range products from premier manufacturers. The crankset is the Race Face Ride, the chain is from KMC. For the critical shifter, derailleur, and cassette, Trek turns to Shimano’s Deore series components.

Premium drivetrain manufacturers Shimano and SRAM have long used a trickle-down approach to technology: the latest developments go into the most expensive products, and the technology they replace is passed on down the chain. That process has left the mid-range products performing so well that many riders are questioning the need to pay the very substantial price premium on the high-end component lines. These components may not have high-end bling but they are reliable, effective, and easy to use.

Some riders might question the use of a 1×10-speed drivetrain when 1×11 or 1×12 are preferred by many competitors. In practice, the range of gears makes more difference than the number of choices within that range. The 1×10 drivetrain on the Farley 5 has a range from 11 teeth on the smallest rear ring to 46 teeth on the largest ring. That is only marginally different from the 11-50 range on the 12-speed drivetrain featured on the $2600 Farley 7. If climbing very steep hills is on your agenda you might want those 4 extra teeth but most riders will barely notice the difference.

The SRAM Level hydraulic disc brakes and 160mm Avid CleanSweep rotors on the Farley 5 are not top-of-the-line models, but it would take a very demanding rider to spot the differences. You will have no problem controlling your speed.

Choosy riders who ride at high speeds or on steep terrain might want to swap the 160mm rotors out for larger models, particularly in the front. It’s an easy upgrade, but for most riders it won’t be necessary. Remember that braking technique gives you a lot more control than pure stopping power.

The Farley 5 carries 27.5” wheels. Add the extra diameter of the oversized tires and the total functioning diameter will be close to that of a conventional 29” wheel. That lets you hold momentum and roll over obstacles, but may compromise nimble handling. That won’t bother most riders: fat bikes are designed to plow over obstacles, not to dodge around them.

The wheels are built around Bontrager hubs, which carry Bontrager’s Switch through axle system for extra rigidity, and SunRingle Mulefut rims. The Bontrager Gnarwhal 4.5 tires are serious pieces of rubber even by fat bike standards, and get high marks for traction and stability. These are fairly aggressive tires aimed at trail or soft-surface riding, and if you plan to use them on cement you may experience noticeable tire drag.

Other Components

Trek sticks with Bontrager to fill out the parts catalog, sourcing the saddle, handlebar, grips and stem from the same manufacturer.

There are two notable components in the cockpit. The TranzX dropper post lets you raise and lower your saddle on the fly, a great feature on rolling terrain with frequent transitions between climbing and descending. The Bontrager Blendr stem allows easy mounting of accessories like lights, GPS, bike computers, or a GoPro or similar camera.

Some user reviews have mentioned that the saddle is uncomfortable, but saddles are very personal and no saddle will please everyone. If you have a favored model of saddle it’s always worth fitting it on a new bike, especially if the stock saddle doesn’t agree with your backside!

Component Roundup

The components on the Farley 5 are what you’d expect from a mid-range bike from a premium manufacturer. They are of high quality and they will do their jobs very well. If you get a chance to try out the top of the line models you may wonder if the difference in performance justifies the difference in price.

Let’s rate the Farley 5 component mix relative to other fat bikes in the $1500-2000 range.

Performance

The trail is where it all comes together, and specifications don’t matter if performance doesn’t match up. The Farley 5 lives to its specifications. It feels comfortable from the start and invites you to push it. It won’t accelerate like a greyhound – no fat bike will – but the 27.5” wheels hold momentum and if the big wheels carry an agility penalty it’s barely noticeable.

One of the highest praises you can give a bike is to say you hardly notice that it’s there. When you’re riding, you don’t want to think about your components. When everything is right, you forget the bike and focus on the trail because you trust the bike to do what it’s meant to do. The Farley 5 fits into this category. Take it for a trail spin and you’ll probably come back without much to say about the bike, because the bike lets you focus on the trail. That’s what you want it to do.

The drivetrain and brakes on the Farley 5 will come as a pleasant surprise, and you might find it hard to believe that you’re riding a bike with mid-range components. The shifting is smooth and precise, the gear range is entirely adequate, and having 10 gears instead of 11 or 12 is not a noticeable liability.

There are a few potential limitations to recognize. The Gnarwhal 4.5 tires are truly beefy. You’ll appreciate them on rough, loose, or slick surfaces, but they may feel like tank treads on cement. If you’re looking for a trail/town combo bike you might want to use some less aggressive rubber. The gear range might be a limitation if your riding includes a lot of steep climbs.

The Competition

The Farley 5 is a fine fat bike, but it sits at a price point that embraces quite a few fine fat bikes. Let’s look at some of the other players and how they stack up compared to the Farley 5.

The 2021 Norco Bigfoot 2 is hitting retailers at $1600 and carries specifications very similar to those of the Farley 5: 27.5” wheels, aggressive tires, SRAM Level brakes (with a 180mm front rotor), a Shimano Deore 1×12 drivetrain, and the same TranzX dropper post. You won’t get a carbon fork, though.

The Kona Wo gets a price hike for 2021 and comes in at exactly the same price point as the Farley 5. It carries an 11-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, an aluminum fork, and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. It carries 26” wheels, which could be an advantage to some riders and a disadvantage to others.

The KHS 4 Season 1000 includes a carbon-fork model for $1599 and a model wearing a Manitou Mastodon suspension fork for $1899. The drivetrain is an 11-speed Shimano SLX, a step up from the Deore, and the Shimano hydraulic disc brakes have a 180mm front rotor. There’s a KS dropper post, but some other components, notably the crank, are a step down. Wheel size is 26”.

The Salsa Mukluk has dropped to $1699 for its entry level model. The bike comes with an aluminum fork, 11-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, Tektro hydraulic brakes, and 26” wheels with the highly regarded 45NRTH Dillinger 4.6” tires.

The Giant Yukon 1 pushes the price envelope slightly at $2100, but carries an upscale component package that includes a SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain, SRAM Level T brakes, carbon fork, dropper post, and 27.5” wheels with Maxxis Colossus 4.5” wheels.

All of these are good bikes. Trek’s Farley 5 is a strong contender in this niche, but you’ll have to decide whether it’s the best choice for you. It’s a fun choice because you really can’t go wrong: any of these bikes will serve you well!

The Bottom Line

If you’re shopping for a fat bike and you have $1799 in your pocket you can buy a Farley 5 and ride away happy. If you’re shopping, though, you’ll still have to decide whether you could get a better deal elsewhere.

The Farley 5 has plus points: a carbon fork, 27.5” wheels, a dropper post, solid components, and an outstanding level of design and build quality. There are also features that could push you toward the competition. If you’re looking for 26” wheels, a wider range of gearing options, a bigger brake rotor in front, or even a suspension fork, you can find all of them on a bike in the same price range.

The choice comes down to which features are most important to you. The best option is narrow your list down to a few choices and test ride the contenders, if you can. Your final decision is likely to come down to personal feelings about each bike’s handling and looks.

If you’re not a selective shopper and you want a good fat bike fast, you could just grab a Farley 5 in your size. You’re not likely to regret the choice!

Let’s evaluate the Farley 5’s overall quality relative to other fat bikes in its price range.

Trek Farley 5 vs. 7 vs. 9.6 – 2021

As Trek fat bike riders get ready for 2021, the big debate is surrounded around which one makes the most sense. Every person has different needs, and it can be challenging to find what bike fits into a particular lifestyle.

All three Trek Farley options are great to have, but getting too much of a bike can be a quick way to spend a lot more money than anybody wants to spend.

When looking at the Trek Farley 5 , 7, and 9.6, are they all worth the investment in 2021? All bring different qualities to the table with different price points.

It is a matter of finding a quality fit for each individual, and then graduating to something better when the time comes. Some will start at the Farley 5, while seasoned riders will jump to a more sophisticated option.

Trek Farley 5

The 2021 Trek Farley 5 is expected to be a big seller once again thanks to its affordable price, brand name recognition, and overall performance.

Like previous models from Trek, this one is all about getting people into fat bike riding with a durable entry-level option. Some people will stick with this for quite a while, while others will use it as simply a bike to get started before graduating to something else.

Riders love the fact that they will be able to get quite a bit of value out of a bike like this without having to spend a ton of money. It does not have the best components ever, but it is still a lightweight aluminum frame including a dropper post that is pretty comfortable.

The carbon fork smooths out the ride, and other high-level components make this a bike that seems well worth the money. Some people have a very hard time finding anything like this under $2000, but Trek has always made the Farley 5 a pretty affordable option overall.

Who Is The Farley 5 for?

Anyone who is getting into fat biking for the first time does not need to spend an arm and a leg on the best of the best. This is affordably priced for people who want to ride all year round, as they can handle the snow or the dirt with ease.

The traction is outstanding, the geometry of the bike is great, and it just feels very comfortable no matter where a person goes.

Even advanced riders could find a lot of value in the Trek Farley 5, as it could be used as a training bike or one that does not have to be treated quite as well.

Having multiple bikes can preserve the better one’s life, and it still provides a good amount of value for riders who want something consistent. It is always worth checking out if this is something that can financially be accomplished.

Is It Worth The Price?

Having a fat bike that can truly be ridden during all four seasons certainly helps. Some fat bikes are a little more geared towards a specific type of riding, and it can be frustrating for people who are starting out. This will not necessarily replace every other need for a bike, but some people will only use this one no matter what they are doing.

The components that a person gets with this Farley 5 is certainly great as well. The Shimano Deore 1×10 drivetrain is outstanding, and the wheels that come with the bike by default work very well also.

The components will not really be that much of a difference compared to some of the higher-level options, making it a great bang for the buck overall.

Is The Farley 5 The Best Fat Bike For The Price?

If the goal is to stay on budget, the Trek Farley 5 is the way to go. It is going to be one of the best value fat bikes out there, and it still provides enough benefits that people will use it for a long time without issues.

Those looking for a more specific type of fat bike riding, or wanting better components overall, will be better off looking at the Farley 7 or the Farley 9.6.

It is not as though the Farley 5 is terrible, it is just not going to get that same level of overall feel and grip that people are hoping for.

Trek Farley 7 2021

The best way to describe the Farley 7 is that it feels a lot like a traditional mountain bike, but with a fat bike build overall. It handles very well on all different types of surfaces, but it has that ability to feel very comfortable on sand or snow.

The geometry is a little sportier compared to the Farley 5, and better components across-the-board make it a solid option as well.

It is a matter of making a few sacrifices with any mid tier range and hoping that it works out for the best. People know that they are not going to get the fastest fat bike out there. But they are still going to control the weight and get to where they want to be in an efficient manner.

Being able to climb and go downhill makes a big difference for riders as well, and the Trek Farley 7 2021 does exactly that.

Who Is The Farley 7 For?

People who really want versatility will love this mid-tier option from Trek. It can perform well in just about any situation, and it really keeps a person on the right track when going downhill. With a strong all-around build, it is something that is definitely one of the best values out there.

Another huge positive with this bike is that it has a great suspension fork that provides good overall comfort. Having a fork that can be very dependable on all different types of rides truly helps out.

It is not the most agile fat bike a person can find in this price range, but its versatility with a fork and a dropper post makes it one worth testing out.

It is still user-friendly enough for beginners, but the price range might be a little too much for people to jump on right away. This is why the Trek Farley 7 caters to a slightly more sophisticated crowd, but one that does not feel like they need to go all the way to the top in the price range.

Is The Trek Farley 7 Worth The Price?

The price is very much justified because of all the different components that make up his bike. Not only does it perform well from a cruising and exploration standpoint, but the little things like the tires they come with and the crankset matter as well.

People sometimes find it very difficult to find a bike that is ready to go from the very beginning, but a person does not need to make any other upgrades to get it going as it should.

Durability also makes it a true one-time investment for a lot of people, which certainly makes the price point that much more tolerable.

It is never easy to make a huge purchase for any type of bike riding, even if a person knows they will use it almost every day. Getting quality components from the very beginning ensures that a person does not have to replace components and make some tweaks along the way constantly. That can make an already expensive bike that much tougher to maintain.

If the bike has a little bit more carbon on it, it would be the best value out there. Some companies out there do put a bit more carbon on their mid tier option, which means a slightly lighter and more comfortable ride.

With that being said, it is still one of the best options out there with the Alpha Platinum Aluminum Frame.

Is the Farley 7 The Best Fat Bike For The Price?

The Farley 7 is a little bit more expensive than some of the others in this price range, but its versatility and well-rounded performance make it one of the very best.

There might be companies out there that offer better fat bikes at a lower cost, but brand recognition does make a bit of a difference.

One thing to keep in mind is that getting the opportunity to get this fixed at a local bike shop is much easier thanks to the Trek brand. Since so many places are very familiar with the brand, it is easy to slip in and get work done correctly right away.

Trek Farley 9.6 2021

As the most expensive of the three options in 2021, the Trek Farley 9.6 better live up to expectations. The good news is that this carbon fat bike is one of the best options for its price, even if it is over $3000 retail.

It is not for everyone, as beginner riders will not get that much value out of it, but it definitely brings a lot to the table.

Is The Farley 9.6 Worth The Price?

It really comes down to how often a person rides a fat bike, and if they are looking for performance that can take things to another level.

Spending over $3000 on a fat bike might seem absolutely crazy to some people. For others, they know that this is a pretty expensive sport overall, and a person needs to pay for quality.

Considering all that it brings the table, getting some of the top technology out there right now and a fat bike is worth the extra price.

The first thing people notice when they get a chance to ride the Farley 9.6 is that it is built for speed on any surface type. It is a very light and fast ride overall, and the tires are built to handle just about anything thrown its way.

Being able to knife through different surfaces is certainly a huge advantage, but will keep things lightweight because there is all sorts of carbon on the bike.

Having a bike that is truly built for all four seasons helps tremendously. Some people will invest in two different fat bikes so that they can go riding throughout the year.

That is not necessary in the scenario, as the bike can do just about anything so the riders are having a fun time.

Little things such as the dropper post that allow for a way to lower the saddle, and horizontal sliding dropouts that can help people get the right geometry make a difference.

There are plenty of customizable options with this bike, and anyone who really wants to take their riding to the next level should make sure that they are giving every single thing a try.

Who Is The Trek Farley 9.6 For?

Performance riders in the fat bike community will love how this bike is positioned to succeed at all costs. It really feels like a totally different bike compared to some of the entry-level options, as the Farley 9.6 can make a huge difference with all the carbon. Not everyone is going to appreciate the difference truly, but people pay a premium for a reason.

Even beginners will still find it to be fairly nice to ride around since it does not have a huge learning curve. The 27.5-inch fat bike tires are very efficient, as people want to roll fast and have that level control they are looking for.

It does not overcomplicate fat bike riding in general, which is great for people who just want to go out there and tackle what is in front of them.

Price will hold up some people, but what they are paying for mostly comes down to the OCLV Mountain carbon. This is a mountain-specific carbon fiber with a few unique materials thanks to what Trek has worked on over the years.

They went through a lot of testing to make sure that this is a build that a lot of people will get plenty of use out of.

What Makes The Farley 9.6 Worth The Price?

Carbon is hard to argue with when it comes to any bike out there. Having carbon fiber built specifically for mountain bike riding makes this a fat bike worth checking out.

It is nearly indestructible and will provide a comfortable, lightweight ride, and it keeps people stable at all times. That for many is worth the price alone, as people are pushing speeds and trying tough trails to push their limits.

This is a bike with all the premium touches, and that is just about anything that a person can ask for. There are fat bikes out there that charge more, but no one will have a usable bike out there that does much better than this.

Trek has been able to fine tune the 9.6 over the years, and now they feel like it is one of the best values a person could find as long as they are willing to push the limits and see what it brings to the table.

Is The Trek Farley 9.6 The Best Fat Bike In That Price Range?

The usual competitors are once again putting up strong challenges to the Trek Farley 9.6. Whether it is Salsa, Giant , Rocky Mountain, or any other company for that matter, competition continues to get tougher and tougher.

Just like all the other Farley options, there is something to be said for buying such an expensive bike that is also well known in case anything goes wrong.

Repairs can get pretty expensive if the bike is really rare as it is much better to go with a trusted brand that has years of reputation delivering what people have come to expect.

Final Comparison

It can be confusing for some people to try to figure out what Farley bike from Trek makes the most sense for them. They all bring something different to the table, but those who can afford it should probably look at the Farley 7.

It seems to be the most versatile option overall, and it is a bit cheaper than the Farley 9.6. It is not going to be perfect for every type of rider out there, but enough people will get value out of it that makes it worthwhile.

If possible, try to get a chance to ride on any of these fat bikes first to see how they feel. There will always be opportunities to make some tweaks along the way, but a person can get a pretty good idea with an easy ride.

Most bike stores will allow this, and there is not a need to buy the bike from them in the end. The best prices are found online in most cases, but getting a chance to at least see the style up close is worthwhile. Since Trek is such a popular brand, a lot of companies carry these bikes as well.

Whatever a person goes with, they will have the opportunity to have a solid fat bike for a long time. They can hold up for very long periods of time, and that is all people can ask for in the end.

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Trek Farley 5: Experience in Canadian Winters

I’ve ridden a Trek Farley bike for the past 4 years — 3 on a Trek Farley 7 and 1 on a Trek Farley 5 — in all conditions, from dry to powder to -30C commutes.

If you’re looking for an overview of the Trek Farley 5 bike with experience-backed information about performance and features, this article’s for you.

Trek Farley 5 Features

My trek farley 5 experience.

I probably do as many rides on my fat bike as my summer bike, Winters here in Canada are long. In shoulder seasons, if there’s still a chance of ice or snow, I’ll usually reach for my fat bike before my trail bike.

The Trek Farley series is, I would argue, one of the best fat bikes out there. The fact the geo hasn’t changed from my first one to my newest is an indication of how much Trek has dialed this bike in.

The Trek Farley 5 is Trek’s entry-level fat bike, although the price (just over $2000 Canadian) does make it borderline “mid-level” for most people. Plenty of manufactures make great bikes at this price point. My girlfriend has a Giant Yukon, and I know several riders with Rocky Mountain Blizzards.

I think the Trek Farley 5 is the best, most value-packed of the bunch.

Even though most of my fat biking has been on the Trek Farley 7, the Trek Farley 5 shares the same features and geo. Just the components are different. 

In recent years, the biggest functional difference has been the front suspension on the Farley 7. Since I only fat bike in winter, there isn’t a huge need for a front suspension. Snow typically takes out all the small bumps, and a suspension fork, for me, isn’t worth the money or hassle.

The Trek Farley 5 leaves me wanting for nothing, and I’ll expect to stay on this bike for several seasons. The XC geo is ideal for snow, as the bike stays under you.

A more raked out front end may look cool, but it would make it slightly more unstable and twitchy in low traction environments.

I don’t run my fat bike tires with studs, so having the proper balance at slow speeds, and even weight distribution, is the most important geo consideration. And that’s where the Trek Farley excels. I even have ex-Olympian biker friends that swear the Farley geometry, for fat biking on snow, has no rival.

If you’re looking for an “entry” fat bike, and the Trek Farley 5 is in your budget, it should be top of mind. If you’re hesitant dropping that kind of cash on a fat bike, one important point to remember is that the items which normally wear out on bikes and are expensive to replace, like tires and bike pads, have virtually no wear in snowy/ winter conditions. I biked the Trek Farley 5 for 3 years on Bontrager tires, and they were still good as new. Same with the brake pads: since you go so much slower on snow, the brake pads don’t nearly wear out as quickly.

So, when you buy a fat bike, the maintenance costs are nowhere near a summer bike, so factor that into your budgeting.

For more info about what I just covered read my 2021 Trek Farley 5 Review and Fat Bike Studs: How to Decide if You need Them .

Trek Farley 5 Bike Features

Carbon fork.

One of the nicest things about this bike, especially compared to something in the $1000-1500 range, is the carbon fork. This sheds a ton of weight, and makes the front end much more nimble.

Compared to an aluminum fork (or suspension fork) the carbon is extremely responsive and can quickly react if you hit a slick spot or a section of loose snow.

Rapid Drive Rear Hub

I won’t go into much detail here, but rear hubs on fat bikes are major weak point, because of the additional leverage generated by the wider axles. This is especially the case for Sasquatch Mountain Bikers .

To make matters worse, hubs on most entry bikes are cheap with weak freehubs, which compounds the problem.

Instead, the Trek Farley 5 comes with the same rapid drive rear hub found on Trek wheels for bikes in the $5000+ range. This is massively confidence inspiring, especially if you have a history of broken hubs.

If you haven’t had that history, rest assured you likely won’t have that problem on the Trek Farley 5 (and none of the time, money, and headaches that come with a broken hub). To learn more about wheel issues, read Sasquatch’s Mountain Bike Wheel Woes .

Dropper Post

It looks like a dropper post is the new standard for the Trek Farley 5. The one on mine, the TranzX, is an entry level dropper but it gets the job done.

I’d argue a dropper is almost more of a requirement on a fat bike than a summer bike. If you have a loose powder or a slick section coming up, dropping down means you can get a foot down quicker and gain stronger control. Also, when you do fall off in deep powder, a lower seat is much easier to get back onto than one at full height.

And it makes those bobsleigh downhills way more fun.

Aluminum Frame

The Trek aluminum frame, with its dialed geo and internal cable routing, looks great and is well designed. This frame hasn’t changed in my 4 years of winter fat biking. The rear dropouts are adjustable if you want to tune your geo or put a single speed wheel on. I’ve not done either, but the option is there.

Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Another big bonus on the Trek Farley 5, compared to bikes lower down the scale, are standard hydraulic brakes. These are much more powerful and reactive (better control) than simple mechanical brakes.

One important note: if you plan on riding the Trek Farley 5 in summer, these hydraulic brakes may not be powerful enough (the Farley 5 currently comes with SRAM Level, which are entry hydraulic brake) so that is something to keep in mind.

In winter, with slower speeds, the brakes are more than adequate.

27.5 Wheels

Another nice bonus is the use of 27.5 wheels on the Trek Farley 5. This means the tires are slightly narrower than 26 wheels, but I find the grip is pretty close due to the wider circumference of the tire (bigger wheels = bigger tire contact patch).

The 27.5 roll noticeably faster, and roll over objects much easier.

Although, if you plan on winter fat biking somewhere the trails aren’t groomed, or you expect a lot of adventure riding through powder, you probably want to consider a bike with 26 wheels so you can put use wider tires with more float.

Tubeless Ready Bontrager Tires

I’ve been on two Bontrager fat bike tires — the Barbegazis and the Gnarwhals — and they were both great. 

I’m a big fan of the Gnarwhals, which are standard on both the Trek Farley 5 and the Farley 7. In spite of the big lugs, they still roll extremely well. When you do need that grip, the tries perform extremely well.

The tires and wheels are also tubeless ready. Tubeless conversions on fat bikes are a delicate process which I’ll be producing a future article on.

Be aware that although the rims come taped, it is highly recommended to add a couple more layers. Because fat bike wheels have several cutouts to save weight, they also make for plenty of opportunities for air to escape.

Trek Farley 5: Canadian Winter Ready

If you want to try fat biking on snow, or are ready for a proper, quality fat bike from a leading manufacturer, the Trek Farley 5 should be near the top of your list.

Geo is #1 for staying in control on snow, and the Farley 5 has that covered.

Add in the bomber rear hub, dropper post, carbon fork, 27.5 wheels, Bontrager tires, and other features, and you have one solid platform that performs through any winter condition!

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Author: Hardtail Canada

Excellent article. Your experience with the bike aligns with my personal experience renting one recently. The bike is very stable on snow. No need for a front suspension. Now, I want one…

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Trek Farley 5

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Weight / M - 14.15 kg / 31.2 lbs (with tubes)

At a glance

Farley 5 is our best value fat bike and the perfect gateway to all-season freedom. It rolls over snow, sand, roots, and rocks with the stability and traction of a monster truck on beefy 27.5×4.5˝ tires. A 1x Shimano drivetrain, lightweight aluminum frame, and carbon fork make it a great choice for anyone who wants to ride a mountain bike year-round, no matter the weather.

Where To Buy

"Why pick anything else?"

"It's fast, handles trails like a boss, and the power transfer when pushing the cranks is nothing but impressive. It's a wonderful combination of smooth and snappy that thrives on the roughest-looking rubble. "

"Wicked good fun! 4.5/5 stars"

"Farley is one of the best-performing fat bike options straight out of the box. Carbon everything and smart design makes for silly-light and surprisingly fast fun. "

"Carbon beauty meets singletrack beast"

"A lightweight, sharp-looking, well-equipped, easy-to-climb, year-round fat bike. It's stiff, stable, and ready to party. The ride quality is amazing. "

Specifications

• Frame Alpha Platinum Aluminum, tapered head tube, internal derailleur & dropper post routing, rack mounts, 197x12mm Stranglehold adjustable thru axle dropouts
• Fork Bontrager Haru, tapered alloy steerer, OCLV Carbon lowers, 490mm axle-to-crown, 15x150mm thru axle
• Wheel Size 27.5"
• Tires Size: S, M, L, XL Bontrager Gnarwhal Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, studdable, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 27.5x4.50'' Size: S, M Bontrager Gnarwhal Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, studdable, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 27.5x3.80''
• Crank Size: S Race Face Ride, 28T steel ring, 170mm length Size: M, L, XL Race Face Ride, 28T steel ring, 175mm length
• Bottom Bracket Race Face , 121mm, PressFit
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore M6000, mid cage, 42T max cog
• Shifters Shimano Deore M6000, 10 speed
• Brakeset SRAM Level hydraulic disc
• Handlebar Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 750mm width
• Saddle Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138mm width
• Seatpost Size: S Bontrager alloy, 31.6mm, 12mm offset, 330mm length Size: M Bontrager alloy, 31.6mm, 12mm offset, 360mm length
• Stem Size: S Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 60mm length Size: M
• Headset FSA IS-2, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom

Q: How much is a 2020 Trek Farley 5?

A 2020 Trek Farley 5 is typically priced around $1,780 USD when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: Where to buy a 2020 Trek Farley 5?

The 2020 Trek Farley 5 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: How much does a 2020 Trek Farley 5 weigh?

A 2020 Trek Farley 5 weights M - 14.15 kg / 31.2 lbs (with tubes).

Q: What size wheels does the 2020 Trek Farley 5 have?

The 2020 Trek Farley 5 has 27.5" wheels.

Q: What size 2020 Trek Farley 5 should I get?

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Trek Farley 5

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Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

2022 Farley 5

2021 Farley 7

(descending)

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.