9:ZERO:7 Fat Bike with Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 and Gates Carbon Drive Belt

This 9:ZERO:7 Slider is a build we did for a customer in Herndon, Virginia. He wanted an adventure fat bike that would stand up to anything he might encounter off the beaten path. Low maintenance and dependability were top priorities. He had already purchased the frame set, so he sent it to us to build up with a Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 internal gear hub and Gates Carbon Drive belt drive. With this extremely durable drivetrain, a rigid fork, and large volume tires for comfort and traction, this bike can handle just about any terrain with almost no maintenance.

Named after the only area code in all of Alaska, the 9:ZERO:7 fat bike brand is an off-shoot of Chain Reaction Cycles in Anchorage, Alaska. The brand gained a global customer base after they started selling fat bikes through their website, Fatbikes.com, and now offers several aluminum and carbon models.

The current 9:ZERO:7 Slider frame is aluminum and has symmetric, 170mm-spaced sliding dropouts. It represents an evolution of their original Slider frame, which had 135mm dropout spacing and an offset rear triangle. Quick release dropout inserts make the frame compatible with Rohloff's Speedhub XL fat bike hub, while the adjustable nature of the dropouts combined with a joint where the dropout connects to the seat stay make it possible to install and tension a belt.

The Slider is designed to be rigid-specific and has a fairly upright seating position, longer chain-stays, rack/fender/ water bottle mounts, and full cable housing, which make it a comfortable, functional off road adventure bike.

Once all the details of the build were in place we had our WheelHouse get started on these wheels. The customer chose the 100mm wide Surly Clown Shoe rims to be built onto a Hope Pro 2 Fatsno front hub and Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 XL rear hub.  Sapim Race spokes and brass nipples keep the hubs suspended in the rims and Surly Bud and Lou 26" x 4.8" tires finish things off.

The Rohloff SPEEDHUB XL works well for mountain biking and is especially well-suited for fat biking. The SPEEDHUB's sealed shifting system protects shifting components from the deep sand, mud, dirt, and other contaminants that fat bikes are often ridden through. With a 526 percent gear range and hardened steel internal gear wheels, the SPEEDHUB provides versatility and dependability in demanding riding conditions.

With the addition of the Gates Carbon Drive belt, which has a usable lifespan at least twice as long as a conventional chain and does not require lubrication, this is one of the most low maintenance and dependable drivetrains available.



To finish off this build, we used parts with comfort and simplicity in mind. A Jones Loop H-Bar offers multiple hand positions for all day riding comfort, especially when combined with ESI Extra Chunky grips. Avid BB7 Mechanical disc brakes and easy to setup and work on, and are not affected by extreme cold temperatures.

This customer came to us with a specific frame and type of riding in mind, wanted a Rohloff and Gates Carbon Drive system, but wasn't sure how to fill in the missing pieces. We talked through options with him and came up with what we thought would work best for him. He now has an adventure fat bike to meet his needs and one that he knows he can depend on. If you are looking for a bike like this one or have a different idea for your next build and need help making the last component decisions? Give us a call. We are here to help you make your next build meet all your needs.  

Build details

• Frame: 9:ZERO:7 Slider

• Fork: 9:ZERO:7 Carbon Fork

• Headset: Cane Creek 40

• Stem: Race Face Ride

• Handlebar: Jess Jones Loop H-Bar

• Shifter: Rohloff Twist 

• Grips: ESI Extra Chunky Grips

• Seat post: Race Face Ride

• Saddle: WTB Pure-V

• Front Hub: Hope Pro 2 Fatsno 

• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 XL

• Spokes: Sapim Race

• Nipples: Sapim Brass

• Rims: Surly Clown Shoe 

• Tires: Surly Bud/Lou

• Cranks: Race Face Aeffect  

• Pedals: A-Flat Acros 

• Bottom Bracket: Race Turbine

• Chainring: Race Face Direct Mount Spider 

• Rear Sprocket: Gates Carbon Drive

• Chain: Gates Carbon Drive

• Brakes & Levers: Avid Speed Dial 7