Review – 2016 RSD Mayor Fat-bike

RSD Mayor out in the snow. It’s quite orange but hard to get the true color in a photo!

This is our second RSD Mayor test bike. Mr. Jim, our shop guru has been riding V1 for over a year, but this V2 is a completely redesigned bike for 2016.

The Mayor line includes Aluminum and Titanium models and starts with a SRAM 1×10 Aluminum model with a carbon fork at $1699 US or $2099 CAD for you folks north of the border while our Bright Orange test bike is an up specced SRAM 1×11 version that goes for $1999 US or $2299 CAD. Let’s have a look.

The Frame is made from Custom Hydroformed 6061 Aluminum with a 100mm BB and rear axle spacing of 197mm with a 12mm Thru Axle. While the geometry angles make for a trail-worthy rig at 69d for the Head Tube and 72d for the Seat Tube.

rsd-mayor-2016-1

RSD Carbon Fork and, yep, that’s a Vee Tire Snowshoe 2XL in there.
More room than it looks like int he photo.

Up front is an RSD Custom Carbon Fork with a 490mm A/C and a 15x150mm Thru Axle. This is a nice upgrade from the previous Mayor that sported an aluminum fork. Plus, the 490mm A/C means RSD designed the frame for Bluto compatibility right out of the box. In fact, they offer a complete build with the 1×11 spec and a Bluto at a very attractive $2299 US ($2599 CAD)!

The wheels on this bike are built using 80mm Sun Ringle Mulefüt rims and are shod with Maxxis Minion tires in a LARGE 4.8 size.

The drive train and brakes are what separate this Mayor from the lower priced 1×10 version. The 11-speed SRAM GX Type 2, clutch-type rear derailleur is a solid performer and the up-specced Mayor gets SRAM Avid Guide R hydraulic brakes vs BB7s on the entry level Mayor. Either way, you get 180mm rotors of stopping power!

All builds of the Mayor use the Race Face CINCH DM crank and direct mount Race Face 28T NW Ring which are nice touches and often found on bikes costing a lot more than the Mayor. Plus, the WTB Volt Saddle is another thoughtful choice.

rsd-mayor-2016-5

Rounding out the spec are 720mm Easton bars, an appropriate length EA70 stem and EA70 seatpost with Race Face Strafe grips.

4 sizes cover the range of Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large. Note that the Large and XL differ only in the top tube length keeping standover good for the frame size.

Our Medium Mayor weighs in right at 33 pounds.

As for color, if Orange isn’t your thing the Aluminum Mayor also comes in a Raw version and, if you like to custom build your own, there are both frame only as well as frame/fork combos available starting at just $499 US/$599 CAD for the frame only and you get a few extra goodies with the frame like a Cane Creek ZS-44 Headset for tapered steer tube, a SRAM Rear Maxle Lite 12x197mm skewer and a Seat post clamp.

RSD manages to get quality, name-brand parts on a very affordable rig. All in all, we were excited to have the Mayor in the test fleet.

As we mentioned above, our shop wrench has been riding the original V1 Mayor for over a year and was eager to give the V2 Mayor a try. Let’s check in with what he thought.

FB.C – Jim, since you have a bunch of time on the original Mayor, and we already know that you dig that ride, let’s take a look at a few of the differences and improvements the guys at RSD have made to an already super fat-bike.

Jim – Cool, yeah, I really like the original bike. It is a super 4-season rig that I ride all year ‘round. While I do get out on snow whenever it is around and hit the beach too, the main use for the Mayor for me is to rip on the local single track and I dig the way fat-bikes work for our area and how the Mayor works in particular. That said, there were a couple of areas that I’d thought could use some improvements so getting V2 was a chance to see what they could do to make the bike better.

FB.C – OK, what was the most surprising thing you learned about the new version of the Mayor?

Jim – I know you remember how excited I was to see that new bottom bracket/chainstay yoke, right? One reason is that my mind’s eye could see an interesting thing there. Massive clearance! So, I got to thinking, we had these 5.05” Vee Tire Snowshoe 2XL tires in the shop and I wondered if they’d squeeze in. The fork was obviously no problem so I started there and then came the moment of truth, would that massive 5.05” tire fit the rear? You already know the answer, it fits.

FB.C – Yeah, that’s amazing! I think that makes the Mayor the first production fat-bike that can run the largest of the large tires. You mounted those big beasts up on the stock 80mm Mulefuts, Correct?

rsd-mayor-2016-2

Jim – Yep, they fit. It is tight, and depending on how and where someone rides it may not be the best way to go, but the capability is there. Plus the Mulefuts were a snap to setup tubeless. I used the stock Maxxis tires more because we really didn’t have a snowy winter and I liked the 4.8s on the trails but at least we know the 2XL fits and I’d love to try that big tire in deeper, snowier conditions! Maybe next season.

FB.C – So, there is clearance there but you mentioned an improvement in stiffness as well, correct?

Jim – Absolutely! I can put the power down pretty good and there is noticeable less flex in the rear end. Tracking  in rooty, rocky stuff seems better as well.

FB.C – How about it’s manners in the snow?

Jim – Well, like I said, we didn’t have a very snowy winter here in Wisconsin. The local trails got covered for some time there and the Mayor worked well. I took it up to my Mom’s place in Northern Wisconsin and rode some trails up there as well. Basically, groomed trails and the like. Not a whole lot of trailblazing. Truthfully though, where this bike shines for me is the local single track. Fortunately, that is where and how I ride most and for that use I can whole heartedly recommend the Mayor.

FB.C – Thanks, Jim!

Head on over to RSDBikes.com to learn more and dig that RSD offers Free Shipping in the Lower 48 and Canada!

Complete RSD Mayor 1×11 (Build 2) Specs

  • 1×11 Carbon Fork
  • Frame: FAT Bike Custom Hydroform AL6061
  • Fork: RSD Custom 490mm Carbon w/15x150mm Axle
  • Headset: Cane Creek ZS-44
  • Handle Bar: Easton EA70 720mm
  • Stem: Easton EA70 70mm
  • Grips: Race Face Strafe Black
  • Front Wheel: Sun Ringle Mulefüt Fat 26x80mm Front 15x150mm
  • Rear Wheel: Sun Ringle Mulefüt Fat 26x80mm Rear 12x197mm XD
  • Crank: Race Face 175mm CINCH DM
  • Chain Ring: Race Face 28T NW Ring
  • BB: Race Face 100mm BSA
  • Chain: KMC 11SL
  • Cassette: SRAM XG-1150 10/42T 11spd
  • Rear Shifter: SRAM GX 11spd Black
  • Rear Derailleur: SRAM GX Type 2 11spd Black
  • Brakes: Avid Guide R
  • Rotors: Avid 180mm CenterLine
  • Saddle: WTB Volt Comp
  • Seat Post: Easton EA70
  • Rear Axle: SRAM Maxle Ultimate 12x197mm
  • Tires: Maxxis Minion 4.8

RSD provided the Mayor for review and advertise with us as well but fear not, our opinions are not tainted by this fact. We just want you to know how it is.

10 Comments

  1. I’ll be in touch with Alex this fat fall for one! I adopted a Sergeant recently and need to work up the fat fund for this, but as I have dealt with Alex and had a stellar experience, He’s earned my loyalty. Besides, that frame looks bitchen and that sexy yoke…
    5.05’s mmmm, tasty!

  2. I recently purchased a Mayor (build1 & my first fat bike) and I’m super impressed with the attention to detail and build quality. Personally, I labored over fat bikes & specs for more than year before deciding on a Mayor. I think it has the best spec to dollar ratio anyone could ask for, especially when you factor in that it can fit the 2XL (major selling point for me). Also worth noting, my Raw XL stock build weighed only 33.5 lbs, highly respectable in my book. Great job RSD and nice review Fat-Bike.

    I would like to note however one thing about the build spec that is not correct and frankly not a big deal, however and I’ve noticed this on most Mayors I’ve seen posted online, none of them come spec’d with Race Face Strafe grips, all I’ve seen (yours included) have Ergon grips. I didn’t care, as I prefer a different grip than either of the previous 2 mentioned, but thought it worth noting for accuracy.

  3. I have been riding my 2015 Mayor with the Bluto fork for a little over a year. Bike is great on the snowy single track. Now after reading this review of the 2016 Mayor…maybe I will need to upgrade for next winter 🙂

  4. I am surprised there is no mention of q factor…I’ve ridden this bike and it’s horrible, it’ll leave you bowlegged AND sore. It’s not a comfortable ride at all.

    • most fat-bikes have wide Q factors – they are somewhat necessary to run the widest tires.

  5. As a first time rider on the Mayor I was very happy the way it felt.The bike felt very good on all of the trails I rode on,roots, uphills,downhills and the flats.My bike came in at 30.7lbs after a few changes,tubeless the tires plus a few goodies I had laying around my place and before the changes is was 33.5lbs.I’m looking forward trying it on the snow,been riding a normal bike on the snow for years.I live in Northern BC,Canada so we get lots of cold weather and snow.The only thing if any thing I would like more about the bike is more standover, height I’m 5’8 with an inseem of about 28″ and there is no standover on a mediun but you never notice that when riding the bike.The cost of the bike was pretty good ,about 2,300 canadian.I’m kinda of a heavy rider at 215lbs

  6. I’m curious to hear from anyone who’s ridden the Mayor, do you find it fits on the large side? I’m 5’10” and ride a 54-56cm road bike (M-ML), but for the Mayor my local dealer recommeneded a Small. I took it for a test ride and the Small did indeed fit nicely. Is that typical for fat bikes or is the Mayor an unusually large/ tall frame? Thanks.

    • I’m an inch taller and am testing a Med. Have you tried a medium to compare? If you can, ride both sizes and see which feels the most moto.

  7. Anyone one having problems with the rear hub and blowing up hubs,Sun ringle has said they Had a bad run of hubs,which the ring gear is not the the right size.Sun ringle is shipping out up dated parts My question is after the new parts are put in will the hub be good to go or should I get a good hub and junk the garage hub from sun ringle.I’m a bit on the heavy side at 220lbs .

  8. I have also had rear hub issues. 2 repairs and one replacement and now am fed up with Sun Ringle hubs so I am upgrading to a different brand. I love the bike but am fed up with taking my bike back to do warranty hub repairs.

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