2017 Garneau Gros Louis 2 | Review

For more than 30 years Garneau has been designing, manufacturing and distributing high quality sports clothing and gear . . . including bicycles.   In 2016, this Quebec based Canadian company entered the fatbike world with two flavors of the Gros Louis.  They expanded their lineup for 2017 to include:

• Gros Louis 1 - RST Renegade, 197 mm rear, 1 x 10 drivetrain, Avid DB5 brakes with 5" JJ tires
• Gros Louis 2 - Tapered aluminum fork, 197 mm rear, 1 x 10, Avid DB1 brakes with 5" JJ tires
• Gros Louis 3 - Alloy Fork, 170 mm rear, 3 x 9 drivetrain, Promax Decipher DSK-913 brakes with 4"Maxxis tires

Fatbike Republic reached out to Garneau and secured a vibrant orange Gros Louis 2 for some up close and personal one-on-one testing on "The Rock".

FRAME & FORK

The Gros Louis 2 is available in two colours (orange and green) and four sizes (S, M, L and XL). 

The aluminum frame has an oversized downtube with internal cable routing that keeps the shifter cable out of harms way.  Additional cable ports in the seat tube and downtube will accommodate a 31.6mm dropper post.  The welds on this bike are nice and smooth.

The rectangular chain stays provides a generous 197mm rear spacing and the tapered head, with suspension corrected geometry, will allow you to run all the popular fatbike suspension forks.

Holding the front end off the ground is a very sexy tapered aluminum fork with 150mm spacing.  In addition to the braze-ons located on the fork blades, you will also find them on the top and bottom of the downtube and at the base of the seat stay.  This bike is adventure bound.

DRIVETRAIN & BRAKES

Getting the Gros Louis 2 moving down the trail is a 1x10 drivetrain.  A Prowheel MPX-11 crank, sporting a 24T direct mount chainring, connects to a Sunrace CMSS3 (11-40T) cassette via a KMC X10 EPT chain.

The rear derailleur and shifter are both from the Shimano Deore family.  A Shadow Plus RD-M615 moves the chain and a SL-M610 rests up on the bars.

SRAM Avid DB1 hydraulic brakes, paired with 180mm and 160mm rotors, slow down this orange beast.  These brakes are filled with DOT fluid which should be less susceptible to extreme cold.

WHEELS & TIRES

The Gros Louis 2 runs 80mm HJC tubeless ready aluminum rims.  Square cut-outs around the rim reduce weight.  For tires Garneau chose 4.8" Schwalbe Jumbo Jims.

The front wheel spins on a KT-M9CF (15x150) hub while the rear is a KT-M9Z9 (12x197) . . . both having quick releases.

BITS & PIECES

The Gros Loius 2 comes with a 55mm stem (10 degree rise) holding a set of 740mm x 31.8 bars.  The grips are Kraton lock-on while the saddle is a comfy looking Garneau Rouleur.  A quick release on the seatpost is appreciated and so are the one piece forged alloy pedals.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

This is one sweet looking fatbike.  The blaze orange rim strip mirrors the orange frame which is complimented by the black fork and rims.  Subtle touches of orange on the grips, coupled with smooth welds and a tidy cable arrangement (shifter cable being routed through the top tube) pull together the bike's aesthetics.

So how fat is the Gros Louis 2 . . . with stock pedals this bike weighs in at a respectable 15.62 Kg (34.4 lbs).

HITTING THE TRAILS

The Gros Loius 2 arrived at the tail end of winter.  That odd transitional season that has snow + mud + water.  A great testing ground for any fattie.

Swinging a leg over the bike I immediately noticed that the seat was extremely comfortable, and we can all agree that spending a couple of hours riding with an uncomfortable saddle is not fun.  The Rouleur is a good choice for a stock fatbike seat.

Grips (second contact point) are usually upgraded early in fatbike's life cycle, however the Gros Louis 2 lock-on grips provide plenty of grip even in wet weather.

Many fatbikes require an additional outlay of cash to get pedals (third point of contact), however Garneau supplied flat alloy pedals with this fattie. They are not super grippy or super light, but they will get you moving until you upgrade to your pedal of choice.

The Gros Louis 2 has a relatively steep head angle of 69 degrees giving it closer to a XC geometry.  The steering is responsive allowing the bike to weave around obstacles.  Coupled with a moderate 450mm chainstay length the Gros Louis 2 feels like it can climb like a goat.  

Garneau must have done its homework when selecting this drivetrain. Shifting up and down the cassette happened with a touch of a lever with no dropped or skipped shifts.  The 24T x 11- 40 gear combination will not have you looking for more.  The super low climbing gear (24 x 40) will get you up and out of most situations while the cruising gear (24 x 11) will get you down the trail at a respectable speed.  Thumbs up Garneau.

The SRAM Avid DB1s do an excellent job of slowing the fat beast.  No need to grab a handful of lever with this entry level braking system . . . one finger does the job.  They are powerful and predictable in both wet and dry conditions.

The 4.8 Schwalbe Jumbo Jims are a good tire choice.  The open tread pattern and 0.25 deep lugs propel the Gros Louis 2 over, around the through obstacles.  They measure in a 4.4" wide and weigh in at a respectable 1310g a piece.

Not only is the Gros Louis 2 a good trail riding and exploration bike, it should make a great bikepacking machine.  A huge frame opening will fit plenty of gear in a frame bag.  Braze-ons on the fork and on the rear triangle will allow the mounting of other needed camping gear.

While taking a break on the trail one day I took a closer look at the chainstays and chain line.  Having a 197mm rear end I knew that it had plenty of room to fit 5" tires, but would it fit a Snowshoe 2XL?  Only one way to find out.  While wrestling the tire off the rim I started to chuckle as the folks at Garneau put a little surprise on the rim strip.  The perfect amount of levity when changing a flat in -10 with frozen fingers or +20 and bring eaten by mosquitoes.

The Snowshoe 2XL will fit and spin in the Gros Louis 2.  There is between 3/8" - 1/4" clearance between the tire and chainstays/seat tube.  It may be a little tight for caked up mud, but should provide decent clearance in the white stuff.

FINAL THOUGHTS

With a great drivetrain, strong brakes, comfortable cockpit and a super tire choice the Gros Louis 2 is a great value.  Many other fat steeds running a 1x10 with 197 mm rear and 5" tires have a list price north of the Gros Louis 2 MSRP of $1799.99 cad.

Although not tested in the depths of winter, this fattie should perform quite well in it native white habitat.  Thus making it a full four season bike.

You can get your hands on this bike through visiting Garneau on-line or through any LBS that carries the Garneau's product line.

If you are in the market for a mid-range, well appointed fattie with unexpected extras . . . be sure to check out the Garneau Gros Louis 2.

Ride on!