A Visit to Mad Dog Cycles (Orem, UT)

Mad Dog Cycles in Orem, UT

Mad Dog Cycles is a comprehensive bike shop with two locations, the main store in Orem, UT, and a slightly smaller shop in Provo. They are a Trek dealer but also stock Salsa and Surly bikes as well. They have been in their current Orem location since 2007. Randy Gibb bought the shop in 2000 and has been running things since then. They offer all the usual things that a good bike shop offers, including sales of bikes, components, and clothing, full repair service, and some rental offerings.

Salsa Mukluk 3, 2 and Ti

A 2013 Mukluk, Trek Farley, Pugsley Special Ops, Moonlander, and a Krampus

Mad Dog sold their first fat bike, a Surly Pugsley back in 2005. It was a special order for a customer who knew exactly what he wanted. In 2011 they took a more serious look at fat bikes, brought a few in, and promptly sold out. In fact, anything they could get their hands on sold almost immediately. 2012 was the year that owner Randy Gibb bought a Salsa Mukluk for himself. Two other staff members also bought fat bikes that same year. It was then they saw the potential of fat bikes and decided to bring them in as regularly stocked item on the sales floor. 2013 Surly and Salsa fat bikes sold briskly, so they made a big order for 2014 models, including the new and highly anticipated Trek Farley. They were one of the first in country, and Utah to get a Trek Farley. One sold immediately (to my brother), another frameset sold quickly, and two more complete bikes are awaiting owners. By the end of the year, half the employees at Mad Dog will own fat bikes.

They currently have Salsa Mukluk 2 and 3’s in stock, along with a Ti Mukluk, Surly Pugsley Special Ops and Moonlanders. I was lucky to get a 2014 Pugsley. The Salsa carbon Beargrease is on the way, along with more Mukluks. In short, they have a nice selection of fat bikes in stock or on the way soon.

Mad Dog also carry a nice selection of fat bike related gear. They are a 45nrth dealer and carry the new Wolvhammer boots, gaiters, and other soft goods, as well as the Husker Du, and Dillinger tires. They will also be carrying the new pogies as soon as they are available. They also carry the well-regarded Lake winter boots.

They carry the excellent Revelate Designs packs, Dogwood Designs pogies, and a few other odds and ends for winter riding.

Mad Dog Cycles also has a fleet of fat bikes and pogies available to demo. In fact, that is how I was introduced to fat biking. My brother called me up one day and asked if I wanted to go for a mountain bike ride. He said he had a fat bike to try out. It was a Salsa Mukluk, and fifteen minutes after saddling up I was sold.

It is impressive that Mad Dog Cycles has geared up so quickly and comprehensively for winter fat biking in such a short amount of time. Randy told me that he is very optimistic about the future of fat biking. He feels that fat bikes are a totally legitimate all year ‘round bike. Some of his original customers that bought fat bikes have been back to buy another for their spouses.