Bike Check: Brendan Fairclough's Custom F**k Corona Scott Gambler

Sep 17, 2020
by Samantha Saskia Dugon  


Brendan Fairclough's 2021 custom Fatcreations painted Scott Gambler, F**k Corona & A Dog's Life edition.

With no downhill races happening at the moment, OG freeracer Brendan Fairclough has been out at the Audi Nines quarry getting time in on the freeride line with this custom "F**k Corona / A Dog's Life" Gambler. And not only is this a stunner of a custom bike, but Brendan will also be raffling the full bike off for charity at the end of October. Supporting charities close to his heart, 100% of the proceeds will be split between the MS society and The Smile Train. Raffle tickets are only £5 and he’s hoping to raise as much money as possible to support charities he believes so much in.

With the bike having its maiden voyage at Audi Nines and no RedBull Rampage happening this year, the winner of the bike will be in to win an 'essentially' brand spanking new Gambler, all for a good cause. You can find out more here.


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Brendan and his custom Scott Gambler

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Scott Gambler
Frame: Scott Gambler, custom painted by Fatcreations
Fork: Fox 40s, 95psi
Wheels: Enve M29 29er front, M9 27.5 rear.
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHR2 front and back, both at 35psi
Drivetrain: DMR Cranks, TRP DH7 derailleur
Brakes: TRP G-spec with 223mm rotor upfront and 200mm on the back.
Cockpit: Deity Signature BF 800 handlebar cut to 780mm, Deity signature Stem, DMR Deathgrips, TRP DH7 shifter
Pedals: DMR Vaults, signature Brendon edition
Saddle & Seatpost Deity Seat & seatpost

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I think we can all agree on this
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"A Dogs Life" decals to celebrate his new video series


bigquotesI’m obviously in a really fortunate position with great sponsors and partners and I wanted to build a really ultimate downhill bike and ride it. It was supposed to be ridden at Rampage and then raffled but Rampage is off so we’re going to raffle it and the winner will be announced on the 30th of October, which is Rampage finals day. So it’s a custom painted Fat Creations bike. People can buy a raffle ticket for £5, you can buy as many as you want. All the donations are going to go to a charity called Smile Train which is a cleft lip and palate charity, obviously I was born with that so it’s quite close to me. And the other half to MS so they're going to be 100% of ticket sales are going to go to charity.Brendan Fairclough


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The sandy rear triangle

bigquotesI have it set up very similar to at a race. I just have a air shock in here now as opposed to a coil shock. I’ve got that pumped up to 300psi. All full compression on full, high and low. I put an extra 10psi in my fork so I’m up to 95psi. 35 psi in my tyres, back and front. Thats pretty much the only differences I have from my race bike to my freeride bike. I don’t really like that word but yeah.Brendan Fairclough

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A Dog's life Graphics
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Brendog Vaults.

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Chris King Hubs
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New 40s

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The fade from white to tan is dreamy
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Brendog Signature and logo for this custom build

bigquotesThis bar comes in 800mm but I cut them down to 780mm. 30mm rise, 7.5 degree backsweep, 31.8mm because I wanted an aluminium. Slightly thinner so it give you more feel because I think a carbon bar in a 35mm is so stiff. You get way too much feedback to your hands, I think it’s pointless.Brendan Fairclough

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Deity Signature BF Bars
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Deathgrips of course


Author Info:
SaskiaD avatar

Member since Aug 16, 2012
62 articles

92 Comments
  • 141 18
 “Deity Signature BF 800 handlebar cut to 780mm” BF had to cut down the BF signature bar to suit him????
  • 138 2
 My uncle used to rip the sleeves off his tuxedos. I guess that's what suit him for the occasion..
  • 4 35
flag jaame (Sep 17, 2020 at 10:52) (Below Threshold)
 @smoothjazzcyclist: I don’t get it
  • 5 1
 @smoothjazzcyclist: Were they ‘Uncle smoothjazzcyclist’ signature tuxedos? Regardless I’ve bought my raffle tickets, I will deal with the bar width after I’ve won Smile
  • 196 1
 Air Jordans didn’t only come in MJ’s foot size dude.
  • 20 2
 He left them at 800mm stock in case you wanted to get a little extra BF
  • 1 17
flag colxfreeman (Sep 17, 2020 at 11:33) (Below Threshold)
 @chriskneeland: it says he cut them down to 780 lol
  • 4 1
 @smoothjazzcyclist: That's one big Muther if He actually ripped the sleeves and didn't use scissors!
  • 85 0
 They have markings on the bars that show "Bredan's Choice" at 780mm.

www.deitycomponents.com/bf800_brendog_handlebar.html
  • 8 0
 @daugherd: WoW that's for real
  • 2 1
 @rookie100: Good call. MJ would leave one side stock and shave 30mm off the other.
  • 7 0
 you can always chop more off, but you can't add it back on. make em big and give people options.
  • 3 0
 BF is aero AF
  • 5 1
 I think signature items are actually more for us, for marketing Wink And in that case they sell a wider version that people can trim to suit them.
  • 2 0
 @daugherd: So they do, that’s me told
  • 33 1
 I wish people outside of the UK could buy tickets and be able to win. I would love this bike, and the MS Society is a charity that I try to help when I can because my sister has MS. Not an easy life at times. Thank you Brendan.
  • 3 0
 You can enter from outside UK as far as I can tell. Unless I missed it, this is the only reference to overseas winners:

"Winners must not be residents of Afghanistan, Bahrain, Chile, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE or Yemen. In certain countries, local rules and laws may restrict or prohibit the award of certain prizes or impose additional restrictions on participation."
  • 3 0
 @Obi-None: Under the General Rules "1.5 Our competitions are only open to residents of the UK, any Prize will only be delivered within the UK."
  • 8 0
 @dtroyan123: I'm not finding that. ...still searching, but not finding UK only. ..CRAP, I found it. Hidden right in front of me. CRAP.
  • 2 0
 @dylandoe: from the Terms and Conditions:
1.5 With the exception of “Brendan Fairclough’s Scott Gambler” competition (see section 9), our competitions are only open to residents of the UK, any Prize will only be delivered within the UK.
  • 18 1
 f*ck coronavirus? Pretty bold stand. I expect significant pushback from the pro-coronavirus crowd.
  • 7 4
 You mean the anti-maskers?
  • 2 4
 @SoddenDeath: I think you mean “rat lickers”
  • 15 0
 Press fit BB and no bottle cage - I’m surprised it’s not being slaughtered on here Smile
  • 3 0
 I'm curious if he did anything custom to the bike to run a mullet setup or just used the flip switch. Been googling hard to see if the gambler works in mullet but couldn't find any info.
  • 1 0
 Same. Can't find anything online.
  • 3 0
 The bike is made to accept 27.5" or 29" wheels... it has a 4-way flip chip and comes with spare angled headset cups. Sounds to me like you just toss whatever wheelsize you want on there and adjust geo via the chip and headset to your liking.

I recently "mullet-ed" my bike (Knolly Warden V2)... but it started out as a 27.5 bike, so adding a 29" wheel and fork while dropping front travel by 10mm (170 to 160) and adjusting the shock mount geo adjust was simple. Bike freakin rocks as a Mullet. After riding 27.5", then 29" for a year and back to 27.5" for half a season before switching to the 27.5/29 combo... my future bikes will be mullets.
  • 2 0
 I'm running my 2020 Gambler 920 w/ a mullet set-up and it rips!
  • 1 0
 @islandforlife: that's what I figured but wanted to confirm if that's all that's needed for a mullet. My next DH bike will be mullet and this is at the top of my list. Curently have a 2015 gambler and really impressed with the ride/quality.
  • 2 0
 Nothing custom, I got a new gambler and I just throw the flip chip in the high position for a 27.5 rear. Didn’t even bother with the cups because I liked out much it slacked my bike out. Currently in a mullet with just the flip chip the head angle is right around 62.5
  • 1 0
 @PuppyCat: 62.5 sounds about perfect. Thanks for the info. For the rear wheel did you just buy a new rim or whole wheel?
  • 2 0
 @PuppyCat:

Same. I'm riding a large with a 25mm rise bar and am blown away by the bike. I feel like Scott found the perfect balance between linear + progressive w/ this linkage.
  • 1 0
 @islandforlife: I've been soooo tempted to try this on my 2020 Trek Fuel. I'm 5'6" and love my bike in the M size, but I do graze my ass on the tire on hand landings or rolling steep drops. Wondering if going 27.5 and using the flip chip in high instead of low will be enough.

My one concern, is how does your bike climb after the switch? My city is 100% cross country, so climbing is a must.
  • 1 0
 @Ryan2949: most surprising thing was how much better it climbs. But I didn’t change my geo much. You need to crunch the numbers. If you’re not changing travel, the higher axle to crown and bigger wheel can change things quite drastically. Especially if your flip chip only changes geo by half a degree or less.
  • 1 0
 @islandforlife: My bike is a 29" bike from the start, so I would go from the low setting with a 29" wheel to the high setting with a 27.5".

On my bike, the switch raises the BB by 7mm, adds 5mm to the reach, steepens the head and seat tube angle by .5 degrees. Hoping that is enough to swap the 27.5" wheel.
  • 1 0
 @Ryan2949: just remember, changing from a 29” to 27.5” drops the rear 19mm... and would drop the bb a good portion of that. Dropping almost 20mm in the rear would also slacken your seat and head angles by almost 2 degrees... if you’re ok with those numbers then go for it.
  • 1 0
 @Ryan2949: I'm 6'2, riding XL 2020 Fuel Ex (29). I haven't had issues with my butt scraping but I tried the setup you're talking about.

I broke my rear wheel and and while I'm waiting for warranty I put a 27.5 rear on and flipped the mino link to high.

It's been a blast. Makes the bike a bit more poppy and playful. No complaints climbing. I think you'll like it
  • 4 1
 Awesomeness, at a time when nonprofits across the world have practically crumbled if considered "not essential"! Best of luck to all of the involved future endeavors.
  • 2 1
 Out of curiosity (no sarcasm or assholiness!!!) which nonprofit organizations are crumbling throughout the world?

I ask because over here in Germany (I'm not a native), nonprofit organizations are a (albeit minor) focal point of the measures taken to combat the economic effects of this crisis. No bullshit, really just want to know.
  • 1 0
 @ssteve: in my region alone.....so, maybe I should clarify. However, programs such as Guidestar, Network for Good & other nonprofit management companies provide monthly reports of programs across the nation(s), in which non-profits are unable to sustain or be sustained due to lack of assistance as it used to be. Relying on help from outreach opportunities such as this help in miniscule ways more than folks realize.

Nothing more, nothing less, the economic effects suck just as bad. I have family who lost their businesses as well, that are not nonprofits and apparently didn't qualify for gov't bailouts, only to have their dreams flushed due to the pandemic.
  • 1 0
 Beautiful choice on the colors. Also - 'Essentially' brand new bike..... LOL. This is like buy/sell bikes from Whistler, 'only ridden a few times, like brand new' ...
  • 3 0
 Don't fucking enter then! Or cover them with a Bob the builder sticker!
  • 4 0
 I assume that was aimed at jaame !
I’ll buy 2 tickets do don’t worry about grumpy hehe
  • 3 0
 @Matt115lamb: Yeah, miserable git! Lol
  • 1 0
 Not to be a conspiracy theorist. But this bike is being ridden in brens current Instagram story.
So I guess it didn't get raffled?
  • 2 0
 Is it Possible to buy tickets Living outside of UK .? ????
  • 2 1
 If there is only one good thing to come out of Corona, it might just be that bike.
  • 2 0
 I loved the brief Johnny Wilkinson interlude Smile
  • 1 0
 As an oral surgeon, I really like the chosen charity. I’ll be buying several tickets.
  • 1 0
 Anyone know what size the bike is?
  • 1 0
 I prefer quality "micro brews" myself.
  • 1 0
 Uneven stankshuns, The secret to the one-hander lander
  • 1 0
 "YES MY SON, MAKE IT TALK!!!" - GAMBLE
  • 1 0
 That's one seriously nice looking bike !
  • 6 7
 "f*ck Coronavirus, I think we can all agree on this"

Coronavirus is just the symptom of an over consuming society. And we are all part of it.
  • 6 1
 Literally nothing about coronavirus has anything to do with societal consumption. Rolleyes
  • 2 1
 @badbadleroybrown: Maybe he's referring to the consumption of bats/pangolins/etc as an unethical, selfish and unconscious consumption. Lots of other unethical, selfish and unconscious consumption takes place that leads to other problems - many just don't care. To be honest, I can see his point.
  • 4 1
 Maybe its a symptom of an election year. The establishment hates him and is willing to do whatever it takes. The first reported case in the US did come out the same day the impeachment fail, just saying.
  • 1 1
 Pint of lager paint job
  • 1 3
 New fox 40 is out but pros still using rad ones, Something different coming ?
  • 1 0
 Pros got their 40s before the production versions where ready... that includes the decals. Some choose to leave the rad stuff on... becuz rad.
  • 1 1
 Looks like the flu.
  • 1 2
 35 PSI in both tires? thats a lot!
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