Words by Greg Smith • Photos courtesy of Billy Flamingo
A New Creature in the Fat-Bike Wild
Every once in a while, something weird, wonderful, and genuinely exciting rolls into the fat-bike world. This time it’s the Big Quill Pig, a brand-new tire from Alaska’s own Billy Flamingo.
Behind the flamingo-pink logo and irreverent branding is a familiar name — Bill Fleming — one of the OGs of the fat-bike scene and co-founder of 9:ZERO:7.
We caught up with Bill to get the backstory on how this tire came to be, what’s up with the pink bird, and how a guy ends up talking to a voice in his head named Billy Flamingo.
Q&A with Bill Fleming of Billy Flamingo
Q: Bill, you’ve been part of the fat-bike scene since the very beginning. How did this all start?
A: I’ve been involved with fat bikes for a long time and was one of the founders of 9:ZERO:7. I haven’t been involved with that business since 2015, but I’ve been active in the Alaska fat bike scene from the start. I’ve even survived a couple of rides to Nome during the Iditarod Trail Invitational—and I’m happy to report all digits are still attached!
These days, I own the Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage, which I’ve been running since 2013.
Q: So who—or what—is Billy Flamingo?
A: Most people think Billy Flamingo refers to me, but that’s not exactly true.
During really long rides, I end up talking to a voice in my head. It’s a very distinct voice with a totally different personality than mine. He can be a real bastard sometimes, but we’ve also had a lot of hilarious conversations.
That voice’s name is Billy Flamingo. So yeah, it’s me—but it’s not me.
Q: The brand feels a little rebellious. What’s the philosophy behind Billy Flamingo?
A: If you’ve been in the bike biz long enough, it’s easy to get a little cynical. It seems like everyone takes everything so seriously while pretending not to.
That’s not my vibe. I wanted to have fun with this — to make world-class fat-bike gear while poking fun at the idea that everything in the industry has to be polished or serious.
The brand probably isn’t for everyone, and that’s totally fine. I’d rather someone think it’s dumb than have no opinion at all.
Q: How did you go from that idea to actual products?
A: It all started with studs. Fat bikers love to bling out their bikes more than any other riders. I noticed that high-end studs use aluminum bases, so technically, you could anodize them. That’s where the idea for Stud Nuggets came from.
We developed a stud with a slightly longer, sharper concave tip. The color eventually wears down—especially on asphalt—but it keeps just enough bling to make your rig stand out.
Surprisingly, black turned out to be one of the most popular colors!
Q: And that led straight to tire development?
A: Pretty much. Around that time, some of my favorite tires—like the Bontrager Hodag and their narrower studded tire—were being discontinued. That was the spark.
I started dreaming up a tire that would roll better in low temps but still dig in when it counts. I talked to Will Ross, a former employee and multi-time Fat Bike Birkie champ who now owns Mad Moose Bikes in Anchorage. He loved the idea and already had strong opinions about tire performance.
We teamed up, and I reached out to Frank Stacy — the legendary tire designer who’s worked for Specialized and Trek. He’s the wizard behind the Gnarwhal and Barbegazi.
I honestly didn’t think he’d even reply, but he emailed me right back and said he was in. Total pinch-me moment.
COVID made manufacturing brutal. We went through several vendors before finding one that really understood what we were trying to do. But after a few dead ends and late nights, we finally had the tire we wanted.
Q: You didn’t stop there. Tell us about the Stud Wrangler.
A: Once we had studs and a tire, I figured we needed a better tool, too.
We do a ton of stud installs at the shop, and I wanted something comfortable, durable, and fun. So I made the Stud Wrangler — pink, flamingo-shaped, and absolutely awesome.
Sure, it might look a little like something from an adults-only aisle, but it’s ergonomic as hell and works beautifully.
Q: What’s been the biggest challenge bringing all this to market?
A: The tariff situation has been brutal. Prices have already gone up twice since we started, and we still haven’t received the full shipment of Big Quill Pigs. We won’t know the final landed cost until they arrive, so it’s chaos trying to plan.
But after all this time, it feels like we’re at mile 25.7 of a marathon. The finish line is right there — no way we’re stopping now. We’ll roll with it, adjust, and keep going. That’s what we do in the fat-bike world anyway.
Q: For the tire nerds out there, what are the official specs?
A: Glad you asked:
- ERTO: 114–584
- Nominal Size: 27.5 × 4.5
- TPI: 120
- Target Weight: 1,499 g
- Tubeless Ready: Yes
- Bead: Folding
- Stud Pockets: 282
- Siping: Yes
Q: Final thoughts?
A: It’s been a long, wild ride — full of setbacks, laughs, and late nights.
The Big Quill Pig is the culmination of years of thinking, tinkering, and testing. Billy Flamingo isn’t about perfection — it’s about passion, humor, and doing things our own way.
If that resonates with you, you’re probably our kind of rider.
🦩 Where to Learn More
Check out Billy Flamingo on Instagram, or swing by the Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage if you’re up north.
Whe just got a set of Big Quill Pigs at the Fat-bike.com shop! Stay tuned for a First Look and a full ride review of the Big Quill Pig right here on Fat-Bike.com.
Dont forget the lil’ Swamp Donkeys either thinner and fast rolling, they are awesome for us that dont get snow and should be on your Xmas present list ready for summer!
As for Bill himself, while Mr Flamingo may be unpredictable, Bill is as helpful as they come!
Do you know how the swamp donkey compares to Barbegazi as far as rolling resistance ?
The Stud Wrangler works great. Its bulbous pinkness led to my adult daughter giving me no end of shit. Good times!