Submitted by
cruzean
a Cross Country Rider
from Nevada City, ca
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2009
Strengths: Solid, reliable, stiff, climbs better than expected and very stable at high speeds. Does not feel like a 5.75 inch travel bike. A great bike for a clyde
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
This is truly a great bike. I am an engineer and very particular about my gear. I ride a lot and have been around long enough to know what makes a good bike for my style of riding, aggressive trail riding. I rode lots of bikes both before and after purchasing this bike and the only thing I found similar to it is the Nomad. The Nomad descends just a bit better but does not climb as well and is not as versatile, especially on long days with lots of climbing.
The stiffness of the rear triangle is impressive and the curnutt works well with very little bob. My only complaint is that the small bump sensitivity is a bit poor but I put a bigger tire on it (I have the 2nd generation swing arm) and now it is just right. It tracks very well and goes where you point it. This bike was built to last and very stable at high speeds. I really like the slack seat tube as the seat gets forward and out of the way quickly as you lower it. The FXR is also amazing set up as a 69er. It likes to be riden in a neutral to slightly forward position. If you are a clyde or like to ride aggressively this is the bike for you.
Similar Products Used: Nomad, Enduro, Bullit, and several others
Bike Setup: Maverick Duc, King, single track rims
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Submitted by
Chris Whiteside
a Weekend Warrior
from Bowling Green KY
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2009
Strengths: Very comfortable well balanced riding position. Low top tube. Low maintenance. Very smooth suspension action. Feels lighter than it weighs.
Weaknesses: Rear tire clearance is small but still big enough for a 2.3" which is probably plenty anyway.
Bottom Line:
Great do all bike that is still on the lighter side but built tough enough for abuse and downhill riding. As the saying goes you get what you pay for. My next bike will another Foes.
Similar Products Used: Giant AC2 / Tomac Six Shooter / KHS FXT.
Bike Setup: Fox 125rlc / Curnutt coil
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Submitted by
Zorro
a Cross Country Rider
from Madrid, Spain
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2007
Strengths: Curnutt is wonderful on climbs and downhills as well as slow technicals.
Weaknesses: Only 4 colours?
Bottom Line:
Great bike for everything riding and my bike weights in just around 32lbs. This bike descends like a 1941 german stuka during a bombing raid on England ha ha. Great bike.
Bike Setup: Rock Shox Lyric 2step air, chris king, curnutt ITD, Thomson front and rear, wtb saddle, dt swiss 5.1 wheetset, schwalbe nobby nic 2.4 tires, sram x0 gearing, formula oro puro 7" brakes. answer bar, odi lockon grips and so on.
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Submitted by
Darin
a Racer
from La Canada, CA U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2007
Strengths: This bike is the best I have ever ridden when it comes to going downhill. THis bike is strong, overbuilt even, and handles great with jumpy response.
Weaknesses: Climbing on this bike is not the best experience. I have ridden other bikes like the BMC Trailfox 02 that just flies uphill. That's all ok though since going downhill is more fun anyway
Bottom Line:
This bike is an excellent all round bike and even though it is noth the best climber it still provides an unmatched ride. My friend says the newer FXR's are better at climbing so that problem is solved.
Similar Products Used: BMC Trailfox 02, Trek Remedy, Specialized Stumpjumper Expert FSR, Gary Fisher Fat Possum
Bike Setup: XTR derailleurs and crank, bontrager wheels, sram X-7 shifters(they suck, your thumb hits the shifter while riding and causes unwanted shifting)
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Submitted by
SERGIO AMEZCUA
a Weekend Warrior
from LAS VEGAS,NV,USA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2007
Strengths: Built like a tank, quallity construction, hand made in the USA!
Weaknesses: Only two color choices.
Bottom Line:
This is my first full suspension bike. After sticking to hard tails and BMX bikes it was a bit awkward the first time out. I got used to it within minutes though, and now I'm flying where I once was just hanging on. Each time I hit the trails I just get faster. I was worried that I would loose power climbing due to rear suspension bob, but this turned out to be a non-issue. You just have to adjust your riding style. If you are thinking of switching over from hard tail and you ride aggresive, then this is the bike for you. I got a med frame and I'm 5'9" and weigh in at 180lbs. I still haven't learned how to dial in the shock, but when I do the ride will just be sweeter. Forget off the floor bikes, let a good shop put together a custom rig that will fit you and your riding style. You wont regret it.
Similar Products Used: First suspension bike owned and ridden
Bike Setup: red bike, round wheels, flat pedals, seat, other bike parts
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Submitted by
ar lozier
a Weekend Warrior
from san diego
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2006
Strengths: stiff solid build, gr8 welding. stable firm steering. decent weight for a trailbike that can d-hill. simple asthetic lines. replacable graphics, conutt ti shock capabilities
Weaknesses: Price brand new, Got mine used from Plastic surgeon who feare for his hands(3 million $$$ insurance) after taking up the sport. Cable run under bb recommend guide, rear tire clearance narrow for 2.25 and larger tires. cornutt shcok weight.
Bottom Line:
all world riding machne. I am 42 and at 5'9' and 200lbs and 6% b-fat. I beat this Bit#h all day long. did comparos on the competition and love this. Up hill/ down hill, techinical, hucking this baby is my extramarital affair. Setting the shock tooka few adjustments but hell she launches off the jumps & drops now. Sterring is point and shoot other than a bit slower on the tight switchbacks. Foes is real customer friendly as well. I rate this as good as Ellsworth on quality, craftmanship, and ability. THe only bear is the price like all BOUTIQUE frames. Toss the trek, specialized and giant for one of these.
Strengths: Stiff frame, craftmanship,Curnutt shock, near perfect pedal platform, Do it all bike.
Weaknesses: Front derailer cable routing could use a guide under the BB, tuff to get the drive side BB bearing tightened, You will need to tun up your XTR BB wrench.
Bottom Line:
Coming off a S-works Epic race bike this felt so strange. But even stranger it nearly as fast. At least that is what my split times were telling me. At mile 9 on my daliy climb I could really feel the extra wieght but I was back 35 seconds off my best time on my 24 LBS epic! Now this is were the bike becomes faster than my epic.. now down hill for 9 miles.. were the extra 4 lbs come in handy, + No arm pump, stable not twichy, the FOX fork is so stiff I hardly need to counter steer like I do with the old SID. This bike will rock at SUPER D. It climbs, and with the Float locked out you can get out of the saddle...hammer on climbs and the flats.
Bike Setup: Ti spring, Fox float RLC, juciy 7's, Mavic XL, XTR, XO, King, egg beaters, lots of Carbon and Ti ..low 27 LBS.
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Submitted by
Ralph Rackstraw
a Cross Country Rider
from RD, Hastings, NZ
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2005
Strengths: Unbeleavable trail bike that goes up very well (thankyou Mr Curnutt)and comes down even better. Great handling on the high speed gravel roads.Fantastic finish on the frame build. Great shock performance.
Weaknesses: The grey paint isn't very hard wearing. Nothing else.
Bottom Line:
Wow. The best bike ridden to date. Has fantastic handling from a flex free frame. Just buy one.
Bike Setup: 05 frame, steel spring, Nixon IT, Easton CT, Hope, XT, Raceface, Thompson, Size large fits my 6'2" perfectly. 65psi and 3 turns of preload in shock for a supple ride.
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Submitted by
Anton
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2005
Strengths: Very stiff and a whole lot of fun! Simplicity of design.
Weaknesses: a little heavy but still can be built below 30lbs.
Bottom Line:
Having so much fun. Switched parts from Spider and built this up and the service of Richard's Bikes is absolutely the best.
Weaknesses: Rear tire clearence ('04 at least) is really narrow- Price
Bottom Line:
This is a positive review HOWEVER ITS NOT BECAUSE I BOUGHT IT...in case you haven't noticed at lot of the reviews on this site are all sunshine and roses which can potentially screw prospective buyers. I'll do my best to level with you. My measurments 5'6", 170lbs, inseam 30.5", slightly longer in the arms and torso than the legs. I'm right on the cusp of recomended sizes Small and Medium and I found that because of the slighlty aggressive shortness of the effective top tube length, the Medium fits me well. This bike absolutely performs as advertised. Climbs like a mountain goat and descensds like a lightweight DH rig. The Curnutt shock really does make this bike feel like a hardtail on climbs, with no discernable pedal bob but then sucks up drops and jumps like they're nothing. To all those who shirk at thought of climbing on a 33 lb bike I say this...go to the gym you freakin sissy. Personally I found that the added weight helped both wheels stay firmly planted on inclines that previously caused unavoidable front wheel lift or rear wheel loss of traction. And to you weight weinies...you may beat me up...barely...but I'll scream past you on the descent, hitting jumps, drops and banks that'll make your sub 20lb hardtail 'crack' in its pants.
To change it from a 5" to a 5.75" you have to undo all the bolts and physically move the bolts to the holes right next to them...takes about 5 minutes. I found that the pivot on the 5.75" setting has a slightly different feel so you'll just have to feel that out.
As this is just a review on the frame I'll say this, Foes quality is just about as good as you can get. Welds are strong, pivot bearings are solid and, for a lightweight FS, the bike is very rigid laterally and every other way.
Bottom line: If you're looking to bomb down a hill and still have the ability to pedal back up it I would absolutely recommend this bike. My trusty mechanic even says this feels better than his 5.5 (hey Ryan..sorry!) My only complaint is that the rear wheel clearence on the '04 (may have been fixed in later models) is really narrow. I've got XC tires on it right now that are only 2" wide and there is very little room in the rear. I'm putting a 2.25" on the back for Northstar but I'm afraid that the slightest wobble will cause tire rub. And even though the Curnutt may be the best rear shock out right now (debateable I know) the Foes are a little pricey, I got lucky a got mine during the '04 closeout. All in all it is an awsome bike and aside from the price tag and the rear wheel clearence the bike is (. )( .).
Similar Products Used: Demoed a bunch of trail bikes in its class, Enduro, Yeti 575, Giant Reign/VT, a few Norco's& Kona's
Bike Setup: Med '04 Frame w/ Curnutt (Steel), Marz All Mountain 1 130-150mm (sick, but that's a different review), XT drivetrain, Hayes hydra 9's, mallets, Fsa Pig dh headset, junky wheelset
Bike Setup: pike team fork,xt crankset w/triple bashguard,xtr,mavic,motoraptors 2.24,hayes brakes,curnutt shock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jamie Alackness
a Cross Country Rider
from Edwards CO
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2005
Strengths: The bike feels very solid and inspiring you know that launch anything feeling. Probably the stiffest rear end on any trail bike. Climbs anything as long as you have the power to turn the cranks. Descends like a full blown DH rig. Great customer service from Foes. The look on peoples faces when they pick it up. It's doesn't look 26.5lbs but it is. Racer boy types walk away in shock its great.
Weaknesses: Needs more tire clearance, but Foes has addressed the problem. The new FXRs will handle a 2.5. A sight stiffening of the suspension due to braking and pedeling. Most people will just bearly notice it, if they do at all. It's pretty expensive, but have you looked at the price of a fully loaded Stumpjumper lately? Yes it costs more!
Bottom Line:
This is an incrediable bike. I'vegot almost 10,000 miles on it, and no problems! I ride it year round here. Summer time single track, spring and fall trips to Utah and Arizona, to riding snowshoe trails in the winter.
The versitility is awsome mine is set up pretty light, because we do more climbing here than descending. But one could easly build it up lighter or beef it up with freeride parts.
Buy it if you love bashing around in the woods all day and pushiug your limits.
Don't buy it if you don't think your bike should save your ass when the going gets out of hand. With regular maintenance this bike will last and please it's owner for a long time. It's simple and sweet and does everything well.
The Turner 5Spot is the only other bike that I've ridden that compares. It's a little plusher and the suspension isn't affected by pedeling or breaking, but its not quite as good when hammering out of the saddle. It's a tough call because the price is almost the same.
Similar Products Used: Intense 5.5, Turner 5spot, Rocky Mt. Slayer/Element/ETS-70, Specialized Epic, Stumpjumper, Santa Cruz Blur, Trek Liquid, Titus Locomoto, Intense Spider/Tracer, Yeti 575
Bike Setup: Manitou Minute 1 fork, Full XTR, Thompson post and stem, King headset and hubs, Easton monkey lite bar, Specialized BG saddle it's the bomb, Salsa skewers, Eggbeater pedals, Mavic rims, Odi lock on grips, Tires depends on the day. Usually Nokian NBX or IRC Trial Bear in front and Tioga Blue Dragons or IRC Mythos in the rear. I use Stan's Notube system front and rear.
Strengths: Well built, stiff, climbs very well, currnut shock very adjustable
Weaknesses: A little heavy, but it is a trail bike. Foes spring weight recomendations appear to be a little on the light side. Expensive but you get what you pay for.
Bottom Line:
The FXR is a great all around trail bike. Its not the lightest bike, but it climbs very well, descends even better, and is just fun to ride on single track. Its very stable feeling and I can feel the frame stiffness when I put the hammer down on climbs... the bike just goes where you point it. The Currnut takes some set up time to get it dialed in, but has the right amound of stiffness and plushness for my taste. I weight around 175-180 lbs with gear and water and am running the 450lb TI spring in the 5.75 travel setting with around 65-70psi in the chamber. (The spring weight is a little above Foes recomendations, but per Foes its only a guide line and is OK as long as I'm not bottoming out the shock). Go ride recomended starting with the Steel spring and then ordering the TI after you have determined the right spring rate for you. It was good advice and saved me from having to buy a second expensive TI spring. The swing link pivot bearings start to creak when they get dirty, but nothing a little cleaning and lube can't fix.
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR, Specialized Enduro, Turner 5-spot (demo only, a very close second choice)
Bike Setup: 2004 Medium FXR with currnutt and TI spring, Pushed Talas Fork, X-9/XO drivetrain, Race Face Atlas Cranks, WTB Laser Disc Lite hubs, DT 4.1d Rims, Kenda Nevegal Tires 2.5 Fr, 2.35 Rr, Avid Juicy 7 brakes, 70mm Race Face Diablos Stem, Maxm MX-5 handlebar....31-32lbs (depending on tires and tubes)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
thomer10
a Cross Country Rider
from Altadena, Ca.
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2004
Strengths: Everything, the frame is light weight and super strong
Weaknesses: There is some cable rub that so be addressed. Nothing a few zip ties can't handle
Bottom Line:
This bike is f*****g great, there is no weakness, this is the absolute best long travel x-county bike.....I have done everything on this bike and no problems....This bike is better than me period.
The best part is watching all your buddies struggle pedaling there huge freeride bikes, that way over 40 pounds. My FXR only wieghts about 32 Pounds
Strengths: One mother of a strong do it all frame trail plush as a bucket of kittens, again like my fly one stiff mother of a main pivot.light and flickable
Weaknesses: Nowt.... sorted bit of kit
Bottom Line:
This bike absolutely rocks quite simply the best trail bike that I have ever ridden , we had one at the bike shop I used to work at on demo, I test rode before a customer went on it and absolutely loved it. I aready owned an 02 foes fly, which I really lurve.Didnt buy this one because of the other one but it did sway my choice a little, but call it brand alliegance and quality, the bikes aint cheap but they just work.FXR is one kick ass trail bike owned many, ridden many, in 8 years bike trade but this one jus floats my boat. Awsome
Im looking to buy a new frame for my all-mtn rig. Coming from a Transition Covert 140 i want a frame that can handle all the stuff in SoCal and take it to Mammoth and Tahoe for som Read More »
Hey all,
Im looking to buy a new frame for my all-mtn rig. Coming from a Transition Covert 140 i want a frame that can handle all the stuff in SoCal and take it to Mammoth and Tah Read More »
Hey all,
I've posted this over at the Ibis Forum as well.
Im looking to buy a new frame for my all-mtn rig. Coming from a Transition Covert 140 i want a frame that can handle all Read More »
Here you go.
[url=http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=71317&title=curnutt-xtd-air-shock-for-foes&cat=9]Curnutt XTD Air Shock for Foes - Buy and Sell and Review Read More »
