[Summit]

So, I'm looking to actually build a 2-bike quiver this winter. I've got a Foes FXR for my do-anything bike; DJ's, long XC, pretty much everything since it's my only bike. And as far as 1 bike to do everything it's freaking amazing.

BUT, I would really like a bike w/ a fatty triple clamp fork, long travel, and the ability to eat anything on the trail. The FXR is a good descender but the SC fork (Z1 FR) does get knocked around a bit more than a DC fork does. But I need something I can drop into granny and get to the top of mountains (I live in SLC, there are no hills here--only mountains that go straight up for 5,000 vertical feet).

Soooo, any suggestions? I'd love a Foes Fly but it's largely out of my price range. Regardless of price tho I'd like to hear what you guys think. Thanks!

 

[elvis]

with work

with some work most dh bikes can have a front d. If you use a e-type front deralier you can. It will sanwch inbetween the bb and frame, you will have to make a clamp for the cable. The Foes is nice but understand the price thing. Thought about a bullit 7" around 1,000.

 

[yangpei]

VP-Free

If I were to build a 7-8 inch long travel bike that could accept a triple chainring, I'd consider the SC VP-Free, Intense V-8, or Titus Supermoto Freeride. I don't know what price range you are considering, however.

 

[RED5]

Here is my short list...

Specialized Big Hit (demo too $$$)
Kona Stinky series, take your pick their all good bikes.
Iron Horse SGS Freeride line. Again take your pick.
Santa Cruz Bullit or VP Free. Bullit is a time tested proven ride.

there you have it, good luck.

 

[ska todd]

If you are waiting until the off season...

7POINT5...
Boxxer Ride U-turn...
Progressive shock...
Sram X.9...
FSA V-drive Xtreme 36/24T
Mavic rims...
WTB thru axle hubs, 150x12 rear...
Hayes HFX 9's...
SIC integrated Boxxer stem...
SDG I-beam...
Coming Fall 2004

-ska todd

 

[[email protected]]

Actually Elvis, most DH bikes WON'T work with a front derailleur. It's not the lack of a clamp for the derailleur that's a problem. DH bikes generally don't have chainstays that drop low enough to clear a front der. cage under full compression. If you look at a picture of the Foes Fly frame, you'll notice that the chainstay drops very noticeable just behind the main pivot. From what I understand, bikes like the Titus and the Ellsworth require a special front derailleur specific chainstay assembly to clear a front derailleur.

That aside, Summit, if you're looking for a frame that can be raced DH, take a front derailleur, and not blow a small fortune, the Banshee Scream will be difficult to beat. '05 Iron Horse stuff looks pretty promising as well, although I'm not sure that they'll take a front derailleur (DW?).

 

[ska todd]

'05 Iron Horse stuff looks pretty promising as well, although I'm not sure that they'll take a front derailleur (DW?).

7POINT will take an FD, Sunday won't.

-ska todd

 

[cornholio]

i know you said it's out of your price range, but the foes fly with curnutt is awfully nice. i have one with a light dh setup (super T, d3.1s w/ michelin 2.5 tubeless, front derailer w/ 2 chainrings) and it weighs about 42lbs i think. i also have a 2nd trail bike, ventana w/ Z1FR--it's a great bike but it just doesn't see any action anymore. i take my foes out on all the same trail riding loops i used to do, and in spite of the bike being a fat overbuilt pig, i just throw it in the little ring and it grunts up the hills just fine, albeit a little slower. the only drawback is i can't clean some of the steep technical uphill sections that i used to be able to do on my other bike, but whatever, as far as I'm concerned the uphill is mainly just a means to an end. so what's my point? uh, i don't know really, I guess what I'm saying is just because you have a DC fork and heavy DH setup doesn't mean you can't use one bike for everything. as far as your original question, i agree with the other posters--bullit, vpfree, kona, banshee, etc--there's a bunch of good bikes that can run a front derailer and not all of them will break the bank. or here's another idea.... sell the fxr and get a foes fly?? just a thought... it depends what your priorities are though, you'll definitely be slower and suffer more going uphill on a DH bike, but with 2 rings going uphill on a 40+ lb bike is not nearly as bad as I thought it would be, and it helps get you into shape too.

 

[monk]

How about an Astrix Huckster??

Very affordable, 8 inches of travel, front derailleur compatible and a Manitou Swinger shock. Cool bikes:

http://www.cactusbikes.com/store/control/category?category_id=BKP120&pcategory=FRAMES

http://www.astrixsports.com

 

[ryanc44]

MC Sin?

How about a Mountain Cycle Sin? IMHO it's essentially the same as the Shockwave 9.5, just without the 4-link rear and floating disc option. But one advantage is that it has a deraileur post so you can setup a 2/3 ring front (I have a 3-ring on mine.) 7" up front, 7.5" in the rear- it's a fun DH bike that can still climb if need be. A lot easier on the wallet as opposed to a Foes or Intense...

 

[oakhills]

stay with Foes

I have an FXR for trails, and a Fly for DH runs. My Fly is set up with a granny, bashgaurd, and an XTD fork. The Fly feels like it has 9" in the back even though it's only 8". It is certainly more plush than the FXR, and it easily handles anything at Northstar.

Go for the Fly.

 

[Summit]

Nice advice, thanks! I can't believe I only have 14 posts on here...lame. Guess I read a LOT more than I post, heh.

Anyway, corn--I sold my '01 Big Hit for my FXR, and while I know the Curnutt makes a huge difference in climbing, I definitely enjoy the close to 10-lb. lighter weight and steeper climbing geometry of the FXR so I think I definitely want to keep it as a trail bike. Tempting idea to trade it though, heh. If I was going to trade it tho I think I'd look at an Inferno for a more all-around trailbike vs. the Fly.

But I want 2 bikes!

Diggin' the ideas on the Astrix, Scream (heavy though eh??), Mountain Cycle, and 7point5...that's the new Turner I take it? I'll keep an eye out for the IH bikes too, James--I actually just picked up my FXR from you guys today for service, so yep that's me.

New Stinky Supreme is looking pretty tempting too...and hard to beat Kona's prices...

edit: and it's good to hear from some Fly owners too...that bike is top of the list if I could find a good used frame for sure...Foes doesn't have the best CS but man I love their bikes.

keep 'em coming this is like ultimate delayed gratification window shopping, hah.

 

[BJ-]

ok off the top of my head thses are all front derailuer compatible...

Orange 223 DH...

Specialized DEMO9...

IronHorse SGS World Cup...

NORCO VPS Team Race (the 03 model)...

Kona Stab...

Foes The FLY...

Devinci Wilson (that was for VIA)...

Cannondale GEMENI DH...

but from what im interperating ur looking for a FR bike not a DH and most are FR Derailuer compatible (or they wouldnt be FR bikes)...but those i mentioned are strickly DH (with the exceptiong of the FLY)...

and i realise most are alot of money so u probably couldnt get any of em...

anyways...a big hit of some sort would do the trick...or like u mentioned a new kona...and for the price and quality sh>it that comes on em ur right nothing beats a kona (05s do look very sweet...except for that fu>cking...horrible brown on the stinky dee-lux)...

Giant ACs...Intense V8...SantaCruz VP-Free...Banshee Scream...Norco VPS Team Shore (or just Shore)...Yeti ASX...are all top notch FR bikes...

thinking this much cant be good for me...so ill have to leave it at that...

 

[lux]

Ac-1

Giant's AC-1 might fit the bill nicely. I have one and love it. If you get and '03 or newer, you can slap a DC fork on there and not void the warranty -- plenty beefy. Mine came with a triple front and a bashguard/chainguide setup for FR/DH usage ('though the chainguide kinda sucks).

SPAM...SPAM...SPAM...I'm thinking about selling it, pm me if you have any interest...SPAM...SPAM...SPAM...

 

[ska todd]

ok off the top of my head thses are all front derailuer compatible...

IronHorse SGS World Cup...

The SGS-DH models are not easily FD compatible. It can be done but requires some hob-cobbing of parts to get it to function and it definately isn't clean looking.

If you are a real good wrench you can maybe manage it, if not I would suggest the SGS-FR models.

-ska todd

 

[dream4est]

The SGS-DH models are not easily FD compatible. It can be done but requires some hob-cobbing of parts to get it to function and it definately isn't clean looking.

If you are a real good wrench you can maybe manage it, if not I would suggest the SGS-FR models.

-ska todd

tell me more. i have an 03 sgs dh and want to hear how the front der. setup works.

 

[ska todd]

tell me more. i have an 03 sgs dh and want to hear how the front der. setup works.

You will have to use an e-type FD and then craft some sort of cablestop. A couple of guys here on mtbr and over on hcor & ridemonkey have done it. Someone posted pics of it a while ago.

-ska todd

 

[Summit]

BJ-
Yeah I am looking for more of a pure DH bike that I can get to the top of hills vs. a total freeride bike. My Foes has almost 6" of travel and I feel totally comfortable doing 8-foot drops to trannys, DJ's, basically anything freeriderish (within my ability/balls ratio).

So I really want something that has more DH angles than steeper freeride ones. I don't mind getting off and pushing the steeper climbs

 

[BJ-]

fair enough buddy...

how much can u afford (this is really the important question)...

coz...i was thinking here in aus BB7s aint that much and there great all round bikes that have good DH angles (but arent FR derailuer compatible)...iron horse sgs...norco vps and specialized big hits (all are FR derailuer compatible) are all similar in the same aspects...

 

[Summit]

Well...affording a bike is kinda up to what I can get a hook on, honestly. I'm an outdoor sports writer (mostly snowsports), so there are a lot of connections out there I can work with. The current list I know I can get deals on are Kona, Yeti, Titus, Ventana, Specialized, and Iron Horse. But I can always work it on other brands to see what can be done. I have always loved the looks of Balfas, yeah--even the 2Step DH looks sweet. The BB7 would be a FUN toy...