Long Travel All Mountain Recommendations

Discussion in 'Bike Reviews' started by StrandLeper, Sep 9, 2016.


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  1. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    I have zero to add to this thread, but enjoy reading it! Very interested to see what you think of the bikes when you get some in hand...
     
  2. StrandLeper

    StrandLeper Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Timothy M. Ryan
    Current Bike:
    SC Bronson 1x/Pivot 429 1x xtr
    Here is the tech guy at Foes
    (For specs and other q's)

    chris@foesracing.com

    The general manager is Rich Cleveland with the same style e-mail address.

    These guys give me the warm fuzzies but are only selling framesets right now, so you will have to build up yourself or go through a dealer. I think the Path and Adrenaline Cycles in Orange are dealers.

    They will have demos at the start of 2017 when their new factory and show room open up in San Dimas.
     
  3. UPSed

    UPSed iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Simi Valley
    Name:
    Ed
    Current Bike:
    Niner Jet 9 RDO
  4. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    Cyclotourist, Danmtchl, Mikie and 2 others like this.
  5. StrandLeper

    StrandLeper Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Timothy M. Ryan
    Current Bike:
    SC Bronson 1x/Pivot 429 1x xtr
    Thinking that a Foes Mixer Bling- build might be a good addition to the @StrandLeper demo fleet.

    Stay tuned.
     
    PATKOUG, Danmtchl, Mikie and 2 others like this.
  6. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    Didn't specialized and Trek prove years ago that people don't want to mix wheel sizes. They both tried it and discontinued them.
     
    StrandLeper, Danmtchl and Mikie like this.
  7. StrandLeper

    StrandLeper Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Timothy M. Ryan
    Current Bike:
    SC Bronson 1x/Pivot 429 1x xtr
    @mtnbikej They did indeed go that route. Most definitely not going to be a mass produced bike. But then again, I still ride a Jeff Alexander Gemini quad when surfing super shallow reef breaks. So I am not concerned too much with convention. gemini01_th.jpg
     
  8. StrandLeper

    StrandLeper Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Timothy M. Ryan
    Current Bike:
    SC Bronson 1x/Pivot 429 1x xtr
    Didn't mean to take this in a Foes derail direction, but a last post on Foes. The general manager let me know that he would advise me of when the showroom would be opening up, and would welcome our tribe on a factory tour. It might be a fun day. Do the San Gabes in the a.m. and tour the factory on the way home... or tour the factory, grab some demos, then ride. :) I will post up in events when I hear.
     
    PATKOUG, Luis, Cyclotourist and 6 others like this.
  9. Yes, but that was 29-26, and the axle height differential is much greater than 29-27.5
     
    StrandLeper, Danmtchl and Mikie like this.
  10. Torrent77

    Torrent77 Well-Known Member

    Name:
    Dave
    Specialized released a "big hit" enduro with a 26 front and 24 in the rear. I believed that model sold poorly because the rear tire choices stink and it only accommodated a 2.1 profile. I know it was released as a Freeride bike, but it was as efficient pedalling as a wet noodle.
     
  11. Danmtchl

    Danmtchl iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Bakersfield
    Name:
    Dan
    Current Bike:
    2020 Trek Fuel EX 9.7
    Their customer service is the best, Dan the customer service guy, helped me out a lot.
     
    Mikie, StrandLeper and Cyclotourist like this.
  12. shawndoh

    shawndoh Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Lake Forest
    Name:
    shawn
    Current Bike:
    I ride all the bikes!
    ME? :ninja:

    The demo fleet is pretty slim right now. Lots of waiting on 2017 stuff.
    What we have is a demo 2016 Remedy 8, in size 18.5... the Remedy has been updated for 2017, so that may not help. On the Giant front, we have an Reign 1 in medium.

    We also have a 2017 Remedy 7, size 18.5 on the floor. Pedaling that around the parking lot is no problem.
     
    Mikie, Danmtchl and StrandLeper like this.
  13. StrandLeper

    StrandLeper Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Timothy M. Ryan
    Current Bike:
    SC Bronson 1x/Pivot 429 1x xtr
    Yup. Not lots to demo. So F it. I ordered a2017 Foes Mixer. I will let y'all know when it come in. You can demo it.
     
  14. herzalot

    herzalot iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Chris
    Current Bike:
    2020 Revel Rail,Yeti SB 130 LR
    Cool bike and great company for sure, but, of all of the bikes in this thread, I didn't see that coming. What was the biggest draw to the bike? Its uniqueness? The company? The review?

    I am not being a smartass here. I am just curious as it does not tic the boxes for long travel, DH orientation, and I don't think they have an XL size, which means the short-ish top tube may provide a fairly cramped cockpit. One thing for sure, you won't run into many of them on the trail like you would Speshy/Giant/Trek/SantaCruz.

    You are a beast and can probably adapt to whatever you are riding and slay the hell out of it. Best wishes. Can't wait to see it. :thumbsup:

    EDIT: I just realized I was reading the Specs on the Foes Mixer Trail. The Foes Mixer Enduro is a whole other beast. Longer travel, slacker head angle. Now it makes more sense to me.

    http://foesracing.com/bikes/frames/foes-mixer-enduro/

    And even though some of the numbers defy current trends (long chainstays, short top tube), seems like there is something special about this beast that transcends the geo charts.
     
  15. StrandLeper

    StrandLeper Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Timothy M. Ryan
    Current Bike:
    SC Bronson 1x/Pivot 429 1x xtr
    The Enduro version is pretty long-ish travel. That's the one that I ordered.

    As to the L / XL, I am just at the margin on that with every brand it seems, so if I have to work on stem Length etc. to make it work, I can do that.

    The more I looked at the wheel differential and I read about the concept, the more it made sense in dropping super steep stuff.

    And the company just seems SO real. The small batch production, etc.

    It probably will make climbing a bit more of a challenge, but that's why we try to stay in shape, right? But, I am thinking of a pretty light build, so there's that.

    If one of the other brands get back to me, I will still do a demo to see-- but it's kind of hard to believe that I emailed two of the biggest dealers for the two big brands (no one on this site) and said, essentially "Hey, I want to buy the most expensive bike that you sell, I just need to try a lower spec version first."

    The response from one shop (not the Path): a nice email saying that they would look into it. Then nothing. (I know the people there, they know that I am not a lookie loo)

    The other shop (not the Path): crickets.

    Whereas the Foes general manager went on a two day email exchange with me and turned me over to their tech guy for further questions. And then after telling me about the 2016 inventory that they needed to move, suggested that I would be happier if I waited for the 2017 version due to some slight changes. All of this was done while in the final stages of moving their entire production facility to a new location.

    So I guess if I am honest with myself ( and you @herzalot ) , I like the concept, I think it has some big technical merit and will help me to ride the tough terrain better, but I LOVED the customer service-- their stoke about this bike and their desire to get me onto a Foes.

    I also saw a bit of my company in this company. Competing with the big guys by showing that the decision makers care and are involved.

    Also dig the whole keeping mfg'ing in CA angle -- which with the AQMD and employer reg's is SO much harder than just going to Henderson.

    We will see if this was an impulsive choice.

    Edit: and the Path is a dealer, so I will get to work with Geoff and Raul in getting it built.
     
  16. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.

    So... Do you send the non-responsive guys a follow-up and explain that you chose to spend your $$$ with a more responsive company? I'm not saying to do it to rub salt on a wound, but to help the next guy who has to deal with them.

    And I'd love to see this in person when it's built. It really does look like a cool company and product.
     
  17. StrandLeper

    StrandLeper Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Timothy M. Ryan
    Current Bike:
    SC Bronson 1x/Pivot 429 1x xtr
    @Faust29 Good question. Not sure. The last time one of the above dealers dropped the ball and lost a significant sale, I let the manager know. If it comes up when I am in the shop (very convenient to my house) for a small doo-dad, I will probably say something.
     
  18. I am more excited than you are. Please tell me it's a large with a DVO fork and shock so I can test right my dream bike??? congrats
     
  19. StrandLeper

    StrandLeper Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Timothy M. Ryan
    Current Bike:
    SC Bronson 1x/Pivot 429 1x xtr
    @dustyyoungblood correct on the size. As to the DVO fork and shock -- convince me that those are the best choices for the bike, and your demo shall await. :)
     
  20. herzalot

    herzalot iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Chris
    Current Bike:
    2020 Revel Rail,Yeti SB 130 LR
    You can try my DVO Diamond on my Tracer if you would like. It's the 2nd best fork I've ridden (behind my Marzocchi).

    I did not get along well with my DVO Jade (coil), but I am trying to acquire a Topaz (air w/ piggyback).
     
  21. StrandLeper

    StrandLeper Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Timothy M. Ryan
    Current Bike:
    SC Bronson 1x/Pivot 429 1x xtr
    @dustyyoungblood thx for the tip on the Foes. I will let you know when it arrives so you can ride it.
     
    Danmtchl and dustyyoungblood like this.
  22. UPSed

    UPSed iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Simi Valley
    Name:
    Ed
    Current Bike:
    Niner Jet 9 RDO
  23. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Great to hear, and love reading your reasoning to go with them. Amazing what a bit of customer service will do!
     
    Danmtchl and StrandLeper like this.
  24. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
  25. StrandLeper

    StrandLeper Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Timothy M. Ryan
    Current Bike:
    SC Bronson 1x/Pivot 429 1x xtr
    Thanks @Faust29 . I knew that review was out there, but could not find it online.

    I am being patient while they move the factory. :)
     
    Danmtchl and Luis like this.
  26. mike

    mike iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Western US
    Name:
    Mike O
    Current Bike:
    HT, FS
    Looks all-business to me... Besting the Bronson PRs on the rough lines? Looks like the right tool for it :thumbsup:

    Foes-2-e1476114396376.jpg
     
  27. StrandLeper

    StrandLeper Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Timothy M. Ryan
    Current Bike:
    SC Bronson 1x/Pivot 429 1x xtr
    Thanks @mike ! I may now have to change my color. That blue and green is amazing. With Enve wheels with blue decal up front and green decal in rear... Oh boy! You know, because color is super important. Maybe all black with yellow Enve decals like a black 911 Turbo S with the yellow ceramic brake pads... Geez, now I have a dilemma!
     
  28. mike

    mike iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Western US
    Name:
    Mike O
    Current Bike:
    HT, FS
    High-stakes decision making for sure :cool: Or you could just not care, because, you know, it's macho. I learnt that right here on Ayem Teebee Trails! :D I'm becoming more macho by the day...
     
    Danmtchl and StrandLeper like this.
  29. Mr.All-is-on

    Mr.All-is-on Member

    Location:
    Lake View Terrace/Sylmar
    Name:
    Keith
    Current Bike:
    2017 Giant Reign SX
    So how about the 2017 giant reign. Does anyone have one? If so what are your thoughts on the pros and cons of it ?
     
    Danmtchl likes this.
  30. StrandLeper

    StrandLeper Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Timothy M. Ryan
    Current Bike:
    SC Bronson 1x/Pivot 429 1x xtr
    FYI, my frame will be ready in January. Purportedly I am the first 2017 Mixer (for sale to consumer) that will be built. Until then, much Bronson time. :)
     
    DangerDirtyD, UPSed, herzalot and 6 others like this.
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As a former Amazon Associate I continue to get screwed trying to stay qualified as an Amazon Affiliate. So I quit!


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