Sorry for posting this hear, but there's not really a Foes forum and I know I would have liked more pics when I was trying to pick a new frame. Thank you to everybody on this board who helped me make up my mind and for Go-Ride for setting me up with the Frame.

I've had this built for about a month with a mix of old and new parts. The build weight is just under 31lbs. General specs are as follows:

2004 Medium Foes FXR with TI Currnut Shock
Fox Talas RLC Fork (2003)
X-9 Trigger shifters
XO Rear Derailuer
XT Front Derailuer
Race Face Atlas Cranks w/ Bash Guard
Avid Jucy 7 brakes - 6" rear, 7" front rotors
Wheels - WTB Laser disc Light hubs, DT XR4.1d rims, DT Supercomp spokes
Maxm X-5 Handle Bar
Race Face Diablos 70mm stem (overkill for this bike, but I like the stem)
Thompson Seat Post
WTB Rocket V Stealth Saddle
Tires - 2.35 Kenda Nevegal tires

My initial impression is the bike rides great. The curnutt shock is a little tricky to get dialed in, but after the first 100 miles I like the feel. The frames is stiff, well built, and handles great.

Now the manditory new bike pics (some of the pics are before I installed the TI spring) Wish I had better background scenery, but this is the best I've got for now.

Any problems installing the outboard bearings for the cranks? I was curious if there would be enough clearance between the swingarm and the bearings.

Nice.

The outboard bearings fit, but it was tight getting the wrench in. The Park Wrench really does not fit well. I ordered the Pedro wrench which is open ended, but I haven't tried it yet.

You guys are KILLING ME!!! I love the Foes FXR and really wish I had one. If I had to do it again, it would literally end up in a coin flip...again. I love my bike as much as the FXR and it came down to getting a great deal from Charles at hammerheadbikes. I even went down to the Foes operations in Glendale (or Pasadena...one of the two) because at the time, there was nobody near me carrying them. They were cool folks for sure. I got to test ride one of their racer's bikes.

Without a doubt, my 2 favorite trail bikes are the FXR and X-5 (which I have).

I need to justify the need for an FXR that my wife will buy.......if you have any ideas let me know :) Right now I am building up a XC race bike so I am running out of excuses for more bikes.

Cheers

I wish I had an idea for convincing my wife on buying more bike stuff. It took all my good behavior points to get the new frame. Now I want a new fork with 6" of travel (Fox 36, Nixon, or Pike) and have already lost that battle for the next year. I think the only way to convince her is to buy her something that is at least as expensive, but then I end of blowing my bike budget on the gift and have to save up again. Buy the time the funds are replenished, she has forgotten about the gift. It is a viscous circle

I basically said when we got married that I wanted a new bike before I was ready to have kids. It worked, but I probably will not get to ride after we have kids.

I wish I had an idea for convincing my wife on buying more bike stuff. It took all my good behavior points to get the new frame. Now I want a new fork with 6" of travel (Fox 36, Nixon, or Pike) and have already lost that battle for the next year. I think the only way to convince her is to buy her something that is at least as expensive, but then I end of blowing my bike budget on the gift and have to save up again. Buy the time the funds are replenished, she has forgotten about the gift. It is a viscous circle

I basically said when we got married that I wanted a new bike before I was ready to have kids. It worked, but I probably will not get to ride after we have kids.

I just went through the 6" fork thing for my X-5 about a month ago. It sounds like you are then going to go with a 20mm axle, since you mention the Pike and Fox 36 which of course only come in 20mm. I was content with my wheelset and really do not do any downhilling or hard-core freeriding so I felt no need to change the front hub/wheel just so I could get a Pike. Some folks feel more comfortable with a 20mm and it certainly does not hurt of course but unless riding on my Bullit, I truly do not need it for riding I do on my X-5.

I ended up going with the Marzocchi All Mountain 1 fork. This is the best fork I have ever had or tried. When I put it in 5" mode, it literally feels like my 2003 Z1 FR and when in 6" mode, it feels like my Z150. It has a new bladder technology which according to Jm. (suspension guru) reflects their motorcycle technology. I love this fork.....even the color. Plus, it is just under 5 pounds which only added then a pound to the Talas I had on the bike but boy, it is night and day compared to the Talas.

As far as the kid thing goes, I did not even start riding until I had 3 kids. My wife is cool and it boils down to finding time that works. I ride one weekend day and a couple times a week before work. My kids are really into it and that is great to see. I bought my 2 older girls a Haro 20" bike that is great for learning the sport....they are only 7 and 9 and do great. They even want to join my work's bike club which is pretty cool to see.

Cheers

I just went through the 6" fork thing for my X-5 about a month ago. It sounds like you are then going to go with a 20mm axle, since you mention the Pike and Fox 36 which of course only come in 20mm. I was content with my wheelset and really do not do any downhilling or hard-core freeriding so I felt no need to change the front hub/wheel just so I could get a Pike. Some folks feel more comfortable with a 20mm and it certainly does not hurt of course but unless riding on my Bullit, I truly do not need it for riding I do on my X-5.

I ended up going with the Marzocchi All Mountain 1 fork. This is the best fork I have ever had or tried. When I put it in 5" mode, it literally feels like my 2003 Z1 FR and when in 6" mode, it feels like my Z150. It has a new bladder technology which according to Jm. (suspension guru) reflects their motorcycle technology. I love this fork.....even the color. Plus, it is just under 5 pounds which only added then a pound to the Talas I had on the bike but boy, it is night and day compared to the Talas.

As far as the kid thing goes, I did not even start riding until I had 3 kids. My wife is cool and it boils down to finding time that works. I ride one weekend day and a couple times a week before work. My kids are really into it and that is great to see. I bought my 2 older girls a Haro 20" bike that is great for learning the sport....they are only 7 and 9 and do great. They even want to join my work's bike club which is pretty cool to see.

Cheers

Thats good advice. I have been thinking about going with the thru axle. I like my current set up with WTB Laser Disc Lites because they are super light, but with a 7" rotor on my Talas, I notice some flex with the rotor rubbing on the pads on turns and offcamber stuff. I have spent a lot of time lately on the trail trying to get my rotor centered in the caliper and I pretty much have to get the skewer pressure just right or it rubs. I know part of the problem is the tight pad clearance with my front Juicy brake, but also some Fork/Hub flex. A thru axle should help solve this problem though.

I'll definately consider the All Mountain. I just hope they make another color next year.
I like the price of the Pike, but I have trouble ditching the Fox for a RockShox. Maybe a year will prove Rockshox has improved though.

My wife is also pretty good about letting me ride. I tend to get grumpy if I can't ride after a few days and she wants me to go. Kids are planned with in the next year, and my wife is planning a nursery now which kills the bike shopping for a while. Of course, I new this was comming so I've tried to get everything I want on my bike now so I will not have to upgrade much for a while.

Now if it would quit raining I could go ride.

Sorry for posting this hear, but there's not really a Foes forum and I know I would have liked more pics when I was trying to pick a new frame. Thank you to everybody on this board who helped me make up my mind and for Go-Ride for setting me up with the Frame.

I've had this built for about a month with a mix of old and new parts. The build weight is just under 31lbs. General specs are as follows:

2004 Medium Foes FXR with TI Currnut Shock
Fox Talas RLC Fork (2003)
X-9 Trigger shifters
XO Rear Derailuer
XT Front Derailuer
Race Face Atlas Cranks w/ Bash Guard
Avid Jucy 7 brakes - 6" rear, 7" front rotors
Wheels - WTB Laser disc Light hubs, DT XR4.1d rims, DT Supercomp spokes
Maxm X-5 Handle Bar
Race Face Diablos 70mm stem (overkill for this bike, but I like the stem)
Thompson Seat Post
WTB Rocket V Stealth Saddle
Tires - 2.35 Kenda Nevegal tires

My initial impression is the bike rides great. The curnutt shock is a little tricky to get dialed in, but after the first 100 miles I like the feel. The frames is stiff, well built, and handles great.

Now the manditory new bike pics (some of the pics are before I installed the TI spring) Wish I had better background scenery, but this is the best I've got for now.

Try a 2.35 BG up front....

Try a 2.35 BG up front....

I will when my front wears out. I've liked the Nevgals thus far though. Great all around tire.

Very nice build, I like the black. Have you run the fork in 4" mode? Curious how the bike handled at this setting.

I'll be in Htown Wed-Sat but won't have my bike, it looks like you guys are having some flooding down there, I really wanted to rent a bike and ride Memorial park but I guess not. :(

Thanks, I was torn between the red and black, but liked the black the first time I saw it. Plus I was coming off a red bike and wanted a change. I wish I had a zoke with the black stanctions to go all black.

I've tried the fork in the 3" and 4" modes on a few short climbs and it definately makes the bike feel high in the rear. Not bad for going up, but not a lot of fun on flat terrrain. Does make endo's easier.

The weather has pretty much sucked the past week. Its rained Monday - Wednesday last week, and Friday through now. Its supposed to clear up Wednesday last I heard, but I think Saturday will be the first day it might be dry enough to ride (I miss the summer days that dry the trails in 48hrs). I doubt Memorial will open that fast being a Holiday weekend and the Ant Hills may be underwater due to all the rain. Plus its supposed to rain again next weekend.

This weather gets expensive. All I do is look at might bike and think about things to upgrade.

You guys are KILLING ME!!! I love the Foes FXR and really wish I had one. If I had to do it again, it would literally end up in a coin flip...again. I love my bike as much as the FXR and it came down to getting a great deal from Charles at hammerheadbikes. I even went down to the Foes operations in Glendale (or Pasadena...one of the two) because at the time, there was nobody near me carrying them. They were cool folks for sure. I got to test ride one of their racer's bikes.

Without a doubt, my 2 favorite trail bikes are the FXR and X-5 (which I have).

I need to justify the need for an FXR that my wife will buy.......if you have any ideas let me know :) Right now I am building up a XC race bike so I am running out of excuses for more bikes.

Cheers

Don't feel bad, I'd love to have an X5 but just can't justify it to myself since I like my FXR and there aren't significant differences in the type of bike. My wife says just buy one but she's also a biker so she understands :D

Kinda sounds like mine to a point. I was going to wait till the first of the year to order the FXR untill a last minute trip to Utah gave me the chance to test ride one at Go-Ride. She told me to go ahead and get it if I like it since I was there. Unfortunately her paitence ended there. She kinda gets tired of me always looking for the next bike part even if she gets the hand me downs.

I'm glad I did, it took a while for the frame to come in. It also looks like Foes is racing their prices in '05.