Foes Racing - Sea Otter 2012

Apr 23, 2012
by Mike Levy  
Foes Racing s Hydro DH bike
This flat black 2013 Foes Racing Hydro had a lot of onlookers stopping in their tracks. Taking its name from its hydroformed tubes, the 8.25'' travel bike receives an updated down tube that also gets the hydroforming treatment (the '12 model used a round tube). The bike's head angle sits at 64 degrees but Foes offers shorter pushrods that can slacken the bike to 63 degrees for steep terrain, or riders can also fit an angle adjusting headset to make further tweaks. Like all of Brent Foes' bikes, the Hydro is manufactured in his California facility.

MSRP for the frame is $2599 USD with a FOX RC4 shock, although riders can spec Cane Creek's Double Barrel for an additional $200. Foes Racing also offers the Hydro with their platform equipped Curnett XTD shock for $3100 USD.
Foes Racing s Hydro DH bike suspension detail
Brent Foes has stuck with his single pivot layout through his entire lineup, tweaking the design throughout the years. The result is a very refined looking system that is adjusted accordingly for each bike's intentions - note the massive 3.5'' stroke FOX RC4 shock and burly linkage in the photo above. The 8.25'' travel Hydro employs a low 2.36:1 leverage ratio that should put less stress on the shock while also making tuning easier, and the forward shock mount can be swapped out in order to accomodate the massive Curnett XTD damper.

Foes Racing is also in the process of designing a short travel kit for the Hydro that will reign in the bike's travel to 7''. The kit is still a ways out from being a production item, but riders who are looking for a playful feel from the bike, or those who race on less demanding courses, are the target audience.
Foes Racing Shaver Prototype
The Hydro was getting quite a bit of attention but there were other new bikes to see as well, including this prototype FXR that is slated for a Fall release. The FXR name isn't new to the lineup, but it may as well be due to its extensive makeover. Designed to tackle a bit more than the shorter travel Shaver, Foes says that the bike has been designed to be fitted with single crown forks for aggressive all-mountain. A price has yet to be decided upon.
Foes Racing s Shaver prototype
The front end of the bike is all new and, much as you'd expect to see on a Foes, undergoes extensive hydroforming. Travel can be set at either 6.3'' or 7'' via two shock mounting positions in the rocker link.
Foes Racing s Shaver 29er
No, there were no 650b bikes to be seen at the Foes Racing booth, but they did have a new 29er version of their Shaver out in the sun. The bike's travel is adjustable to either 5'' or 5.5'' (the 26'' version goes from 5.25'' to 5.75''), and the head angle sits at a relatively slack 68.5 degrees (1.5 degrees steeper than the 26'' Shaver). The chain stays are also a full inch longer at 18'' to accomodate the larger diameter rear wheel, but overall wheelbase remains roughy the same thanks to the steeper head angle. Frame pricing is still being mulled over, but you can expect to see the Shaver 29 be available in the Fall.
Foes Racing s Shaver 29er detail
Just as found on the Hydro and FXR, the Shaver 29's derailleur hanger does double duty as the nut for the Maxle thru-axle (left). The new bike will also be chain guide friendly thanks to replaceable ISCG-05 chain guide tabs that are also used on the rest of the lineup.


foesracing.com

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks Foes Sea Otter


Must Read This Week
Commencal Reveals 2023 Enduro Project Team Bikes
72234 views
Annie Ford Sets World Record for Descending the Most Vertical on a Bicycle
57461 views
Revel's DH Bike Concept Has a 3D-Printed Thermoplastic Frame
55127 views
First Look: Giant's Aluminum Stance E+ Uses Flex-Stays
42458 views
Zerode Bikes Launches its G3 Downhill Bike
38288 views
Yeti Teases Carbon Dirt Jumper
37132 views
Final Results from the Downhill at Crankworx Rotorua 2023
35634 views
Slack Randoms: Loic Bruni Tire Paintings, FKT Attempts Around The Stone King, Snowboard Big Air Progression & More
35627 views

83 Comments

  • 52 4
 All these bikes look really good, not something i thought id say about a Foes. And for some reason, long coil shocks, like 10.5" look so cool
  • 5 1
 Foes do some beautiful bikes, it's a bi of a shame that they have decided to discontinue the Foes Mono but all of the hydro frames and everything looks top notch! Especially with the kashima rear shock on it Smile
  • 14 34
flag themountain (Apr 23, 2012 at 8:25) (Below Threshold)
 They sure look heavy....never liked the Foes stuff!!
  • 2 0
 My 08 Foes Mono is actually really light, the frame is the lightest bit actually! But the shock is fairly heavy because of it's size.
  • 1 0
 is that a Fox Dhx.5 air on the Foes FXR?
  • 3 1
 Nom nom nom!
  • 6 1
 They look heavy! But i guess thats just Foes.
  • 3 0
 Foes allways look heavy but they are average really , would love to own one just cant justify the extra $$$ to my self Smile
  • 1 0
 the DHS Mono is not disco'd. their frames have been heavy in the past. my 07 Mono weighed a ton compared to my other DH frames
  • 3 0
 I think this is the first Foes rig I've actually liked. I'm glad they didn't put on one of those ridiculously huge shocks.
  • 2 0
 Looks like that DHX air would hit the TT at full compression on the proto
  • 1 0
 lol why wouldnt u say FOES is amazing lol? They are crafted just beacuse sam hill or peaty isnt riding for them doesnt make them crappy. Same goes for Turner bikes. turner and foes are all made in cali and are amazing bikes.
  • 9 1
 The Hydro has come a long way (in a good way) from its prototype form a few years ago www.pinkbike.com/photo/4893222
I was a bit worried how it would turn out, but it looks great now.
  • 1 3
 well thats not the same bike,
  • 1 0
 Hence... prototype.
  • 1 0
 Yeah it's pretty clear that the Hydro came from that Proto mate... Every part of the Hydro is present on the "Fluid" Proto, but like Smike said, it got "prettier"... Looks like a SICK bike now. And to everyone who says that Foes bikes "look heavy" goo educate yourselves...by actually PICKING ONE UP. they're so light they make me nervous that they'll stay together (they do...) Looks can clearly be VERY deceiving.
  • 5 1
 "The Hydro looks sick, And I love the idea of being able to reduce the travel to 7", After all how many Weekend Warriors need that kind of travel or could even get close to using it all, It would just be a pissing contest in the car park waiting for the uplift...I ride a Yeti 303 DH and I've never got close to bottoming it out, even on 10'+ drops...Apart from that the only thing I'd change about it is that f@#$*&g Monster sticker!
  • 2 0
 I agree, the big FOES on the Shaver frames is much better. I like the way Intense runs the logo down the downtube even better though.
EDIT: Ok, yeah the monster sticker has to go, I was thinking the other huge sticker when I read "monster".
  • 2 0
 If it counts at all, the monster sticker is on there because they are sponsored by monster. Similar to Kawi in motocross. Which is great for our sport! When the contract says run the sticker, you kinda have to, it doesn't matter how sucky it is that every turd out there with a lifted truck buys a monster hat and sticker kit. Just my two cents! Sorry if no one cares lol
  • 3 0
 I understand contractual agreements, sponsorship deals and all that and I agree that the inward investment into our sport is much needed BUT I'm getting sooo pissed off with seeing riders walking around the pits, in videos etc with a can of Monster or Red Bull permanently attached to them like its an extra limb.
I ride because I love to ride NOT because an energy drink manufacturer tells me it's cool to ride and that's what it should be about...It just seems to me that the message are we sending to the Groms coming into the sport we all love dearly is that the only way to be successful is to be bouncing around with enough caffeine in your system to re-animate dead whales...
These drinks are not healthy and can be extremely damaging to younger bodies if consumed on a daily basis so why are we allowing them to use our beloved sport to push their caffeine overloaded, chemical cocktails to every kid on the planet???
*rant over, steps down off soapbox
  • 5 0
 It is absolutely incredible that you can get a handmade in the USA DH frame like the hydro for $250 less than the overseas made revolt.
  • 3 0
 hell yeah!. its my next bike for sure
  • 6 1
 thats why i ride these american made bikes, even if they are a bit more expensive, they're worth every cent....
  • 5 0
 Would one of you dudes from Foes, please go show Tony Ellsworth what he's doing wrong.
  • 5 0
 Monster stickers are like parasites!
  • 1 0
 Looks heavier than my '09 Demo 8 II(w/ DeeMax '11 and a set of Muddy Mary) - I don' need no xtra weight! But then again I appreciate the weight compared to a V10 carbon fx. Which for me feels way to light. Would love give the Foes 8.25" travel what it deserves tho!!
  • 1 0
 I'm LOVING the FXR... but when did "Agressive AM" start meaning a 7" travel bike??? not that that's a bad thing, but man that's alot of travel for a pedalable bike. Now it stands with the Scott Genius LT in kind of a category all by itself aye. Hopefully it'll be up to the abuse folks might want to throw at it cause me, I'm falling in love. I also hope it's a bit MORE of an FR bike and LESS of an XC bike in terms of it's "All Mountain" status. The Scott isn't really and it's a shame. No 650B's is kind of a bummer though (the NORCO proto pic. flying around is really looking promising...) COME ON FOES!!!!
  • 1 0
 Love the bikes especially the new 2013 FXR, but and I know this will make me very unpopular with the Foes fans. But I saw a movie in which Brent shows how he does his Hydro-forming, or so the poster of the video says, but what it shows is him putting a piece of flat alloy under a press. That isn't hydro-forming as I know it. Hydro-forming uses water pressure to shape an alloy tube inside of a mold. Now if Brent says he uses hydro-forming I believe him but if not why BS? Not that I care but it kinda makes it a bit funny, the bikes are awesome they don't need PR BS.
  • 4 0
 They are really sexy compared to last year models.
  • 5 1
 Not bad but to much bulky, but its just my opinion ;p
  • 4 0
 Love the Hydro. Just a sharp purposeful looking rig.
  • 5 1
 you cant have a foes without a curnutt!!
  • 1 0
 but the internets hate teh Curnutt!
  • 1 1
 Foes is pure crap, i snapped my fly frame at the bb sent it back for warranty, they kept it for 2.5 months and sent me back the same frame with a huge ugly chunk welded over top of the break, no one wants to service curnutt shocks so you have ship them to foes to get them serviced, i did this once then sold the bike next time it needed servicing because i'm not waiting 2 months for a shock rebuild. buy big brand stuff because they can at least stand behind their products and you don't have to deal with one lazy guy who only deals with issues when he can get to them
  • 1 0
 Hydro is looking way better but the rest im not so much a fan. I have an 07 fxr n I like the looks way better. My fxr is gold and though I don't like the looks of the new one I bet it's just as gold as well.
  • 1 1
 really good design and shape but i dont like that knolly type linkage in the connection from the rear triangle,it looks a little sketchy but of course the bike is pretty solid not for nothing the bike stays on the dh category also the front triangle its well made it and every peace of flexion from the rear will be eliminated Big Grin D
  • 4 2
 $2599 is a good price for a foes, would like to see them back up there! lookin good, best bikes from them in a long while.
  • 2 0
 Foes be killin' it. Damn, that spring looks like its a foot long! The FXR reminds me of an Intense Uzzi.
  • 1 0
 i didn't even know shocks came in that size!!! it looks like the size of a car shock. sick bikes guys Smile thinking of buying one!
  • 1 0
 Its so nice to see Foes getting into the hydroform. It allows for some pretty insane geometry. I'm still way proud of my Zig Zag though!
  • 1 0
 Such a sick bike except for the monster stickers, they make it look like a 14 year old kid bought it and decided to make it look "rad"
  • 2 0
 In sex ed they showed us a documentary about a pedophile online named Shaver. I see what you did there Foes Wink
  • 1 0
 what about their F1 XTD fork? why didn't they fit that on their flagship bike?
  • 1 6
flag deeeight (Apr 23, 2012 at 8:10) (Below Threshold)
 Get with the times, Foes hasn't made that fork in many years...
  • 2 0
 they are still being made ...
  • 1 1
 get with the times. they still make it
  • 1 0
 as soon as i saw it i was sure that the price tag will be even bigger that before! i got it right!
  • 1 0
 Was anybody able to ask Brent what the head angle on the new FXR is? Does it change with the different travel settings?
  • 1 0
 its still TBD
  • 1 0
 it´s a awesome bike the hydro well built with a nice desing simple and funcionall just great
  • 1 0
 fxr with a DHX and a 32 seems abit unballanced? it stick a 36 on the front of a 34 if one came out for 26"
  • 1 0
 That FXR is running a 34
  • 1 0
 I like the FXR! If I am going to have one, I make it a coil suspension set up on front and rear (FOX VAN or Marzocchi)
  • 2 0
 lovely, as usual
  • 1 0
 Front triangle on the AM FXR looks real similar to a Nomad!!!
  • 1 0
 lot and lots of suspension
  • 4 0
 foes is awesome with their suspension designs
  • 1 0
 That's a lot of stroke. *giggle*
  • 1 0
 DH bike looks like a V10 AM bike looks like a Nomad
  • 1 0
 Wish it had the travel of a V10, but probably not possible with single pivot design. Their bikes look better than ever!
  • 1 0
 10 inches of travel is unnecessary, 8 or so is all anyone ever really needs unless they're trying to imitate bender. And no, a single pivot with 10 inches would be rather ridiculous.
  • 1 0
 I Love the Rear Setups!!!! Smile
  • 1 0
 they all ways have to have a bigger shock than every one else !
  • 1 1
 I will NEVER buy a 29'er! my feet barely reach the pedals on my 26 Wink hahaha
  • 1 0
 That Hydro and 29er looks super cool. Great job Foes!
  • 1 0
 Lovin my new/used 2011 FXR. But now I want the new 6.3-7" travel one...
  • 1 1
 A long time ago, before the carbon age, the good bikes were made of aluminium...
  • 1 0
 Dirt Magazine had a great article on Foes. Brent is a cool guy.
  • 1 0
 look good but wheres the currnet shocks and forks!
  • 1 0
 last year was ellsworth now its foes may be next year will be karpiel Razz
  • 1 0
 but for me foes its like... the dh rack of my dreams...
  • 1 0
 The DH bike looks alot like a Santa Cruz V 10! I like it ALOT!!
  • 1 0
 When is the 7" hydro going to be out??
  • 3 2
 so much travel.
  • 2 0
 really!
  • 2 1
 Moar hydroform!
  • 1 0
 sexy bikes.
  • 1 0
 shaver is doope
  • 1 0
 Bike Porn.
  • 3 0
 if it aint broke.....
why over complicate it just for the sake of making it different?
  • 3 0
 Brent decided to start offering his frames with the ability to run other shocks because he recognized the fact that not everyone had an extra 5-600$ to spend on a frame with a curnutt shock on it. He is trying to make his frames availible to more people.

Hydro with fox RC4 = $2599

Hydro with a curnutt = $3100
  • 3 0
 theres isnt anything "broke" about the Curnutt but as nikoli said, they are using other shocks to hit a price point. the curnutt shocks are amazing and get a bad rap from people who have never ridden one
  • 1 0
 can you explain what is wrong/out of date with their current swingarm?? like i said, making a change just for the sake of changing something makes zero sense.





Copyright © 2000 - 2023. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.047250
Mobile Version of Website