|   Intense Tracer vs. Foes FXR | page
Jun 11, 2003 8:57 PM | | How do these two compare in the ride? Has anybody ridden both frames?
I'm in the market for a new frame and can't decide between the two. |
| Have not ridden both..... | []D [] []v[] []D
Jun 12, 2003 5:53 AM | | but know the frame weight of the Foes is over 8 lbs. and the Tracer in 18" size weighs six lbs. even. Both bikes will climb like billy goats, but if your a weight weenie, you can build up a Tracer to be 25-26 lbs....I doubt you could do much better than 28 lbs. with the Foes FXR. Plus, from what I've read, the Foes is a little more freeride-ish and the Tarcer more of an XC/Enduro. I own a Tracer and LOVE it..... |
| I have. | GregC
Jun 12, 2003 10:44 AM | | I demoed a Tracer and an FXR, among others. I was looking for a bomb- proof frame that would shine on steep long climbs, and handle the rugged downhills I ride. I ended up buying and building a Tracer.
Both bikes are bomb-proof. The nod goes out to the Foes in that catagory. The thing is sick! It handles drop-off like they are not there. And the travel felt limitless.(with Curnutt shock)
I felt the Tracer offered a better all-around ride. While decending steep trails, when you need to brake hard, the Foes' rear end felt skittish and never stable. Where as the Tracer has the high traction rear end I was after. Climbing feel is somewhat the same, except for the added weight of the Foes. I could feel the difference. Both rigs feel like they can motor over anything. the Tracer just seems quicker.
The Foes just felt over-built for my intended purpose. The climbing prowess along with the build quality and adjustability of the Tracer sold me.
I have mine set up as a strong trailbike. With a coil shock in the rear instead of the stock air shock. |
| My 2 cents | ScottW
Jun 12, 2003 7:22 PM | | I have an FXR, came off 4 years on an Uzzi SL and have riding time on the tracer. A medium FXR with Curnutt and Ti spring is 7 lbs 14 oz. The tracer is a lighter frame. The Foes is designed around a 5" fork and climbs very well with 5" up front. Even on very steep climbs I dont experience front wheel lift, I attribute this to the SPV design of the Curnutt and the fact that it doesn't settle further into its travel as the trail gets steep. My Uzzi did and I can climb stuff with the Foes easier than the Uzzi (with Fox vanilla RC). Although the Tracer/Uzzi rear end is well made I have noticed more stiffness with the Foes. I don't feel that the rear end fails to hook up under braking in loose, rocky sections. I know that the single pivot design is supposed to be prone to stiffening under braking I just haven't felt it. My Foes is built to 30 lbs 5 oz using old stlye XTR/Sram 9.0/Fox talas/King-mavic 317 wheels and running 2.3 Conti Vert Pro UST tires.
Both bikes are good designs and well made. If you want to lean towards a lighter bike with more of an XC orientation then I would go with the Tracer. If you want a beefier trail bike choose the Foes. |
| excellent synopsis.... | GregC
Jun 13, 2003 11:10 AM | | I really wanted the Foes I rode. I have a Foes dh slammer which I love. I have always liked the quality of Foes bikes. The FXR was just more bike than I wanted for the kind of riding I do.
I also owned an Uzzi Sl, that never felt just right to me. When I tried the Tracer all I could say was, AHHHHHHHH! It just suited me. |
| |
