[360]

Im looking for my 05 race bike already and i really like the look of the DHS mono , i've only ever tried the medium though and it feels tiny, i was bashing my knees on the crown of the forks(boxxer), from the stats on the foes website it would appear that the large is only an inch bigger?

Im 6ft5 , i currently ride a large tomac with a 70mm stem , if anything its a little to large. Theres not much chance of me getting a test on a large before buying should i give up on foes or not?

would any big foes riders care to comment?

 

[2piece]

I'm 5'9 and rode a 03 Mono medium and fit perfect. If any, tiny bit short on the TT. I suggest you get a large. Medium will be too small.

 

[360]

i think you mis-understood my question , or i wasn't clear enough , will large be too small?

 

[1soulrider]

At 5'11" I feel quite comforable on a Med Mono. At your height I would want to try the fit of the bike before buying. I know this is tough to do... Another option is to call Foes and talk with them about fit, Houseman is well over 6' and rides a large Mono. I don't think they built a custom bigger frame for him, but I could be wrong. Good luck, the Mono is a great bike.

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Foes do have a shorter top tube. I think the large V10 may work, or a large Yeti DH9 should definatly work since Yeti DHer rides one and he's like 6'6"-6'7".

 

[Acadian]

I know this this guy that is like 6'8" and had to get a custom Foes Mono made for him. Russ here on the board knows him very well.

 

[WestCoastHucker]

i've pedaled around numerous foes monos and would say that a large would be even too small for you if you are feeling really cramped on a medium. the large is less than an inch longer anyway.....
i am 5'7" and have a small mono and think the cockpit is very tiny, but that's why i bought it.....

 

[DLo]

I've actually got access to a large Foes DHS mono. I've ridden it, and I'm only 5'6". I can handle it, though it's not optimal. I think the DHS is a bit too short for you TT wise, but the wheelbase is LOOOOONG! Do you like the fly at all? I tried surfinguru's on here, and his was a medium I think, but I felt stretched. At nearly a foot taller than my height, I think the large DHS Mono will even be a bit small for ya.

 

[James | Go-Ride]

Not sure what Mono frames these guys have been riding, but in my experience (including two years of our team racing the Mono) the only size that has a short top tube is a small, mostly because it's a size small and hence was most likely designed around a short top tube.

Seriously though, compared to most DH bikes other than the 204, the Cuervo and the V10, the Mono has a longer top tube than most. I'm 6'1" and couldn't make my mind up between a medium or large mono based on Foes' sizing charts. Once I actually rode both of the sizes though I realized the large is ginormous. If you're 6'5" it will probably be a little cramped with a 50mm stem but with your 70 it should be just about spot on.

 

[360]

hmm, sounds like i really really need to try before making any kind of decision

 

[WestCoastHucker]

.............Seriously though, compared to most DH bikes other than the 204, the Cuervo and the V10, ........

you forgot Yeti, Turner, Canfield, Rotec, Intense, Cannondale, Trek and a slew of other manufacturers as well

 

[James | Go-Ride]

Turner's run short, Canfield fit pretty standard, Rotecs are longer in the top tube but due to the setback saddle, not really because of the actual top-tube measurement itself, Intense bikes aren't any longer than anything else on the market, Cannondale stuff fits pretty true from my experience based on average sizing as well, and I don't know anybody in Utah that rides a Trek for downhill. You are right about the Yeti though, forgot about that guy.

 

[WestCoastHucker]

i just made a guick cross reference from each manufactures site to get that list, and all of these were listed as longer than the mono....

(edit: i should clarify, these were all for their large sized frames)

 

[kidwoo]

Turner's run short, Canfield fit pretty standard, Rotecs are longer in the top tube but due to the setback saddle, not really because of the actual top-tube measurement itself, Intense bikes aren't any longer than anything else on the market, Cannondale stuff fits pretty true from my experience based on average sizing as well, and I don't know anybody in Utah that rides a Trek for downhill. You are right about the Yeti though, forgot about that guy.

Are you comparing actual top tubes or effective? My medium turner felt like the exact same length as my buddies large cuervo. The medium cuervo I got to hop on and ride felt like a little kids bike. I had the added advantage that mine and the two cuervos I rode all had 888s with the same stem too.

Again though, the BB to headtube measurement is way more telling as all these bikes will have varying seat tube angles and nobody I know (except brian) rides without standing up anyway. On that measurement the cuervos seemed short to me when I was shopping around for a new frame, turners seemed long.

Go bust out the tape measure on the frames you guys have sitting around there. If you've got a foes, maybe you could give some comparisons for 360 that don't rely on a somewhat subjective top tube measurement..

 

[James | Go-Ride]

i just made a guick cross reference from each manufactures site to get that list, and all of these were listed as longer than the mono....

(edit: i should clarify, these were all for their large sized frames)

Come on dude. Who are you gonna believe?

To be honest I have put in laps on almost all of those bikes except the Chumba and the Trek, and the larges from Foes, Tomac, Yeti, and SC (if memory serves me correctly) were the longest effective TTs of just about any DH race machine I've thrown a leg over.

 

[Lumpy_Gravy]

How is the effective tt measured?

 

[Brian HCM#1]

How is the effective tt measured?

Works best with a tape measure. I believe its from the center of the head tube to the center of the seat post keeping the tape measure level.

 

[Dog Welder]

I'm 6'4 and I ride a Large Mono with a shiver with the adjustable stem all the way out..it fits me like a glove. The number's on Foes's website look deceptively short. I was worried too about the TT length. Actually for guys our size a 888 with the normal higher stance crowns work better than shorter forks like the Dorado or shiver. Your hand position is normal with the higher setup.

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90527&highlight=Foes

here's my review on it...

 

[RiDurbin]

Ok, I'm 6'3 and rode a large Foes for 2 seasons. When I first got it, I crashed 3 times on my first run. I felt the coqpit was waaay to short. However I was coming off a Uzzi SLX that was set up for downhill and the toptube on it was basically xc length, very long. Downhill bikes run shorter in general, mainly so you can get over the back easily. At first I hated the Foes, but it only took a few rides to adapt and the I grew to love it.
I find this hard to believe but I am going to have to disagree with James. I switched from the Foes to a DHR this year and I went with a medium DHR cause the coqpit dimensions were basically the same as the large Foes. Only real differance is I run it with a little more post exposed.
I will say the Foe probably relies a lot on how high your seat is for toptube length, the seat angle is pretty slack so the higher you run your seat the farther it moves back. Even though I'm tall, I run my seat pretty low.
Remember that a Foes is meant to be ridden from the back, which may explain the short toptube. Something like a Turner DHR is more neutral and would hence need a longer toptube.
At any rate I don't think size is critical on a downhill bike like it is on an XC bike or road bike were fit is crucial for comfort and climbing abililty. I know one of the Turner Team riders is 6'1" and rides a small. Pretty sure Renne was riding a small IronHorse also.
More important would be to consider the type of ride characteristics you want.
The Foes is great for World Cup style downhill courses that are fast and steep with big air, but it can be a real chore it tight twisty stuff in the trees. It also tends to suck up everything in its path. Especially with the Curnutt. Getting it off the ground takes some serious lip on the jump or high speed.
A DHR tends to be more nimble but not as stable. Great in the twisty stuff. More pop off the jumps.
Both handle really well when in the air.
I would choose based on the type of courses you will mostly ride. I think as far a size, you will adapt quickly. Unless you're way off.

 

[snowskilz]

im 5'10" i ride a large mono, i tried a med and felt cramped so i got a large. i think you will do great with a large and a longish 70mm stem

 

[JRogers]

I am around 5'9"-10" and have ridden a large mono before. It was obviously too big for me but I am very unsure about how it would fit someone bigger. I am doubtful that it would actually be long enough. The guy who owned it was only around 6'1" or a bit taller and it was good for him.

I think for you, there is no way to know unless you can try one as it will greatly depend on your riding style and body proportions. Those can make a huge difference.

As for other bikes, Yetis, V10s and Tomacs are ginormous in the bigger sizes. Maybe the new Tomac DH frame will be sized similarly.

 

[360]

thanks for all the input, this interests me especially:

The Foes is great for World Cup style downhill courses that are fast and steep with big air, but it can be a real chore it tight twisty stuff in the trees

One of the main reasons im looking to change at the moment is that my current bike really really sucks in the tight stuff, massive wheel base(47inchs i think) and it weighs 50lbs at first this didn't bother me but the faster i get the more apparent it becomes, that its slowing me down.

I had presumed the foes would be a much more nimble machine.

 

[RiDurbin]

Well, Foes website list 45.8" as the "estimated" wheelbase. Mine was 47". I also had a headangle of 64 deg, which is pretty darn slack. Thats what I think hurt it most in the trees. I was running a 888 but it was the 7" version with a crown to axle of 22.5". So it wasn't to tall. Running a shorter fork like a Boxxer or Dorado would shorten the wheelbase some. I would say running a Dorado at the lowest crown to axle is the only way to make the Foes "nimble".
I can tell you that I am faster thru the trees and don't crash in the tight stuff nearly as much now that I am on the DHR. As I said before I have basically the same coqpit dimensions on my medium DHR as I did on my large Foes. I checked these dimensions carefully before making the switch. Checking Turners website the medium Turner has and effective toptube of 24.2 on the medium and the Large Foes has an effective toptube of 23.8".

Funny thing most people don't realize is, the toptube measurement isn't that important on downhill bikes. Most riding is done while standing on the pedals. You are only occasionally seated. The real measurement that matters is the downtube measurement, bottom bracket to bottom of head tube. This is what determines the actual coqpit size while standing. The toptube can change drastically depending on seat angle, but the downtube is constant. For example, a Chumba F4 only has a actual toptube of roughly 20" but the downtube in the same length as the med Turner and the large Foes. It has a VERY slack seat angle and you get your toptube length depending on how high you run your seat. Many people who sit on one and pedal it around the parking lot feel it is to small, but if you get it out on the hill and ride it the way it was meant to be ridden, then it is a much better fit.

For the riding you describe, I don't think I would recommend the Foes. As much as I respect James opinion. Even Scott his boss and Obi-Wan of Go-Ride has posted here that that Foes is a great bike, I think that was there team bike for 2 seasons. But that you had to work much harder to "push" thru the turns with the Foes.

Honestly, I think you should look into a DHR or the Ventana El Cuervo. Sounds more like what you're looking for in ride quality. Not Dissing the Foes, it's an awesome piece of equipment. The bike is just a tool and you have to buy the one designed for the job you want it to do. The Foes is a wide open speed machine. It excels on high speed, steep courses. The Turner and El Cuervo I think are a little more versatile.

 

[James | Go-Ride]

thanks for all the input, this interests me especially:



One of the main reasons im looking to change at the moment is that my current bike really really sucks in the tight stuff, massive wheel base(47inchs i think) and it weighs 50lbs at first this didn't bother me but the faster i get the more apparent it becomes, that its slowing me down.

I had presumed the foes would be a much more nimble machine.

I'm going to have to agree with those above, if you're looking for nimble handling in tight situations, the Mono probably isn't your best bet. The new Fly, however, should be a winner.

 

[DH Diva]

thanks for all the input, this interests me especially:



One of the main reasons im looking to change at the moment is that my current bike really really sucks in the tight stuff, massive wheel base(47inchs i think) and it weighs 50lbs at first this didn't bother me but the faster i get the more apparent it becomes, that its slowing me down.

I had presumed the foes would be a much more nimble machine.

I think that's very much a matter of opinion. I have owned and ridden every mono from 2000-2004 and don't agree with that statement about not handling well in tight twisty stuff at all. I also live and ride in Oregon, home of tight twisty tree ladden trails and have always felt that my mono handled exceptionally well.

 

[narlus]

is there DH riding @ hood or bachelor? the trail riding around bend and the cascade lakes (waldo, etc) is great, but i wasn't sure there was any DH stuff around.

 

[DH Diva]

is there DH riding @ hood or bachelor? the trail riding around bend and the cascade lakes (waldo, etc) is great, but i wasn't sure there was any DH stuff around.

There's DHing at Hood (summer lifts). The trails are good, there just aren't many of them. There's an area just down from hood that is supposedly death defying, I found out about it just before I trashed my wrist so I haven't ridden there yet. There is also good DHing at Willamette Pass (outside of Oakridge/Eugene area). They opened up a summer lift and have a pretty decent trail system being developed. They hold our Oregon State Championship races there now. There are also several non-lift assisted areas. Post Canyon(in the gorge), which has good single track and lots of stunts and DH type stuff. Fall city (salem area), hike a bike but a good ride. There are some good areas directly outside of bend, but you really have to be shown, as they are pretty hush hush. And several areas that are lesser known and only semi-legal so I'll leave them out of the public discussion board. But, yes. There is pretty good DH riding in Oregon, as long as you know where to look (or know a local!!).

 

[RiDurbin]

I think that's very much a matter of opinion. I have owned and ridden every mono from 2000-2004 and don't agree with that statement about not handling well in tight twisty stuff at all. I also live and ride in Oregon, home of tight twisty tree ladden trails and have always felt that my mono handled exceptionally well.

Actually, I'm not saying that the Foes handles badly in tight situations. It just doesn't do it as well as some other designs. Just as those other designs to handle as well as the Foes in steep, super fast courses. Its not that one is better then the other just that each has its optimal characteristics.

I only had 2 seasons on the Foes. And had you asked me in 03 if I thought the Foes handles good in tight stuff, I would have told you it's just great. Spending time on something that does it better tends to alter your opinion. Again, I don't want to bad mouth the Foes. I loved the bike and still think its a great bike, but for the TYPE of riding 360 is talking about I think he could do better then the Foes.

I do agree that in the end it does come down to preference and riding style. Everyone has their own unique characteristics and likes.

 

[RiDurbin]

as much as that measurement matters, you still sit and pedal alot, also, alot of riders use their saddle as an aid in riding. if your saddle to too far forward/back there's a high probablility that you won't like the bike.

TT, although not the pivotal measurement, will give you a majority of times the proper fitting.

I do agree with you. I wasn't trying to say toptube measurement wasn't important and yes, you do still sit and pedal. But most of the time, on most course's you are standing the majority of the time. Also most bikes that have a short toptube, compensate by having a slack seat angle so the effective toptube changes as you raise the seat. Obviously, taller people are going to want a higher saddle height so in the process they will get a longer effective toptube as the saddle goes up. The downtube on the other hand is constant and cannot be changed. The only adjustment you can get at all in this regards is the length of your stem and that ends up changing the steering characteristics. Not to mention that there are not a whole lot of choices in DH stem lengths. BMX bikes are really sized the same way. Everyone seems to be stuck on toptube length. I think because its easier to understand. People often give a blank stare when you try to explain downtube sizing.
Please don't think I trying to be argumentitive. I'm just trying to point out a sizing consideration that is often over looked.