First Look: Foundry Broadaxe 29er
Originally posted on May 23, 2012 at 14:26 pm
By Adam Newman
Since it burst onto the scene about a year ago, Foundry has been pumping out carbon fiber frames and parts (under the Whisky brand) as fast as it can. Things didn’t quite go accoding to plan with the Router 29er model that we rode last fall, but they’ve replaced it with an all-new frame dubbed the Broadaxe.
It made its debut this past weekend at Dirt Fest, where we were one of the very first folks outside the company to swing a leg over one. Compared to the Router, the Broadaxe features a BB92 bottom bracket shell, instead of PF30, a 142mm thru-axle in the rear, and flatter, thinner seat stays to smooth out the ride. The size medium frame is said to weigh just 1,010 grams.
And how does it ride? It certainly tamed the smooth, fast and flowing trails around Raystown Lake, Pa. Though it’s not really designed as a race bike, Foundry’s wares lean toward the fast and stiff side, and the Broadaxe is no exception. The 71.5-degree head tube angle is a bit steep compared to many other new offerings, but is consistent with most 29ers on the trail. The 438mm chainstays are as short as they could be, we were told.
Because there weren’t many to pick from, I jumped on an XL, which felt a bit big for me, but I’m sure a Large would feel a bit more nimble. The 27.2mm seatpost size is a nice touch that allows a bit more forgiveness in the ride.
We didn’t get to take it home, but chances are there will be one queue soon, so keep an eye out in a future issue for a long-term review.
Look for the Broadaxe frame and complete bikes to be available late summer.