XC FS - Mountain Bike
-
Evolve our current XC offering to meet the demands of modern race tracks. Retain the original goal of a super light, championship winning XC bike with the finest parts and performance with a target weight of around 11 kg, ready to race.
XC is at our heart, it’s where we started, it’s what we raced, it’s where we won. Today we want to tip our hats to those days with a modern take on those great days. Our XC bike had to be a collection of the finest components to ensure performance and reliability. It would have our detailed customisation as standard and it will be sold for an incredible price.
The key for us to meet todays demanding tracks was to source a full suspension chassis.
When you ride one of our bikes, you’ll know it’s a bike that’s been built with passion for perfect performance, by people who love riding. And we do love riding our bikes.
-
Your Forwards bike is designed for you, which is why you can choose your own colour. We’ve chosen a colour here for our feature build but we ask you to imagine it in your own choice of colour. After all, thats what a Forwards is all about, imagining and realising your very own dream bike.
Our bikes are not restrained by factory paint. Every single one is truly individual. They are custom painted by the finest Artisan painters here in the UK.
-
Our bike graphics are tastefully subtle and have evolved since this feature bike was built. They now feature 30mm tall ‘Forwards’ on the main down tube and the model name on the back of the top tube, 20mm wide. The production number is on the inner side of the left hand chain stay and is 10mm tall. They also have a small Union Jack on the back of the seat tube to mark that they are assembled by hand, here in the UK.
The graphics are airbrushed onto the frame by our Artisan painters, flat polished and clear coated to create a seamless transition between graphic and chassis colour. You can also choose the graphic colour to compliment the chassis colour.
-
Every Forwards Bike is individually numbered according to its production. This number continues to increase across our entire range of models. We introduced the numbering on build number 10 and the number is 10mm tall to mark this event.
XC Carbon Frame
-
Our chosen frames are manufactured with a specific mix of Toray T700 and T800 carbon fibre. T700 and T800 is ideally suited for the stresses and strains of a dedicated mountain bike and balances reduced weight and performance without compromising strength. The frames are EPS molded and EN tested.
Want more? Ask us about our Super Light frame.
-
Our XC FS is equipped with Rockshox SID SL Ultimate Race Day Forks with the Boost hub spacing.
No one can argue Rockshox place in the XC world over the years with the SID model. It offers elite level performance and is a lightweight race fork.
Beautifully integrated 1 1/8th to 1 1/2th headset ensures perfect handling.
The rear shock is Rockshox Sidluxe Ultimate.
Both front and rear suspension offer 3 position lock out and Twistloc remote lock out on certain models.
Components.
-
Performance and reliability is assured with the Shimano 1x12 groupset options, the range topping XC FS has Shimanos XTR 9100 series groupset. The XC FS groupsets can be customised to suit your requirements including gear ratios and crank lengths. We include a left hand dropper post lever if you choose the dropper post option.
-
All XC FS models are fitted with Shimano XTR bottom brackets for silky smooth running and prolonged service.
-
Braking is performed via Shimano brake levers and come standard with 2 pot callipers with the option for 4 pot for more extreme use. All models feature XTR M9100 centre lock rotors with the option of sizes. Shimano adapters are used to adapt sizes.
Contact Points.
-
The points of contact on your bike are are exceptionally important, which is why we have explored a number of options before settling on the superb Pro Koryak XC handlebars and stem. Pro offer a number of sizes for us to customise your XC FS. Hands to bar comfort is achieved with the Pro Race Lock grips which are availible in 30 or 32mm. Twistloc grips are fitted with remote lock out models of the XC FS. We’ve included nice details like the Pro bar end plugs. The Pro carbon top cap finishes the cockpit off nicely.
-
We’ve chosen the Pro Stealth saddle which is available in 2 sizes and has proven to be an extremely comfortable saddle. We can measure you up for this on our dedicated tool before you place your order if you wish. The Pro Koryak alloy post offers superb adjustment and comfort. This can be upgraded to carbon and our range topping models feature a Koryak dropper post. There is an option to fit a dropper post on any model and the frame has integrated internal routing for this.
Wheels & Tyres.
-
When it came to wheels we wanted to up our game over the original XC and lower the weight in this area. We turned to HUNT, our wheel supplier and have specified the Race XC wheels across the range of models. The range topping model features the superb Proven Race XC Carbon wheels. With silky smooth bearings with optional upgrades and a 6 pawl Shimano Microspline hub body offering 72t engagement these really are quite special. High engagement count is essential for instantaneous acceleration on tight and twisty terrain.
-
We’ve wrapped our wheels in the race proven Vittoria Mezcal III 29x2.25” tyres running a tubeless setup. We use orange seal tyre sealant to offer you peace of mind. We also have other tyre options available as well as tyre liners.
Attention to Detail.
-
All of our bikes feature stainless steel allen key bolts and washers with the length matched to the application area on the bike. We’ve also weighed them and they’re 1g lighter for a bolt and washer over the originally supplied part from the factory. We also use additional stainless steel locking washers in key areas to prevent accessories shaking loose.
Our XC FS features the Pro Performance Seat Clamp.
We became a little obsessed with the rubber plugs for blanking the unused holes in the frame left over from using a 1x groupset and source our own for a far superior fit.
All of our bikes are fitted with Bike Shield at the time of manufacture to protect the paint from chips and scratches in certain areas. This is on the underside of the downtube, top of the chainstay and small patches over the disc brake calliper mounts.
| Forwards XC FS - Geometry | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Size mm | SC | O | HS | HC | F | WB | FC | RC | G | Reach | Stack |
| S | 410 | 77.6 | 573 | 95 | 67 | 506 | 1158 | 724 | 438 | 45 | 445 | 581 |
| M | 440 | 77.5 | 606 | 105 | 67 | 506 | 1193 | 759 | 438 | 45 | 475 | 590 |
| L | 470 | 77.4 | 635 | 120 | 67 | 506 | 1223 | 789 | 438 | 45 | 500 | 604 |
| XL | 500 | 77.2 | 661 | 140 | 67 | 506 | 1251 | 816 | 438 | 45 | 520 | 623 |
