Before you know it, we’ll be on our way up north for the 2015 Frostbike show. The fact that the show doesn’t start for another few days isn’t enough to contain Foundry’s new ride. As a company that has dealt exclusively in carbon fiber up to this point, the Overland Ultra Cross bike is quite a departure.
Not necessarily a cross bike, and not pigeon holed as a gravel bike the Overland joins that category that is meant to do just about anything off road with skinny(er) tires…
Yes, that is raw, wonderful titanium you see peeking out from the matte black paint job. After focusing solely on carbon frames for the past few years, titanium seems like a vastly different, but desirable direction for the company to be headed in. At Saddle Drive in 2014, we were shown a titanium prototype mountain bike that was devoid of any information, but clearly the company was interested in testing out titanium as a build material. According to Foundry Brand Manager Todd Schmidt:
“The Overland was developed to be the only bike you need when it comes to gravel and cyclocross. We knew that in order for a bike to help you tackle the demands of a 6 hour gravel race or an hour long cross race it had to be responsive, compliant and stable. We also believe in building bikes that will stand the test of time. For that reason, Ti was an obvious choice for the Overland. With Ti, it is recognized that you get a high strength-to-weight ratio, a near infinite fatigue life, and a very lively feel that no other bicycle materiel can match in ride quality.”
Now with the Whisky No.9 thru axle forks available again, the Overland is fitted with thru axles front and rear (we’re getting the details on which standards, hold tight). Employing DT Swiss RWS front and rear thru axles, the disc brake only frame uses post mounts at both ends with replaceable thread inserts for the rear. Built with clearance for 41mm tires, the frame and fork also offer full fender mounts to keep the riding going when it gets sloppy.
Other than the routing for electronic drivetrains, all the routing for the Overland is external. Front and rear derailleur housings plus the rear brake housing are routed over the top tube, and the frame uses a seat tube pulley to allow the use of a bottom pull front derailleur. Foundry went tried and true with the bottom bracket, using a threaded shell.
Sold as a frame only in limited quantities, the $2,495 price tag will include a Whisky No.9 fork, DT RWS front and rear axles, a Cane Creek headset, and the seat collar Complete bikes will also be available for $4,695 with a SRAM Force 22 Hydraulic drivetrain, DT Swiss R24 wheels, Zipp cockpit, and Clement tires.
We’ll have plenty more Frostbike coverage in just a few days!
