First Ride: Foundry’s New Flyover Cyclocrosser

By Neil Shirley

It seems like every year brands launch their latest cyclocross bike at Eurobike or Interbike, thus making it not actually available until about the last weekend of the ‘cross season. Foundry Cycles is making sure the new Flyover doesn’t fall into this trap and are getting a jump on cyclocross season by launching their latest bike well before the last minute scramble. With a June delivery date, Foundry plans to have bikes on showroom floors before cyclocross training even begins.

FND_Flyover_Force1_01_BK4445_720x480 — The Flyover is available as a frameset or as a complete build that includes a SRAM Force 1 group.

Because Foundry Cycles falls under the Quality Bicycle Products (QBP) umbrella of in-house brands, they took the opportunity to launch the Flyover at the Frost Bike show that’s held annually at QBP’s extensive headquarters and warehouse (think Walmart Supercenter big) just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

About two weeks before heading out to the event, Foundry Brand Manager Todd Schmidt asked me if I’d be interested in riding the prototype version of the Flyover during my time out there. It was indeed a very generous offer, but with temperatures typically around 0-degrees during the event, I wasn’t sure if my cold-sensitive Southern California adapted body would be up for the offer. But thanks to climate change (unless you don’t believe in such things), the arctic temperatures of seasons past were replaced by beautiful spring weather that allowed me to log some ride time on the Flyover without adding in a trip to the ER with frostbite.

FND_Flyover_Force1_Feature_02_44mmheadtube_720x480 — Pretty much any cable combination you can dream up, the Flyover can accommodate with its convertible cable stops.

The Flyover joins the Camrock and Valmont as the third ‘cross bike in Foundry’s line, yet unlike the later two that use carbon construction, the Flyover uses 3Al/2.5V butted titanium tubing. Even though the Flyover uses a true ‘cross racing geometry, it derives much of its design from the Overland gravel bike. Just eyeballing both bikes its hard to notice any differences other than the Flyover’s internal cable routing, yet a double-butted top tube and machined 44mm head tube reduce about 150 grams of weight compared to the Overland, while a larger diameter triple-butted seat tube and 31.6mm seatpost add the necessary stiffness for re-mounts.

FND_Flyover_Force1_Feature_07_ThruAxle_720x480 — DT thru-axles are featured front and rear, as well as fender/rack mounts.

Foundry gave the Flyover ample versatility with 41mm of tire clearance in the rear, which is also matched in the front by the Whisky No.9 carbon fork with 15mm DT thru-axle and painted in a frame-matching blue. The frame features internal cable routing to accommodate any number of setups, ranging from full cable housing, partial cable housing, electronic, and eTap. Foundry is offering the Flyover as a frameset for $2595, and in a single build option with SRAM Force 1, Zipp Service Course SL stem, handlebar, and seatpost, in addition to DT R23 tubeless wheels with Clement MXP 33mm tires for $4695.

A TRIP AROUND THE LAKE

Patches of snow and ice were heavy in places around Lake Minnetonka.

My 50-mile ride was made up of pavement, dirt, and even some icy snow that tested my handling skills, and provided the opportunity for an awkward dismount or two. After spending a lot of time on Foundry’s Overland gravel bike this past summer, I can attest to the Flyover’s sharper handling characteristics. A steeper head angle and higher bottom bracket give it the quick, tight cornering ability wanted for ‘cross racing.

The titanium tubeset wasn’t a flexy, wet-noodle type of ride that was sometimes associated with titanium frames from the past, especially when reducing weight was the objective. Instead, there wasn’t any noticeable flex when jumping out of the saddle on any of the numerous rolling hills of the area. At 18 pounds, the Flyover isn’t the outright lightest ‘cross bike on the market, yet considering the durability of a titanium frame and the price of the complete build, it’s an impressive package that’s quite unique.

FND_Flyover_Force1_02_BK4445_720x480 — Even though 33mm tires come stock, there’s room for much larger options.

Something that I think is important in this segment is versatility, and the Flyover does well to accommodate those that want to use it for more than just ‘cross racing. Running 40mm tires for training or a gravel event isn’t a problem, nor is adding a front derailleur to get a wider range of gears. Fender mounts are also found on the fork, and hidden away on the machined rear dropouts so they are there when needed, but are discreet the rest of the time.

It’s nice to see more titanium frame finding their way back to the market, especially at prices that fall below boutique status. Foundry is making the Flyover available in six sizes ranging from XXS-XL, and in just the one blue/brushed finish.