There’s a little bit of magpie in all of us, so this very shiny hardtail was bound to attract attention. But it’s also noteworthy because it’s from Foes, a company best known for its low-leverage-ratio full suspension designs.

Despite not having any rear suspension, the Foes XC is still distinctly Foes-like, with lots of shaped bits and dimpled surfaces. The top tube is made in two halves welded together longitudinally, with stiffness added by pressed-in hollows on the side faces. The seatstay yoke is also a unique monococque-style piece. The whole frame is ball-burnished and polished, a finish option that’s definitely due for a revival.

Out on the trail, the Foes is classic XC hardtail through and through. It’s very stout, but not too uncompromising, and the handling is direct without being over-sharp. The downsides? There’s only one of these bikes, and it’s uncertain whether it’ll become a production model. It’d definitely get our vote, though.