Carbonda fm936 Thoughts

[urbs]

Hi, thanks for that link! Didn't realize that weight significant difference...
Too bad that deal is only for the blue one. Although i like that blue tone, i highly doubt it will fit to the dark candy red frame.
If i could return the fork after receiving the frame, I'd just buy it and give it a try. But since i just ordered the frame this day, there is no doubt it won't be with me within 14 days.
So i'll keep looking for a nice black friday deal on the black one. 730 € would really suit me... 

@Quentin: Yep, the SIDluxe 165x42.5 from Bike24 has no remote

Yeah, I think the blue will work well with my standard black frame, but I get that it might not look great with the red. If I see any black ones at a similar price point I'll post them!

[TedS123]

Hello,

I'm returning to this forum 5 years after my first Chinese- a CS-041 hardtail from CarbonSpeed. That bike is still going strong despite a couple of crashes that required diy carbon repairs.

This time I have been looking for a modern geometry full-suspension frame, and this one looks great. I put in my order with Adam for a large, standard weight with axle, headset, extra derailleur hanger and shipping by sea for a total of $804. I'm 179 cm / 5'10.5" and usually ride a large, so hopefully I will adapt to the fit well.

I'm shooting for a moderate weight and budget using a combination of new, used, and NOS parts. So far I've got a 2018 Fox Factory 34 coming (I'll have to adjust the travel to 120 mm), as well as the same ebay Fox DPS 165 x 42.5 shock that lots of others are using. I also just ordered BTLOS M-i29A rims. Over the next several weeks I'll search out hubs, drivetrain and brakes. Thinking of going Shimano XT 11 speed for discount prices.

[jimmyD]

My build...  I took what I had, so it’s I mix of  “old” Shimano and SRAM parts. I will change to a 120 mm fork and inside dropper coming days. Did also print some fake Stevens decals.. think it looks nice

 I’m 180 cm and ordered an L frame. Use an 40 mm steam. Have just done a short ride but the size feels perfect. I Will come back with more feedback after that i have changed to 120 fork and done some more rides.

I normally ride XC marathon on a Scoot Spark RC900 WC. My plan is to use the 936 as winter training bike (live in Sweden and the winter is soon here), and next season as an fun trail bike.

Dapha, can you compare the handling/ride characteristics of the Spark RC900 to the FM936? im currently trying to decide between the FM936 SL and the FM258-B which has virtually identical geometry to the 2021 Spark RC900. Seems Size Large in both weighs 2000g. ill be using it mostly on gravel and some trails the the climbs here on the west coast of norway go straight up, often brutally steep. So want something efficient for climbing and fast flat gravel.
Thanks!

link to the FM258-B
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000357306715.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.5f564d80wZq29y&algo_pvid=ceebf67f-67f3-4db2-9f6e-5abc4ab871da&algo_expid=ceebf67f-67f3-4db2-9f6e-5abc4ab871da-0&btsid=0bb0623b16055224969934309eb5b8&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

[theirishrider]

I'm shooting for a moderate weight and budget using a combination of new, used, and NOS parts. So far I've got a 2018 Fox Factory 34 coming (I'll have to adjust the travel to 120 mm), as well as the same ebay Fox DPS 165 x 42.5 shock that lots of others are using. I also just ordered BTLOS M-i29A rims. Over the next several weeks I'll search out hubs, drivetrain and brakes. Thinking of going Shimano XT 11 speed for discount prices.

Cool i have those wheels, with 2.4 MAXXIS they work so well, you'll not burp them for sure. So much steering authority. I recommend the m8100 hubs if you like them silent!

[adroitrider]

340 miles so far. Still works.

My intuition tells me the lockout for the SidLuxe will be available AFTER most of the 2021 complete bikes are sold (that are stocked with the SidLuxe). The service instructions include swapping the lockout and they did this to share with shops and hopefully us. My advice would be to talk with your Sram dealer in person and get one ‘ordered’.

The matte finish on the bare frame is not as durable as the 3k weave of my Flyxii.

[TedS123]

Couple more questions and notes:

Is the consensus to go with 170 cranks on this frame due to the low BB?  175 are a lot easier to find.

I would have preferred BB92, since it has been trouble-free on my two other carbon frames, but BSA was all Adam had available in large standard weight.  The good news is that I already have two unused Shimano BSA BB's that came with cranks on my other bikes.

I already have a 740 mm carbon bar and 70, 80, and 90 mm stems.  I'm guessing the 70 mm stem would be the best starting point, but might need to go shorter.  Any suggestions?

Lastly, I was thinking about trying the Novatec 791/792 hubs due to the low cost.  Anyone have experience with them?  Alternatively, but for a bit more money, I've had good results with Bitex hubs from BikeHubStore.  I always use Sapim Laser spokes.

[RobinRLS]

These Novatec are really good, I have them on 2 pairs that I ride since 2 and 3 years, and they are always turning smooth.
For spokes, you should try Pillar Xtra 1420 : pretty cheap (around 1€ per spoke), very light, and imo they offer a great reliability to the wheel because they can't twist under tension.

[reddi]

My intuition tells me the lockout for the SidLuxe will be available AFTER most of the 2021 complete bikes are sold (that are stocked with the SidLuxe). The service instructions include swapping the lockout and they did this to share with shops and hopefully us. My advice would be to talk with your Sram dealer in person and get one ‘ordered’.

You mean, it might be possible to change between Lever and Remote? Would be nice indeed.

I saw on Sram website that the RS Deluxe Ultimate Remote has 165x42.5 in it's size listing. So i E-Mailed to a few Bike Stores, asking if they can order it. We'll see...
Otherwise i'll take that Fox one and wait until your prognosis gets real 

[TedS123]

These Novatec are really good, I have them on 2 pairs that I ride since 2 and 3 years, and they are always turning smooth.
For spokes, you should try Pillar Xtra 1420 : pretty cheap (around 1€ per spoke), very light, and imo they offer a great reliability to the wheel because they can't twist under tension.

Thanks for the feedback! Where did you order your Novatec hubs and Pillar spokes?

[QuentinLL]

Too bad that deal is only for the blue one. Although i like that blue tone, i highly doubt it will fit to the dark candy red frame.

729 € for blue with twist lock
749 € for black with twist lock

I bought a black but there were only a 2 in stock when i paid.

[carbonazza]

Thanks for the feedback! Where did you order your Novatec hubs and Pillar spokes?

Just don't use Pillar alloy nipples.
They disintegrate and seize with the spoke after a couple of years.
They may have improved during the last 5 years.
Either use Sapim ones, or brass if you don't mind the grams.

Recently when looking to build the cheapest wheels possible with Lightbicycle.
The price between the Pillar 1420 and Sapim CX-Ray wasn't a big difference, about 30-40€ if I remember well.

[Pharaohollie]

Couple more questions and notes:

Is the consensus to go with 170 cranks on this frame due to the low BB?  175 are a lot easier to find.

I would have preferred BB92, since it has been trouble-free on my two other carbon frames, but BSA was all Adam had available in large standard weight.  The good news is that I already have two unused Shimano BSA BB's that came with cranks on my other bikes.

I already have a 740 mm carbon bar and 70, 80, and 90 mm stems.  I'm guessing the 70 mm stem would be the best starting point, but might need to go shorter.  Any suggestions?

Lastly, I was thinking about trying the Novatec 791/792 hubs due to the low cost.  Anyone have experience with them?  Alternatively, but for a bit more money, I've had good results with Bitex hubs from BikeHubStore.  I always use Sapim Laser spokes.

Definitely 170mm for me with this frame. The BB is among the lowest I've ridden. If you mostly ride groomed trails, by all means, run 175mm if you wish. Where I ride the 5mm difference (along with low profile SPDs) is significant with this one.

I am 175cm tall with long arms on a medium FM936. I am running an 800mm bar x 40mm stem. The bar is getting chopped down to 760-770mm soon. I wouldn't want a stem longer than 50mm with this frame unless I am going for an XC racing oriented build (I have a Cannondale Scalpel for that, so don't really want two similar bikes).

Novatec are OK. Not the best longevity, but good value for money. If going for a budget build look into ZTTO hubs (I think someone posted about them earlier in this thread). I built a set of wheels for a friend with ZTTO boost hubs and they seem decent.

[RobinRLS]

All components were bought on Aliexpress, and for nipples I use Sapim Polyax. They're in alloy but anodization is very strong to avoid corrosion.

[RobertRinAustin]

729 € for blue with twist lock
749 € for black with twist lock

I bought a black but there were only a 2 in stock when i paid.

Too bad they don't ship to the US.

[Cerps]

You mean, it might be possible to change between Lever and Remote? Would be nice indeed.

I saw on Sram website that the RS Deluxe Ultimate Remote has 165x42.5 in it's size listing. So i E-Mailed to a few Bike Stores, asking if they can order it. We'll see...
Otherwise i'll take that Fox one and wait until your prognosis gets real 

Has anyone tried the new Manitou Mara? You can get both 160x40 and 160x45. I'm guessing with some shims or spacers you could get 42.5. it's also very similar to the mccleod and should be able to put a remote on it