Carbonda fm936 Thoughts

[Schumo]

Probably is updating the country tax 

Yep, this. I'm from Germany like R2, and the price is 897€ with German VAT.

[Vipassana]

Yep, this. I'm from Germany like R2, and the price is 897€ with German VAT.

Interesting.  I was using a computer owned by a German company and our internet traffic might present as such. I'll use my home computer (US) tonight and see what happens. Hopefully that gets me out of VAT?

[carbonazza]

that's a hell of a nice build! Very light as well. I wonder if you can share the part list with weights. Must have cost a fortune...
when did you order the Piccola? must be ages ago...

also I wonder how @Vipassana got his/her Piccola...

My initial build list is somewhere in this thread about 100 pages before that one...
Unfortunately I didn't update it, nor the final cost. So it is not very relevant anymore.
I try to convince me, it didn't cost me more than 6500€
Usually I order the parts when I get the frame. But luckily here almost all parts were ordered in June/July 2020.

[adroitrider]

I think all of the mark1 frame may crack at this place. Carbonda said that  later alu insert part was redesigned.

How do we know if we have a compromised frame?

I’m at 475 miles and need to sort out a squeak when the suspension compresses. Haven’t done anything but air to tires and lube to chain.

[wfl3]

I've got 1100 miles on mine and no issue at the rocker/seat tube pivot for me yet.

I did have a squeak from an out of spec lower pivot pin tho. Really easy to check and fix if needed.

I just squeeze the non-drive side crank arm & chainstay together firmly a few times with one hand while using the other to feel the pivot for any side to side play between the main frame & rear triangle.

If there is some play there then you probably have a lower pivot pin that is too long. If so, just pull that pivot pin out and measure it - if it's over 80mm long just file it down to 80mm and reinstall and torque back to spec (I'd recommend blue locktite here).

Happened to mine about 500-600 miles ago and has been squeak-free and solid ever since that fix.

[Medico]

I've got 1100 miles on mine and no issue at the rocker/seat tube pivot for me yet.

I did have a squeak from an out of spec lower pivot pin tho. Really easy to check and fix if needed.

I just squeeze the non-drive side crank arm & chainstay together firmly a few times with one hand while using the other to feel the pivot for any side to side play between the main frame & rear triangle.

If there is some play there then you probably have a lower pivot pin that is too long. If so, just pull that pivot pin out and measure it - if it's over 80mm long just file it down to 80mm and reinstall and torque back to spec (I'd recommend blue locktite here).

Happened to mine about 500-600 miles ago and has been squeak-free and solid ever since that fix.

Did the same hack as ordered by Adam... Some loctite and done.

[InsaneDawe]

Another sizing question

I am 5'10.5" (179cm) tall, 78cm inseam and like everyone else, stuck between a Medium or Large. Most people my size go with a Medium. I'm currently on a Medium - 19 Cannondale Trail Two and it's small. Reach is 425mm & Top Tube is 610mm. My goal is more of a "downcountry" build, 120-130mm of travel, max travel in the rear, 760mm bar, 30-45mm stem.

The Medium FM936 has 475mm reach but the Top Tube is 612mm and I plan on using a 120mm(~526mm) fork vs 100mm(502mm) suggested shortening my reach to ~465mm.

Comparing to other similar bikes in their suggested sizes for my height, I should target 480mm reach and a top tube of 630mm. The Large has 20mm more reach and a 640mm top tube .

Leaning towards a large for more of a stable bike rather than a shorter fast bike like my current trail.

[wfl3]

InsaneDawe, 

Have you considered the FM909?  Looks like you're built similar to me, shorter inseam with longish reach.  The only reason I didn't go large on the FM936 was because of the seat tube length on that size, but the large FM909 looks like it has a shorter seat tube - still the same slack geo as the FM936 tho.   

[InsaneDawe]

Another sizing question

I am 5'10.5" (179cm) tall, 78cm inseam and like everyone else, stuck between a Medium or Large. Most people my size go with a Medium. I'm currently on a Medium - 19 Cannondale Trail Two and it's small. Reach is 425mm & Top Tube is 610mm. My goal is more of a "downcountry" build, 120-130mm of travel, max travel in the rear, 760mm bar, 30-45mm stem.

The Medium FM936 has 475mm reach but the Top Tube is 612mm and I plan on using a 120mm(~526mm) fork vs 100mm(502mm) suggested shortening my reach to ~465mm.

Comparing to other similar bikes in their suggested sizes for my height, I should target 480mm reach and a top tube of 630mm. The Large has 20mm more reach and a 640mm top tube .

Leaning towards a large for more of a stable bike rather than a shorter fast bike like my current trail.

After doing some more research on a very similar NS bike, Large is correct. This frame is meant to have larger than average reach and top tube, it's the goal of the original designer. Sticking to a size large.

InsaneDawe, 

Have you considered the FM909?  Looks like you're built similar to me, shorter inseam with longish reach.  The only reason I didn't go large on the FM936 was because of the seat tube length on that size, but the large FM909 looks like it has a shorter seat tube - still the same slack geo as the FM936 tho.

Haven't looked at it, first glance, don't want a 30.9 seatpost simply for the reason that 95% of my components will transfer over from my Trail and that would require me to buy a new dropper.

The seatpost length on the FM936 does have me concerned. I run my seat at 660mm from the BB. 490 will require me to reduce my OneUp 150 travel.

I would also want to look for reviews of bikes with similar geometry and suspension setup to the FM909 while I'm confident in the FM936 geo.

[Bobelibobban]

@InsaneDawe I run my seat at 735 mm and I just barely fit my 150mm PRO dropper. So at 660 mm I would say you probably won't fit a 150 dropper.

[Colt__Seavers]

I think all of the mark1 frame may crack at this place. Carbonda said that  later alu insert part was redesigned.

pardon? 
this can't be true. When I asked Wing she said "one in a thousand" because occacionally a new employee doesn't do his/her job right. Something wrong in layer placement she said. So it's not limited to a batch or even all the MK1 frames.

I got mine August 2020 and haven't ridden it since and fearing now that it will fail.

[Colt__Seavers]

Ah, perhaps I was misleading. I have not built the bike yet.  Still in the planning (and saving) stage.  That is nearly the exact build I want to build when parts (and budget) become more available this year. Perhaps near the end of summer?

Maybe I should order the brakes now? If they are too hard to get, I will run XTR instead.

I and also waiting to learn a bit more about the FM909 as well before starting.

better order the brakes yesterday. If you are not a sponsored team rider, then you have to wait 12-15 months.

[Julian]

The seatpost length on the FM936 does have me concerned. I run my seat at 660mm from the BB. 490 will require me to reduce my OneUp 150 travel.

Do you mean 660mm from BB to the top of the saddle? Because if that's the case, it'll be tough to fit even just a 100mm dropper in there. So I'm guessing you mean 660mm to the saddle clamp?

[Bobelibobban]

After a few dirty rides resently I have found that my reat triangle gets filled with water. I think it enters through the rear derailleur and rear brake cable holes.

There are no plastic covers for those holes as far as I can tell. Has anyone else come across this issue? Do you have covers for the holes?

[Palmi]

InsaneDawe,

Top tube length is no more a critical data in geo charts anymore.
In this frame the effective TT will be shorter then on a progressive, older geometry bike because of the much steeper seat tube angle.

The size L frame have a 490mm ST length which is ridiculously long for your height, especially if you really want to build a down country bike with a usable dropped length and enjoy the downhills.

With size M you'll get 6cm longer front center and 50mm longer wheelbase then your basic hardtail have. This mean more stability.

This is a XC bike, not a hard core trail/ enduro bike, you don't need 500mm reach. 475 will feel also really long after the cannondale.