Hi mates,
Nice to have a forum that discuss and share knowledge about chinese frames and mtb in general... I had been looking for frames for a quite long time and decided to get a IP-256 SL from iPlay (Why? Most of internet users over forums have them and are always posting positive feedbacks). My frame is about to arrive and I bought all the components as well...I will post photos of the bike built as soon as I get everything ! My priority was both weight and quality and I set as a budget limit around 2500 AU. The component's decision were based on thoroughly search from buying guides (bike radar, bycicling.com) and some threads of this forum. I am around 1,80 m and my mtb style is XC (Also a good advice is to before starting build the bike, have a deep look at your measures and put on the paper).
Frame : IP-256 SL
Fork : Rock Shox Reba RL 100mm
Wheel set: DT Swiss 1700
Groupset: XT Shimano (Probably the one that gave me most headaches as long as I decided to buy the components separetly which is CHEAPER)
Stem, Headset, Handlebar,Top cap : All of them I bought from the same brand (FSA)
Tyres : Schwalbe Smart Sam
Saddle and Seatpost: Ritchey
Others : Brake liquid, cables, protector tapes, chainsuck protector (from iPlay)
My advices for those who are building their bikes are :
Look at the thread from Mtb2223 which it is even more complete in terms of weight and components in general.
Use youtube and trustworthy websites as a buyer's guide, or ask for the fellows of this forum.
Careful with measures
Cheers,
