FM1002 / FM1166 - 150mm frame

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

Since there’s no torque spec written on the shock bolt, what is everyone tightening it to? Since it’s in a full carbon rocker arm I’d imagine this is important.

[lilbigmacky]

Can anyone who owns this frame tell me about how it climbs. I want to build an enduro-ish bike to take out to asheville but I live in charlotte and the trails are a lot less gnarly so Im wondering how this frame does on hard climbs and slow tech features.

[Massey]

Can anyone who owns this frame tell me about how it climbs. I want to build an enduro-ish bike to take out to asheville but I live in charlotte and the trails are a lot less gnarly so Im wondering how this frame does on hard climbs and slow tech features.

My previous bikes have been Whyte s-150 (29"), Cube stereo 150 (29") and Trek remedy (29"/27.5"). The FM1002 climbs the best, pedal bob is minimal I only use the lock out when I'm on a long fire road climbs. With mine being setup mullet I need to watch for pedal strikes on tech climbs but if you are running full 29" that should not be an issue.

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

Current state of my build.

Everything’s basically together, but I’m temporarily using a solid post to help get my saddle height dialed before installing a dropper to minimize the risk of unseating the cable housing later adjusting it.

Brakes still need some work and the chain isn’t on, but otherwise it’s pretty far through the build process now.

Parts:
DVO Onyx fork, 170mm travel
DVO Topaz T3 shock, 205x60 with RWC roller bearing and BetterBolts oil slick titanium shock bolt
Race Face Sixc 800x35mm bar, 35mm rise
ODI Rogue grips
Industry Nine A35 stem, 32mm length with BetterBolts oil slick titanium bolts
SDG Bel Air 3.0 saddle
29 front wheel - Industry Nine Hydra hub with WTB KOM
Tough i35 rim
27.5 rear wheel - Industry Nine Hydra/DT Swiss 521 (35mm internal)
XTR rotors
XT brakes, shifting, cassette and pedals
Truvativ Descendant cranks
Wheels Manufacturing BB30/DUB bottom bracket
Wolfpack Enduro 2.6 tires
VHS chainstay protector
Misc oil slick bolts
AllMountainStyle frame protection decal kit

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

I’ve already ordered a 29 rear wheel and will probably end up using that but wanted to experiment with MX a little bit in the early spring.

[Flo7]

Very Nice!!

Which frame size and your body height?

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

Very Nice!!

Which frame size and your body height?

I’m 6’ tall and it’s a Large.

[lilbigmacky]

Nice looking build, cant wait to hear how it rides. Im pretty much set on building this frame this summer unless something better comes out.

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

Nice looking build, cant wait to hear how it rides. Im pretty much set on building this frame this summer unless something better comes out.

It’s definitely one of the best “safe bets” out there. I would’ve liked a more sophisticated suspension system than a four-bar, but it has good kinematics (notably better than my 2020 GT Force in almost every area, particularly anti-squat) and seems well constructed. There’s nothing mysterious about the pivot hardware, cable routing etc….all very sensible. I can see why KHS and Sherpa, among others, are using the FM1001 and 1002.

I really would recommend it over any other long travel frame available that I’ve seen. I won’t be able to give proper ride reports until some time around mid-April most likely, but I will definitely share lots of detail when I can. I’m a big suspension geek and am pretty obsessive about getting everything just right.

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

Brakes bled, chain installed, just need to align calipers and install dropper now.

[endo.alley]

It’s definitely one of the best “safe bets” out there. I would’ve liked a more sophisticated suspension system than a four-bar, but it has good kinematics (notably better than my 2020 GT Force in almost every area, particularly anti-squat) and seems well constructed. There’s nothing mysterious about the pivot hardware, cable routing etc….all very sensible. I can see why KHS and Sherpa, among others, are using the FM1001 and 1002.

I really would recommend it over any other long travel frame available that I’ve seen. I won’t be able to give proper ride reports until some time around mid-April most likely, but I will definitely share lots of detail when I can. I’m a big suspension geek and am pretty obsessive about getting everything just right.

Do you think this is a better made frame than the FS 830 Pivot style frame? I am weighing all the possibilities right now. The FS830 and this FM1002 / FM1166 are both on the short list.

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

Do you think this is a better made frame than the FS 830 Pivot style frame? I am weighing all the possibilities right now. The FS830 and this FM1002 / FM1166 are both on the short list.

It’s hard to say this early in the game, they’re both fairly new — the 830 in particular. A grand total of two members have built one, only one of them currently active.

I have to say that aesthetically and in terms of whether I trust the pivots/bearings to hold up under serious enduro type riding, the 1002 won out for me. I would have lived with a press fit bottom bracket but do still prefer threaded. And I felt more comfortable dealing with Carbonda than I suspect I would be with Haideli/Tideace.

A lot depends on how soon you want to do a build. If you need to have it in a couple of months or so, get a 1002. Otherwise there still might be time for other options to become available, or frames like the 830 to be more extensively tested by early adopters. But I needed an affordable test/spare bike to help me sort out in depth how I feel about 29ers and 29er frame MX vs my current 27.5 bike, and I needed it to be ready in time for spring.

[bruggnputzpepi]

my build is done 

parts
complete xt drivetrain and 4piston breaks
fork RS lyrik ultimate
rearshock RS super deluxe ultimate coil
dropperpost one up 170mm
wheels unbrandet newmen 30mm w new dt swiss 350
tires maxxis minion dhr and dhf
cockpit truvativ descendant
sram grips
saddle sqlab 611
pedals one up composite

weight 14kg w/o tiresealent (i´ll do it tomorrow)



 

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

Looks very, very good! I was original going for a black and red color scheme with a Marzocchi Z1 Coil — and this makes me wish I’d gone that route, but being able to change my 27.5 DVO Onyx to 29 with a $150 set of lowers (blue was all that was still available; all colors are sold out now) was too good of a deal to pass up.

Definitely keep us updated on how that coil shock works out for you, with the regressive dip at the bottom of the travel I’d be a little concerned about landing decent sized jumps…

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

Any advice on how to make sure these wide mouthed cable grommets between the front triangle and chainstays sit where they’re supposed to and stay there? While running the internal routing they came out of place and it was almost impossible to get them to sit flush for some reason. I assembled the bike with them slightly imperfectly seated but now as I move the suspension to set up the shock (equalize the air chambers), they get yanked out of place.

I thought I had the two cables run more or less correctly, so I’m not sure disassembly and agonizing over the cables themselves would help anything. But I’m having a hell of a time pressing them back into place with any of the tools I have while the shock is disconnected and I have the linkage all the way compressed like this….and I worry that they’ll just come back out once the suspension moves again.