Best "Downcountry" 120ish-mm Frame for Long Climbs and Rough Downhills

[tinecelmare]

I hate buzzwords, but it's what I'm looking for. Ideally 120mm frame for a lightweight build as this will be a dedicated high mountain bike for long climbs. However I want to be able to descend the roughest terrain (but of course not at the speed of a true enduro bike). Planning on running a Fox 34 Stepcast in 120mm. Would like 66* HA.

Something in the realm of a Transition Spur or Santa Cruz Tallboy. I've been eying the Carbonda fm936, but I just don't trust the single pivot design for the rugged downhills - it just seems too fragile of a system.

[theirishrider]

Love my FM936. How much do you weigh?

[tinecelmare]

I'm 155lbs. Also important are the rocky and rooted out 2-3 mile downhills that many people shuttle to the top and come down on enduro bikes.

[wfl3]

I'm 10lbs heavier and the superlight FM936 has held up well for me.

Did a race in NC with similar characteristics as you mentioned, 8 mile climb in the middle plus to more extended climbs, some rough longer downhill, the last - Mid Black was really eroded out and I was a bit outside my comfort zone there (particularly with my brakes fading by that point), but the dropper & slack geo kept me upright.

The enduro guys killed me on a couple of the gnarlier descents, but having a 22lb bike on the climbs meant I was long gone before they got there.  ;-) 

The Transition Spur is a single pivot frame as well right, but with a little more travel?

If I was buying now I'd probably opt for the FM909, mainly because I could go large and still get a 125-150 dropper in it.  The seat tube on the FM936 was a bit too long for me to go large.  2 water bottle mounts in the front triangle would be a plus for me as well.

[ilyamaksimov]

the transit spur has exactly the same single-pivot suspension as the fm936

and yes, fm936 is a great frame

[tinecelmare]

I'm 10lbs heavier and the superlight FM936 has held up well for me.

Did a race in NC with similar characteristics as you mentioned, 8 mile climb in the middle plus to more extended climbs, some rough longer downhill, the last - Mid Black was really eroded out and I was a bit outside my comfort zone there (particularly with my brakes fading by that point), but the dropper & slack geo kept me upright.

The enduro guys killed me on a couple of the gnarlier descents, but having a 22lb bike on the climbs meant I was long gone before they got there.  ;-) 

The Transition Spur is a single pivot frame as well right, but with a little more travel?

If I was buying now I'd probably opt for the FM909, mainly because I could go large and still get a 125-150 dropper in it.  The seat tube on the FM936 was a bit too long for me to go large.  2 water bottle mounts in the front triangle would be a plus for me as well.

Are you talking about Pisgah area in NC?

Good point on the single pivot Spur - I didn't realize that! I looked at the FM909 but wanted a 120mm frame - 936 seems to allow.

[wfl3]

Yes, Pisgah area of NC.  My East Coast MTB mecca   :-)

This bike with a 120mm works really well in that area for all but the nastiest descents and that's probably more on me than the bike. 

[scourge]

Would the FM936 work for heavy riders? Or is it more for leaner guys?

[RobertRinAustin]

Would the FM936 work for heavy riders? Or is it more for leaner guys?

I'm 205 on a 936 and have no complaints. My build is 24.5 pounds and I really enjoy it. Handles the roots, rock gardens and short steeps in my area really well. I'll put it to the test this summer in the Rockies to get a better idea of how it handles the longer steep stuff.

[theirishrider]

I'm 70kg and have no issues with it. It's not a full 130mm trail bike, but it's not designed to be that, although it is very capable! I'm grateful for it's sub 12kg weight on the long climbs for sure!

[mtbluvr68]

I thought the FM936 would only accept a 165X42.5 shock which is 115 mm of travel? 

[Jotegr]

I thought the FM936 would only accept a 165X42.5 shock which is 115 mm of travel?

Surveying the thread says that some users are OK with 42.5 and it rubs for others at bottom out. From what I recall x40 and the imperial x38 are more common/reliable/recommended by the manufacturer

[ChinerDetroit]

i'm building two winow FS030.  It is designed for the 120mm travel you asked for.  Waiting on the frames to arrive.  http://www.winowsports.com/product/XC-Full-suspension-mtb-frame-FS030.html 

[Zdrenka89]

Love my FM936


This is with the 165x42,5 shock which 'only' gives 107mm of rear travel (not 115mm - since it is impossible with a 2.5 travel ratio). For me it fits a 200mm dropper for the steeps. No problems so far.
I'm 91kg/200lb and 191cm/6'3"

If you need more descending capability I would also take a look at Carbondas FM1001. It'll cost you 350-400g more but it does give a 65.5deg HA and that rear triangle pivot.
Its rare to find a rear triangle pivot on downcountry focused bikes. Even the Transition Spur you mention doesnt have one - i'm pretty sure its fine without if engineered correctly (which the FM936 seems to be)

[Notyetman]

Love my FM936


This is with the 165x42,5 shock which 'only' gives 107mm of rear travel (not 115mm - since it is impossible with a 2.5 travel ratio). For me it fits a 200mm dropper for the steeps. No problems so far.
I'm 91kg/200lb and 191cm/6'3"

If you need more descending capability I would also take a look at Carbondas FM1001. It'll cost you 350-400g more but it does give a 65.5deg HA and that rear triangle pivot.
Its rare to find a rear triangle pivot on downcountry focused bikes. Even the Transition Spur you mention doesnt have one - i'm pretty sure its fine without if engineered correctly (which the FM936 seems to be)

So which is it? Does the FM936 gets 107mm or 115mm travel in rear for a 42.5 shock? I'm reading both.