Author Topic: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame  (Read 3420 times)

apctjb

Starting in on my 4th carbon frame bike build, but its been a couple of years since my last build and have not been following what new and getting good reviews.

I am looking for a lightweight (<2000g) full suspension bike for trail riding. Don't need a lot of travel, 120mm front fork is what I had in mind.  Slacker geometry would be preferable.

Bottom line I am looking to build a forgiving, all round bike, that comes in a couple lbs. lighter than my current full suspension bike (Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper). 29 or 27.5,  standard or plus frames,  all okay.

Would appreciate suggestions regarding frames I should consider.




wfl3

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2021, 05:37:12 PM »

Carbonda FM936 or FM909 should be exactly what you're after.

RobertRinAustin

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2021, 08:30:56 AM »
Was looking for something similar and bought the FM936. I've been really happy with it. I was wanting something like a Transition Spur. The 936 isn't quite that, but it's a really fun bike.

Unless something new has come out, the 936 and 909 are really the only short travel options with modern geo.

apctjb

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2021, 09:06:59 AM »
Thanks for the recommendations!

Doing some quick research seems like these frames have fairly aggressive (relative to peers) stack-reach and seat tube angle.

Its all relative but curious to hear from people who have ridden these frames feel how bent over they are compared to other bikes and any knee problems from the steep seat tube angle?

Looking to avoid numb hands and sore knees!!

 


wfl3

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #4 on: May 08, 2021, 10:29:51 AM »

Only peer I know of for sub 2000g and new geo slack would be the Intense Sniper or maybe the newest Epic Evo frame.

carbonazza

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2021, 04:48:46 PM »
Thanks for the recommendations!

Doing some quick research seems like these frames have fairly aggressive (relative to peers) stack-reach and seat tube angle.

Its all relative but curious to hear from people who have ridden these frames feel how bent over they are compared to other bikes and any knee problems from the steep seat tube angle?

Looking to avoid numb hands and sore knees!!

With the 936 you are more toward the front wheel than before, with a shorter stem and steeper seat tube.
I didn't get any hands or knees trouble so far.

RobertRinAustin

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2021, 08:11:15 PM »
6`1" (185 cm) on a large and really like the fit, no knee or hand issues. Had 3 knee surgeries so knees are always a concern. I use a 35 mm stem and riser bars FWIW.

apctjb

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #7 on: May 09, 2021, 10:00:35 AM »
Greatly appreciate the replies!

So are the FM-909 and FM-936 basically the same frame geometry, just different weights, or am I missing some other aspects that makes these frames different?

willis wang

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #8 on: May 09, 2021, 10:43:53 PM »
recommend ICAN cycling P1 or P9,S3

for Trail frame,p1 is enough good

https://icancycling.com/collections/p1/products/trail-p1-130mm-ud-matt
Model   P1
Wheel Size   27.5er/29er
Material   100% carbon fiber Toray T700
Weave   UD Matt
Frame Travel   130mm
Brake   Front 180mm, Rear 160mm
Rear Shock   200*51mm
 Frame Weight   
XS-2350+-40g (UD Matt without Painting)

S-2380+-40g (UD Matt without Painting)

M-2430+-40g (UD Matt without Painting)

L-2470+-40g (UD Matt without Painting)

XL-2490+-40g (UD Matt without Painting)

Frame Size   XS/S/M/L/XL
Bottom Bracket   BSA
Headset   Top 1-1/8",down 1- 1/2"
Seatpost   31.6mm
Seatpost Clamp

34.9mm
Axle   148*12mm
Tire   
27.5 *2.8'' or 29* 2.35''

If XDR groupset , 27.5*2.5" or 29*2.3"

For XS and S size: 27.5*2.1''

wfl3

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2021, 05:59:47 AM »
Greatly appreciate the replies!

So are the FM-909 and FM-936 basically the same frame geometry, just different weights, or am I missing some other aspects that makes these frames different?

Geo looks the same.   936 is a rocker link vs the swing link of the 909, so the 909 has 2 bottle mounts in the front triangle.  Looks like the 909 has shorter seat tubes than the same size 936 as well.  909 has mounts for a chain retention device.  Seat tube diameter is diff too.

RobertRinAustin

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2021, 01:15:02 PM »
recommend ICAN cycling P1 or P9,S3

for Trail frame,p1 is enough good

https://icancycling.com/collections/p1/products/trail-p1-130mm-ud-matt
Model   P1
At nearly 69° HTA, there's nothing slack about a P1. Having ridden a couple of modern geo MTBs for a few years now, I couldn't imagine going back to something old school like a P1.

Schumo

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #11 on: May 11, 2021, 04:59:09 AM »
So it seems like that the Carbonda FM1001 and the TanTan FM10 are the only interesting 130-140mm Modern Geo frames?

RobertRinAustin

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #12 on: May 11, 2021, 10:02:46 AM »
I like the FM1156.  http://www.flybike-asia.com/product/254.html

It's not available yet as far as I can tell, but looks really interesting, 135 mm travel with a 78° STA and a 65.5° HTA. 

carbonazza

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #13 on: May 11, 2021, 10:36:20 AM »
I like the FM1156.  http://www.flybike-asia.com/product/254.html

It's not available yet as far as I can tell, but looks really interesting, 135 mm travel with a 78° STA and a 65.5° HTA.
Did you ask Carbonda for the FM1156 ?
Wing did send me a geometry file in August last year, saying it would be available as from December.

Schumo

Re: Recommendations for lightweight Full suspension XC/Trail frame
« Reply #14 on: May 11, 2021, 01:37:02 PM »
Did you ask Carbonda for the FM1156 ?
Wing did send me a geometry file in August last year, saying it would be available as from December.

@Flo7 has already one and finished his build.
http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,3104.msg26262.html#msg26262

Only thing I don't like about it is the fact that it uses a 30.9mm and I wouldn't be able to keep my 31.6mm OneUp  :(