Carbonda FM 1003 / Flybike FM 1266 180mm "Super Enduro"

[casual_build]

What was bad in your painting?

Casual_build: Agreed on the mullet build. I think I may actually be able to sneak a 29" wheel in the existing fork. My plan is to build up some 29" wheels this winter and see how it rides in spring. For now I'm just trying to be more mindful of my pedaling (and sharp cornering while pedaling on pavement). As for paint, I was hoping the gloss might make cleaning easier. It's only had two short rides so there's plenty of time to be let down. I should have it out again this weekend, weather permitting.

My paint is RAL 2003 with a glossy finish. It arrived with paint damaged, the glossy coat is thin in some places to the point of feeling rough. The real problem is the color didn't fuse to the grey primer, causing the color to be super brittle, breaking off in flakes.  From assembly and a few rides, my FM1002 is already missing way more paint than my two year old FM936 (which carbonda painted super well).

[Dave TN]

Draz: I didn't have a chance to air out the suspension because we were riding most of the weekend. Here's a picture of the linkage from a couple of different angles.  It works pretty well. I'm definitely getting the hang of the different geometry and am really impressed with the bike. I also ordered some 29" rims to build up later this winter.

[casual_build]

I'm not sure about this, but I think the linkage design could be following the Canfield Balance Formula. If so, then aside from being heavier, this would be the best climbing bike from Carbonda. Revel has a few CBF bikes. I've always wanted to try it.

[Draz]

I'm not sure about this, but I think the linkage design could be following the Canfield Balance Formula. If so, then aside from being heavier, this would be the best climbing bike from Carbonda. Revel has a few CBF bikes. I've always wanted to try it.

I just saw this clip

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjn9Ho0jhVF/

[casual_build]

I just saw this clip

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjn9Ho0jhVF/

ugh, I dislike Sherpa. They are a bit predatory. A while back when they had a lot frames, they said they were looking for Ambassadors. Anyone who applied was accepted and offered the the Sherpa Massif (Carbonda FM1001) or Sherpa Everest (ICAN P9) for a "huge discount". Of course it was actually still a big mark up on the Frames. They also lie about the P9's geo. They say its 65 Degree head angle (since they are overforking), but keep the 74 degree seat angle and other measurements the same. Lazy at best, intentionally dishonest at worst.

I like this guy's video though, it is basically a FM1001 review.

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

I'm not sure about this, but I think the linkage design could be following the Canfield Balance Formula. If so, then aside from being heavier, this would be the best climbing bike from Carbonda. Revel has a few CBF bikes. I've always wanted to try it.

Not really. CBF requires dual links (top and bottom). This is a linkage driven single pivot.

I’ve always wanted to try Revel/CBF too, but the 2.4 tire limitation on Revel frames has always been a turnoff. I’m a 2.6 guy all the way.

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

It’s definitely been interesting watching Sherpa roll out their “Olympus.” At least we get to see more examples of 1003 builds in the process.

Also very interesting that they are offering a 170/170 version and a 180R/200F dual crown version (suggesting the head tube can handle that fine). Seems like the 170 wouldn’t handle as well for gravity riding but I’d be curious to try it if I had the chance. I assume the shock is just under-stroked to 62.5mm and the shorter form therefore steepens the head angle.

I have definitely thought about short stroking a 1003 but that wouldn’t really serve much purpose and putting a 170 fork on seems similarly pointless except for Sherpa to create an extra price point/“model.”

[Jotegr]

I mean, I wouldn't necessarily trust a somewhat fly-by-night rebrander of frames to do their due diligence around ensuring this thing can handle a 200mm dual crown out front, but hey, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

From their instagram, it looks like they have three versions coming. 170/170, 180/180, and the dual crown version.

I can see liking 170/170 sometimes over 180/180 for enduro racing, depending on the terrain you're racing/bike build. Some stops of the BC enduro series were such that you really wish you had a downhill bike for the long, brutal, and technical descents, and other stops were a lot more flowy, where pumping and carrying speed through flow-tech would win the day. After all, we do see the pros sometimes selecting bikes with as short as ~140mm rear over their ~170mm options for certain stops of the world series.

On the bright side, maybe this means the 1003 will be available in more than two sizes if Sherpa orders them? Fingers crossed.

[casual_build]

Yeah it's not CBF, you're right. I wonder if Sherpa is actually involved in the design process? This could be like NS bikes with the FM936 front triangle.

I hope the dual crown works, this frame is 1180 USD before shipping and weighs 1 KG more than the FM1002. It's got to be beefy. Although, 200mm up front would be like a ~62.5 degree head angle. Maybe too slack?

Unless a shorter rear shock stroke chops off an undesirable end of the leverage curve, I don't know why you wouldn't just do the full stroke. The leverage curve is probably pretty linear too.

Would it be bad to run 180 in the back and 170 up front? Steeper seat angle, longer reach, about 64~ degree head angle...

[casual_build]

Aaah, just learned that at these larger travels, axle to crown length gets wonky. Here is some useful 29er fork length data.

This bike is spec'd at 64 degrees with 588mm axle to crown fork. No idea what fork that is.

A 170mm Zeb is 586mm Axle to crown.
A 180mm Zeb is 596mm axle to crown.
A 190mm Zeb is 606mm axle to crown

The 170mm and 180mm Lyrik forks are 5mm shorter than the equivalent travel Zebs.

The 170mm and 180mm Fox 38 forks are about 3 mm shorter than the equivalent travel Zebs.

The Fox 40 203mm dual crown fork is only 602mm axle to crown! That's only 14mm longer than spec. Around a very reasonable 63.3 Degree head angle.

So a 190mm Zeb would be larger over fork than the 203mm Fox 40 Dual crown. I had no idea!

[Jotegr]

Haha, I was about to comment along the lines of "dual crowns are actually not that far off 180mm single crowns because of the construction of the lower crown!" but it looks like you've got it covered.

1180 USD. Yeesh. That's up there. For the money, I'd be strongly tempted to go somewhere else. For an additional $400 or so, you can get the 180/180 version of the upcoming Bird Aeris 9, and not have any question marks around "will my parts fit" or "what does this suspension design do" or "will I get a warranty replacement or a slightly discounted replacement at my cost to ship" that you get with Chinese frames.

[chetosmachine]

ugh, I dislike Sherpa. They are a bit predatory. A while back when they had a lot frames, they said they were looking for Ambassadors. Anyone who applied was accepted and offered the the Sherpa Massif (Carbonda FM1001) or Sherpa Everest (ICAN P9) for a "huge discount". Of course it was actually still a big mark up on the Frames. They also lie about the P9's geo. They say its 65 Degree head angle (since they are overforking), but keep the 74 degree seat angle and other measurements the same. Lazy at best, intentionally dishonest at worst.

I like this guy's video though, it is basically a FM1001 review.

There is no review there. There a POV video riding and the guy just saying this bike is nimble sweet so good. No comments on behaviour, geometry, finishes..... Just one more guy with a new bike.

[casual_build]

There is no review there. There a POV video riding and the guy just saying this bike is nimble sweet so good. No comments on behaviour, geometry, finishes..... Just one more guy with a new bike.

Lol Yes, I'm sorry. I think its funny.

[casual_build]

1180 USD. Yeesh. That's up there. For the money, I'd be strongly tempted to go somewhere else. For an additional $400 or so, you can get the 180/180 version of the upcoming Bird Aeris 9, and not have any question marks around "will my parts fit" or "what does this suspension design do" or "will I get a warranty replacement or a slightly discounted replacement at my cost to ship" that you get with Chinese frames.

That's before shipping too. Personally, I have a lot of trust in Carbonda rectifying issues, but it's a slow process, with big shipping fees. That Bird frame looks pretty tempting for sure. A lot of aluminum frames come with a rear shock at 2000 USD (before tax). Not a lot of Carbon in that price range though. In my opinion, the FM1003 is going to be a stiffer ride.

[Dave TN]

Katie from Carbonda told me that the frame comes with a two-year warranty. Basically, the only fit issue I have had relates to using a two-piece TRP rotor on the rear. It was a little snug and the rivets actually rubbed a bit on the brake mount. As for handling, once I got used to the slacker head angle, I found that I am way faster on the FM 1003 than I ever was on my 2017 Diamondback Release. I really like this bike. If I get the 29-inch wheels together before the snow flies, I'll post an update.