Carbonda FM-1306A a 69° Hardtail

[carbonazza]

Happy day... for me at least, as I was not particularly happy trying another seller recently..
Carbonda is selling again a hardtail that in addition has an interesting geometry.
The FM-1306A, anyone ordered it already ?

[RDY]

Could also be interesting as a 'progressive' gravel frame option.  Particularly paired with a Lauf fork.   If you have pretty gravelly but very steep trails like I do.

[carbonazza]

Could also be interesting as a 'progressive' gravel frame option.  Particularly paired with a Lauf fork.   If you have pretty gravelly but very steep trails like I do.

I've learned something!

What is a progressive gravel bike?

Performance-oriented gravel bikes with longer frame proportions that are typically paired with a shorter stem, compact drop bars, or even flat bars.

Typical attributes include: Longer reach and front-center than traditional All-Road/Gravel bikes.

From https://bikeinsights.com/categories/road-bike/mixed-terrain-road-bike/progressive-gravel

[Zomb1e]

Flat mount should have never existed on mtb frames!

[RDY]

I've learned something!

What is a progressive gravel bike?

Performance-oriented gravel bikes with longer frame proportions that are typically paired with a shorter stem, compact drop bars, or even flat bars.

Typical attributes include: Longer reach and front-center than traditional All-Road/Gravel bikes.

From https://bikeinsights.com/categories/road-bike/mixed-terrain-road-bike/progressive-gravel

I think progressive is just generally used to indicate slacker head and steeper seat angles.   I didn't realize there was an 'official' definition for progressive gravel.

Though unfortunately it seems that due to some crying on German forums the optional FD mount from the early frames has been completely eliminated as an option.  Still rather have 2x on gravel.

[jannmayer]

Looks really interesting. I didn't see it on the Carbonda website, but it is shown on the Flybike site.


Any idea what the tire clearance actually is? The drawing showed 29x2.6" but the Flybike site said both 29x2.4" and 29x2.3".


Looks like it's designed for a 130 mm fork, but the 69 deg head angle is a bit steeper than I'm looking for.

[johnnchc]

Though unfortunately it seems that due to some crying on German forums the optional FD mount from the early frames has been completely eliminated as an option.  Still rather have 2x on gravel.

I would have purchased this frame if it had a front derailleur and used it as a 2x gravel bike.
Wing advised the max chainring is 36T, so there goes a 1x gravel option too.

[carbonazza]

...Looks like it's designed for a 130 mm fork,...

The AC is 506 which is a SID 100mm, did you ask them about the 130mm design?

[jozohuzo]

Looks great, what was the price and wait time?

[jannmayer]

The AC is 506 which is a SID 100mm, did you ask them about the 130mm design?

You're right. I must have read the table wrong.

[Scmtb]

I'm looking at building a budget Santa Cruz Highball and this frame is the closest I've come to finding it.

Santa Cruz Highball:

Head Tube: 69.5°
Seat Tube Angle: 73°

FM-1306A

Head Tube: 69°
Seat Tube Angle: 75°

I'm new to the whole custom scene but do people think this has similar characteristics/component options to the SC Highball? Or is there a better budge carbon hardtail frame to start from? Not seen any reviews for this yet.

[Draz]

I'm looking at building a budget Santa Cruz Highball and this frame is the closest I've come to finding it.

Santa Cruz Highball:

Head Tube: 69.5°
Seat Tube Angle: 73°

FM-1306A

Head Tube: 69°
Seat Tube Angle: 75°

I'm new to the whole custom scene but do people think this has similar characteristics/component options to the SC Highball? Or is there a better budge carbon hardtail frame to start from? Not seen any reviews for this yet.

I get quoted for couple fs frames from major companies mentioned in the forum and go with the most reasonable one in terms of shipping cost and frame itself.
Unfortunately its a thing to consider if you are charged over 200$ for shipping.
I can also include an example for you to think out of the box.
I have no experience with the frame but, those angles are achieved with 100mm fork.(LCM909)
Can be altered 1 degree each with 120mm fork 69-73.

[carbonazza]

... and go with the most reasonable one in terms of shipping cost and frame itself.
Unfortunately its a thing to consider if you are charged over 200$ for shipping.

For many years the cheapest shipping for a frame was around $90 by EMS, the postal service. So we talk about a $100 difference.
I advise people to go with XDB, WXY like shipping companies (to Europe) for customs "optimisations", speed, costs and hassle.
And it was and still is $150-180 for years.
y
Amazon discovered very early that shipping costs were a psychological barrier to buy and optimised about it.
For the budget of a bike and the years you will ride it, it can be relativised.

[Draz]

Amazon discovered very early that shipping costs were a psychological barrier to buy and optimised about it.
For the budget of a bike and the years you will ride it, it can be relativised.

So its more like a tribute rather than actual service cost?

[carbonazza]

So its more like a tribute rather than actual service cost?

Or a raisonnable cost to fly effortlessly a big box from China to your doorstep.