FM1002, ICAN P9 or Lexon Spark?

[ervinelin]

Hi everyone,

I am contemplating building a new long travel bike (trail to enduroish). Was narrowing it down to 3 potential options:

FM1002 - Seems to be a crowd favourite here but it's shock is a bit of an awkward 205x60?
https://www.carbonda.com/mountain/full-suspension/134.html

ICAN P9 - Only goes up to 2.3",
https://icancycling.com/products/enduro-frame-p9

Lexon Spark (2022) - Only goes up to 2.35", looks like it's a pressfit BB rather than BSA
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mPuL5i8

I currently have a 160mm fork and a 200x57mm shock. Was hoping I can just transfer over these but looks like only the spark can take the shock.

Any advice between the three frames?

Thanks!
Ervine

[endo.alley]

I have both the FM1002 and the P9. I like them both. The P9 needs a Slack-R kit in the headset to get the full potential of the bike. But fully sllackerized, the P9 is a great bike. FM1002 is a more modern take. And is also a great riding bike. If you used offset bushings on the FM1002 you could probably use your existing shock and not change the geometry. Maybe lose 1/2" of trave. No biggie.

[ervinelin]

Thanks for your reply, let me check up on that slack kit you mentioned.

Also, any reason why you built two relatively similar travel bikes? And if you had to choose just one of the two which would you have gone for.

Thanks again!

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

Absolutely the 1002. No question.

[casual_build]

1002 has modern geo compared to the other two. No contest for me personally. I just broke my pinky riding my 1002 and I can't wait to get back on it.

You may also want to consider the LCFS947 and FM1003, some people have had positive experiences with those frames. Is your 160mm fork a 29er fork? If not, I would look for a frame with geo for 27.5 bike or a 29er frame with a high BB

[ervinelin]

Many thanks for the suggestion on FM1002, looks like there is no contest.

FM1003 seems a bit "too much bike" for me.

Yes my 160mm is a 29er fork.

[ftajiri]

carbonda has the shortest chainstay of these... I prefere this

[Draz]

Many thanks for the suggestion on FM1002, looks like there is no contest.

FM1003 seems a bit "too much bike" for me.

Yes my 160mm is a 29er fork.

There is no such thing