057 build from Carbon Speed

[Rocklobster]

Just finished my build up last night, most parts will stay as-is, but some were just what I had on hand to get the thing rideable.  I got the frame and wheels from Peter right after he left I-Play and had barely named the other company but pulled the trigger anyway.  I have previously built up a no-name carbon road bike as well and it has held up fantastically to some pretty awful race conditions.  On the 057 frame, I went with this option since I race downhill as well so I ride a little harder than most, and the 256 just looked to not have that much material on the seatstays.  But the internal cable routing for the front derailer looks very tempting to run a stealth cable dropper post, so I may upgrade to that later.  During the build, all of the cables pulled thru nicely with the guides that came in it, although they are not really needed since the lines are all sleeved for the full length anyways.  everything lined up nicely and fit properly.  The spec is like this-
057 frame
the larger width hookless 29er wheels with novatech hubs (forgot the model #)
xt rear mech with shadow plus
xt cassette 10-spd
slx cranks with raceface wide narrow ring
Avid juicy ultimate brakes
Bottle cages from speed carbon
reba RL fork
Thomson 50mm stem
race face sixc carbon bars
extra mech hangers- because you know, smashing into things

[Rocklobster]

pic*

[Oolak]

Nice build. A carbon frame and carbon hoops is a huge upgrade to your ride!

A chiner, a Yeti, and a bunch of canoes - Bro, can we be besties? 

[Carbon_Dude]

Always nice to see yet another IP-057 build.  The frame has been rock solid and very reliable for everyone, however, remember it is still designed as a X-country frame and there is a limit to how much abuse it will take.  I've seen a few people who have cracked the IP-256 but the IP-057 has held up so you might be good to go.

Enjoy your new bike!

[MTNRCKT]

Good choice going with the 057 if you're downhill racing. I believe it's a little bit heavier and a little bit sturdier. I can't think of a single 057 failure. Do you know of one Carbon_Dude?

Also, I'm curious as to why you would want to build up a hardtail for downhill racing when you already have a full suspension Yeti? Wouldn't it be better suited for downhill? Not knocking your choices, just genuinely curious.

[Rocklobster]

Sorry, I guess I miswrote that, I have a devinci Wilson for dh racing, a true dh race bike.  I just was using that as an example that although this will be purely for xc riding, the bike may be getting a little more gusto on the descents than a typical walking lung of an xc racer may be putting it thru!

[Carbon_Dude]

Hi Rocklobster, I did understand that you were not going to use the IP-057 for DH racing, just treat it well and it should last you a good long while.

MTNRCKT, I have not read about any specific IP-057 failures.  There was one guy on MTBR that was claiming a problem but everyone replied that it looked more like he ran the bike into a tree or his garage door.  So no documented failures due to manufacturing defects that I know of.

[MTNRCKT]

Oh ok, I misread that. I didn't know if there was some new extreme hardtail downhill riding trend or something that I missed.

[Rocklobster]

on the 256 frames that have cracked, has it been on that seatstay union area where they tie together before it connects to the seatpost?

[Carbon_Dude]

on the 256 frames that have cracked, has it been on that seatstay union area where they tie together before it connects to the seatpost?

Yes, the couple that I have seen were at the "Y" section just behind the seat tube.  As a mechanical engineer who has had some experience with fracture mechanics, when I first saw the IP-256, that area of the frame concerned me.  I've seen that design used in road bikes to add a bit of compliance but for a mountain bike, it appeared to be a possible point of failure.

I think the Chinese vendors have figured out how to make that section stronger as I have seen no recent failures, the ones I saw were from early production.

[Izzy]

A chiner, a Yeti, and a bunch of canoes - Bro, can we be besties? 

Don't forget about what looks like the front tire of a dirt bike on the right, and a Devinci Wilson not in the pic. Rocklobster is serious about his toys!

Can tell you're a downhiller from how short of a stem is on your 057. Have you ever tried a longer stem and how does the really short ones like that affect steering? Is it a significant difference?

[Rocklobster]

years ago I used to ride a cannondale scalpel and a giant xtc with a 100 mm stem and narrowish flat bars as was very common then.  But then after switching to a shorter stem, wider bars, and a slightly longer TT to maintain the correct position, I tried riding the same setup again and it feels like completely unrideable.  Since the bike still maintains a decently steep head angle, to don't sacrifice a lot of slow speed agility, and you gain a lot of high speed stability.  If you ever have the chance I would definitely recommend trying the setup sometime (wider bars, shorter stem) and then try going back again and see what you think.

[Izzy]

Hey, thanks for the reply. I've done a bit of reading on the topic but you summarized it nicely and I'll definitely try that type of set up out now. What width bars are you running with that 50mm stem?

[Rocklobster]

I have 760 mm on the ht right now, have 780's on the trail bike.  Both with 50mm stem