GRX is always ideal, but if you want something cable actuated that’s cheaper, I’m pretty happy with the MicroShift Sword/Juintech F1 setup on my CFR707.

The 1286 has been sold by a couple of small companies, mostly in Europe I think, almost as long as the 1003/1266 has been out. This is the first I’ve heard about Carbonda offering single frames to the general public but maybe nobody’s asked in a long time?

My guess is that it handles pretty similarly to the 1003…I wonder how the kinematic graphs compare. For me at 205-215lbs I need an air shock at close to max pressure for the 1003 and I wonder if I’d be happy with a coil shock for supportive park riding/jumps on the 1286 or not.

Would love to build one up someday if I start riding more park, but the 1003 is already plenty of bike for me (if not overkill) on 99% of New England stuff that I actually want to ride — even park.

Build pics coming soon…I think you guys will find it interesting since this will be one of the most heavy duty, upright 707 builds out there:

60mm suspension fork, 50mm tires, 30mm of headset spacers, a 17 degree rise stem, Ritchey Corralitos bars (12mm rise, super shallow drop), 180mm rotors with Juin F1 brakes, MicroShift Sword, and MTB hubs — i9 Torch front, Hope Pro 4 rear.

It’ll drop some weight when I upgrade the suspension fork from the current Suntour GVX and get a carbon post, but is currently about 25lbs.

Ive been trying to get in touch with dengfu and still waiting for them to get back to me but it doesnt seem like anyone on here has built up one of these? Another thing i sorta dont like is the max tire clearance, i was hoping to fir proper mtb 2.2 inch tires

No, I’m not aware of anyone here building one. I would definitely have taken notice.

I think I’m about to take the title for most overkill gravel build here and all I’m doing is slapping a very upright cockpit and suspension fork on a CFR707.

There we go…we’re on page 13 now.

FYI for anyone who tried to post on page 12: it got hit by the blank page bug and doesn’t load. Repost here.

I’m looking forward to seeing how your build comes out. With the right accents, white can look amazing.

I’m on my third Carbonda build — a CFR 707 arriving in the next few weeks — and I’d be far from alone in steering you that direction. They’re worth the modest premium, which I should note is still way less than their branded equivalents.

Personally I get all my frames in matte black and add red parts/decals so I don’t pay for painting, but they do a decent job at that too.

My FM1002 and FM1003 feel great, have elevated my riding, and hold up under absolutely legendary levels of punishment. I expect the same from my 707 when it’s built.