HongFu got back to me today. Some updates:
1. suspension travel:100mm
2. the length of shock absorber:190mm (no specs on shock mount and type)
3. fork travel:100-110mm
4. Rear Brake Rotor Size:160mm
5. Rear axle will have 142x12 and 148x12 options. (According to them you will be able to select during the order).
They don't have my size 21" in stock and are promising to ship mid june.
They are currently producing size 17.5" that can be shipped soon (soon in Chinese terms).
This thing geometry could definitely be an update from the old IP036, but they have to ensure proper linkage and proper fiber lineup for the chainstay as it will flex.
I can't wait and I'm not going to be a guinea pig of a Chinese CEO and not going to order this thing until it has been proven to work. It sounds like they are very much on the initial process of putting things together. Very different from a reputable brand that actually develops, tests and announces after.
Some big brands have different strengths for different frame sizes, so the small is lighter and the big is heavier but also stronger. That concerns me as I already broke two IP036.
Perhaps someone lightweight want to try the 17.5 size and see how it goes.
Thanks for gathering the info.
Yeah man...not sure you want to be the guinea pig on a new frame. I think this is what the frame makers do. Look at Light Bicycles. They get tons of feedback from customers that buy their rims. I honestly don't think that any of the people that make these frames ride a mountain bike...unless they are commuting to and from work...so they rely on the feedback of the people that buy their frames. I've met some of vendors at Interbike. I don't think they ride. I even met Peter...real nice guy. If you look at the 056 and 062...the manufacturers have been making running changes as time goes on...undoubtedly because of the info or frame failures from customers. That's why I mentioned to let Miracle know that the routing on the rear brake hose sucks. If its brought to their attention...and they go back and look at it and realizes that it does indeed suck...it totally possible that they'll look into changing the way its routed. These guys are the ones making the frames or have direct day to day contact with the people that make the frame.
There were two frames that interested me a lot..and now there are three...but I don't want to be a tester that pays full price.
Maybe what they should do is put some kind of bulletin out a few months before they release a frame...and that they'll offer a frame at their cost for actual riders that can put the frame through the ringer. Provide feedback and based on that...make changes to the frame. I think this is their biggest disadvantage is not having real riders using the frames before release to the public. You can only do so much in a controlled environment with computers and mechanical rigs.