Thanks Dank. I thought some members were already sold on the fs27. I was pretty sold myself. Correct me if I'm wrong, but what I've got from this awesome forum is:
1) there has not been a good trail bike out of China. By good I mean modern geo and quality suspension kinematics.
2) there have been some reliable fun hard tails.
3) there have been some catastrophic failures (mostly road bikes?)
4) there have been some unique offerings, mostly of the plus and fat variety.
5) most of the fs bikes have had significantly lower quality suspension hardware and stiffness compared to the brand names.
I know you get what you pay for. It seems like the value is in the high quality hard tails and roadbikes. But if the fs27 and fm058 are identical in performance to the '17 spark plus and race models with close to the same weight and durability then at 1/3 the price (including shock) they are a great value! My biggest holdup is : is it safe? I like to get rowdy and definitely plan to hit jumps with it. Have any of the Chinese bike been proven to take all mountain level abuse?

Please don't buy either FS27 or FM058 thinking you're getting a Scott frame for a 1/4 of the price because you're not. It's not going to be as light neither as strong. The linkages are not the same quality and durability either.
Example: Scott frame weight 1770 grams with shock. China frame weights 1950 without shocks. Scott and high quality brands use high quality Carbon Fiber properly laid for stiffness and strength on the right places.

Buy because you want something cheap that you don't care if it breaks and you ended up having to replacing it out of your pocket.
I own three China frames, have broken the IP-036 in two places so far and I already have my M06 on order. I finished my first build in 2014, with my usage I estimate life expectancy of up to 2 years. I run an XL frame, weight 190lbs and enjoy going fast on the rocky descends. I race about 15 times per year.

I've seen brand frames break. And some brand frames also have similar quality to China Frames.
I enjoy my China frames because I can ride careless about damaging the bike. Scuffs and Marks are stories to tell and not things to hide. I always ride like I stole it.

If I had the funds I would definitely get a Scott or Trek frame. Perhaps next year on a good team deal.

IP-036, see the difference on SMALL vs XL in this pictures.

Definitely the coolest looking car+bike setup of any trailhead.

My recommendation is to find a model that you like and then clone the parts on the build list.
There are lots of posts that share the build list.
So once you decide on the frame, you order the parts accordingly. if the headset is a concern you can order one with the frame.
On the model, there are so many, and each set for particular use type. Plus tires, big travel, XC racing lightweight.
You need to check the geometry and see how it will fit on you and the use that you will put.
If you want to be anal about it, go to bikecad.ca and draw your current bike and the new frame you want to buy so you can check the fit.

Good looking frame. Too bad they don't build one up so we actually know what it would look like as a complete.

If they get back to me quickly with information I should have one built soon. So far I've too many tech details to cover before ordering it.

I'd like to see clearance for a 29+ tire  , a bit more slack in the HTA, mabye 68 or 67.5 deg, chainstays aren't bad but I'd also like to see those a little shorter but not a deal breaker.

Chainstay at 435mm, I haven't seen shorter 29er FS bikes.
I'm hoping for a lighweight mean XC racing machine.  No need for Plus tires on my side. I'm neutral about boost. So hoping that they are bringing both up with small changes, could be FM058 and FM078 similar to Spark 700 and 900.


I've requested more info and details on axle, travel, bb type. Should get more info for tomorrow. I have the communication lag and that they can't publish all the info on their website to avoid questions going back and forth.

Please move this to 29er topic. I post here by mistake.