Well now that you bring up the ip 036 I'd say spend the few extra hundred bucks and go for the full suspension.  I was a hard tail guy forever.  loving the lightweight and efficiency of the platform BUT then I rode a good full suspension and fell in love.  They are just so much easier on the body.  They help you maintain traction and control.  And now that they are so light with carbon I think they are well worth the extra cost.  Especially with the reasonable pricing on the Chinese frames.  Just food for thought.
Andy

Good point CD however I would love to see one of these built for mtb.  Great idea SN!  All I really need is a little bit of suspension out back and on my trails I mostly stay seated. 

This answer would be an inexpensiv, simple and very light alternative to full suspension.  I've ridden my buddies Bike with a thud buster and really liked it.  This could be just a very lightweight version of that. 

Now how do we get them to build us some?
Andy

Congrats on your new bike SN.  I am so excited to see it.  Please post a few pics when you get a chance. 
Andy.

Yes been working there for 6 yrs and I've ridden many nice bikes.  The Chinese bikes are right up there with them.  Our local big race team is all on Chinese road bikes custom painted to their team colors and get great results. Some of our local top level mtn bike races have been won on the Chinese frames.  my buddy just built a Carbonal Titan that weighs 22 lbs and doing real well in his new Cat 1 class.  He rode a Hong Fu hard tail the last 2 seasons and took 2nd place in cat 3 and 2nd place car 2 for those seasons.

I know ALOT of this is the legs on these guys but still these bikes are not holding them back and they are very competitive with them at a fraction of the cost. 

Your bikes are sic.  As good looking and as well specced as any mtn bike I've ever seen.  And I'm sure they rides excellent.  A few more weeks and I will know for myself.    And we will have all saved a ton of money.  Good times!
Andy.

Thanks SN!  Like you I get very excited about these bikes.  They are just so cool and so affordable.  I currently ride a LTK 023 from LT bikes that I just love.  Killer bike and I built it for so reasonable it's ridiculous.  I even work in a bike shop selling big brands but it's the chiner bikes That I just love. 

I was on the start line of a local mtb race last weekend and the guy next to me was on a $7900 hard tail.  I think I'd rather have my bike AND a nice car. 

Don't know why people are still paying the big bucks for the big names.  I really just don't understand.  But to each his own and I say live and let live. 

Thanks again for this forum, it's gonna be just great!
Andy.

Say CD Question for you.  Do you think this frame would work better with a 100mm or 120mm travel front fork?

Thanks,
Andy.