I'm on my third day of using my fm1001 on the trail. I'm gonna go ahead and say this frame is way better than I was expecting! It's very high quality at first glance, it built really easily, threads are great, alignment is spot on, hardware seems to be of very good quality. Once built I went through every pivot bolt to torque spec, greased everything the way it should and went ahead and used Mastic tape everywhere the chain touches.

Headset is kinda weird, I honestly would've liked a more standard type, with the 1-1/8 on top and not 1.5", as headsets are super limited...but the one carbonda sold me is ok.

Cable routing was a pain (my mechanics words), but turned out super tidy. Nothing rattles which is a huge plus.
Bottom bracket threaded well, and I'm not using the ISCG mounts so I can't comment on alignment. 

I'm using my bike as a mullet as of right now, and at first it felt weird as I had never used 29" wheels before. But I felt great yesterday, more in control. The Auron fork is amazing. I'm really impressed with suntour products.

The rear suspension is so smooth and plush if set up correctly. Feels super fast compared to my older 150mm ibis mojo hd3. Feels really stiff laterally. I just need to install another token in the shock.

Shimano XT 12 speed is just amazing.

I ask because many brands of trail frames measure in L as 1001 in XL. If at 180 mm tall, size L fits well and does not feel short and compact, then good. But thoughts that the XL looks more suitable do not leave

Just starting to build it up, but wondering about frame protection.

@Neb, where did you get your chainstay protector and downtube/bottom bracket protection? I'm really liking the way yours looks and fits.

Thanks!

I'm also 180cm tall and followed Lee Likes Bikes suggestion and went with the medium. I can say it fits me quite well and totally happy. I really think had I listened to those that said to get a large I would have been very unhappy. I do not feel cramped while in the seated and this is with a 38mm stem. And I do all my climbing while seated.  Looks like willow79 who is taller at 184 says the medium fits him well even though a large would probably fit him well too. Don't know if you watch any of the vids on YouTube where Lee talks about sizing but he has a bunch of good info. At the end of the day none of us can tell what size is right for you.

PS. I think its interesting that those who went with a large are running longer stems then those that went with the medium. You would think it would be other way around

Yes I am. The bearings are fine. Also the fact that I can easily install and remove them by hand without force. The upper one is moving slightly sideways when in place. The lower one is also easy to put there but I don’t notice it moving when in place.

I am trying some thin tape in between now to not make it worse, it seems tight but haven’t ridden it yet.

This sound logical! The bearings have a cone shape so might work. I have one thin spacer that came with the headset, but maybe that is not enough. I need to get more of those thin spacer to try.

The thin tape is also working, but it is more of a ghetto solution. Two rides now and so far so good.