Chinertown

Chinese Carbon MTB => 29er => Topic started by: adbl on June 22, 2017, 11:46:37 AM

Title: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on June 22, 2017, 11:46:37 AM
Hey people,

I had an incident happen to me this past weekend that is prompting a M06 build. I currently have a CS-057 hardtail purchased from Peter and have been riding it for about a year and a half. I love the bike! It is fast, responsive and light - 22lbs with a Sram 1x10 drivetrain. I've been having issues with the drivetrain jumping gears and i know from experience it's time to replace the cassette, chain and possibly the crank gear. I'm currently running a RaceFace Cinch NW 30T. I figure if i'm going to spend the money to revamp the drivetrain why not switch all of my components over to a new frame???  ::)

The trails I ride in North Carolina are woodsy single track. Mountain Biking and Trail Running are becoming very popular here and the trails are starting to get beat up. Getting very rooty. This has made me think about going back to a full suspension bike. I still have my Giant 26 FS and had taken it for a ride the other week and was surprised how much i liked it! I haven't been on the bike since i built the 057. If i can combine the small bump compliance of a FS with the benefits of a carbon 29er then i might really have something i'd love  ;D 

So i have been keeping an eye on a few 29er FS here on the forum, mainly the CS-821, CS-FS29 amd the M06. I like the M06 the best as i do prefer the one piece rear triangle. I like the single pivot design with shorter chainstays and slack headtube. It's built more like the Yeti ASRc and i like all of the attributes that design has. I have been dealing with Melody from DengFu on the purchase as i find her very responsive and trustworthy. I purchased a carbon road frame from her 2 years ago and love it! It is first class and performs better than i could have imagined.

As of me writing this, i have not given Melody the official go ahead. I will probably pull the trigger in the next couple of days. Unfortunately i deliberate too much in my head on decision such as these  ::) So my fellow Chinertowners, i would like any feedback anyone has to offer. I have messaged with a few M06 owners already and have been pleased with their comments. If i do purchase the M06 i will document my build here for all who might have interest. Some of the issues prior builds have come across have supposedly been resolved so we'll see if that's true. Thanks for reading and again, any thoughts are welcome  ;D
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: Klaster_1 on June 22, 2017, 08:17:18 PM
Some of the issues prior builds have come across have supposedly been resolved so we'll see if that's true.
abdl, what issues Dengfu claimed to have been resolved? Did you ask them about something in particular?
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on June 22, 2017, 10:57:01 PM
abdl, what issues Dengfu claimed to have been resolved? Did you ask them about something in particular?

The two issues i ask about were 1) The water bottle cage bolt placement being too high 2) The inside measurement at the rear hub being 146mm or greater instead of 142mm. If purchased i'm going to take the frame completely apart and measure all tolerances and clearances, along with all mounting hardware to ensure it all goes together properly. 
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: Klaster_1 on June 22, 2017, 11:58:06 PM
If purchased i'm going to take the frame completely apart and measure all tolerances and clearances, along with all mounting hardware to ensure it all goes together properly.
Sounds cool, I'd really appreciate a look into frame innards without disassembling mine.
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: ArAddict on June 24, 2017, 02:23:48 AM
I placed my order on a m06 some days ago. i also asked about the water bottle issue and was assured it was resold.
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: dopestar on June 24, 2017, 04:56:04 PM
I'll subscribe to this awesome build. I hope you will update your build from time to time and with pictures please...
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on June 27, 2017, 06:52:53 PM
The frame has been ordered! Melody told me about 20 days until shipping. In the mean time i am getting a list together of parts i need. I'm going to be using some parts off of my CS-057 hardtail so i'll be cleaning them up and getting them ready to be installed on the new bike.

Build photos and descriptions are soon to come  :)
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: ArAddict on June 29, 2017, 08:18:59 AM
The frame has been ordered! Melody told me about 20 days until shipping. In the mean time i am getting a list together of parts i need. I'm going to be using some parts off of my CS-057 hardtail so i'll be cleaning them up and getting them ready to be installed on the new bike.

Build photos and descriptions are soon to come  :)

Looking forward to follow your build, as I am doing the same :)
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 18, 2017, 09:03:17 AM
I just received an update from melody at Dengfu informing me the frame is being shipped out today! That makes the total number of days from construction to being shipped out as 22 days. She quoted me 20 days so i'd say she was pretty much spot on! Can't get much more accurate then that. As soon as the frame gets here i will inspect it closely as well as disassemble the frame checking all the pivot bearings and hardware. I want to ensure it was put together correctly and all of the hardware sizes and lengths are appropriate. Of course i will be documenting the build here for all to follow  :D
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 25, 2017, 07:17:42 PM
Christmas in July!!! The frame arrived today. It was finally time to inspect it to ensure it was in one piece. The box was a little beat up but the frame was well wrapped and protected.
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 25, 2017, 07:19:37 PM
I went over the frame entirely looking for any defects or scratches in the paint. The frame was perfect! The paint was done well and the color exactly what i wanted.
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 25, 2017, 07:23:33 PM
I then took some measurements getting myself ready to have to order shock mount bushings but to my surprise all the dimensions were spot on!!! The shock installed straight away with no clearance issues. The mounting hardware size and lengths were also spot on. As you can see the shock fits perfectly with no shimming or sanding of bushings necessary.
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 25, 2017, 07:33:44 PM
People have talked about the water bottle cage mounts and although they might be lower than the early versions, a large water bottle would really be a stretch. I think the issue with these mounts are the nut-serts. They are installed after the fact and usually need a tool to expand the base of the nut-sert to keep it secured. Kind of like a pop rivet. Having experience with these tools i believe the reason the nut-serts aren't installed lower is because you can't get a tool in between the frame. They most likely installed the nut-serts as low as they could to have to fit the tool in. As you can see in the pics a large water bottle probably isn't practical to use but a smaller one absolutely can be used. I'll probably install a side loaded cage with a smaller bottle. That works for me because i'm not a huge bottle user to begin with. If it's a long ride i usually use my Camelback. So really, it's not a big deal for me.
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 25, 2017, 07:44:01 PM
I was pleased to find offset chain stays. It wasn't clear to me from pics posted as to the design there. I have always felt bikes with offset chain stays pedal more efficiently. Dengfu talks about the seat stays adding a little suspension to the system and so far i can tell that's true. After mounting the shock i cycled the rear triangle quite a few times to check for full travel and clearance. There is plenty of clearance when the shock is fully compressed and you can feel a little spring tension coming from the seat stays. Not a crazy amount but enough to be able to feel. It will be interesting to see how this feels while riding. The bottom bracket area looks clean and well supported. A proper installation should yield solid pedaling!
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 25, 2017, 07:53:33 PM
The fork and bottom bracket should be here in the next day or two so the build can really start to take shape. Hopefully the wheels will be here by the end of the week, early next week at the latest. I think i have 95% of the parts needed to finish the build other than those i just mentioned. Of course they happen to be the first needed to be installed  :-\
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: dopestar on July 26, 2017, 01:50:49 AM
Nice frame! I'm excited to see the final build. :D
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: MTB2223 on July 26, 2017, 08:22:50 AM
Nice frame! Nice color!

For the bottle cage, maybe you can use a bottle cage adapter to get your bottle much lower:
http://www.jensonusa.com/Shimano-Di2-SM-BA01-Bottle-Cage-Adaptor

Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 26, 2017, 08:27:09 AM
It's funny you mentioned an adapter. Looking at it last night i was thinking i could fabricate a little bracket using the existing holes to move the cage down the drop tube. I didn't realize someone already makes something like this. Thanks for the tip!
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: steven-iam on July 26, 2017, 09:05:10 AM
i could fabricate a little bracket...

...or just use the bottom hole for the top of the cage and use a zip-tie to secure the bottom. No problems so far. You just loop the zip-tie  ends up into the cage bottom hole from the bottom and tighten.

http://chinertown.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1186.0;attach=1561;image

http://chinertown.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51.0;attach=1774;image



Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 26, 2017, 09:15:28 AM
It's good to have options!  ;D
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: maui400 on July 27, 2017, 03:37:59 PM
Looks really nice!
What size and weight?
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 27, 2017, 04:01:07 PM
The size is 19" or large in most manufacturers. The frame weighed 2090 grams. Dengfu states 1900 grams =/- 45 grams but i'm not surprised it weighs a little more due to the paint and clear coat. It's still pretty light for a large 29er FS frame. I'm shooting for somewhere in the 24lb range. I'd be ecstatic for anything under 25lbs!!!
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 28, 2017, 08:44:48 AM
Good news, wheels and fork came today!!! Just what i needed to continue the build. Wheels are from Yishun Bikes and they look great! Very high quality carbon, 33mm width with DT Swiss 240 hubs. Front wheel weighed in at 739 grams and the rear 865 grams.

The fork is a X-Fusion Slide RL2. 100mm thru axle. Yes, i'm a X-Fusion fan. Their products are simple, dampen great and are very competitively priced.
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 28, 2017, 08:46:54 AM
To continue with the build, the next step is installing the bottom bracket. Greased all surfaces, lined up the install tool and they pressed in with no issues!
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 28, 2017, 08:50:45 AM
Installed the Raceface Next SL G4 crank and set the side lash. Everything spins so smoothly and free  ;D

I decided to try an oval chainring. I have heard a lot of good things about them and have a few friends that run them on their road bikes and love them. I guess we'll see........
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 28, 2017, 09:02:47 AM
Next was to install the brakes. There are no inner tubes in the frame for the brake lines which was no problem. I was careful to leave some slack at the bottom bracket area for the rear triangle to pivot. One major word of advice.....DO NOT install the fork before running all of your cables and hoses through the frame!!! You will need the access at the head tube to feed everything through. Access is very good and routing all cables and hoses were no problem. There is even an access hole in the underneath side of the toptube for the rear shock, very cool! Will make for a clean installation there as i'm using a remote lockout for the shock.

That was about all i could do for the night. I'm waiting for rim tape and valve stems to come today so i can mount the wheels, mount the rear derailleur and get the drivetrain buttoned up and adjusted. Once that is complete it will be time to bleed the brakes, install grips, and adjust all the levers. If everything goes smoothly i hope to be able to take the first ride around the neighborhood Saturday, fingers crossed! If that goes well and i can get all systems adjusted properly then Sunday will be a good trail ride. Hopefully all will go well  ;D
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: Klaster_1 on July 28, 2017, 10:02:23 AM
Love the color, I'd go for bright green too if not the paint weight  ;D I'm also drooling all over your Next SL, but no good deals yet, too bad. What spindle width does it have?
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 28, 2017, 12:21:58 PM
It's a 92mm width. I got a little bit of a deal but not much. I've been wanting one for so long i just bit the bullet and went for it....lol!
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: maui400 on July 29, 2017, 02:13:13 PM
Are you sure you need all those spacers + positive stem + riser handlebar? The frame looks awesome though!
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 29, 2017, 02:58:14 PM
Are you sure you need all those spacers + positive stem + riser handlebar? The frame looks awesome though!

I know right....lol! I just threw on what i had at the time. The hardest part of the cockpit was cutting the steer tube. What a P.I.T.A!!!

I do like to ride a little more upright. I usually set my bars about an inch or two below seat height.
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on July 29, 2017, 03:14:04 PM
Well, she's all finished!!! Ran into a couple of snafus but nothing really worth noting. Jut a matter of doing things twice to get it correct!

So far the bike feels really good and natural. I'm coming from a 29er hardtail (which is for sale now) so there's nothing really different about how the bike fits me. One thing though, i do notice the slack headtube angle. It feels like the font tire is 10 feet out in front of the bike....lol! It doesn't feel that way in the matter of how the bike handles though. Can't wait to get her on the trail! We had some rain yesterday so i'm not sure if the trails are open. If so, i'll take a good ride on trails i know well and give as comprehensive report as i can. Tried to upload some photos but got an eror message saying uploader is full. I even tried posting one photos of 64KB but same message. I'll try a little later.
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: steven-iam on July 31, 2017, 09:23:17 AM
Congratulations! Can't wait for your review and pics.!
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: ArAddict on July 31, 2017, 04:21:37 PM
Awesome build! Still waiting for my frame (stuck somewhere in the netherlands with DPD it seems).
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: Klaster_1 on August 02, 2017, 08:14:57 AM
If purchased i'm going to take the frame completely apart and measure all tolerances and clearances, along with all mounting hardware to ensure it all goes together properly.
adbl, did you decide not to proceed this way?
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on August 02, 2017, 08:47:42 AM
I did and then again i didn't. When the frame arrived i expected to find a lot more moving pieces to the puzzle that i felt needed to be sorted. I found it to be quite a simple design with not a lot of bearing and clearances to be checked. Someone (i believe on this forum) posted a breakdown of the parts that make up this frame. I used that for my guide as to what i believed needed to be checked. Mainly i was concerned with pivot points and shock mounting. I have read many postings about people struggling with getting their shocks to fit. Seems like they were jumping through hoops to make things work.

So, as i first checked all the hardware, everything was tight and torqued properly. I looked at the main lower pivot point which houses bearings and made sure they were installed correctly. All was good there! As i talked about in my earlier posting, the rear shock fit in the mount perfectly with no clearance issues. Maybe i got lucky with the shock i'm using but the the bushings supplied with the shock were industry standard and the frame was built to that standard. Also one thing to mention, what attracted me to this frame was the fact it was a single pivot design. No pivot points at the rear chainstay/seatstay connection  so nothing to check there.

All in all, my intention was to completely disassemble the frame to make sure it was properly put together but there really was no reason to. I was very pleased with the build quality and how everything was put together  ;D
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on August 09, 2017, 10:45:23 AM
Here are a few photos of the finished product  ;D
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: Klaster_1 on August 09, 2017, 10:59:17 AM
That's cool, any new impressions? What's the final weight, about 11kg?
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on August 09, 2017, 11:22:56 AM
Initial impressions" First of all, what a great bike!!! I'm coming off of a 29er hardtail so it is a lot different. It weighs 25 lbs where as the HT weighed 22. Can't really say a feel a huge weight difference in the bike but the FS is a smoother bike. The HT is more playful and you can throw it around if you need to. The FS is a bike that you ride and steer, not flip it around but it's still fast! If you know anything about cars i would equate these two bikes as if you were comparing a BMW to an Audi. The BMW has a stiffer suspension and a ride that allows you to feel the road more. The Audi is more luxurious and insulates you more from the road. Both are sporty and capable cars though!

So the M06 specifically. There is a lot to get used although all good! I like the slack headtube. Combined with the short chainstays it turns really well but different. It's almost like driving a vehicle with 4 wheel steering. As you enter the turn, especially a tight switchback, you feel like there's no way you're going to make the turn. Then when you approach the apex, the rear end comes right around as if someone one was steering it.  That's what i mean when i say it feels like it has 4 wheel steering. The front steers a little slower than the rear. Just something to be aware of. It soaks up all the bumps without feeling mushy. When you take a big hit you can feel the seatstays spring back as the shock wants to bottom out giving you a little bounce back from the drop. Not throwing you off but just enough spring back to help the shock rebound. I like the feeling! It has been a very easy bike to ride. It feels natural, almost a part of me. I don't have to think about how to ride it. I just follow the trail and react and the bike does what i want it to. All i can say is......very natural!

Small bump compliance is very good! I can now pedal through rooty and rocky sections that i used to coast through. Rear grip is very good. I run tubeless tires with 26-27lbs in the rear. I'm still dialing in the shock and have sent it out to be tuned. From the factory the compression is spot on but the rebound needed just a little tweak to make it perfect for myself and the bike. Those who have not experienced X-Fusion products, don't let the price fool you. They are great components. I've been extremely pleased with them.

As far as suspension bob goes, i haven't noticed any at all! Now, i am using an oval chainring and i know it's not going to take out all the bob but so far bob has not been an issue. When i ride on pavement you can hear the cadence of what you think would be bob but when you look at the shock, nothing is moving. Again, could be the oval chainring is helping. Who knows. One thing i can say about the oval chairing is that it definitely helps on the upstroke. I try to concentrate on an even circular pedal motion and the oval chainring gives me more power on the upstroke for sure. We'll see what the long term affects are.

It's been raining here all week so trails are closed. Looks like in a few days i'll be able to ride again and see what she can do! So far i have been very happy with the bike. It does everything i wanted it to do and does it well. It feels stable and sturdy underneath me and it is fast!! Just what the doctor ordered  ;D
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on August 09, 2017, 11:24:39 AM
That's cool, any new impressions? What's the final weight, about 11kg?

Yes, 11.5kg to be exact.
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: steven-iam on August 23, 2017, 02:54:21 PM
You did a fantastic job, the bike looks great! 
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on August 23, 2017, 06:15:12 PM
Thank you! The more I ride it the more I like it  ;D I keep saying the same thing, I don't have to "ride" the bike. Everything comes so naturally I never have to think about what to do. It goes where i want it to go without a second thought!!!
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: samroy92 on May 27, 2018, 09:08:21 PM
Thank you! The more I ride it the more I like it  ;D I keep saying the same thing, I don't have to "ride" the bike. Everything comes so naturally I never have to think about what to do. It goes where i want it to go without a second thought!!!

How's it so far adbl, still going well on this frame?
Title: Re: New DengFu M06 Build Coming
Post by: adbl on May 29, 2018, 02:01:42 PM
Yes!!! Still love the bike  ;D It's been a very rainy spring here in North Carolina so i put a pair of the new Maxxis Forcaster 2.35 tires on it. Really like the way these handle. They grip even better than the Ardent Race that i was riding on. Even though they are more knobby they still feel just as fast to me on the trail. You can tell they're a bit slower on tarmac but i rarely ride on tarmac, mostly single track. They grip very well in the berms. I weigh 190lbs and run 24lbs in the front and 26lbs in the rear.

No issue with pivot points loosening up. All the bearings are tight and smooth. Took a little bit to get used to the slacker headtube but now that it's natural to me i would never want to go back to a more upright angle. In the next few weeks i'm going to be bringing the bike to some downhill parks and i can give you all a review on how it handles on "downhill" conditions!