Hello,

I am an 25 year old biker. Currently seated on Trek Rumblefish Elite since 2013 (120/120mm). I am really satisfied with it. But asi it turned 8 years old, my adventurous mind want something new, something made of carbon and 1 by 12 .  So i looked up on the internet and found that this something is 4000+€(4800+usd). And also i want to try a bit higher travel. I've always wanted, but in 2013 was the world of bikes alot different and 120mm on 29er were considered AMish and almost crime for gravity oriented bikers. And than I found this forum, and immediately got excited about building my own bike. As I do all the repairs and service of my bikes myself, I think this task will be manageable for me (only press-fit is something i never did, because of having no tools and need to).

So my quest is now clear AM 29er ~140mm . Not afraid of technical trails and chasing XC hardtails the way up . Found good deal on new 2021 Marzocchi Bomber Z2 140mm so pulled the trigger as the first part of the puzzle. 

Got really excited about DengFu M08/TanTan FM08/LightCarbon LCFS713. Found all the topics here on the forum, but not much experience from longer term usage shared. I really like the linkage design as it is similar to my current Rumblefish. Compared the geometry with the bikes from mainstream manufacturers i considered (Scott Genius, Trek Fuel EX, Orbea Occam) and found that, its is very similar except higher stack vs. Scott and Trek (similar to Orbea) but they've got lower head tube so that's the difference I think. And shorter reach than all of them, but still 26mm longer than my current Rumblefish. So from paper riding experience I think it's suitable for me.

Dived a bit into the technical analysis and got headache from it .  Found conclusion that its nicely progressive but really couldn't make my head around the anti-squat and anti-rise. So much info on the web is going against each other. Should I care much abut these two parameters? I will almost certainly use Cane Creek DBair Inline to prevent disappointment from buying not right tune of shock from RS or Fox (don't want to fiddle that much like custom tuning shims etc.). So the Climb mode is present. I don't know how much of a deal the anti-squat is when climb mode is activated. 

Is there some other frame from some direct sale company? Don't want to go the Aliexpress way the first time I mess around chiner.

LC is a bit cheaper for the goods but have really outrageous shipping price (although it explicitly states that it includes the customs and taxes). But i really like the way the DengFu eshop (https://www.dengfubike.com/) looks and works. They also states that the DPD shipping option to EU covers the taxes for much better price than LCs offer. Have anyone in here experience with this way of acquisition of DengFu frame (not the usual one with email inquiry)?

Other components will be chosen later on the way. I want price conscious build. Drivetrain will be 12s Deore with som lighter cranks (SLX or XT). 4 piston Deore brakes. Suspension as I mentioned 2021 Marzocchi Bomber Z2 140mm and Cane creek DBAir Inline 210 x 50.

What do you think, is this frame good for chiner novice? The frame is relatively long time in production so I hope its time proven

Thanks!