I may have someone who is interested here in the states, but they want to know if broke your wrist while riding it?

There are some hardtail 29ers on Ali Express under 250, but I personally don't know any reputable companies with frames that cheap.

I ride the FM1002 and its great, but the FM1003 is going to be a lot more durable and handle weight better. That frame weighs 1KG more than the FM1002 and is probably way stiffer.

I would put the FM1002 as a super aggressive trail bike, but not a full Enduro bike. Kind of like the Transition Sentinel.

With the FM1003, you could have a super capable Enduro bike under 15Kg

I am not sure if it is the front triangle or the linkage.  I just can't tell which one is misaligned.

More people have issues with linkage than a front triangle. if you cant pinpoint the problem, Adam probably wont help you. Perhaps you should take it to reputable bike shop?

While Carbonda does seem deliver the most consistent quality, it's still a chinese frame. Most major bike brands have dedicated quality control person onsite to catch these things. We don't get that at this price point.

Several other reports are in this thread of linkage/shock issues, especially on the regular (non-SL) version. To be fair, these are some of the least visually inspectable defects.

I think a lot of us like Carbonda because of the quality of the carbon work. Not too much resin, very clean on the interior.

You definitely got unlucky, that sucks. At least they usually respond to defect claims. Some manufactures just ignore you.

They will probably make you saw the frame in half before sending you a new front triangle and it will probably take a long time.

As for the paint, Carbonda paint used to be better. Ask for a paint refund. My FM1002 had the same flakey issue.

Like you said, the FM1001 is well established.

The light carbon seems to be a great bike. We've seen some issues with carbon quality and quality control.

Im not familiar with the other frame, do you have any links?

Manufacturer is most important with these frames. Doesn't matter how good the frame looks if it doe

I am using OEM Carbonda on the bottom and Ritchey on the top (https://www.bike-discount.de/en/ritchey-comp-cartridge-drop-in-1.5-upper-headset)

I am using headset from Carbonda. question to those using same headset. do you have also such big gap between upper/lower headset and head tube?

Looking at the bottom... your fork cone is missing!

It should sit on top of your fork where the bearings meet the fork, I am using the one that came with the bike. I recommend you install that and it could be why the top sticks out too.

Also, check if there is any play in the headset by picking up the front end and dropping it on a hard surface. You may need to tighten the star nut more than you wanted too.

They were called out by community members, and then either FBA or Carbonda directly commented when asked, confirming that NS had nothing to do with the design process.  Not my story, others posted about it here and elsewhere.

Catalogue brands rarely employ anybody capable of doing any design or engineering work.  NS may have requested a 120mm option when FBA didn't have one planned (we don't know).  But that's a long way from design.  FBA and similar operations are a one-stop-shop.  Their focus is not on OEM work (not even sure they do it?), they're primarily an ODM.

It's not like NS are the only ones pretending they design, though.  Lots claim it.  Very few do it.  Vitus (CRC / Wiggle brand) are a classic one.

Sorry RDY, Can you show me what you mean when you say they were called out?

Over two years ago when I built my FM936, I got Enigma rims from an NS retailer. They were surprised to learn about the FM936 and they talked to NS about it. NS said that was the factory they use and I assumed they gave up exclusivity for a discount on the frame mold. I think NS was involved with the bike design. Vitus and other rebrands of the frame came later.

Really?!?

I have the feeling too, fly bike asia have competent designers.
However in the case of the CFR-505, Thesis who took an exclusivity for a while, suggested improvements. That are now part of the frame they sell.

I agree. Flybike clearly has expertise with frame mold design. I'm sure building carbon frame molds for mass manufacturing has its own difficulties. I feel like they invested a lot in bike frame molding and now have competent bike designers to help them grow.

I asked Adam and he says that NS and Flybike worked together to bring us Frame Mold #936