Author Topic: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame  (Read 168484 times)

niklass

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #60 on: February 19, 2026, 11:44:25 AM »
I removed everything I could to get a "just frame" weight, that might account for the difference.

Which handlebar is that?  The spcycle one or something different?


Ah, get it. I weighed mine with the Axle and hanger and shock hardware. Makes sense.

The handlebar is a Syncros bar/stem combo 70mm/ -10 degrees. I am pretty happy with that. The C- clip is also Syncros and made for that stem so I have "holes on both sides instead of only in the front. But I only have the brake hose going thru the frame. I don't have any cable for the lockout of the shock.
And I have ordered a wireless dropper so I won't have to pull everything apart again. Weight penalty yes,  but I am ok with that. The Dropper weighs 688g with 150mm of travel.

According to my spreadsheet the bike is 11,52 kg with this setup which I think is ok for a XL bike. The fork is a bit heavy since it a regular 34 and not a Stepcast, but I bought it at a to good to pass price :)
I can save some weight by changing tires when these wear out. The ones on the bike are clincher tires weighing almost 900g each. So should drop the weight by atleast 200-300 with lightweight tires.






niklass

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #61 on: February 19, 2026, 11:58:19 AM »
looking good these last few white builds!i am considering this frame with the epic evo clone. As this one looks more reliable.

Any long term reviews?  I wonder how this frame will do in the tech stuff trail , not just XC

I have only ridden about 400km during the fall before the snow and the cold came. But so far so good. I am really happy with how it performs on the rough stuff. I haven't dialed the rear shock settings fully yet. And it has not even been ridden in the correct geo, since I had a 100mm travelk fork from start.
I am coming from the DH and Enduro side so I ride the bike fairly hard on descents. There are no really big descents where I live at the moment but I think it feels pretty solid on the tech. The leverage ratio on a bike like this with pedal effecieny in mind (I hope) will of course be a bit more "bumpy" than a more trail oriented bike. I think I will get an even better feel for the bike once the dropper post is in place. Always weird to ride fast downhill with that high seatpost :)



easyriderZO6

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #62 on: February 19, 2026, 01:18:42 PM »
I have only ridden about 400km during the fall before the snow and the cold came. But so far so good. I am really happy with how it performs on the rough stuff. I haven't dialed the rear shock settings fully yet. And it has not even been ridden in the correct geo, since I had a 100mm travelk fork from start.
I am coming from the DH and Enduro side so I ride the bike fairly hard on descents. There are no really big descents where I live at the moment but I think it feels pretty solid on the tech. The leverage ratio on a bike like this with pedal effecieny in mind (I hope) will of course be a bit more "bumpy" than a more trail oriented bike. I think I will get an even better feel for the bike once the dropper post is in place. Always weird to ride fast downhill with that high seatpost :)

Thanks for the info man.

Im planning on building it with 130 mm 34 fork, if i feel it needs it i will drop to 120.

but so far it looks like a winner frame, especially in white! :P

nallen

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #63 on: February 19, 2026, 04:35:41 PM »
just pulled the trigger on a white frame   8)
can anyone send me the headset bearing spec/numbers? I want to swap them with some SKF premium bearings.

Ty

The bearings are standard 52mm top and bottom, sinc ethe fork will be 28.6, any headset you get with a compression ring will have the correct bits.

nallen

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #64 on: February 19, 2026, 04:51:42 PM »
Ah, get it. I weighed mine with the Axle and hanger and shock hardware. Makes sense.

The handlebar is a Syncros bar/stem combo 70mm/ -10 degrees. I am pretty happy with that. The C- clip is also Syncros and made for that stem so I have "holes on both sides instead of only in the front. But I only have the brake hose going thru the frame. I don't have any cable for the lockout of the shock.
And I have ordered a wireless dropper so I won't have to pull everything apart again. Weight penalty yes,  but I am ok with that. The Dropper weighs 688g with 150mm of travel.

According to my spreadsheet the bike is 11,52 kg with this setup which I think is ok for a XL bike. The fork is a bit heavy since it a regular 34 and not a Stepcast, but I bought it at a to good to pass price :)
I can save some weight by changing tires when these wear out. The ones on the bike are clincher tires weighing almost 900g each. So should drop the weight by atleast 200-300 with lightweight tires.

I have the Syncros -17 70mm it's unfortunately took short, I find I need a 90mm stem, so I might buy it again.  For now separate stem and bar until I get things sorted. 

My build without dropper is 10.95 kg (24.11 lbs), the 4-piston brakes add some weight and I could put a raceday damper in the fork and save another 200g, but I kind of feel like for a 100kg rider it's getting to diminishing returns.  I'm not totally sold on the dropper, it's 600g of weight without clear benefit to a flat-land dweller like me, and routing the cable is a huge pain plus one more thing on the handlebar.

nallen

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #65 on: February 20, 2026, 08:51:29 AM »
For those interested, the Acros is52 headset bearing fits this frame, and it matches the Syncros cable layout for their integrated bars.  Current pricing is $62 + shipping from Acros.  Acros is the OEM for the Syncros headset bearings.

https://acros-components.com/us/is52-is52-bearing-kit-integrated-cable-routing/us-56.52.920r1

The Neco is52 headset also fits, but has lower quality bearings. https://www.necoparts.com/en/product/H322TP-1.html  It's available for $22 on AliExpress and $35 on Amazon currently (USA numbers of course, stupid tariffs.). I have it in hand now, it weighs 104g (as the manufacturer claims.)

easyriderZO6

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #66 on: February 20, 2026, 11:19:12 AM »
For those interested, the Acros is52 headset bearing fits this frame, and it matches the Syncros cable layout for their integrated bars.  Current pricing is $62 + shipping from Acros.  Acros is the OEM for the Syncros headset bearings.

https://acros-components.com/us/is52-is52-bearing-kit-integrated-cable-routing/us-56.52.920r1

The Neco is52 headset also fits, but has lower quality bearings. https://www.necoparts.com/en/product/H322TP-1.html  It's available for $22 on AliExpress and $35 on Amazon currently (USA numbers of course, stupid tariffs.). I have it in hand now, it weighs 104g (as the manufacturer claims.)

thank you so much nallen!

Im thinking on a checklist for this to make sure all goes well.

In retrospec would you guys have ordered somthing as sapre? somthing i better clearfy before the frame is shipped?

Trying to make sure i help the sp people to not screw up :)


nallen

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #67 on: February 20, 2026, 08:04:28 PM »
thank you so much nallen!

Im thinking on a checklist for this to make sure all goes well.

In retrospec would you guys have ordered somthing as sapre? somthing i better clearfy before the frame is shipped?

Trying to make sure i help the sp people to not screw up :)

I just installed the Neco headset, and it's so much better.  Spcycle should use these as stock.  I will probably replace it with the Acros when it comes it as it looks like an even better design, and more robust bearings, but honestly, it's just a bike geek upgrade, this neco bearing does all the things at 1/3 the price.

One thing that I had to order that I didn't plan out:  the rear shock bushings!  Bikes are so different that there isn't really a standard size, for the 686: Front 8x50mm, Rear 8x22mm.  And of course a bushing press if you dont have one.  Neither item is terribly expensive, but nearly impossible to work around.

You will need a cable fish line to get the rear brake line and shifting cable through, which you should expect with interally routed anything.

Consider upgrading the bolts/hardware, they are fine, but a bit prone to rust.  I haven't done so yet, but thinking of it.  I need to find a source for the parts.  I might just paint the exposed metal as a solution.

I didn't have any issues with the brake surfacing on the mounts, everything went together smoothly there. 

Consider the grease you are using to put things together, instead of bike grease I am using Mobil XHP 222 for the bearings and seals, it's a lot more robust than most geases, and a lot cheaper.  For suspension bits, and anything moving a faster speeds I'm using a calcium sulfonate grease, it is less prone to attack surfaces like some lithium greases can.  I ran across this great youtube video by Mapdec which actually explains quite a lot: https://youtu.be/WqiTtlVo-xA?si=CxEbj9GcMscli1fj. Totally worth a watch before assembling a new build.





easyriderZO6

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #68 on: February 21, 2026, 12:51:23 PM »
I just installed the Neco headset, and it's so much better.  Spcycle should use these as stock.  I will probably replace it with the Acros when it comes it as it looks like an even better design, and more robust bearings, but honestly, it's just a bike geek upgrade, this neco bearing does all the things at 1/3 the price.

One thing that I had to order that I didn't plan out:  the rear shock bushings!  Bikes are so different that there isn't really a standard size, for the 686: Front 8x50mm, Rear 8x22mm.  And of course a bushing press if you dont have one.  Neither item is terribly expensive, but nearly impossible to work around.

You will need a cable fish line to get the rear brake line and shifting cable through, which you should expect with interally routed anything.

Consider upgrading the bolts/hardware, they are fine, but a bit prone to rust.  I haven't done so yet, but thinking of it.  I need to find a source for the parts.  I might just paint the exposed metal as a solution.

I didn't have any issues with the brake surfacing on the mounts, everything went together smoothly there. 

Consider the grease you are using to put things together, instead of bike grease I am using Mobil XHP 222 for the bearings and seals, it's a lot more robust than most geases, and a lot cheaper.  For suspension bits, and anything moving a faster speeds I'm using a calcium sulfonate grease, it is less prone to attack surfaces like some lithium greases can.  I ran across this great youtube video by Mapdec which actually explains quite a lot: https://youtu.be/WqiTtlVo-xA?si=CxEbj9GcMscli1fj. Totally worth a watch before assembling a new build.

the shock bushings! THANKS!! didnt think of that :)

can you please share the aliexpress link for the headset and bushings? does the frame come with shock bolts? if not what should i buy?
ill order both  :D

just got the downtube and chainstay protectors from ali as well. top quality stuff
« Last Edit: February 21, 2026, 02:33:13 PM by easyriderZO6 »

nallen

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #69 on: February 22, 2026, 06:03:40 PM »
the shock bushings! THANKS!! didnt think of that :)

can you please share the aliexpress link for the headset and bushings? does the frame come with shock bolts? if not what should i buy?
ill order both  :D

just got the downtube and chainstay protectors from ali as well. top quality stuff

The frame comes with the bolts, no worries there.

I ordered the bushings off Amazon because I could get them overnight (as you can imagine that was pretty important at that point!) 

Bushings are easy to find:  https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805690164722.html
If those don't work for whatever reason there are lots of options.

Also, since this is a common issue with carbon fiber, if things are slipping, like the seat post or handbars, really anything, a great solution in place of carbon fiber grip grease, is just a piece of thin PVC rubber, I use small bits from a old pool float.  Works great, I heard about it from TraceVelo on Youtube.  Solved the seat tube issue on my road bike when nothing else really worked.

I figured out why the SP cycle headset is the way it is, the integrated handle bar they sell has internal cable routing, in which case you'd want to run the cables through the front of the headset.  This makes sense, and every company does this sort of thing. 
« Last Edit: February 24, 2026, 08:16:32 AM by nallen »

Panczo

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #70 on: March 23, 2026, 02:08:41 AM »
Hello.
Have you replaced the suspension bearings on your bikes, or are you still using the original ones?

niklass

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #71 on: March 23, 2026, 03:23:36 AM »
Hello.
Have you replaced the suspension bearings on your bikes, or are you still using the original ones?

Not yet changed, but yesterday I replaced the rear brake hose (nothing to do with the frame) so i pulled the lower linkage apart. And realized that the bearings is totally stuck. So no movement at all. So these needs to be replaced. Will change all others bearings when i am on it.

do anyoine now the specs of the beraings?

alfiomotrambo

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #72 on: March 23, 2026, 04:31:17 AM »
Sorry, I'm a bit of a noob. What do you think of these front forks https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005005121945934.html? Are they good for this frame?

niklass

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #73 on: March 23, 2026, 04:44:12 AM »
Not yet changed, but yesterday I replaced the rear brake hose (nothing to do with the frame) so i pulled the lower linkage apart. And realized that the bearings is totally stuck. So no movement at all. So these needs to be replaced. Will change all others bearings when i am on it.

do anyoine now the specs of the beraings?

I got my answer iin under an hour from SPcycle :)
24*15*5mm 2pcs
21*12*5mm 6pcs

niklass

Re: Spcycle 2024 New M868 Downcountry Full Suspension Frame
« Reply #74 on: March 23, 2026, 12:53:08 PM »
Sorry, I'm a bit of a noob. What do you think of these front forks https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005005121945934.html? Are they good for this frame?

Sorry, don't have any info or thoughts on that specific fork.
But I think I would rather go for an used one from a known brand if I was on a budget.

And make sure you buy a fork with the proper axle for the wheels you are going to use.
The link refers to a fork with the older quick release axle. Not thru axle that are more common nowadays. If you buy a wheelset with the boost rear axle you usually get a thru axle for the front as well. And the fork you link to will not fit that type of wheels/hubs.