Build's finished. Already got around 300 km on the bike. After trying friend's FM316 Size M I opted for size L and bought extra FM336 fork to compensate for the quirks I did not like steering-wise.
- 2.1 Thunderburts measured as 54 mm on super wide Tagoola wheels fit without issues in moderate mud, although sensitive to the rear wheel alignment. The fork can clean 2.4 easily. For very muddy conditions I would put 50mm on the back.
- Managed to get fit right from the first try - the bike welcomes you into aero tuck which is very easy to maintain thanks to quite high stack and long reach. Still experimenting with lever position and spacers, though.
- It is also very forgiving on rough terrain and steep descends. Bike handles very well and quite stable over single track ruts and eroded soil. Coming from pure bred CX bike where you may be thrown over the handlebars on steep descends it is night and day difference in offroad confidence. The low speed steering is also well preserved and I don't feel like I have to overcompensate in sand or tight turns. Seems like extra 5mm rake from FM336 fork really helps.
- On the road it is VERY fast. Cant compare objectively, as I don't have a power meter on the gravel bike, but for perceived RPE and HR in Z2 it is only 1-2,5 kph slower than my very fast road bike on my usual flat routes even without adjusting pressure on MTB tires.
- 48T chainrings fits without issues. Considering the available space, one could probably fit 52T and convert it into the progressive fit road bike
- It is stiff enough. Apart from squeaky tires I don't feel excessive flex in BB or fork
- The internal storage compartment DOES NOT rattle. On the other hand, friend's storage is noisy so he has to ducktape it. Maybe they changed something in construction, but I have no complaints so far. It is very small, though - no fit for electric pump, but just fine for dynaplug, spare tube and other tiny bits and pieces.
So far it is amazing. I genuinely like pretty much everything and think this is very successful frame, especially if you want to try something something else than another beaten up gravel bike which is the same as the others.
