It looks like you're using a very long stem and a massive stack of spacers too. In retrospect would you have changed the geometry of the frame?
Some of my fit has changed since I initially built the bike. I just put the stem on there as it was either that 110mm or a 50mm as my only choice. I have since changed that out for an 80mm +6° stem. I don't like to be hunched over so I have a lot of spacers but that is just me.
Let me first say that I do like the bike and love the wheel size. As for the geometry, I would change a lot. This will be an old man style rant about the new direction of bikes but they suck balls. So I copied the Neuhaus Nova 32 size large. I am not sure what they were going for but it is shit! The position is super far forward and very short feeling. I had no idea how a 32 would fit and everyone was saying that the stack would be crazy high and we would need to have all these stupid limp penis looking stems. So I went with a very short head tube which I would change right away. Maybe if you are a pro XC racer you need that low of a stack but it is not for me. The seat tube is also way too steep. It puts way ahead of the bottom bracket and makes the cockpit super cramped. I would slacken the seat tube by a few degrees and lengthen the reach. I was also very worreiabout toe overlap based on all the people pontificating on the internet's so the head angle is slacker than I would like. I would definitely steepen that up a degree or two. I have angle adjustment headsets but I have not tried them yet. The 2° will be the first one I try. The short feeling reach is what is driving the long stem. It is hard to turn the bars and not hit my knees if I run a 50mm stem like the Nova comes with.
Other than that, it is great. I really want to get a suspension fork on the bike asap. It is very fun to ride but the rigid fork is definitely a limiting factor. The rollover is really only noticeable on rock gardens and roots that are over 6-8". Getting up that stiff is super easy on this bike. Little roots and rocks feel the same as on a 29er. No magic carpet ride there. I was also worried about how it would handle in tight technical situations but I have been pleasantly surprised. The bike is long so I have run into things I would usually be able to clear just because I forgot I has more tire out front. The steeper head angle will help shorten the bike up. The steering also feels a bit floppy due to the huge trail #s so again, a steeper head angle should help with that.
I will make some changes and then I will likely order another frame from Marino. I have been very happy with the bike.
