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Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread! I checked out the included headset bearing and it looks like it is a 45/45, whereas the Cane Creek crown race is a 36 degree seat. The included headset bearing doesn't seat well. The lower bearing will need to be changed to a 36/45 52mm bearing to make it work correctly. Or you could run a Cane Creek headset.
October 01, 2021, 09:12:01 PM
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Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread!
Here comes the answer to my trouble: I installed the cane creek spacer and then the stock headset, it looked unstable; then I tried adding on top the stock spacer ring, better but still unstable; so I blamed the stock expander not pulling enough, today I will receive a star nut, but the reality as said above is that the angles don't match. So I will need a cane creek headset or a different bearing that probably isn't easy to find. Again time and money waste  :'(.
This project isn't a breeze, when I built another bike I made everything in one day and half with no issues. Here every day comes a surprise  :o.

You will probably need a cane creek bearing cause iirc cane creek doesn't use 45x45 bearings

And thats kinda the thing with buying a china bike its bag of surprises

October 03, 2021, 04:08:40 AM
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Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread!
Update: I installed the stock BB with no inner spacer, just to have more chances to remove it later; I plan to order thread in BB, ZTTO or token; if aliexpress is involved is going to take a while.
Chainline: I installed the 52 mm Xt crank, as said before the clearance with the lower frame is minimal, I measured it is 0.8 mm; I think it could stay like this, moving the crank out will harm the chainline: like this is aligned on the 4th gear from the smallest. I think 0.8 mm flex on the chainring will not happen.
Geometry: I put on fork and wheels to work on geometry: my handlebar hasn't much rise, maybe just 20-30 mm, but I feel like adding a lot of spacers under the handlebar, up to 5 cm: is it normal?

How much higher do you need to raise your seat to pedal efficiently? I personally don't like the way a bunch of spacers under the stem looks, but I also don't feel like it needs to be that high. But better to cut the steerer long and use spacers until you can ride it and see what feels best. You can always move the spacers around to see what feels right and trim it later.

I'm waiting for a 40mm stem and have a 60mm on currently and will probably go with 1x 10mm spacer under and 1x over. As it is, the stack on this bike is 48mm more than my current bike which is quite a bit higher and about like adding 5cm of spacers to it so I'm a bit surprisedthis frame feels like that much is needed, but everyone is different. Also, the reach is about 40mm more than my current bike but the distance from saddle to bar is almost exactly the same on both and with the 40mm stem will be shorter and quite a bit higher so will be more upright and comfortable. But with this newer geometry, I'm expecting to have to play around with the cockpit to see what feels good and puts enough weight over the front to get good traction and works best.

I was worried about chainline since I ordered a 7120  crank with 55mm chainline. But that is also what Shimano considers a boost crankset and is recommended for use with boost rear hub spacing so it can't be too bad. Also, I went with a ZTTO thread together BB which must be wider than a normal PF92 BB because I was only able to use 1 spacer which I put on the non drive side. If a 7100 crank has an axle that is 6mm shorter, I'm not sure it will work with the ZTTO BB? Just something to consider for anyone thinking about that combo. With that setup there is about a 1mm gap between the chainring bolt and frame, and about 5mm between tips of 32T chainring and frame. Don't think I would want it any less, and it might not be ideal but I think that crank is the only way it would all work with the setup I went with.

Has anyone come up with a fender or some type of protection for the bottom linkage and back of the shock? It's all right in the path of the tire and I can't imagine it all holding up that well to very many days of mud or rain...

October 05, 2021, 11:24:58 PM
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Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread!
The original SC solution doesn't look that efficient either...

Someone made a 3d print that was wider and longer but is only really practical when screwed in.  I'm not brave enough to rivnut the seat tube, or anywhere on these frames really, to get a little sample fender.  I bodged up a version without the screw holes that could be attached with double sided tape but it is heavy.  The original - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4853311

Other than looking like a SC this frame has nearly nothing in common with any model.  That said though I do think the muckshield made for the Tallboy/Hightower/Megatower would fit and be pretty neat.  The M5 version isn't available yet but I think a crafty person can work out how to make something similar.

https://www.phizcycling.com/the-muckshield

October 06, 2021, 03:05:04 PM
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Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread!
I was also thinking about the "problem" of the rear mechanism fender...any ideas are welcome (3d printing?) or maybe just a wrap of rubber or similar.

Here is a "wrap of rubber" solution:

October 07, 2021, 02:03:09 AM
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Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread! I have the highest trust in Light Carbon  (I have built 5 LC bikes) and the LC frame gives me a little more confidence. But I look forward to build the AM831. I can tell you more after I have built the bike.
October 08, 2021, 11:49:39 AM
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Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread! Will the bolts tighten the connection even when tight?

It wasn't obvious, but I found one side wouldn't get tight enough and there was flex when pushing and pulling on the rear end. This was because the countersunk hole that the bolt head sits in and is supposed to pull everything tight, was a little too deep and when the bolt bottoms out in the linkage there is still space under the bolt head and allows some side to side movement.

I took a fairly stiff wall plastic bottle, cut it open and laid it flat and cut a washer/spacer with heavy utility scissors. This let the bolt tighten everything up and feels like it should, at least when pulling on it and when sitting on it and bouncing it up and down (there are dirtbike sounds too but I don't think they are important...I kid, I kid). I was going to see if I could find a metal one the right size or make one, but I think what I made will hold up just fine. Time will tell.

Might want to double check all the connections because like I said, it wasn't obvious until I gave it a good sideways tug.

October 17, 2021, 04:12:04 AM
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Re: Debating between some frames, please advise I have built or am building three of the bikes on your list. First i built the LCFS958, then the LCFS947 and now I am busy building the AM831.

When I am finished with the AM831 I will sell one of the three, two bikes is enough. But it will be a hard choice to make.

The LCFS958 is quick, a good climber, comfortable on lock rides, works well on descends and it feels very easy to handle in all cases.

The LCFS947 is a monster on descends, everything fells possible and not dangerous. On slow, technical, rocky climbs it conquers everything. Its a bike I prefer when i know its going to be more technical than fast rides.

The AM831 is 3 centimeters longer than the LCFS947 :-o  What that mean when its time to ride it I don't know yet. Maybe its even more of the LCFS947 characteristics?

October 31, 2021, 09:20:13 AM
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Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread!
There was some talk a few pages back regarding what a mud guard for the shock. I had designed and printed myself one a few weeks back that seems to work well. It's held on via a zip and i've attached it for anyone that has a 3d printer.

Here is another solution to keep the rear shock somewhat clean. Holds with only two zip ties on the seat stays - not perfectly stable, but has held so far in pretty rough terrain and rough riding.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003325658168.html

@geekbox32, I tried to print that fender, but it comes out too thin and crumbles apart. Maybe not the correct plastic. I'll try to add some thickness.

November 02, 2021, 05:12:15 AM
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Bolt order for AM831 link upgrade kit OK, I received my 6703 bearings. Hey, they're so small!

The inner race is not very tall, so my fears of it rubbing against the carbon are unfounded.

Snug fit in the bolt head recess on one side, but harder to insert in the recess on the other side. Most likely the paint needs to be scraped off and then it should be OK, like for those of you who measured slightly less than 23mm diameter.

December 16, 2021, 08:37:53 AM
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