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Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread!
How many people have had a chance to ride the bike yet? Thoughts?This is my second chiner, the first one was an XC carbon frame 9 Kg, still working after 9 years abuse; in that case the build was very easy. With this bike the build was challenging, many issues (frame hitting the fork,chainline,internal cable routing, rear shock bolts) but at the end the bike is real; I spent more than what I planned, due also to parts shortage covid related: no special sales, if you find the part you want you pay full price. I ended up with approx 3000 $ bill,(roughly 800$ frame, 700$ wheels, 900 $ suspensions, 600$ the rest) that it is above my initial plan. I wanted a bike that is good downhill but not too heavy uphill, and for now I am really happy. First rides impressions: (consider that there is still a lot of fine tuning to do) At 12.3 Kg it is probably one of the lighest full suspension 160-150 mm excursion bike in the market: even 10,000 $ bikes sometimes are heavier; it climbs really well, the DT swiss F535 shock is perfect with three position lever (open, climb, full lock) giving a stable pedaling platform; this aliexpress saddle is very light and it's the most confortable I've ever tried: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32766321631.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dc99TC2 These pedals are also light, cheap and well made: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001829797106.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dc99TC2 I don't feel the bike worse uphill than my 9 Kg XC bike, except maybe for the tyres drag (minion DHF+rekon). Downhill performance: The bike is good, I like the position and being extremely big it eats the trails and the bumps; despite this there is still a lot to do in tuning: the fork manitou mezzer has two hair chambers and two hidraulyc dials, now it's decent but not perfect. I think the 740 mm wide handlebar has to be reduced to 700 or 720 mm (I am 176 cm tall); the position of the saddle relatively to the post also is not perfect. The only way to have a good setup in my opinion is to go in a bike park, dial in the suspension and repeat the easiest trail a couple of times, I don't think I will have a chance to do this before next spring. Shimano XT brakes are powerful enough on 180 mm discs and no drags at all; I wanted formula cura as first choice but are sold out around the world. To maximize the fun you have to trust the bike and on flow section increase the speed above your confort zone...and it pays back, it literally flies over obstacles. Mistakes during build: The shimano chainring with 52 mm chainline it's too close to the frame: better to use an aftermarket chainring that has no bolts and then more clearance; I don't recommend the 55 mm chainline. I Bought a 34 chainring, and while to me 34/51 is enough uphill, 34/10 is almost useless on this bike: a 32 teeths chainring is more than enough in my opinion. Problems so far: Rear brake hose rattles inside frame, probably not too difficult to fix; shifting up is good but not great, I have to study the hanger b screw position as per previous posts; for some evil reason my rear rim is true but the maxxis rekon tyre can't sit completely straight. (maybe defective tyre?) After first ride one big bolt of rear suspension connecting rod got loose and the rear triangle become laterally flexy: I made up all four at the specified torque, added new thread locker and marked the bolts with paint to check movements: so far it's ok; with the bolts made up and the rear wheel installed it's not flexy, unless you push really hard. And of course with such a new and nice bike I am not only afraid of hurting myself with a crash but also of damaging the bike itself  Last problem...the bike it's huge and doesn't fit my car trunk as other bikes did 
October 21, 2021, 01:22:25 PM |
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Re: DT 240EXP hub clones Goldix, Venfort
DT350 freehub and ratchet rings are fully compatible with this Goldix GDR-310. About Yuanan, I am not sure if it is the real factory. For one Goldix MTB MH14, could be for this road hub I couldn´t find in their website. Bearings: Front hub: 2x6902 Rear hub: 2x6902 (hub body) + 2x6802 (freehub) In comparison with a DT 350 hub, the freehub also have 6902 bearings. In a sense, more reliable. Some weight comparison of freehub and ratchet rings: Goldix freehub - 44 grams DT freehub - 62 grams Goldix ratchet rings- 14 grams DT ratchet rings - 23 grams October 29, 2021, 02:13:34 AM |
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Re: DT 240EXP hub clones Goldix, Venfort
In terms of geometry are similar but not the same. Also DT350 weights around 360 DT240 EXP weights around 310 And this hubset weights around 320, so in terms of weight they are more similar to DT 240 (internals are quite equal in 240 and 350). About bearings, freehub are different, compatible but Goldix freehub uses 6802 bearings and DT 6902 bearings (in old ratchet). Comparing with DT 240 EXP, this are a bit better, it uses 1526 (15 x 26 x 7 mm) bearings, so bigger ball race than 6802, so we assume that they have longer life. In terms of bearings lasting 6902 > 1526 (15 x 26 x 7 mm) > 6802... theoretically. Just a note: Goldix front hub uses 6902 and I think that it could be enough to use 6802 in this case and this will save some grams. DT240 EXP front hub 24 holes center lock -> 104 grams Goldix GDR310 front hub 24 holes center lock -> 113 grams DT240 EXP rear hub 24 holes center lock -> between 204-210 Goldix GDR310 rear hub 24 holes centerl lock -> 206 grams November 02, 2021, 06:01:56 AM |
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Re: cybrsrce AM831 build
New wheels, tires, pedals, back to round chainring, testing out different grips, and shockwiz trying to get this damn shock sorted. NOBL TR37 i9 Hydra hubs that need to be greased monthly or they sound like an Aztek death whistle Specialized Butcher T9 Soil Searching 29x2.6 up front Specialized Eliminator T7 Soil Searching 29x2.3 out back I love tanwalls just not sure if I love them with the bike this color. SRAM 30t boost chainring in lunar to match the rest of the kit Gray version of the metal OneUp pedals, I put the beat up black ones they replaced on my hardtail Ergon GA3 this month. Also have Ergon GA2 FAT and Deity Lockjaw to test. Tried Deity Supracush but they are, in fact, not cush... I may go back to my preferred Deity Knuckleduster or DMR Deathgrip. So, tanwalls - Thumbs up/down? 
December 11, 2021, 10:43:52 AM |
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Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread!
Heidei really needs to look at some successful examples of business crisis management. What they're doing is NOT a good example. At the very minimium, they should sponsor JJJ's fix for us AND offer the new triangle at half off. What would be ideal and even better is if the new triangle is sent out for free to those that are still under the 1yr warranty period. Most of these chinese bike frames from aliexpress have a 2yr warranty anyway. This forum are a dedicated group of buyers who are NOT afraid to try out chinese frames while their friends are all "oh hell no" to chinese frames. That means this group of buyers will be the people that try to persuade their friends to buy frames such as this. This is not good business crisis management. I'm not blaming Eddy directly cus maybe he's just being a spokes person for the company. Their director's and CEO's need to realize that if they want to keep the ball going for sales on the ground, they need to handle this much better. December 14, 2021, 07:08:18 AM |
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Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread!
At first I didn't pay attention to the flex issue, as my bike and many others here were fine, so I was thinking just about few defective ones. After reading the great JJJ case study I also realize that the design is flawed and all frames potentially will show the flex issue. JJJ fix is brilliant, Haideli one much less even if they invested in a new mold for rear triangle, obtaining the same result as JJJ on the upper link and maybe making it even worse on the lower; the triangle is beefier but this isn't necessary a good thing. For sure the problem has to be solved on all frames, even the non flexing ones like mine: as haideli says carbon fiber is an anisotropic material (the paper sheet explanation); unexpected stress in unexpected direction can cause failure even with relatively low force; I would consider the frame dangerous without locking somehow the bearings in the recess. The big question is if the old triangle section is strong enough after the bearings will be locked in place. I am still positive that the fix will work and the bike will be a great bike as it is for now; for sure I don't want to invest 300$ in the new triangle or even worse 1000$ in the new haideli model. We have to accept that we are beta testers of this frame, it's part of the fun too; just I hope at the end I will have a safe and reliable bike. I am sure everybody isn't riding much due to winter season, but with the coming spring let's keep the community updated about possible failures or defects that this frame could bring. Merry X-mas to all 831 team! 
December 21, 2021, 02:16:56 PM |
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Re: New Enduro Frame FS830
It seems like some people have received these frames and are riding them around, surely they could take some photos of the pivot bearing mounting arrangement for the thread? I'm somebody who is looking at frames trying to decide what I want to do now, and I might buy this frame if I can see that the bearing mounting solution is adequate, but unless I see that I have my doubts and I might buy something else... Seems like Eddy or somebody else should just post some pictures and then people like me will be able to buy with confidence!
December 25, 2021, 02:31:01 PM |
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Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread!
Modified the megatower rear 3d printed mudguard to fit the frame. attached is the file for those still looking for a solution. Used zipties to tie it all together December 28, 2021, 05:21:01 AM |
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Re: Those with AM831 built, are you happy with it if not including flexing issue?
Let's not forget that we are buying frames at less than a third of the price of "reputable" brands, from a remote end of the world that does not always have good reputation. Unless we are completely naive, we know that we are gambling. If it's too good to be true, it may well be. I purchased mine with this in mind, and don't expect any warranty. Moreover, there are several manufacturers using the same mold, and not only Haideli is in question. I bought mine from Winow Cycles, and their attitude is no better. The AM831 is my 9th Chinese direct frame out of 10 (a mix of mountain, gravel, and road) and they have all be acceptable, even the AM831. Some take a little work to get right, you just need to look around the forum for the guys with the Stumpy clones to see that it isn't just this frame. My previous frame used to eat shock bolts and pivot bearings, but so do many name brand backed Chinese frames... Not one of my frame "issues" was handled by a seller and most of the time it was just asking to purchase spare parts. So I agree with JJJ, was cautiously optimistic and was able to get them to a working condition. Quote Otherwise, I'm pretty impressed by how the bike rides. The flexing issue does not impact me yet, as long as the press-fit of the bearings holds, but I'm not very heavy and I don't make my bike slide from side to side like cybrsrce. I do believe your update is going to make this frame work perfectly for most riders. I am built and ride like a gorilla, the name on my frame is actually an old riding nickname 
January 03, 2022, 06:30:05 AM |
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Re: Those with AM831 built, are you happy with it if not including flexing issue?
I have been reluctant to really give my opinion on the matter, hoping I could convince Eddy to do the right thing but after being strung along for the past month , I think it's time to say something. This was my 5th chinese frame last year. 1 from tantan, 2 velo build, 1 light carbon and the AM831. My experience with tan tan and heidli have been absolutely horrible. Tantan was mostly due to their delayed shipping and the fake tracking numbers provided .however, all 4 frames except the am831 have been without issue. Both velobuilds and light carbon after sale support has been pretty amazing. Especially when you read some horror stories on here or deal with companies like hiedeli/tidace. I've also purchased plenty of parts and gear from China and had mostly positive experiences. Sure there are those who ignore or refuse to help with poor quality or problematic items but i assumed that's what this forum is for, to help provide feedback so others don't go through the same hassle or monetary loss. This site is the first or second link that shows up when you search for the am831. I would assume most people buying this frame for personal use or on a mass scale would do some research before spending their hard earned money on a product and in doing so will see our reviews ,recommendations or complaints. I don't think we should give eddy/heideli a pass because "you should expect this" . There are plenty of reputable companies selling frames and are providing better products,service and after sale support. Eddy didn't just provide terrible customer service that we can brush off. He legitimately lied twice on this forum for the sole purpose of selling more flawed frames. I have his comments proving this attached to this post. One was oct 29, and then the next was Dec 3. At this point, who knows when the new rear triangle with be finished. You cant trust the guy to give you an honest answer. So no one should be buying this frame unless you got money to blow and are willing to test his honesty. Realistically, no one should buy from them again after seeing how this whole thing was handled. I could also go into how I was overcharged and how my frame was painted over a matte back finish rather than sanding that off and applying it over primer. Personally if I could get my money back I'd go with light carbon, Carol was really great and was super quick to get back to me with whatever I needed, or carbonda, which has a proven track record on this site. I think we should actually ask to remove him from this forum. He's lied so we cant trust him and he doesn't provide anything of value. He just advertises their products which we can all view on their webpage without him. I bought mine from Winow Cycles, and their attitude is no better. Window is tantan and they're pretty terrible as well. I'd never buy anything from them again. January 03, 2022, 12:14:46 PM |
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