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Re: recommendations for my first mtb frame Hi Snacks!

Many friends and I started doing MTB in 2020 because of that covid thing! I like this sport very much but I discovered like you that it requires a lot of knowledge to fully enjoy it!

1-Your fitness level is very important in your choice of bike. A friend of mine who was not particularly fit was recommended an All-Mountain bike which ended up with a weight of 35 pounds. As soon as he climbs, his hearts pumps up and eventually he often have to stop and retake his breath.... As opposed to me and my other friend in the triathlon team where we train all year long and we ride with extremely light cross country bikes which are often only 23 pounds, very good for climbing indeed!

2-But yeah descend is fun too so I agree that if you have to have only ONE bike, then a Trail bike is the best choice. That's why I ended up ordering a Carbonda FM1156 (now renamed FM1001) to have a more robust bike than my Santa Cruz Blur Trail. However the more you invest in more robust components, the more weight you add to your rig....
I knew I would never be a neck braker DH rider so a FOX 140mm fork and a Fox DPX2 is the best balance of performance without too much compromise in weight. Of course there are many similar possibilities...

3-You chose to build your bike like me and the others for two reasons: 1-MAYBE and I say maybe you are going to save some money by doing it yourself : but unless you are already fully equipped in term of specific bike tools, or you are going to borrow the tools ... then your first rig is going to cost you many hundreds of dollars in tools.
If you buy all the components for your bike you will see that they may be very expensive and in the end you won't save much compared to buy a brand new bike... But if you have spare or older parts from older bikes that you want to reuse, then you may save some interesting money! Where you save the most is by buying a Chinese carbon frame compared to a Brand name frame that can sometimes be more than 2-3K$ more expensive that a Chinese frame. 2-You want to experience the fun and satisfaction of building you own rig. By doing so you also acquire more mechanical knowledge making you less dependant on your local bike shop.

4-Rear suspension geometry: Horst-link (four-bar) and VPP are very popular, but I'm not sure it makes such a huge difference in light to moderate trail riding.

5-In the market of Chinese frames you probably know that there are very good brands as well as many bad companies. Go for Carbon and look for EPS molding, it appears to be better build quality and finish. For a Chinese Trail Frame I recommend you read the posts including mine with pictures of the FM1156/ FM1001. The geometry is quite modern and the build construction is very good. For now you can only have Medium size. For Large you'll have to wait until summer 2021. Ask Adam@carbonda.com, pay with Paypal and always order their headset and a spare derailleur hanger! Good luck with your bike project!
January 10, 2021, 08:42:17 PM 		1
Re: Carbonda Gravel Carbon frame CFR707
Quote from: tripleDot on January 22, 2021, 08:09:36 AM
Could you ask Wing to check?

So I did.
My last message from her was 2 days ago.
January 22, 2021, 10:31:12 AM 		1
Re: Light Carbon LCES004 E Bike Build Okay, Snacks... temporarily moved the thread to a higher traffic area. Hopefully, you'll get more assistance with your build here, if you need it. Let me know if I can help you with anything else and good luck with the build!
June 14, 2021, 03:05:37 PM 		1
Re: Velobuild VB-R-168 Frame
Quote from: Snacks on August 13, 2021, 03:53:36 PM
My bad dude. Didn't mean to insinuate you didn't know what you're doing. Was just giving my observation.

I did,  however, go check my own bike, velobuild r099 , and actually I have a pretty similar amount if flex in the stem too. I guess it's been fine but for some peace of mind looks like I'm taking my own advice and getting the FSA  ACR headset and stem now
No worries Snacks, i understood  ;) ;). My goal was to explain my situation and my experience in bike building, just to say I'm not a noob  ;D ;D
August 14, 2021, 01:24:26 AM 		1
Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread! Attaching a picture of my finished build. This frame size is "S".
Only the bottom cage is missing and I haven ridden it yet, apart up and down the street to tune suspension and saddle height.

Some interesting parts of my build:
  • assembling the lower pin of the rear shock was challenging, as I could not find any position of the rear triangle that gave me enough clearance to remove the bolt. I ended up unscrewing the top hinge form the frame (removing the 2 bolts just under the saddle). Not sure if that was the best choice because repositioning the hinge wasn't easy, but it worked
  • my mounting hardware for the shock was M8x30 and M8x22.199. The x30 (top) fit perfectly, the x22.199 was loose: i measured 22.86mm for the opening. Rather than ordering a new one, I 3d printed 2 spacers, which seem to work well
  • My shock is a Fox dpx2. It fits pretty well, but the access to the air valve is tight, I can barely connect my pump to the valve.
  • I used a Fox36 fork, that barely clears the frame, after using the 0.5 degree angle spacer from Reverse, which is about 10mm tall. BTW, jham asked about installing the angle spacer: it is an "interference fit", just like a standard crown race. I used a piece of PVC pipe with id of about 1.5" to push it down, with the help of a rubber mallet

As for my component list, most of them are reused form other builds or both 2nd hand:
  • fork: Fox36 w/ GRIP2 damper. The damper adjustments barely clear the frame even after adding the angle spacer
  • rear shock: Fox dpx2, see my comments above for the mounting hardware
  • drivetrain: SRAM Eagle GX, with SRAM DUB 89/92 pressfit bottom bracket
  • wheelset: Lightcarbon 350MB-AD938-Race, shared with my other frame
  • breakset: Shimano M8200, which I got new at a good price form a seller on Pinkbike. The rotors are generic from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082NVF3TD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  • dropper post: and old Tranzx 31.6x140. I pushed it all the way down the downtube.. and it still might be too high, I need to double check it, but I have not measured the insertion depth
  • saddle: a SDG Radar.. I have no idea of how good or comfortable it is, I got it at a discount because my other SGB Bel Air failed, but I have to say that I like a lot my WTB Volt on the other bike
  • stem and Carbon Handlebar: inexpensive from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0916YJ81R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JPF4T71/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  • headset and Sitclamp: I used the one that came with the frame. The frame also came with 4 cable hole plugs, for the larger holes by the bottom of the downtube. They are rubber, not easy to install. Not sure if they will hold
  • missing: chainstay (and maybe downtube) protection. I have something that might work, but I haven't tried to install it yet.

I hope this is helpful to others..
August 29, 2021, 09:25:32 PM 		1
Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread! After being out of town, waiting for parts, and finding the time. I was finally able to finish the build up today. Hopefully I can get it in some dirt soon.
September 04, 2021, 09:32:25 PM 		1
Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread! Scourge - Sugru lets you make custom shaped ones.
September 14, 2021, 05:17:14 PM 		1
Re: The Shiny New AM831 Group Buy (A) Thread!
Quote from: RobertRinAustin on September 15, 2021, 10:12:36 PM
Got my moss green medium today. I'll post some pics and weight tomorrow. Ordered a DT Swiss F535 160 to go up front. Missing a few small things, but will get started on the build.

We need some build threads, break up the P9 monotony...
September 15, 2021, 10:50:18 PM 		1
Re: Monsuta x Snacks AM831 build These are the hubs I ordered: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003097219967.html
September 24, 2021, 08:23:22 PM 		1
cybrsrce AM831 build Frame: AM831 Medium
Fork: Rockshox Zeb Ultimate 160mm
Headset: Cane Creek Helllbender 70 IS42/52
Stem: e*thirteen Plus 35 40mm
Handlebar: 800mm OneUp Components Carbon Bar 35mm rise 
Grips: Diety Knuckleduster
Brakes: Shimano XT BL-M8100 levers, BR-M8120 4-piston calipers F/R
Rotors: Shimano XTR SM-RT99 203mm F 180mm R
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle AXS
Bottom Bracket: RWC Stainless BB92 DUB
Crankset: SRAM GX Eagle DUB Lunar 165mm
Chainring: absoluteBlack 30T OVAL Boost for SRAM 3mm
Chain: SRAM XX1 Eagle Black
Cassette: SRAM GX Eagle 10-50T
Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate 210x55mm w/MegNeg
Seatpost: Rockshox Reverb AXS 170mm
Saddle: Ergon SM Pro Ti
Pedals: OneUp Components AL pedals
Wheels: 29" Sun Ringle Duroc 40 with DT Swiss 350 CL hubs - torque caps and 54t ratchet
Tires Maxxis Assegai EXO+ 2.6 F / Maxxis Dissector EXO+ 2.4 R tubeless

Other bits and bobs:
EDC Tool to be threaded into the Zeb
RWC needle bearing shock mount hardware just because
Cane Creek AL crank preload
Barfly 4 computer mount
Lizard Skins Carbon Leather downtube protector
Dyedbro EWS Mountains frame protection
Rockshox Maxle (rear)
Wolftooth seat clamp
MRP XCg V2 Bash Guard 32T ISCG-05
VHS 2.0 Slapper Chainstay Protector
Some plugs for all the frame holes I don't need

I think that is all the things?  Bars, grips, brakes, saddle, rotors, pedals, wheels, and tires are coming over from the bike this is replacing.
Already ran into a problem with the seatpost as there is carbon fiber and/or resin bulging at a join.  I'm going to have to use a reamer to open it up as I need another 30mm post depth.
Still waiting on the MegNeg but I have everything else on hand, should be a quick build.
Build starts after a ride tomorrow morning!
October 08, 2021, 09:54:33 PM 		1