Carbonda advise me to stick to the 165x40 shock as mentionned in the updated geometry chart.
With 165x45 when you bottom out the shock the arch between seatstays comes in contact with seattube.
Even if i rode like that and my frame still intact, there's a potential risk.
I think with 42,5 stroke there's no contact, i will check.

Carbonda said me at the moment they won't modify the rear triangle.

for the record, this is VPP too: https://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/Crazy-Bike-Tech-from-Taichung-Bike-Week,12690/550-Open-Mold-Trail-Bike-Frame,134304/sspomer,2
and is 2 years old now
also sold for 600 by http://www.ltbikes.com/product/100.html
or more, if you want it with a shock and branded: https://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/Crazy-Bike-Tech-from-Taichung-Bike-Week,12690/DaBomb-27-5-Trail-Bike,134257/sspomer,2

This thing is a single pivot design based on a flexing rear triangle.
On a VPP there is an additionnal link between rear and front.

Quote from: Stinkfisk on October 02, 2019, 04:19:15 PM

I got this on mail.

Thank you! So this confirms what I was thinking. Now only one question is left unanswered.

Yes dimensions are correct, now you have to create a 54mm axle with M10x1.0 threaded holes to suit your shock, what do you need more?
With the frame you have the 2 bolts + 2 shims to assemble

1) There are bearings in the frame, bolt are with the frame so you have nothing to buy
2) Maximum insertion of the seatpost is around 20cm in medium size
3) No i just build the bike, but i think it's bearing everywhere. I will check one day if i do too much rainy muddy rides

What's your axle to crown dimension?  Geo chart shows 505mm for a 100m travel fork, I'm guessing you are more than 505mm?

Something around 525, it's a 120mm fork.

Do you think a 2.35 tire on a 29 or 30mm ID wheel would fit in the rear?  the Steven's model in the linked story looked like 2.25 Barzo that might fit tight.

I have plenty of space with a real 2,2 tyre, a good centimeter of clearance between tyre and frame, so a 2,35 tire will fit.

current frame has 430mm reach and 80mm stem, and don't feel stretched on it
17" + 50mm stem seems to yield the same effective reach, but ST is significantly steeper on FM936, meaning my ass will be further towards the BB than on my bike - right?

This is exactly what the way i went, check my previous posts. I move back my saddle to get the same position. But i'm riding with not much setback so steep angle doesn't annoy me.

@numberzero; a 165x45 trunnion mount rear shock fits right? Everywhere I see 165x40 as maximum, so I was just wondering if you had to do any modifications to let a 165x45 fit.

Check the geometry chart, it's written 165x45 and at the rear wheel you see and arc of 120, so i think 45mm on shock gives 120mm travel (i did not verify), 40mm on shock something around 100mm. I'm riding 45mm stroke without any problem.EDIT : 165x42,5 is the maximum the frame can handle I hope you'll appreciate this bike as i do

I have more miles on the bike, only offroad, ascends, descends, fast trails, single tracks...
The frame survived hard riding, i just had to check some screws, i bend a little bit the derailleur hanger while riding a bit closer to rocks this thing did the job, didn't break or resist too much to save derailleur.

First impressions are confirmed. This is a fun and fast bike.

The 120mm on front gives a noticeable bit more comfort compared to a classical 100mm XC and at the same time i keep an agressive position due to negative stem and short headtude.
I wanted to test a long reach with short stem (50mm) and i really like. The steering feels natural, the grip you have when you lean the bike is so nice
and due to low handle bar i don't suffer of slow steering at all.
Once you understood you can trust the front wheel this thing rides really fast. In fact it's like having a right sized bike without the front wheel just under the hands.
At the moment i don't see why going back to "traditionnal geometry", except the fun of riding a twitchy bike?

About suspension i can confirm that the fox evol works very well, in normal use i don't need to tune something or put volume spacer, the travel is well exploited.
On easy terrain, if you really like to put the hammer down, the fully open mode is too soft, firm mode is better or open mode with the hardest setup. The top is surely to get a shock from a scott spark with the 3 positions remote.

To end, a fews things i have in mind :
I don't see any reason to use a 100mm fork, the bike feel greatly balanced on 120mm.
Even if i could also ride a smallest size frame I don't regret my choice.
Keep in mind too the seat tube is steep so it's not for people who like to sit on the back.
If you want a cheap boosted XCO bike, don't hesitate.


Someone asked if this was the next level, probably yes!

I will try to sum up my first impressions.

First thing is to adapt to the front wheel being far away and then you feel the smooth handling, stability, it gives you huge confidence, this thing is fast. In the same time on climbs you put power down and the bike goes, balance between rear and front, weight distribution is nice, you fight less against unintentional wheelies or rear wheel sliding like on 90' geometries. For sure if you ride mainly at slow speed turning tight around trees or so, you'd better go with a shorter wheelbase and a more lively steep HTA.

About suspension I use a sag in the 25-30% range (not easy to check, it's a matter of 2mm) and it works very well without eating the full travel for nothing.
The open position of the fox is very sensitive. Switching to medium mode is enough to reduce the pedal bob to insigifiant, probably the best for smooth terrain, gravel etc... I didn't test firm mode.
If you're an XCO racer the a remote on bar is a better option because lever on shock is not the easiest to access in action.
For information main pivot is at the height of a 32 chainring.

I will end with the overall feeling. The frame to me is greatly designed, stiffness/rigidity is well balanced and you don't feel a difference between an overstiff front and flexy rear triangle for instance.

This fm936 is a great mix between a trail inspired geometry and the DNA of an Xco whippet with modern geometry, efficient suspension, low price and excellent quality!

I could not resist to do a check ride