I asked Airwolf about the YFM-059 frame. This was their response:

Yes,the hardware is come with the frame to install a shock
For the shock,it is 19040 or 20050mm can fit
The rear travel is 110mm

Quote from: Specialf. on December 02, 2024, 02:55:49 AM
if we talk about used the discussion obviously changes. on the new ones the main brands now sell the top of the range version. s-works or orbea to name a 2 at random and here in Italy you are at 4000-4500€ list price. how are the prices in your area?

Not much better. Many frames are still priced upper $3k and above $4k.

Quote from: jarek on December 01, 2024, 06:50:53 AM
Slowly moving forward:)

Can you share the following:

- The sellerr
- Link to hardware used
- Shock size
- Shock tune

Quote from: indyphil on November 26, 2024, 09:09:09 AM
Airwolf calls it the YFM059

When it comes to travel there is a problem.  This frame and the other open mold frames that use the same design are copies of the older EPIC frame - not the EPIC EVO.  The Epic they copied had 100mm of travel but only when paired with the special brain shock that is 265x52.5mm - thats 52.2mm of stroke.

The aliexpress sellers are recommending a 190x40 shock or 190x45.  This results in a lot less than 100mm of travel.  45 stroke gets you to around 85-90mm of travel NOT the 100mm they advertise

Since the specialized EPIC EVO comes with 110mm and can be upstroked up to 120mm (using 190x40 and 190x45 respectively) with the same front triangle some people have wondered if using the EVO linkages would get to that travel.  Unfortunately the EVO rear triangle mounts to the EVO linkage very differently so you would need an EVO rear triangle as well as the linkage to make that work - or a custom CNC machined linkage that offers the leverage ratio of the EVO but fits the rear triangle of the EPIC.  its not clear how much travel the EPIC rear triangle would allow in that situation.

There is a version of this frame for sale on DIY carbon bikes that advertises 120mm of travel with a 190x40 stroke shock. It however uses the EPIC linkage just like Airwolf, Until someone proves me wrong I can only assume this is wildly false advertising and comes from the chinese suppliers who have confused the EPIC with the EPIC EVO.

I have added some images to show what an EPIC linkage looks like (from specialized website) - and its the same as the open mold copies
and an image to show what an EVO linkage looks like - allowing for much more travel using 40 and 45mm stroke shocks.

I think the Chinese companies simply got confused between the names and specs of the specialized bikes as they look very similar (and indeed the front triangle is the same), so they call it an EVO clone when it is an EPIC clone and then spec EVO shocks and advertise the 100m travel of the EPIC bike.

Hopefully this clears it up.

Thank you for the thorough response.

With all that information, and so much confusion regarding rear travel and linkage, I'm not sure it is worth exploring these frames. Especially since after adding shipping, hardware and shock, the prices of these frame is the same as, or close to used brand names.

Which of the Airwolf frames are the Epic Evo replica?

Is it 100mm rear travel or can they be set up as 120mm rear travel?

The Edge hubs are not authentic DT Swiss. They are replicas which use the DT star ratchet design. They are actually lighter than the 350 and weigh like the 240. I have them on my MTB Pro33 and Pro36 wheels and they are proven hubs and super easy to maintain.

Quote from: kanuto on February 22, 2024, 07:26:40 AM
If you have a chance to get a brand new roval alpinist cl ii at the price of elite edge wheelset? Will u go with alpinist or still go with elite edge?

Rovals are 1375g and the Elite are 1344g. For slightly less weight you get a deeper 50mm rim with the Elite vs. the 33mm Rovals.

Elite Edge 50. Weight without tape or valves:  1,344g.

Does anyone have experience with the Aliexpress Elitewheels Edge Gravel? They come in either 35 or 45 depth. Both weigh almost the same. Considering the 35mm.

How efficient is the Epic Evo clone suspension compared to the Giant Anthem Maestro?

Currently running the 2021 Anthem 29 and considering a carbon FS china bike.

I sold both the LTK023 and CS-057 frames and have spare derailleur hangers. They are yours Just cover the shipping which should only be a few bucks.

Message me if interested.

Any had luck drilling the entry points of the frame routing and running full housing inside the frame?

Can someone please share the procedure of routing the internal cable frame ends to route a full housing for the rear shifter cable for the CS-057 frame?

Could you please post detailed info on how you router full shifter housing internally? My 057 has shifting issues and would like to run full housing internally.  Thanks.

Have two rides on my CS-057.  It feels a little stiffer than my previous LTK-023. I do like the slacker front end and overall the bike seems more flickable and more playful. Probably due to the slightly shorter chainstay.

Overall I really like the frame and think it's a great bargain.

It's crazy how some HT frames cost $2000 and sometimes even more than that.