I like your choices of components!

I figured Deity would play well as a "brand" to gift to the wife/goddess in my life. Not the cheapest stuff, but this experiment was about the experience rather than money. She does say that the saddle is murder on her "seat", but she said that about her Evoke RL Womens saddle, that she rides and love now, for the first two weeks. Maybe Deity should make a female oriented saddle? Thanks for the comment Carbon_Dude!

Link to album. These outside pics kinda washed out the color a little. The inside pics I'm adding to the album are fairly accurate color representations. Also I jacked up two of the plastic cable housing guides so I'll be ordering some more of those from Peter soon.
https://goo.gl/photos/RerjCZaA4uxu9aVm9

Additional notes I'll add to first post...

• The Minion SS 29x2.3 probably wouldn't have fit if it wasn't the semi slick version. Take a look at the clearance shot of the back tire. Any knob height would have been rubbing. That being said, I think the Maxxis Minnion SS is a pretty good choice for what my wife will be using this bike on. This probably won't go in too much mud and she doesn't ride when it's wet/raining.
• Chain length... wrap the chain around the biggest cog in the back and the chain ring in the front, NOT weaving through the derailleur, then add 4 links. Anything less (with the xx1 derailleur) will cause shifting while riding when the suspension compresses.
• I don't have the weight yet, but it's really light...but all I have to compare it to is a Stache 9 and a Trek Fuel EX both in 21.5.
• Tires are Maxxis Minnion SS 29x2.3 rear and Maxxis Ikon 2.35 (mounted backwards by mistake) on the front.
• I tried to take a few pics of the chain ring clearance. It doesn't look like you're going to be able to go much over a 30T, but I really don't know that for sure. The teeth are super close to the rear triangle.

3 weeks?  Is he wrapping every bolts and nuts individually too?

So i got it back today.  He used his plotter/cutter to make a template so there are no visible seems. It looks really good. Pics in the morning. 

The rear triangle just needed to be loosened at the top pivot an 8th turn and it swings freely. I've got it roughly together and the build was easy. I ran the rear break outside until i figure out how to cut the hose to feed it through the top tube. Ill need a bleed kit then too. 
Another problem with the rear shock is that it will be impossible to attach the pump to the stem on the shock with the shock mounted. Ill play with the offset bushings tomorrow to see what i can do about that. The stem is too close to the frame right now.
I'll update more in the morning.

We've been talking past each other. And I've been unclear. Sorry. 

I've ridden the Spark. It's an awesome bike. That's why I'm considering the CS-FS27.

Beers are good tonight! 

Quote from: Le Duke on May 06, 2017, 09:49:37 AM

Numbers on a table are one thing, but the actual riding position, when shocks are set up properly, is very different. They share similar geometry, but ride nothing alike.

I don't disagree with the fact that they could ride completely different. But with new frames straight from china, geo numbers is all we have to go on. But out of curiosity, have you ridden all 3? If not, it's not a fair judgement to say that they ride nothing alike.

If you want to know how this frame feels, there is an easy solution.  Go to lbs. Ask for Spark 700 plus series. Test ride. It is the same. I promise. Suspension tune may play into it a little but it is a spark 700 plus. Its a fun bike.

I'm really curious what's going on with your rear triangle. I would loosen all the suspension hardware half a turn and see if it moves freely then.

As an aside, do you own a torq wrench? If not I would definitely recommend getting one. I have a park tools set which includes a 1/4" drive wrench, Allen and torx bits, it was like $80. I couldn't help myself on Black Friday and bought basically the same thing at harbor freight for < $10. Without a sale you can probably get a 1/4" torq wrench and bit set from harbor freight for $20.

The frame and wheels are at the graphics place. I'll try loosening the triangle as soon as i get it back.  I also emailed Peter about the issue. Hope it's something easy.
I did get a cheap torque wrench from Amazon and it works great so far. Figured that and a bike repair stand were pretty important.

One week is awesome!

What do you mean by locked? Once the dummy shock is removed, it should go through its travel pretty easily.

It didn't come with a dummy shock...nothing at all in there. Its just solid, like it's locked somewhere.