Yes, I spent too many hours looking for a Chinese frame.  The only vendors advertising 29+ are Carbon Speed and another guy who sells at eBay and AliExpress.  The latter vendor never directly answered the most critical Qs.  CS never returned multiple contact attempts, a far cry from the days when Peter was there (someone posted he's long gone, hopefully to greener pastures).  CS with Peter was A+, without it is nothing.  Peter WAS Carbon Speed.

Re your Trek Stache 9.8: Circa 2017 I took one for a test ride, and I absolutely regret not buying that XL size 9.8, by yuge margin the best bike I ever rode.  If there's a mountain bike equivalent to a BMW M3, that's it. (Yes, I've driven two M3's, an early 2k 911, and a 160+hp motorcycle).  Absolute comfort, control, and performance.  Price was in the low $4k range; at the time it was about $1k more than I wanted to spend.  I wish I got it anyway.  You seldom regret spending a little too much, and conversely, the aroma of inferior bargain soon fades. 

Last week I bought a NOS/half price closeout Salsa Woodsmoke NX-1 27.5+, carbon frame, infinitely variable wheelbase, offset chain stay ala Stache (AFAIK Trek invented the offset chain stay).  From what I've read our frames are very similar.  WS @ Universal Cycles, add US tax + $200 for shipping, but the bike arrives almost ready to ride: fasten the front wheel, fasten pedals, fasten the seat, air in the tires, coarse fork adjustments, and ride.  Assembly took only a little longer than unpacking. 

For reader's info: WS frame accommodates everything from 27.5 x 3.25 to 29 x 3.00.  I have and now install Bontrager XR2 29 x 2.6 on Carbon Speed 36mm rims/wheel set (purchased from Peter, absolutely perfect tire/rim width combination). 

Just to compare, I first rode my stock WS last night with stock alloy 27.5 x 3.00, and was surprised how much I liked it.  Your 9.8 is full carbon throughout, a universe beyond a stock WS NX-1.  But the NX-1 shifts surprisingly well, and the plush plus tires rollover rocks really well, super high sense of security, including so-called "edge traps" like driveway bumps; plus tires provide a safety margin for edge traps smaller width tires can't match.   

Swapping my 29s onto the WS now; estimate half the weight of the stock WS wheels.

Between these two 11 speed derailleurs, which would you select?
Shimano Deore XT, low/moderate miles
SRAM NX-1, brand spanking new

IIRC 2 guys at the LBS said the Shimano is easier to service, but no idea how much weight this deservers in my choice. 

I already have, and plan to mount on the WS pretty much full carbon build like your lovely 9.8, including crank, bars, etc.

Please comment if you can compare my carbon WS frame to your carbon Stache.  Honestly, if, when I'm done, I still prefer the Stache, I'll just admit defeat and get either a used 9.8 or buy the carbon Stache frame, $1700, ouch!  Again, should have just bought the bike 3 years ago!

Would you consider down-sizing to 29 x 2.6?  Ever ridden 29 x 2.6?  Describe your typical ride.  Again, if there's a perfect single mountain bike from the factory, IMO the all-carbon 9.8 is it.

Peter changed his job few months ago.
You'll need to look around here for another vendor.

Too bad for me, but hopefully good for Peter.  I'm not surprised about Peter; too good to last.  My Carbon Speed wheel set cost half of retail replacement wheels.  Thanks very much for this info.  Can you recommend another vendor, or a specific sales person @ Carbon Speed?   

Carbon Speed lists 4-5 "29er" models, none specify "+" or "Plus."  Only one specifies maximum tire width of "2.35" which is too narrow.

New OEM frames are too costly, and used are rare in my XL size.  The only known OEM frame w/my specs is Trek Stache Carbon (which I test rode and love).  Specialized makes Fuse Carbon HT 27.5+; 29 x 2.6 fits but more clearance is more bettuh.

I thought for sure at least one Chinese vendor makes a 29+ HT.   

Finance wise I take a huge hit if I buy an entire bike; every component on my current bike is upgraded except the crank and frame.   

Who makes one?  For a Clydesdale, meaning medium to heavy build, no light/superlight.  XL size. 

I very much appreciate all the build notes.  I shall assemble them into a document and bring such to the shop transplanting parts.

Looks like I'll be waiting a bit for my frame, especially considering the paint option.  Frankly, I'm a little surprised that buyers so frequently order natural black carbon finish.  I have nothing against black, but prefer a more cheery color on my bikes. 


Of all my bikes, my all time favorite was the "miami blue" on the 2016 Trek Stache 5 (the first known production 29+ HT, 10 speed, rigid carbon fork).


I'm hoping Peter can fasten a nice black "Carbon Speed" decal to the down tube, or something similar, for contrast.


I very much enjoyed all my interaction with the many Chinese vendors with which I have dealt (mostly electronics till I met Peter).
 

Your cassette will be fine. The only thing you do NOT want to mix / match with is the shifter and derailleur, those need to be the same brand.

Thanks.  Yes, I plan to transplant everything from my current bike except the steering head bearings, BB, and crank.  I'd consider the transplant myself if not for the internal cables.  I've read they can be a hassle.

I would just have the shop source the BB. The retail is around $40 and since they are installing it, they can make a couple bucks off of it.
http://www.jensonusa.com/SramTruvativ-GXP-BB92-Bottom-Bracket?_br_psugg_q=gxp+bottom+bracket

  Yup, I came to the same conclusion when I saw the prices. 

Where are you located? You can not purchase Sram products from Europe anymore so you will have to look stateside. What length are you looking for? What's your budget? Carbon or aluminum? If it were me, I would probably go with this one. Carbon arms and a direct mount spider. Just pull the spider off and get the direct mount ring of your choice.
https://www.amazon.com/Truvativ-Speed-Silver-42-28T-Crankset/dp/B00553ZNS6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1529515261&sr=8-2&keywords=gxp+175      I hope that helps

I'm in Cache Valley, N. Utah.  AFAIK my current 175mm crank seems fine (no pedal strikes now, hoping for similar clearance with the new frame).  I'll order that crank immediately after you say it's OK for my 240 lbs.   

Can I fit that crank to my current bike till my new CS frame arrives?:
"2016 Specialized Fuse HT, Crankset: Spec Stout XC, forged alloy, 148 specific chain line, PF30, Cr-Mo spindel, 30T, 76mm BCD spider"

Shall I need special ring spacer(s) for the 11 speed cassette?  Is the shop likely to have such?   

Thanks a ton for your help.

Anyone know why my editing buttons don't work?  I saw no obvious fix in the settings.       

I am ready to order new frame and just emailed Peter.

Does CS paint HT frames?  Approximate cost for a very bright green (almost flourescent)?

I presume the frame comes without a crank, but please confirm. 

Website specifies "BB92" bottom bracket.  I want to shop for a suitable carbon crank.  Exactly what do I shop for?  What specs do I need? 

Thanks very much!

BTW, I'm a Clyde (heavyweight), and the 29" carbon wheels Peter made for me have been rock solid, absolutely phenomenal, the strongest MTB wheels on which I ever rode.  Peter's service is fantastic, recommend 100%.   

I appreciate the congenial and collegiate atmosphere here. 

So far I owned, in ascending time line:
Alloy FS 26 x 2.2"
Carbon FS 26 x 2.2"
Alloy HT/front susp 29 x 2.2
Alloy rigid 26 x 4.0
Alloy rigid/carbon fork 29 x 3.0

Maxxis and likely other tire makers plan to release, if you can believe it, another tire size format called "Wide Trail," between standard width and Plus, e.g. 2.4 to 2.8 inches.  I suspect my favorite bike is a carbon HT/front suspension, 29 x about 2.7.

Suppose in the not too distant future exist handsome tire/carbon wheel sets for 29 x 2.7.  27 x 3.00 has radius about +5mm vs. 29 x 2.2, so I presume 29 x 2.7 and 27 x 3.0 have almost identical radius.  If correct, then installing the 496 rear axle at the 27 x 3.00 height provides proper BB height above the ground for 29 x 2.7.  Further, a 27 x 3.00 fork provides almost perfect ride height for 29 x 2.7.     

Comments appreciated.