Quote from: spec47 on February 17, 2020, 06:59:22 PM
Pro-Mance M7007-II sounds like the perfect fit. Rode mine last year (120mm fork/dropper) on very technical terrain and it was awesome. Just finished building my Carbonda FM936 and it does not sound suitable for your terrain.

A properly installed, quality (not Race Face) PF BB shouldn't be making any noise.

The more I read the more I agree with the 7000. I've been in contact with Steven and he's estimating a 70 day lead time assuming they're able to go back to work. Sounds like his area has been hit hard.

Quote from: sclyde2 on February 15, 2020, 12:06:26 AM
you probably need to narrow down the geometry that you are after, mainly head angle and seat angle.  there's a fair range of geo across the options you have there.  also is your main priority xc/endurance racing speed, above all else?  from the description of your terrain (i dont know the area though), it sounds like 100mm travel would be enough.  you also need to work out your preferences and must-haves.  e.g. is bb92 ok?  need boost spacing? dropper post compatibility required?

All fair questions to ask. XC is king here, but ultimately what I don't want to do is build a 100mm XC race rocket and hate riding it because it's too aggressive. Dropper and boost spacing are requirements. I'm less picky about BB (maybe I should be)? Though, my road bike has BB86 and I hate that it ticks with every pedal stroke.

Quote from: sclyde2 on February 15, 2020, 12:06:26 AM
i'm not sure if 67/77 angles on a short(ish) travel bike like that Carbonda FM936 would work that great for xc racing.  who knows though, it might be way of the future. 

The NS Bikes Synonym is based around this frame. RC is 100mm and TR is 120mm. Sounds fun from the reviews I've read/watched, but as you said this is some pretty out there geo.
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/ns-bikes-synonym-tr1-review.html
https://singletrackworld.com/2019/10/ns-synonym-first-ride-impressions/
https://bikerumor.com/2019/08/30/2020-ns-synonym-carbon-mountain-bike-switches-up-rc-cross-country-to-tr-trail/

Quote from: sclyde2 on February 15, 2020, 12:06:26 AM
you should also have a look at the scott spark rc copies.  e.g. hongfu fm258, pro-mance (not sure of the model, if it is the 9007 or 7007?), and some other resellers i cant recall the name of.  i have one of these (the earlier non-boost fm058 from hongfu) and i find it close to perfect for the racing i do on it - since i have been racing on it (since mid-2018), my results have improved significantly (some of that had to do with diet and fitness though).  i am not sure if a 120mm fork is what the frame is aimed at (it is designed for 100mm fork), but i don't think the geo would be screwed up by an extra 20mm at the front - in fact, it would put it in the same ballpark as the frame you mentioned that you quite liked - probably around 68.5/73.5.

if i could do it again, i wouldve got the boost version of my frame, and would run a 34t chainring.  i had some chainring clearance issues with a non-boost chainline, exacerbated by running an oval chainring - had issues even fitting a 32t.  the anti squat on this frame is such that it pedals unbelievably well, and i run it with compression full open, no need for rear lockout, even stomping up hills - my climbing speed last year was such that i have been relegated to the top grade this year.  check out the climbing speed on kerschbaumer at last year's world cups when he was riding one of these frames (his is branded torpado, but it is the same frame as the 258).  having said all this, i think the frame is designed around a 34t chainring - i am finding the anti squat is a bit too much with a 32t, such that the suspension is too firm under power and not as active as i am used to (i have had a lot of horst link bikes over the years).  i am really splitting hairs here though - i have no intentions to change anything on my bike.

Definitely considering this frame as well. Seems that Scott uses the same frame for both the 100mm and 120mm versions. Could be a good fit for around here.

Quote from: spec47 on February 15, 2020, 10:50:14 AM
Put the bike together last night (although rear brake caliper mount bolts aren't threading in), but still have a lot of little stuff to take care of. Pretty aggressive looking for an XC bike IMO.

25lbs on the bathroom scale with pedals (Pinkbike article had the $6k EUR build at just over 27lbs without pedals), but certainly not a weight weenie build and didn't really make any compromises for weight. May consider upgrading to Step Cast fork, lighter Light Bicycle wheel build, and possibly a OneUp V2 170mm dropper.

Hoping to race the first Canada Cup XCO event at the end of March, but don't think I'll be able to take it for a test ride soon.

Fox Float 34 Performance Elite 120mm fork
Fox Float DPS Evol Performance 16x142.5 shock
Light Bicycle 29C07 30mm ID carbon rims on DT Swiss 350S hubs
Maxxis Forekaster EXO 2.35/Maxxis Ikon EXO 2.35 (putting Aspen 2.25 on)
Formula Cura brakes with 160mm rotors
OneUp V1 150mm dropper post with V2 metal remote
Shimano M9020 XTR crankset (polished) with Stages power meter
OneUp 30T oval chainring
Shimano M9000 XTR shifter
Shimano M8000 XT derailleur
e13 TRSr 9-46t cassette
SRAM X1 chain
Exustar E-PM215Ti pedals
Cane Creek 40 headset
Shimano XTR bottom bracket
Wren stem 50mm (may swap for Kalloy 40mm)
Chromag Cutlass carbon bars
Chromag Squarewave grips
Chinese saddle (new carbon saddle in the mail)
Chinese carbon seatclamp post

Verrry interested in your thoughts on this once you get to ride. I'm prepping to do a build as well.

Hi folks. Long time reader. First time caller.

I'm looking for an FS XC bike for Wisconsin/Minnesota. The terrain here is twisty/hilly/flowy and not so gnarly. I already have an HT bike with 120mm fork, so I'm thinking I'll build an 100mm FS bike and swap forks between bikes if/when needed.  I enjoy racing, but I'm competitive. I do the local short track races and will be starting to do longer (50-100m) endurance races this year.

Currently looking for ideas on frames. So far I've been eying the following:

• LightCarbon LCFS911 - $619 shipped. Not a big fan of the cable routing under the BB.
• DIYCarbon DCB F110 - $775 plus shipping. Better cable routing. I've ridden a bike built around this frame(Framed Bootlegger) and really liked it. Not so keen on the frame price though. Is this frame available anywhere else?
• Carbonda FM936 - Waiting on the price of this one. This one sounds great and everyone seems to love it, but that is a long, trailish/enduro-ish "XC bike". Little worried about maneuverability in switchbacks with this one.
• TanTan FM036? - Haven't had a chance to look far into this one.

Any other ideas?