Carbonda fm936 Thoughts

[Timmo]

Anyone fitted a non-trunnion shock to their frame with a conversion kit?

With a standard double eyelet it would offer the advantage of having the lockout lever at the top of the shock. With trunnion shock, unless remote operation, with manual lockout, the lever is down low, and awkward to reach. Anyone?

[J.BL]

New to the forum, but lurking a long time 

Here's some pictures of my Ican S3
Posting in the FM936 thread, because the S3 isn't available anymore and as the front triangle and geometry are equal to the FM936 I wanted to express my love for this bike here 

Eventually bit the bullet last year based on the experiences here on Chinertown as well as the 150+ replies thread on MTB-news.de
I built mine with a XC/DC use in mind. 130mm fork (previously a Lyrik, now a 2023 Pike Ultimate). Suspension is where I've spent the money, the rest is fairly budget-minded or sourced from closeouts.

This thing rips! I also own a 2021 Specialized enduro as well as a gravel bike. So it's been built to fill the gap between the two. And I wanted a bike that could still handle the descents; and it does just that. Enduro confidence on a short travel bike.

The build:
Rockshox deluxe ultimate shock
Rockshox Pike Ultimate 130mm
Aluminum Wheels from slowbuild.de (=Newmen rims) and DT-swiss 350 hubs
Rimpact insert in the rear wheel
Wicked Will tires (Tubeless)
SLX crank with inpeak powermeter
Deckas 30t chainring
KS Lev integra dropper
Fabric Scoop flat saddle
Deore 11-speed shifting (recently changed to a ZTTO cassette)
Deore disc brakes
KMX X11-gold chain
Race Face Atlas stem
Brand-X carbon bar
ESI Chunky
Time Atac MX6 pedals

[serenadebikes]

Really nice bike.

[numberzero]

I made a quick comparative test with the 120mm rocker versus the original one.

I use a 42,5 shock and a 120mm fork. I just changed the rocker, same pressure in shock, SAG is nearly the same anyway, no adjustement on the bike settings.

The impressions you can expect by geometry changes are confirmed. You are more on the bike than in the bike, position for pedaling is in my case better, and bike feels more lively. Around the sag i feel it's a bit more supportive without losing comfort.
About driving what was predictable due to higher BB and steeper HA is confirmed, cornering is more lively, you lean and it turns faster.

If you ride mainly flat and prefer a XC feeling, i would recommend the 120mm rocker+120fork. 100mm fork+classic rocker gives probably equivalent sensation with more stability thanks the overall lower bike.

If your terrain is made of steep descents or fast corners (for example bike park)where you want stability i would go with 120fork+classic rocker.

[slundy]

Hi all, in the process of choosing a paint scheme.
My choice is to have the bottom half turquoise gloss and the top matte black. Can anyone please tell me the difference between the standard matte and UD Matte? Is the standard matte just the exposed carbon structure with a matte clear coat?

[slundy]

I got sorted with the paint choice and have now ordered a frame! Now for a question about the shock. Has anyone been able to fit a Sidluxe shock with a lockout out lockout cable position? I have seen builds with the Scott nude shocks with the lockout facing downwards but want to know if there is enough space for the cable on the sidluxe. The cable out configuration seems to be priced better on most sites.
Thanks.

[volan]

Guys, I think I've got a crack, or is it just a paint? I've contacted Wing and am waiting for response... I'm so sad

[TidyDinosaur]

That's probably not "just the paint"

[volan]

Indeed, it's not just a paint. I scratched with my nail this chipped surface part... This came out. It really seems pretty thin under clearcoat and this surface. It's crack afterall. Thing is I didn't crash this bike once, and yesterday it was just a regular ride, local xc doubletrack with some rougher parts... I'm not overly confident after this to be honest.

[volan]

Update on the crack... Carbonda did not recognize this as their fault, told me it is most likely impact damage. I am a bit dissapointed by their response, and primarily because this bike didn't see any "impacts"...period. That part is the part where the "flex-stay" is flexing. So it, to me, all points out to the quality issue. I noticed that the carbon is really really thin there. After I chipped the paint, carbon just fell apart. I am really not sure what to do here. I like the bike, but this experience does not bring me confidence in carbonda's warranty and replacement, nor the quality control. I would accept a discount at least, just as their sign of good faith and customer care. But they were resolute that this was a "crash" damage. LOL... I'm a bit mad tbh.

[ivou]

Hey guys,

I've noticed that the linkage bolts are rather poor quality, as mine are pretty much stripped after a few torque sessions...

All I managed to find is that the main pivot bolts are M6x20. Does anyone maaaaybe have the entire list of bolt specs to share, please?

[ChinaCruz]

Update on the crack... Carbonda did not recognize this as their fault, told me it is most likely impact damage. I am a bit dissapointed by their response, and primarily because this bike didn't see any "impacts"...period. That part is the part where the "flex-stay" is flexing. So it, to me, all points out to the quality issue. I noticed that the carbon is really really thin there. After I chipped the paint, carbon just fell apart. I am really not sure what to do here. I like the bike, but this experience does not bring me confidence in carbonda's warranty and replacement, nor the quality control. I would accept a discount at least, just as their sign of good faith and customer care. But they were resolute that this was a "crash" damage. LOL... I'm a bit mad tbh.

Yep, you got screwed by chinese cheese "carbon". Sorry man.

[federic000]

Update on the crack...  I am a bit dissapointed by their response, and primarilyis was a "crash" damage. LOL... I'm a bit mad tbh.

Honestly I can hardly see this caused by an impact, how can they be so sure? To impact on that part you need to execute a front flip, and when landing only the right part of the rear triangle should hit something as a wall or rock, to me this is definitely a flexing issue. I’m also disappointed by carbonda’s response.

[xtrm]

Hi.

I'm completely new here and willing to buy good chinese cross country bike. I settled my mind for dm936 based on all the threads here.  I prefer 2 chainrings but somehow it's impossible to get a new frame designed to have front derailleur.

So I contacted Carbonda on Alibaba and over their webpage..no reply.
How to get to them, has anyone any other contacts? Thnx in advance.

[Medico]

Hi.

I'm completely new here and willing to buy good chinese cross country bike. I settled my mind for dm936 based on all the threads here.  I prefer 2 chainrings but somehow it's impossible to get a new frame designed to have front derailleur.

So I contacted Carbonda on Alibaba and over their webpage..no reply.
How to get to them, has anyone any other contacts? Thnx in advance.

No offence, but if you read this thread you will find the way.
Hint google?!