Hi All,
New to the forum, and new to buying a Chinese carbon frame. Apologies for the long winded post...
I'm not worried out the quality issues, plenty of info here on that. And TBH even main stream brands had there issues when introducing Thermoplastic/ CF 20yrs ago, just look at the STS, of which I have the XCR 1000...
I love the look of this frame but it seems there are 2 versions. The one here which seems to be more like the 2019 EVO with a big kick in the top tube to the seat tube, whereas as
this version seems to have a flatter top tube like the 2021 Stumpie/EVO.
Both have geo more like the regular Stumpie, even though they have the pivot in the chain stay (EVO) and not the flex tube design of the Stumpie...
I am right or seeing this completely wrong?
However, that's actually fairly irrelevant, just an observation.
My main issue is with the new geo sizing.
I'm coming from a cramped M sized GT STS XCR 1000, which was always too small for me, but I had to have the frame... to modern geo. Unfortunately where I live there is no Specialized dealer I can jump on a bike and check sizes... So basing this purely on data, the Chinese copies / seem to have a large frame that is similar to a S3 size, albeit the stack is similar to an S5?. However, for my size 6'1"/ 186cm I'm recommended the S4.
So is there anybody of my height that's bought this frame and can give any feedback of fit? I know its an individual thing but any thoughts would be welcome. I am also aware coming from a cramped old school bike to this modern geo I should feel more stretched and comfortable on even the L/S3 frame than what I have now.
I'm also planning on doing a mullet bike build with a 27.5 rear and 29 front with a 150mm Fox fork which will reduce the reach further I believe, but am not sure, whilst at the same time dropping the BB height and slackening both head and seat angles. Another option I'm considering to getting closer to the EVO geo is installing a Works Component offset headset, but will only do this once the build is finished and I have ridden it and measure the geo.
Look forward to your thoughts and thanks for having me.
Cheers
Guy
Look forward