Carbonda FM 1003 / Flybike FM 1266 180mm "Super Enduro"

[jefflinde]

Frame arrived and I have it built up.  frame weight for those that care was 3600g.  the build was by far the simplest I have ever done.  the ICAN frame has internal guide tubes for the cable routing so I just had to push it in one end and it popped out the other.  even the dropper cable routing is tubes so no messing around with the cable and the foam sleeve junk.  only thing left is the shock mount.  the shock came with a 22mm bushing so i had to order the 8x15mm bushing from Offset.  total build weight is 16.1 kg.   

Forks: SR Suntour Durolux 38 180mm
Shock: SR Suntour Voro with Cane Creek Valt progressive coil
Drive Train: XT M8100 Group set
Brakes: XT M8120 
Rotors: Shimano MT800 203/203mm
Wheels: Dt Swiss EX 511/ MT900 hubs
Stem: PRO Tharsis CNC 55mm 
Seat Post Clamp: PRO
Grips: Wolftooth Fat Paw Carve
Bar: PRO Tharsis 3Five 20mm rise
Pedals: XT M8100 
Dropper: Crank Brothers Highline 150mm
Tires: F Schwalbe Tacky Chan 2.4/ R Schwalbe Big Betty 2.4
Valve: Amazon specials
Saddle: PRO Stealth Offroad 

Couple more things like bar end plugs and new rim decals will finish the bike off completely.  I am having issues with pictured but once I get that sorted I will get them uploaded.     

[jefflinde]

Here it is minus the shock.  hopefully the rim decals come in soon so i can get rid of that red on there. 

[jefflinde]

Upper headset bearing

[adri]

Hey, if somebody wants to see the FM1003 in real action on video, then here is a link to my testing video.

/watch?v=VTSnSyceBmU (just type youtubeDOTcom in front)

If somebody does not like that I am kind of promoting my channel, just PM me or write it in here, and I will take the link down.

[dasfliege]

Is anyone aware of a similar style frame but for 160mm travel fork?
Or would it probably work out to take this frame with 160mm fork and 27.5 rear wheel to build a mullet with kind of proper geometry?

[jefflinde]

Is anyone aware of a similar style frame but for 160mm travel fork?
Or would it probably work out to take this frame with 160mm fork and 27.5 rear wheel to build a mullet with kind of proper geometry?

there are lots of 160mm frames out there.  what about this frame are you looking to find in a 160? 

[dasfliege]

there are lots of 160mm frames out there.  what about this frame are you looking to find in a 160?

Basically a pretty clean and simple design with horizontal mid-shock, 150mm rear travel, low weight, nice geometry.
I am looking at the Lexon Spark for a while, but the geometry seems to be pretty random and not really comparable to similar style brand bikes.

[KonaMooseman]

I´ve a frame to sell in Germany!
Unfortunately did the inner tubes break due to a broken rear derailleur. But is fixable with noise protection.
I sell because of the missing bottle cage.
https://bikemarkt.mtb-news.de/article/1723239-carbon-fm1003-fm1266-enduro-rahmen

[jefflinde]

Basically a pretty clean and simple design with horizontal mid-shock, 150mm rear travel, low weight, nice geometry.
I am looking at the Lexon Spark for a while, but the geometry seems to be pretty random and not really comparable to similar style brand bikes.

I have the Light Carbon LCFS947, it has a vertical shock but i like that is stays really clean since it is protected from the back tire.  it can be 140mm - 160mm with different shock  strokes.  i have it as a 160 but love it.  climbs super nice and is with an XT build i am at 30lbs.  i do have Berd wheels on it though.  but even normal wheels would still be sub 31 lbs.  there is a thread on her for that frame if you want to check it out.

[adri]

Here is a small review of the X17 from ICAN (fm1003).

I took it to bike parks (Chur, Switzerland), and it handled pretty well with a coil shock. Cables do not rattle thanks to the cable guide.
The only thing is the chainslap; I don't have a chainstay protector yet, and it is so noisy.

It handles rough stuff well; it even handles jumps and drops better.
 

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

VHS Tape is definitely a must on the 1003. You’ll still get chain slap on big harsh braking bumps or bike park bomb holes but the feedback is drastically milder. Thinner less damped chainstay protectors may keep the carbon safe (enough) but the feedback you get during chain slap is harsh as hell.

[jefflinde]

finally got this bike out on the trails.   it is a beast!!  the coil shock was amazing in the choppy bumps and rock gardens.  I was able to just plow through things and go where I wanted.  it is a long bike but felt very stable at high speeds.  super happy. 

[adri]

I have to say, I am disappointed.

I had a dozen times where the linkage (every screw) just kept loosening, even the rear wheel axle.

Not loosening to the point of a few newtons, but loosing that much that you can actually hear and feel it.

I contacted ICAN (where I bought it), and they said I needed to put glue on the threads and let it dry (loctide).

I disassemble one of the axles on the Likage, and what do I see there, Nearly no locktide.

Now the question is: Why the hell was there nearly no locktide from the factory?

On the first picture, you can see the nearly non-used locktide.

On the second picture, you can see the linkage that was sneakily loosening to the point where I could slightly push the bike up and down.

I have to add that the Derailure hanger loosens up too.

If you had similar experience, please share it here; it would be interesting to know.

[jefflinde]

I think is kind of ridiculous that the customer has to add loctite but I guess after 6-7 frames that I have build I just do that right after I cut the foam off.  I did miss the inside bolts on the linkage and had them loosen up on my ride.  I always bring a multi tool on the first few rides as I know things will come loose.  Another thing is to line the pilots and bushings. They are always dry from the factory. 

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

I’ve heard a couple reports of the linkage/main pivot loosening on both versions of the 1003 (Carbonda’s and ICAN’s, though it’s not clear how different the construction of the two actually is), and I’m not shocked that the stock hangers are a bit substandard. All of Carbonda’s UDHs are made from this very soft low grade aluminum that seizes and snaps way too easy, so I use Wheels Manufacturing UDHs on all my Carbonda frames instead.

For whatever reason, I’ve never had any trouble with my 1003’s pivots/linkage loosening. Because of those reports, I’m paranoid about it every time the bike gets stressed at the downhill park or a long technical ride and the torque is always unchanged. I do have a complete set of replacement hardware/bearings on order from Carbonda and plan to do a total overhaul in November. Maybe I’ll turn something up then, but loosening just hasn’t been an issue for me.