IP-036 29er Full Suspension Carbon Frame Build

[Andy]

Thank you.  The fork I have for it is set at 120 but I can change it back to 100 if I feel the head tube is too slck w/the 120.  Our trails here are very tight and twisty and my buddies on their 26ers will get away from me if I can't corner quick enough.  however I've had some nasty pedal strikes with previous bike with bb that were too low. 

Any problems with pedal strike on your 100mm fork?  Also does the front end feel twitchy w/the 100mm??  Sorry for all the questions I'm just very curious about the bikes handling.  Thanks"
Andy

[Carbon_Dude]

As a matter of fact I was looking at the clearance on my last ride.  The BB would clear a log pile we have on the trail that my old 26" FS Epic would not.  I came home and did a quick static measurement of 13.5" but that's without any suspension compression.  I am sure 120mm will be fine. 

Something else I was noticing was how the wheelbase felt smaller on the IP-036 than the IP-056 but when measured it is about a half inch more on the IP-036.

[Izzy]

That's a view from the rear dropouts looking toward the head tube.  This shows just how curved the seat tube is left to right.  Pictures don't do it justice.

Okay.. Perhaps I'm being dense here, but what is the purpose of the seat tube being bent from left to right like that? I understand the bend from front to back, but if I would have received that frame I would have intially thought it was defective. Of course, I know nothing of full suspension carbon frame design.

[Sitar_Ned]

That's a view from the rear dropouts looking toward the head tube.  This shows just how curved the seat tube is left to right.  Pictures don't do it justice.

Okay.. Perhaps I'm being dense here, but what is the purpose of the seat tube being bent from left to right like that? I understand the bend from front to back, but if I would have received that frame I would have intially thought it was defective. Of course, I know nothing of full suspension carbon frame design.

Not dense at all Izzy.. I echo that same confusion. Unless we're both dense which is quite possible

Doesn't seem like it should be bent like that. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there's a good reason.. I just don't know it.

[Carbon_Dude]

I would say the seat tube makes that bend to put the direct mount front derailleur in the right spot.

[Sitar_Ned]

^^Yup. Makes sense. Didn't even consider that.

[Carbon_Dude]

Updated first post with general build order.  In preparation for doing a more detailed build instruction aimed at someone who has never built a bike before.

[E_ROCK]

Looks great, thanks for posting.

[Carbon_Dude]

Thank you and Welcome E_Rock!

[caderader]

Hi there! First post!

Carbon Dude I think I read somewhere where you said you were in Georgia? I live in the Auburn, Al area, do you think it would be possible for me to come give your IP-036 a test ride sometime?

Of course you're always welcome to come ride the trails here in Auburn too! We've got some sweet new trails that have been built in the last few years!!

Cheers,
Cade

[Sitar_Ned]

Welcome to Chinertown Cade!

I would say that your request is a bit of a stretch, but from what I know of CD.. I bet he'd willing to help you out the best he can.

[caderader]

Well I understand if he doesn't want to. I mean some stranger on a message board asks you if he can take your baby for a test ride??

But I would of course pay if anything were to happen to the bike during the ride. I'm an experienced rider who has lived and ridden advanced downhill trails on the Pacific Crest in Washington and Oregon (owned a SC Nomad at the time).

I'm not asking for a long test ride just a quick 15-20 minute spin on an easy trail to get a feel for the bike and see if I like the 29er as I've never ridden a 29er before.

It's not a big deal if not though I would completely understand!!

Happy Riding!

[Sitar_Ned]

Hey Cade.. didn't mean to make you feel bad about asking! I'd be asking too if I lived close by 

[Carbon_Dude]

Hi there! First post!

Carbon Dude I think I read somewhere where you said you were in Georgia? I live in the Auburn, Al area, do you think it would be possible for me to come give your IP-036 a test ride sometime?

Of course you're always welcome to come ride the trails here in Auburn too! We've got some sweet new trails that have been built in the last few years!!

Cheers,
Cade

Sure, no problem.  If you don't ride Eggbeaters, you'll need to bring some pedals.  I'd be glad to meet you at one of the local trails and swap bikes with you for a loop around the trail so you can get a good feel for an IP-036.  Driver's license and credit card required .

There's a really nice trail just 15 min from my house so I tend to do a lot of riding there as I can fit in a ride including driving to the trail and back in about 2 hrs.  I see Auburn, AL is about 2:25 min from here, not a terribly long trip, including the ride you might be in for a 6 hour trip out and back but hey, I'm up for it if you don't mind driving.

[caderader]

hey man I really appreciate that! But I just went ahead and sacked up and pulled the trigger on the IP-156 (FS 27.5er). I'll keep y'all posted about how everything goes and definitely post a build thread and some ride reviews when the time comes. I do want to say that Peter and Bert from XMI were extremely helpful and I would buy from them again (and likely will when I'm ready to build a hard tail)!