Wanted - hardtail downcountry frame

[maui400]

Hi guys, I'm desperately looking for a hardtail frame with modern geometry similar to the Spot Rocker. Something like this:

fork: 120mm
reach: 460-485mm
stack: < 630mm
head tube angle: 66-67°

Another option would be to use a 100m frame with a geo like this and turn it into a 120mm rig:
reach: > 470mm
stack: < 610mm
head tube angle: < 68°
effective seat tube angle:  >75°
bb offset: at least 62mm

The closest ones that I've seen are (but not close enough):
- Spcycle M016
- SP-M05 (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004067264835.html)
- Carbonda FM-1306

Is there even a modern carbon hardtail out there?

[nejcb]

Hi - you are reading my mind. Just wanted to post a similar thread.
I'm in the same boat it seems. Looking for a downcountry hardtail with 120mm travel. Looking at your reach numbers it seems we are more or less the same height - I'm 186cm, with long legs also so I would appreciate a higher stack. Pretty much all chinese frames as I have looked have a relative low stack.

Carbonda FM1306 in 21'' looks like a good solution, but might come in too long at 480mm reach I'm afraid. Maybe combine it with a super short stem ...
How come it's not on the website of Carbonda? Is it available to order?

Looking forward to some proposal from fellow chinertowners.

[carbonazza]

...Carbonda FM1306 in 21'' looks like a good solution, but might come in too long at 480mm reach I'm afraid. Maybe combine it with a super short stem ...
How come it's not on the website of Carbonda? Is it available to order?...

That's the one I settled on, I tried the Haideli one, but quality didn't meet my expectations... to say the least. But it is cheap.
http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,3366.msg29576.html#msg29576

Most builders you will find here do not have the Amazon kind of buying experience.
You can contact Carbonda by email: wing (at) carbonda com, to discuss sizing, painting, lead time and shipping with them directly.

[Tijoe]

I purchased the SP-M05 frame a year ago and built it into a sub 20 lb rocket.   To date, I love it, but I don't have many miles on it. (under 100 miles)   For my body, I kept having to put on longer and longer stems in order to get it to balance right, climbing,  and for my long arms. (90mm stem.)
I run a 100mm travel SID SL Ultimate fork

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802796251755.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.3.4fc4f19c4V2HFD&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt&_randl_shipto=US

[maui400]

That's the one I settled on, I tried the Haideli one, but quality didn't meet my expectations... to say the least. But it is cheap.

Ok, regarding your experiences the frame is not cheap at all - if you have to buy another one  .

I'm in the same boat it seems. Looking for a downcountry hardtail with 120mm travel. Looking at your reach numbers it seems we are more or less the same height - I'm 186cm, with long legs also so I would appreciate a higher stack. Pretty much all chinese frames as I have looked have a relative low stack.

Carbonda FM1306 in 21'' looks like a good solution, but might come in too long at 480mm reach I'm afraid. Maybe combine it with a super short stem ...
How come it's not on the website of Carbonda? Is it available to order?

I'm actually 184cm with long legs. If you put a 120mm fork into a 100mm frame the stack height will most likely be not too low anymore ;-). If you are fine with the head angle of the FM1306 I would go for it. If you are looking for a downcountry bike the reach should be just fine for you as it still shortens a fair bit when using a 120mm fork. I would also check the effective top tube length and compare it with your current bike. I suppose you will still need a stem at 60-80mm which is already on the long side for a downcountry bike. (see attached calculation)

Well is there really no light/carbon hardtail frame out there that is designed for 120mm forks? I really wonder why the chinese manufacturers still build frames with a geo from 2018.

[carbonazza]

...I really wonder why the chinese manufacturers still build frames with a geo from 2018.

The Carbonda one has a 67º HA, this is not what we had in 2018 

[maui400]

The Carbonda one has a 67º HA, this is not what we had in 2018 

Really?! I mean that would be awesome. But the specs tell a different story. https://www.flybike-asia.com/product/260.html

[carbonazza]

Really?! I mean that would be awesome. But the specs tell a different story. https://www.flybike-asia.com/product/260.html

With a 120mm fork, that makes less than 69º but you are definitely right !
Taking my dreams for reality... 

[nejcb]

What about going FM1306 way with 120mm and installing Slack-R? 
This is then ... I doubt that Carbonda can confirm this, or at least it voids warranty most likely? It's 120mm fork (designed for 100mm) + installing Slack-R. Both points result in more stress on the head tube area as far as I understand.

[Eneen]

1306 has 52mm upper bearing, so I guess SlackR would be only possible with some kind of spacer...

[endo.alley]

I wonder if you can buy two 52mm Slack-R inserts? One for the top and one for the bottom? You would probably have to glue the top in with epoxy.

[nejcb]

I quote Wing regarding the 120mm fork:

FM1306 should use 100 travel fork

[carbonazza]

I quote Wing regarding the 120mm fork:

It changes the handling for sure. After a couple of rides you get used to it.

They say the same for the FM936, and most of us are riding it with a 120mm anyway
Although, they seem to have given up recently for the 936 as they've built a rear triangle for 120mm.

[Pedaldancer]

It changes the handling for sure. After a couple of rides you get used to it.

They say the same for the FM936, and most of us are riding it with a 120mm anyway
Although, they seem to have given up recently for the 936 as they've built a rear triangle for 120mm.

For 936 and 909 I got an email from Katie that is designed for 100mm but 120 is okay.
I didn't ask the same for the 1306..
Regarding the head tubeangle the spcycle m016 is the only one hitting that requirement. I like the shape, but I was not so confident about the quality. That's why I took the 1306 then
I couldn't find any other hardtail frame with such a head tube angle.

[rideczech]

Sonder bikes about 5 years ago made the Transmitter in carbon...bit was a 27.5+ bike.... I still ride the alloy version with 2.6 tyres and a 120 mm fork... Which works out as 65.5 head and 74.5 seat... Still looking for a secondhand carbon version... just a shame that it won't take 29ers...of a decent width...