FR-202 in the House

[Julian813]

Great job on the bike...love it!  Looking to get the same frame for my build and wanted to know what size frame you went with? I am 5'11" with 30" inseam. Can't decide between a 17.5 or 19".

Thanks in advance.

[Willis24]

Thanks for checking in! I am 6ft with a 35.5" cycling inseam riding a large. I have really long legs and short torso, so that is why there is so much seatpost showing and also why I may notice a lack of lateral stiffness. But still very content with my purchase and build.

[Julian813]

Thanks for checking in! I am 6ft with a 35.5" cycling inseam riding a large. I have really long legs and short torso, so that is why there is so much seatpost showing and also why I may notice a lack of lateral stiffness. But still very content with my purchase and build.

Thanks for reply!

[Willis24]

Okay, I'm over it! I gave this frame a good 5 months to get along with it, but just can't stand it anymore. The wet noodle sensation just had to go. I swapped all the parts back over to my On-One Scandal and immediately fell back in love with aluminum. I like the flex and dampening of carbon in a bar and seat post, but not the frame. Hopefully someone locally will want it cheap...

[Willis24]

I tried, but could not give up on this project. In an effort to reduce the wet noodle sensation I tried a different component mix. I went with the matching rigid fork, instead of the Magura suspender, then installed aluminum bars, stem and post instead of the carbon. The bike is still a respectable 21 lbs and has lost most if not all of the wiggles. It will be used on an upcoming week long bikepacking trip, so I'll will post pictures and more impressions then.

[Carbon_Dude]

Otherwise maybe give a different chiner frame a try, the CS-057 always felt pretty stiff to me.

[Willis24]

Just came off of a week-long back country bikepacking trip and the FR-202 was a remarkable companion. The bike was a rocket up the climbs when I had the juice and was very stable on the descents. The matching carbon fork smoothed out all of the chatter and just asked for a light grip through a  the rough sections. I guess it is true... the best bike is the one you are riding.

[Carbon_Dude]

Looks like lots of work... I mean fun .

[tripleDot]

Just came off of a week-long back country bikepacking trip and the FR-202 was a remarkable companion. The bike was a rocket up the climbs when I had the juice and was very stable on the descents. The matching carbon fork smoothed out all of the chatter and just asked for a light grip through a  the rough sections. I guess it is true... the best bike is the one you are riding.

You and I have a similar setup as far as fork, hb and stem goes.  I'm also using a full carbon rigid fork combined with aluminum stem and riser bar. I did retain a carbon seat post and using a different frame.  I don't really miss the suspension fork feel... well, at least most of the time. 

[Willis24]

Yep, I just can't say enough good about how smooth this frameset is for the money. Great purchase.

[tripleDot]

Looks like you had a lot of fun.  Do you mind if I ask what is the estimated weight of total load (rider + baggage + water) you had on the bike for your bikepacking trip?  Need some info as me and some friends are considering doing some bikepacking.  Thanks.

[carbonazza]

Yep, I just can't say enough good about how smooth this frameset is for the money. Great purchase.

Wow... you do long distances with a rigid fork.
And your tires seem well inflated too(... a supposition, as they seem to keep their shape with you and baggages on  )
I'm wondering where do you get that smoothness from

I would like soooo much to organise a trip like you do/did.

[Willis24]

Looks like you had a lot of fun.  Do you mind if I ask what is the estimated weight of total load (rider + baggage + water) you had on the bike for your bikepacking trip?  Need some info as me and some friends are considering doing some bikepacking.  Thanks.

Rider=158lbs, baggage=front 13lbs (sleeping bag, bivy, pillow), rear 10lbs (clothes, stove, sleeping pad), water=double 24oz camelback bottles and 3 litres in Osprey pack, with food and a beer. Don't forget you will need a tube, tools, food, phone and battery. You won't break any records, especially if you climb over 5,000 feet like we did. Super fun and this is a great bike for it.

[tripleDot]

Thanks for the info Willis.  That's pretty much around 200lbs load.  I'm gonna need to shave of 10lbs... from my body.  You're a couple of inches taller than me but I outweight you by at least 10lbs.

[SportingGoods]

I don't want to hijack your post but I can't resist to post a picture of my FR-202, with a rigid fork too! Those cheap frame can do anything 
Agreed that your bikepacking ride sounds like a lot of fun!!!