(Black and Silver in 18" with 6-8" Adjustable Travel through 4 settings).

Although the frame is an 18", it really doesn't feel that big. I've had the frame for about 7 months now with 7" Boxxers on the front. It's been to the Alps, done a number of UK races and generally been well put through its paces over the course of over half a year.

The Frame came with a DNM Afterburner shock with Lockout and rebound damping. It also came with a 550lb spring, which was far too soft (I'm 11stone). When the travel was set to the 8" option it bottomed out over 1foot drops. You're using 4" of travel as sag. I put a 750lb spring on the back to take the bike to France, and that made things a lot better, but was still a little soft. Whilst in France I bent the rear shock mount, and also broke 2 gear hangars. The bike was riding really well though, if a little sluggish. That's bearing in mind I was used to a Coyote DH-2 before this. During the last few days in France, I realised I'd blown the seals on the DNM shock, so got that serviced when I got back into the U.K. At the same time I got a Risse Jupiter 5 shock. The Risse shock made a huge difference. The shock itself was a lot slower than the DNM unit, so I only needed a 650lb spring, and have been running the bike for the last few months in the 7.2" Travel setting, as it matches the boxxers better. To run in the 8" Position, I'll need a 750lb spring.

After 7 months, I've gone through 3 gear hangars, two-rear shock mount bolts, and the bearings will need replacing shortly. Not too bad considering the thrashing it's had. The paintwork is one area or disappointment though; the black front end does chip quite easily.

Compatibility problems: 2.6" Tyres... The frame advert states that it will accept one, which although technically true, causes some problems. I'm running a 2.6" Gazzalodi Jnr, and there's about 5mm mud clearance on the seatstay bridge. The frame also bottoms out on the tyre under full bottom out. I'm aware that many 2.6" Tyres are different sizes though, so this may not always be an issue. AC Lo-Pro cranks fouled the right hand chainstays; I was running a 116mm XTR BB (maximum length) and had to use 3.5mm BB spacer along with the inner C plate of my MRP to overcome this problem. Middleburn Cranks. Middleburn RS-7's foul the left hand Lower Pivot area when the frame is uncompressed. This is an issue with any Shimano BB, but can be overcome by filing a few mm off the silver part of the frame. It's not too major.

I've grown to love the frame, despite the niggly problems I've had with it. It rides nicely once you have a proper spring and/or a decent rear shock. Being a 4 bar linkage it's not the best pedalling frame in the world, but that said, set in the lower travel settings it will shift quickly. The 4 Travel settings make a lot of difference to the back end, so you can set it up for almost any course.

Length wise, it's about average for a Long Travel DH bike, so feels stable at speeds, but moves well through tight corners. It rides well with 7" boxxers, but I feel anything longer will make the head angle a little too slack, and effect the steering too much. Overall, for the money, it's a good frame to start with, and is now available with either a Marzocchi VR40 or a Fox Vanilla R shock depending on where you shop. Both are good shocks, although I'd favour the Fox. Just ask for at least a 650lb spring when you order, and get a spare gear hangar.

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