DO IT!
I was consiidering a black/gold setup - even went so far as to check a local shop that does gold plating to see what 20K gold plated spoke nipples would cost. Then I decided against it.
I was consiidering a black/gold setup - even went so far as to check a local shop that does gold plating to see what 20K gold plated spoke nipples would cost. Then I decided against it.
There is, but Frank is no longer making frames for them.
I'm not sure about that. I think Sinister took a year to get some R&D done. I saw a prototype DH frame of theirs recently. Not sure about the relationship between Sinister and FTW. If I have learned anything, it is not to count these guys out too quickly.
We're still around, developing some new rigs and such, 2011 is going to be sick!
From what I see, Devinci is possibly manufacturing Sinister frames. They began this relationship with the Gruitr.
Devinci is a manufacturer?
That question has been asked before!
Yes, they do. Suposedly one of the reasons Frank left.
I also saw a prototype Sinister DH bike at the US Open. Looked pretty nice.
At long last the cranks and guide arrived and it is complete. I have spent a couple of days in the park at Whistler and my initial impressions about the bike still stand. It is FAST and really easy to move around, even given its rather large wheelbase. Jumps like it has wings too.
I'm still messing around with the suspension settings, especially on the fork, but I should have it right in the very near future.
e-13 LG1+ was a breeze to set up. Looks good too.
The icing on the cake.
I'm still messing around with the suspension settings, especially on the fork, but I should have it right in the very near future.
e-13 LG1+ was a breeze to set up. Looks good too.
The icing on the cake.
I am down with that sicknes. Brahhh-vo!
Bump... now that you guys have a season of riding/racing on them.
i dont think he ever truly worked for them he just built there frames.
It brings back the memories...
I agree... he did build THEIR frames....
there...
they're...
220...221... Whatever it takes.
Back to the orig. bump about the frames...
there...
they're...
220...221... Whatever it takes.
Back to the orig. bump about the frames...
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Been hammering mine for a bit over 6 months and it hasn't flinched a bit. Handles everything marvelously and is just stupid simple and light and easy to work on. Super stable too.
I'm still loving mine. Moved the shuttle from the slackest setting the the middle. I kind of like that right now, gives it a taller stack which I've been gravitating towards on all my bikes. I feel like it helps me ride more aggressively. I also hit a lot less rocks in that setting.
The bike definitely shines in the rocks and the fast stuff, super stable. Turning is pretty incredible on the slackest setting. The surprising thing is what a difference the light swingarm makes. I still swear I can feel a difference from that compared to other bikes. It just feels so much more active.
Cons: The shock shuttle is kind of a pain in the ass to line up. It's a super tight fit in the frame. You have to get used to the low BB. It can definitely get you into trouble on rocky trails if you're not careful. I opted to throw my straitline pedals onto my DJ bike and go with the thinner canfields on this guy. Also, I wish it were longer, 18inch reach just isn't enough. I'd like to try 19.
Here's some terrible pics to enjoy!
![](http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/200207_563806201107_41600339_32645204_7891291_n.jpg"]http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/200207_563806201107_41600339_32645204_7891291_n.jpg)
Hacktastics is the black one behind mine
And an action shot!
Here's one that shows off the metallic flake sparkle. It's quite...vibrant in person.
The bike definitely shines in the rocks and the fast stuff, super stable. Turning is pretty incredible on the slackest setting. The surprising thing is what a difference the light swingarm makes. I still swear I can feel a difference from that compared to other bikes. It just feels so much more active.
Cons: The shock shuttle is kind of a pain in the ass to line up. It's a super tight fit in the frame. You have to get used to the low BB. It can definitely get you into trouble on rocky trails if you're not careful. I opted to throw my straitline pedals onto my DJ bike and go with the thinner canfields on this guy. Also, I wish it were longer, 18inch reach just isn't enough. I'd like to try 19.
Here's some terrible pics to enjoy!
Hacktastics is the black one behind mine
And an action shot!
Here's one that shows off the metallic flake sparkle. It's quite...vibrant in person.
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If i had half as much fabrication talent that frank has in one hand i would be so thrilled!
Thanks man. I like the sparkly purple, but all black bikes rock.
Well, I been hammering on mine a bit now, and the first thing I should say is that this bike is seriously fast. In fact, it is so fast that I ended up overshooting a jump I've hit a million times and breaking my scaphoid. Put me out from August until January.
Anyway, I've been playing with the geometry settings and recently moved the shuttle to the steepest setting (which is still something like 64*). This raises the bb slightly, and gives the rear travel a bit more progressiveness. For the way I ride, this setting is ideal. The bike almost instantly felt like it was just an extension of me. In short, I love it. All of my positive initial impressions have only been reinforced.
Looking forward to Whistler opening up again.
Anyway, I've been playing with the geometry settings and recently moved the shuttle to the steepest setting (which is still something like 64*). This raises the bb slightly, and gives the rear travel a bit more progressiveness. For the way I ride, this setting is ideal. The bike almost instantly felt like it was just an extension of me. In short, I love it. All of my positive initial impressions have only been reinforced.
Looking forward to Whistler opening up again.
Here are some. Just cleaned her up.
Attachments
Those red pedals have to go! Moar black plez.
whai muzt da intruwebzorz sensorz dre pixorz? is the paint job all bewbz from stem to stern?
Mine is!
UPDATE:
Well it has been a while since I updated this, but now I have spent a lot more time rolling on this bike I can say a few more things.
First, it actually took me a lot longer to get used to the feel of this bike that I had anticipated. The first few rides felt good, but weird (not bad, just different). The next few felt a lot better, so I figured I had the bike dialed. That is when the interesting stuff started happening. After every few rides, I began to notice small things that the bike was doing well. A few adjustments to the fork here a click or two of rebound on the rear shock there and the feel of the bike would change noticeably for the better. So much so that every time I figured I had it dialed I would simply realize that the bike had more to offer. It is pretty awesome, and I am truly amazed at the skill of FTW in putting together a bike.
I've been riding Cypress a fair bit while waiting for Whistler to open and loving the steep nastiness it offers up. The FB10 eats it all up and begs for more. I am now moving through sections at very respectable speeds that would have me either picking my way through or even walking on my smaller bike.
Day one at Whistler, and HOLY CRAP, another breakthrough moment! This time I really did think I had it dialed, but once again the bike revealed a whole new level of awesomeness. I have never in my life hit trails like Whistler DH at the speeds I hit them this time. Felt in perfect control the whole time. The most notable feature of the ride is that the moment I am off the brakes, the bike just takes off. The more aggressively I ride it, the better it feels. I can only imagine what the bike will have to offer once I get the feel of park riding back.
Well it has been a while since I updated this, but now I have spent a lot more time rolling on this bike I can say a few more things.
First, it actually took me a lot longer to get used to the feel of this bike that I had anticipated. The first few rides felt good, but weird (not bad, just different). The next few felt a lot better, so I figured I had the bike dialed. That is when the interesting stuff started happening. After every few rides, I began to notice small things that the bike was doing well. A few adjustments to the fork here a click or two of rebound on the rear shock there and the feel of the bike would change noticeably for the better. So much so that every time I figured I had it dialed I would simply realize that the bike had more to offer. It is pretty awesome, and I am truly amazed at the skill of FTW in putting together a bike.
I've been riding Cypress a fair bit while waiting for Whistler to open and loving the steep nastiness it offers up. The FB10 eats it all up and begs for more. I am now moving through sections at very respectable speeds that would have me either picking my way through or even walking on my smaller bike.
Day one at Whistler, and HOLY CRAP, another breakthrough moment! This time I really did think I had it dialed, but once again the bike revealed a whole new level of awesomeness. I have never in my life hit trails like Whistler DH at the speeds I hit them this time. Felt in perfect control the whole time. The most notable feature of the ride is that the moment I am off the brakes, the bike just takes off. The more aggressively I ride it, the better it feels. I can only imagine what the bike will have to offer once I get the feel of park riding back.
I agree. ^^. Just hit some really really steep trails on the FB10 after raising my bar height ~2 inches. Gives you a lot more control. The bike just feels like cheating in the turns, and I'm not even in the lowest/slackest setting anymore. I can't describe just how effortless the bike rides with high bars now. I'm debating whether or not to try the slack setting again. But its just soooo low for rocky-pedaly trails.
See attached helmet cams. (with Hacktastic's black FB10 too.). I didnt' angle the cams quite high enough. But I'll try and get some better ones next time we are there, maybe with better riding too
.
See attached helmet cams. (with Hacktastic's black FB10 too.). I didnt' angle the cams quite high enough. But I'll try and get some better ones next time we are there, maybe with better riding too
.
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Looks fun!
Hacktastic, you were on an R9 before, right? How do the two bikes compare in your opinion? I know the T9 is a bit heavier, but I'm thinking more in terms of ride characteristics (i know that weight does play a role in that).
I also went from an R9 to to a FB 10. Here's a couple of quick observations: lower BB/COG and quicker to turn & accelerate on the FB than on the R9.
Rode an R9 for two seasons and had a blast. Bit heavy but great in the rough.
I must say bravo on this bike. One of the better looking builds/color scheme I've seen this season!
BUMP for Whateverhappenedto Rigidhack?
I now have an FB10 and wondered what's up w/him?
-E
Is Frank even still making them???
No. I believe he's done with full suspension bikes after they did the second run of FB10's a year ago. He did however send me out derailleur hangers the day I emailed and paid him this summer.
I'm just glad I got my hands on 2 XL's before he stopped.
Bunch of fronts hanging in the shop. Was told he just has to find time from all of his other projects to make rears for them... Fronts can be seen hanging in some of his photos and/or in some of Spooky's photos posted....
Still doesn't explain what happened to Rigidhack....
Riders ebb and flow from posting now and then.... but rarely dissappear all at once....
Anyone heard from or still talk to him? Weird.
Riders ebb and flow from posting now and then.... but rarely dissappear all at once....
Anyone heard from or still talk to him? Weird.