[CannondaleF9]

FWIW, in 30 years, I have cracked at least 5 aluminum frames. I have never damaged a carbon frame, ever. YMMV.

This will be my first carbon bike, so that's good to hear.

I'm not worried about weight either, I just have a habit of feeding trolls. It's the political science major in me.

 

[rideit]

Oh, boy

 

[rideit]

Lol at the Orange aluminum bike dude, at 5 pounds for this frame, there is absolutely no doubt this frame would build up lighter with his same parts.
Doofus.

 

[CannondaleF9]

Lol at the Orange aluminum bike dude, at 5 pounds for this frame, there is absolutely no doubt this frame would build up lighter with his same parts.
Doofus.

"But the Epic Evo is almost a pound lighter than that so it's a pig"

 

[rideit]

 

[rlee]

Rideit I would be happy with that weight.
I have 2 XC race hardtails both in size large and from 2 different manufactures. One weighs 3lb 1oz and one weighs 3lb.
A dually at 5 lb is a light frame. I know its a medium but I am still surprised.
I do not know where people get their scales from but there must be a hot supplier other than park.

 

[rideit]

So, couple of impressions from the build. This frame won’t ‘quite’ fit my 175mm transfer post (the seatube is about 4mm too short). Will probably have to go to a 150. They saved weight all over the place, one place I don’t like is that there is no mount for a spirit guide, and no iscg tabs.
Love the two water bottle mounts, makes choosing between a water bottle or bear spray a thing of the past. But the upper wb mounts are positioned strangely, I wish they were closer to the lower ones, so I could fit a small front frame bag as well.
The Tube in Tubes are the easiest ever, no silliness for the dropper post cable. Everything is very well thought out. The tubes are really sleek!
More after a 2500 climb/descent tomorrow with some ride impressions. I’ll be curious if the 140 feels overforked.

 

[rideit]

Another tip: you need to unbolt the chainstay part of the swingarm in order to run hose and cable, but it is one very easy to access bolt, so super simple. Very clean hose routing!

 

[CannondaleF9]

So, couple of impressions from the build. This frame won’t ‘quite’ fit my 175mm transfer post (the sea tube is about 4mm too short). Will probably have to go to a 150. They saved weight all over the place, one place I don’t like is that there is no mount for a spirit guide, and no iscg tabs.
Love the two water bottle mounts, makes choosing between a water bottle or bear spray a thing of the past. But the upper wb mounts are positioned strangely, I wish they were closer to the lower ones, so I could fit a small front frame bag as well.
The Tube in Tubes are the easiest ever, no silliness for the dropper post cable. Everything is very well thought out. The tubes are really sleek!
More after a 2500 climb/descent tomorrow with some ride impressions. I’ll be curious if the 140 feels overforked.

The bike looks sweet built up, definitely looks more on the lines of lightweight trail duty, but I bet it'll be great climbing and descending.

I'm interested about how it handles more aggressive terrain, I'm torn on what tires to even consider for mine, if I should have a set of Minions or maybe stick to Rekons or a mix. I know they come with 2piston 160mm brakes, and I at least want 180mm rotors on it, but I'm not sure if I will want/need 4 piston brakes either.
If it comes alive on rough terrain, I might want to consider building mine up a little stronger.

 

[RMB-PM]

Re: no guide... You actually CAN use our system on the element

You will need to swap the main pivot nut too

The only thing that I'm not 100% clear on is if you can actually get that chip as an individual item. It's listed in the full bolt kit, so maybe ask your dealer to reach out to see if they can get that one individual item along w. the Guide kit (1811008)

A

So, couple of impressions from the build. This frame won’t ‘quite’ fit my 175mm transfer post (the seatube is about 4mm too short). Will probably have to go to a 150. They saved weight all over the place, one place I don’t like is that there is no mount for a spirit guide, and no iscg tabs.
Love the two water bottle mounts, makes choosing between a water bottle or bear spray a thing of the past. But the upper wb mounts are positioned strangely, I wish they were closer to the lower ones, so I could fit a small front frame bag as well.
The Tube in Tubes are the easiest ever, no silliness for the dropper post cable. Everything is very well thought out. The tubes are really sleek!
More after a 2500 climb/descent tomorrow with some ride impressions. I’ll be curious if the 140 feels overforked.

 

[rideit]

Thanks, this is great news! Big props to the engineers. These bikes just get better and better.
The new ride-4 chip is an elegant solution with the threaded chip end. Sometimes it’s the little things. Would you happen to know anti-squat figures, by any chance?

 

[EskimoFriend]

The bike looks sweet built up, definitely looks more on the lines of lightweight trail duty, but I bet it'll be great climbing and descending.

I'm interested about how it handles more aggressive terrain, I'm torn on what tires to even consider for mine, if I should have a set of Minions or maybe stick to Rekons or a mix. I know they come with 2piston 160mm brakes, and I at least want 180mm rotors on it, but I'm not sure if I will want/need 4 piston brakes either.
If it comes alive on rough terrain, I might want to consider building mine up a little stronger.

Website states 180 F & R on the C 50, what model are you looking at with the 160's?

 

[CannondaleF9]

Website states 180 F & R on the C 50, what model are you looking at with the 160's?

I haven't looked at the spec sheet in a while, it wasn't listed I guess and from the pic it looked like a 160mm setup in the rear.
That's a relief.

 

[rideit]

Well, gents, this bike shreds. Took it to my favorite local loop (Phillips Ridge to Phillips Canyon). 2500 climb and descent. I didn’t quite have enough air pressure in the shock, so my impressions are skewed by being only in the trail and climb modes. Got a few PR’s without really trying. Rear shock is a bit ‘primitive’ after years of running shocks with 4 or 5 adjustments, I will definitely be getting the FloatX.
Seatpost insertion is actually fine with the 175 Transfer (inseam of ~32”).
This is one of the chunkier descents locally, and there wasn’t a hint of chain tomfoolery, so I will try it without the guide for now.
I still have some fine tuning to do, but I will be very happy with this bike!
It is what I always hoped my SB100 would be, but wasn’t…

 

[baldybrucetires]

Wow, those things are pigs. My Large aluminum bike with better geometry weighs 23.5 pounds with pedals (no dropper).

Nobody cares about your non-Element bike - this is a 22 Element thread. If I want to talk/ learn about "bike XYZ" I'll go to the specific "bike XYZ" thread.

 

[baldybrucetires]

Oh, boy
View attachment 1953337

Did you happen to weigh either of the wheels? Or even the wheel with stock Rekon tires and sealant? I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to upgrade wheels or rims to lighter ones but I cannot find any weight info online for the "WTB ST Light i27 TCS 2.0 Tubeless" rims on WTB's website. Thanks in advance!

 

[rideit]

It was just the frame. Completes are probably next year. One more observation, I was wrong on water bottle placement. With a few cage modifications, two liters of water fits no problem. This is awesome for big backcountry rides! I also have a storage 'water bottle' that a jacket and some tools fit into.
I doubt this all would work with a piggyback shock. Maybe with a 22-24 oz water bottle up top with the caged moved up? I'm willing to give it a try!

 

[Zerort]

Nobody cares about your non-Element bike - this is a 22 Element thread. If I want to talk/ learn about "bike XYZ" I'll go to the specific "bike XYZ" thread.

Im not the one that brought it up you walnut. Read the thread.

 

[CannondaleF9]

It was just the frame. Completes are probably next year. One more observation, I was wrong on water bottle placement. With a few cage modifications, two liters of water fits no problem. This is awesome for big backcountry rides! I also have a storage 'water bottle' that a jacket and some tools fit into.
I doubt this all would work with a piggyback shock. Maybe with a 22-24 oz water bottle up top with the caged moved up? I'm willing to give it a try!
View attachment 1953563

Yeah, fingers crossed January the first completes will roll out the door. For some it's mid summer.
Depends on where you are and when you ordered it.

How did you get your frame so quickly?

 

[rideit]

Luck of the gods.