Powered by Outside

Video: Neko Mulally On Frameworks' First Bonded Downhill Frame

Apr 17, 2024 at 12:04
by Neko Mulally  

bigquotesExperimenting with bonded frame construction has been at the top of my list of things to try since I started the Frameworks project. Our first crack at a bonded lug and tube frame turned out pretty good! Huge thanks to the guys at Faction Bike Studio for making this happen, I'm looking forward to putting this thing through its paces this year.



Author Info:
Frameworks avatar

Member since Jan 13, 2024
2 articles
Must Read This Week
Final Results from the Canadian Open DH - Crankworx Whistler 2024
53586 views
First Ride: Maxxis Highroller III Tire - DH Race Ready
52378 views
Review: The Airdrop Edit MX - No Frills, All Thrills
37455 views
First Ride: the Trek Slash+ Sets a High Bar
35161 views
Matt's Crankworx Randoms - Day 1
34582 views
Randoms Round 3 - Crankworx Whistler 2024
30391 views
Seeding Results from the Canadian Open DH - Crankworx Whistler 2024
28813 views
Bike Check: Aaron Gwin's Crestline RS 205 VHP - Crankworx Whistler 2024
26266 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

70 Comments
  • 67 2
 Anyone else read "Our first crack at a bonded lug and tube frame turned out pretty good!" and think they had a frame failure?

Just me?
  • 106 0
 Sheiiiiit shoulda sent that quote through or PR department
  • 3 8
flag stunnanumma1 FL (Apr 17, 2024 at 13:07) (Below Threshold)
 @Frameworks: your government dollars are here for you...
  • 2 0
 err yep, I totally read that as "our first cracked at a bonded lug" oops
  • 2 0
 Tounge in cheek humor.
  • 3 3
 @Frameworks: shoulda sent this one through the editing departmentWink
  • 4 0
 They need to chat to BK. Sport had a hugie ...
  • 25 1
 Ah yes, the tried and true boned rub and tug... I mean bonded lug and tub... shoot, bonded lug and tube, sorry
  • 3 0
 Came here to say something similar to this, haha! Lug and Tub.. hilarious..
  • 2 0
 dude it was right there - tug and lube
  • 2 0
 @mmcvl: Ah dang, yeah, I was edging towards it but just couldn't get there
  • 29 10
 He saw what happened with Kerr's bike and was like "yeah gimmie some of that"

Jokes aside, the bike looks great, except the SL spring looks TERRIBLE with the anniversary fork!
  • 17 13
 I'd say the whole bike looks great except that mustard-looking fork is just plain ugly.
  • 14 1
 This is Al and Al. No galvanic corrosion to worry about here like the pivot proto.
  • 20 0
 Seems like a big miss for Fox not to do a color-matched run of SLS springs. Idk how many folks will buy those anniversary forks but I'd wager they'd sell a boatload of kashima colored springs.
  • 4 1
 @McKai: At least the factory DHX2 should still have a kashima shaft. It looks poverty spec ever since they dropped it!
  • 3 0
 @McKai: take my money!! take it!
  • 4 0
 @corporaltedbronson:
When Fox is paying your bills, you love the mustard $hit all the way to the bank.
  • 4 1
 mustard? I think your screen needs adjusting....
  • 1 2
 @naptime: I think your mustard needs adjusting. But seriously, it's a gaudy fork hung off a simple/clean/elegant frame. Hurts to look at.
  • 16 0
 Centering the logo on the headtube with that jig might be the most satisfying thing ive ever seen. So sick
  • 1 0
 looks like they bond it into the window later. The window allows for internal cnc access otherwise the lugs look more like framework bicycle lugs.
frameworkbicycles.com
  • 10 0
 It is awesome how Neko is making videos about his process and journey in creating this masterpiece!
  • 7 1
 Lessons learned:
1) Galvanic corrosion fundamentals
2) Double lap structure
3) Put some of the glue into a paper bag and test to make sure its the good stuff
4) Test the f*ck out of frame with destructive testing and cycle testing
5) Don't send old frames to hardline
  • 6 0
 Henkel makes some good products. I particularly like their 'stick' style thread lockers... just don't mistake them for ChapStick.
  • 2 0
 Make no mistake. Henkel is legit. As long as Neko et al have gone through Henkel engineering, I’ve no concern with these bonded joints.
  • 5 2
 Not a fan of a giant Ellsworth looking rocker but that is a gorgeous bike. Loctite... hope they are using an Aerospace formula with a hint of Nukeproof DNA!
  • 2 0
 Very cool. Settling well into the bike industry standard too, as soon as you buy our amazing product .. BAM we made a better one. Suddenly your new boutique pride and joy is un-rideable. This bikes gorgeous
  • 1 0
 Ive been exploring options for making a frame as a learning project, and it's great to finally see someone mention what adhesive they used. I'll buy you a beer if you also mention the ID/OD and series of tubes you used for the front triangle!
  • 5 0
 As someone into bondage, I'm all for this frame.
  • 1 0
 Not sure if that was TMI or did your inbox start blowing up?
  • 3 0
 These lugs are so nice to look at. Much cleaner than Atherton bikes. Also loved how the frame parts just clicked into place in the video.
  • 2 0
 Great work as always Neko. I love this series of videos and the music in this one was great too. Siri couldn't tell me who the musical artist is. Could someone please post the artist and song?
  • 1 0
 It's interesting explore that possibility, I mean if bonded frame works them the builders can use materials like Aluminium 7075, which give more stiffness than 6061 (and I guess is also lighter than 6061, but not sure) but the counter part is it can't be welded.
  • 4 0
 very impressed by faction bike studio
  • 2 0
 Oh yes, love the OBS sir! Ditch that fuel bowl/fuel pump in the valley, cures lots of issues on those 7.3's! Water in fuel one of them.
  • 1 0
 WIF light comes on every time I power-wash the 6BT 'cause all that isht is long gone and the harness end just hangs there open to the elements Big Grin
  • 3 0
 This is the way! Makes 100x more sense than machining all bike from huge billet like the Flinstones would do Smile
  • 4 1
 nicely done! There should be a gearbox model next.
  • 3 0
 There will be a gearbox version tested this year.
  • 1 0
 @Lostrodamus:
This is exzellent news!
  • 3 0
 Bernard Kerr might be interested in testing the bonding hold.....
  • 3 0
 What does frank the welder think about this
  • 7 0
 maybe he should be Frank the gluer
  • 3 0
 I bet he doesn't have any negative sentiments. When Neko was playing with the geo of the bike it made sense use a hand welded process, but now that his geo/general design is locked in other assembly techniques and materials might also make sense.
  • 2 1
 This answers the question about how Fox's new colour will look
with certain frames, god awful with raw front triangle + black stays
  • 3 0
 The headline ‘Neko gets into Bondage’ was right there people!!!
  • 3 2
 Great-looking bike, but as others have pointed out the anniversary fork just looks cheap. That gold reminds me of an old plastic sword I had as a kid.
  • 2 0
 Can't wait to get the kit and build one up at home, hope the glue smells as good as my old model glue did..
  • 3 0
 If FW ever sell the enduro/trail frame, bonded would be awesome!
  • 1 0
 This is a good instructional video. The way the bike industry is going, we’ll all be doing this soon if we want a new bike.
  • 2 0
 When are they going to do a matching gold SLS spring?
  • 2 0
 Yeah Neko, get it! Love the Frameworks designs, The bikes are sexy.
  • 2 0
 Wonder why hes on a DHX shock and nt a DHX2. awesome looking bike!
  • 2 0
 shut up and take my money
  • 2 0
 Back with the beer sponsor helmet. That's what's up
  • 2 0
 Looks killer, good luck at the races.
  • 1 0
 I'm a fan of the lug and tub
  • 1 1
 Gearboxes are the new DH bike trend for 2024 imo. Bonded lug and tube bikes are so 2023.
  • 1 0
 Fantastic looking machine, really hope it pans out as anticipated!
  • 2 0
 looks so good
  • 1 0
 That's Some Real Silver and Gold in Them Thar Hills.
  • 1 1
 would love to see this in the clear coat finish similar to the Banshee Titan v3.2 raw
  • 1 0
 Yeah, but make it more durable, othervise the bike will look like a teenager punished by acne in no time.
  • 2 0
 So good – send it Neko
  • 2 3
 I would love to know where the money is coming from to fund all this if all the DH riders are dirt poor as we are led to believe.
  • 1 0
 Here for the head badge comments...(which I bloody love).
  • 1 0
 Definitely not riding behind him at the bike park this year...
  • 1 0
 This could lead to a real team bonding experience.
  • 1 0
 1000 likes







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.034914
Mobile Version of Website