Madonna V2.2 Frame Kit - Black

This is going to be a long one so appropriate TLDR at the beginning: the bike is amazing, full stop.

I've bought a size large Madonna V2.2 frame a couple of months ago and I've ridden it extensively. My experience consists of 20 days-ish of park riding in the Alps, mostly between tech black / double black with the occasional flow trail. I don't really enjoy jumping for the sake of jumping so unfortunately you will need to look elsewhere.

About me: I'm 180 cm tall, 90 kg with gear, all legs and arms, no torso. I would say intermediate - advanced, fairly aggressive ride.

About the bike: Madonna V2.2 lg 65 mm rocker, EXT era V2.1 170 mm, Vivid coil ultimate, FR541 wheelset, Cannibal T9 front, DHR2 DH MaxxGrip Rear, single speed setup, 155 mm crankset with ochain installed, 30 mm stem, 760 mm bar x 50 mm rise.

Starting from the beginning: I like thinkering with bikes, probably more than I like riding one, and since the frame arrived I've been astonished by the build quality, both of bearings and dust caps, and the frame itself. Everything is so well put togheter and seems so sturdy and durable. Regarding durability, unfortunately I've a couple of nasty crashes on pointy rocks and the only damage the bike sustained was a dent on the NDS seatstay that was promply crash-replaced. The rocker is a work of art.
I still haven't ridden in nasty and muddy condition but, for what it's worth, all bearing are well sealed and I won't think they will suffer from water ingress.

How it rides: the bike came with an ohlins air shock which, unfortunately, I was not able to gel with; it was either bottom out support or small bump sensitivity, no in between. Since then, I've changed to a RS vivid coil (475 lbs sprindex, +2 HBO, +1 LSC, -1 HSC, 12 clicks of rebound from fully closed) and the bike came alive. It's not super poppy, but I don't think that was the intention behind the frame, but it lends itself to being thrown around witout too much fuss. It's the perfect in between a DH rid and a trail bike. With the proper suspension setup, the bike hovers in the middle part of the travel, without any harsh bottom out, all while having the best small bump sensitivity I've ever tried. I've only had a couple of hard bottom out but, to be fair, I went a bit too far off a couple of drops; nonetheless, the bike remained composed and didn't seem to be bothered. I love the high stack the frame offers as I've always struggled with a tower of headset spacer; right now, I'm running + 30 mm spacer, + 50 mm handlebar and it feels amazing. Obviously, YMMV based on body proportion but, for me, this setup offers plenty of front tire grip while still being able to stand tall and centered on the bike. Can't wait to try the long chainstay option. I was a bit scared of the 64,5° HTA as the last bike I rode had a 63° HTA and, yes, while it might lose a bit in terms of straight line stability, we don't ride on highways: I'm impressed about how eager it is to lean over and turn.

Unfortunately, I can't comment on how it pedals since the bike is setup for park use and park use only, with a 32-13 single speed setup and without a dropper post. Why didn't I buy a Yalla then? I find enduro bikes funnier to throw around and I'm out of the games in terms of racing so I don't need a proper DH rig. Moreover, I still have to find a track that overwhelms it.

Now, to the bads: honestly, not much. The stock RDH is probably made of cheese, you can bend it by looking at it wrong. Fortunately, no problems here thanks to the single speed. I've straightened it three times already and it's still going strong. Just in case, I've bought the 7075 and the SS hanger and they should be stiffer. The black paint, while being amazing to look at, is not the most durable I've encountered; moreover, being kind of shiny / glossy, you can easily see scratches. TBF, I don't care as I believe bikes are meant to be used and the enviroment we use them in inevitabily leads to getting scratched but, if this bothers you, there is always the raw option.

Not much more to say except I hope many more amazing rides!

I'm absolutely satisfied with the Madonna. I've been riding a very similar looking bike from the UK, which I'm also very happy with and enjoy. But I consider it a full-throttle race bike, which is especially advantageous at higher speeds. The Raaw, on the other hand, is simply much more fun and more responsive. At 1.85 m (6'1"), I deliberately ordered frame size M, a size smaller than recommended. It suits my riding style and most common riding conditions. Currently, I only ride the Raaw. The rear end's very responsiveness is particularly noteworthy. I'd be interested to know whether this is due to the kinematics alone or whether it's also due to the roller bearings on the lower shock mount. Probably because of both. The Madonna V2.2 is an all-around worry-free bike that's a lot of fun, and I haven't missed anything so far.

I built this up to get a more modern enduro bike build. It is the best handling and most confidence inspiring bike I have ridden. It has gotten me out of some bad situations that other bikes would not have. When I have run out of talent and gone past what the bike can save me from the durability of the platform has been outstanding with nothing more than a derailleur hanger needing to be replaced. This bike prefers to be pushed and ridden fast on steep and challenging terrain. It can cruise mellow terrain fine but that is not what it was made for. A trail bike would be a better choice in those conditions. The build is a medium V2.2 in black, Fox DHX2 shock, Fox 38 180mm fork, XT drivetrain, Hope Tech 4 v4 brakes(blue on black w/blue floating Hope rotors, Oneup dropper, WTB Volt saddle, Cane Creek 40 headset(Blue), Industry nine A35 stem 50mm, Deity skywire carbon handlebar, Deity grips, We Are One convergence rims w/I9 one:one hubs, Continental Kryptotal front and rear enduro casing. I would say this is my dream build with sensible components chosen for performance and durability.

Its al about the ride. Less a about how it looks or weight. Maintenance is realy easy. Derailleur hanger is a bit weak but there are sollotions.

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