NBD!!! Well... New Frame Day (Raaaaaaaw Content)

Whoop whoop! New frame day 🙂

A brief history.... A few years back i bought a Norco Optic (after the rave reviews it received). What a bike! Short travel, aggressive numbers, a riot to ride. I was firmly in the 'you dont need lots of travel' camp. I rode it all over. Even did the Megavalanche on it. Then one fateful day at Redlands (Surrey Hills), i just couldnt keep up with my riding buddies on a fairly rough track. That was it... i wanted more travel.

I sold the Optic and bought a Vitus Sommet. It was a bargain price (this was before the fire sale) and was impressed with how it rode. It was also a touch shorter than the Optic, as towards the end of its life, i felt that a 480mm reach was a bit much for me at a mere 5' 9". The Sommet had a 470mm reach and felt good. I transferred many of my parts onto the bike so it was pretty pimped.

I have always admired Raaw, their bikes and what they do. The Madonna has been a bit of a dream bike since the V2, but due to cost i've never managed to indulge. When the V3 came out i almost purchased a discounted V2.2, but once i calculated the dreaded import costs, i held fire.

Then i read the pinkbike review of the V3 and i was invested again. Once i mentioned it to my riding buddies, they did what all good friends would do and applied pressure to me until i buckled! I employed the YOLO mindset and treated myself.

I was a little concerned that the Madonna in medium (to suit my height) would feel short. So a few emails back and forth with Felix and Ruben at Raaw and i was sold. I also managed to wangle a free t-shirt! My order was placed.

As is often the way, when you are desperate for something to arrive, the world conspires against you! The Frame was dispatched, but then sat in UK customs for the best part of 4 weeks until it was finally released. Thankfully it was worth the wait.

Whilst waiting i also purchased a RS super deluxe coil shock with a custom tune from Sprung, after a thread on here asking which air shock to go for. So thanks to all who said a coil was the way to go.

The frame is a thing of beauty. Every detail perfectly thought out. It feel like it could stop a tank in its tracks.

I built it up over an evening and afternoon. Transferring all my parts from the Vitus, and adding some new cranks.

Images show it 99% complete, with just the rear brake to fit.

[url= https://i.postimg.cc/7ZNP8BJK/2.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/7ZNP8BJK/2.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= https://i.postimg.cc/hPTPM4DW/3.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/hPTPM4DW/3.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= https://i.postimg.cc/Z5mYQkn9/4.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/Z5mYQkn9/4.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

I took it on its maiden voyager on wednesday and what a machine! The coil is so smooth, i've never experienced anything like it. It climbs well, despite its monumental weight (38lbs!!!). And despite being the shortest bike i have ridden for a while, combined with the tall stack, it just feels right. I am properly centred over the bike. And it just gives confidence to let off the brakes.

Whilst i appreciate its a bit overkill for the majority of my riding, its great to have plenty in reserve and to test it to its potential when i ride Slovenia next month and the Alps the month after.

So, yeah... dream bike purchased, i'm chuffed!

Spec:

Frame: Raaw Madonna V3 in Medium

Rear Shock: RS Super Deluxe Ultimate Coil - Sprung tune

Fork: RS Zeb Ultimate 170mm

Handlebar: Oneup Carbon cut to 775mm

Stem: Burgtec Enduro 42.5mm

Grips: ODI Reflex 2.1

Brakes: Shimano MT501 4 Pot 200mm discs

Shifters: Sram AXS

Rear Derailleur: Sram AXS GX T-Type

Cassette: Sram GX T-Type

Chainguide: None

Cranks: Sram XX T-Type Carbon 32t

Pedals: Nukeproof Horizon Alloy

Front Tire: Schwalbe Magic Mary Super Trail Soft 2.4

Rear Tire: Schwalbe Big Betty Super Trail Soft 2.4

Saddle: Specialized Phenom

Seatpost: Reverb AXS 170mm

Wheelset: Zipp 3Zero Moto 29inch

Extra: Fidlock bottle mount, 76projects Garmin mount