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.

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

Looks brilliant. Seriously tempted on a jibb but it’s geometry seems a bit too similar to my occam.

Lovely build.

That looks very nice. Not blingy, just understated and purposeful. Whoop whoop indeed!

That is a burly looking bike…

The stray leaf is regrettable.

Nice build!  Kinda surgical but neat. Like it a lot.  My coil experience was similar 🙂  Could not believe how plush it was.  Wont be going back to air any time soon.  Its probably very similar in terms of ride characteristics to my V2 Clash, i.e. a bit underwhelming on anything that isn’t steep and  gnarly.  Saying that, it performed brilliantly at Tarlands smoothish flowy trails so….

That’s a lovely looking thing! Congrats.

Very nice.

Looks like external cable routing as well (not that you need it for your leccy gears).

Could’ve cleaned your tyres. -15 marks.

We’ve just had one arrive this week as well for my son. Lovely bikes.

Send it back, that seat tube is well out of shape! 😉

Very nice bike. I bet these things absolutely rip.

I’ve got 3 or 4 bikes on my wishlist and this is one of them.

Really, really like that! If I ever decide I want a big burly long travel bike, a Raaw would be very high up the list.

That looks very nice indeed. I love the straight line from the top tube down the seat stays

Cool looking bike and a great build spec, I’ll bet it rides as well as it looks 👍

Looks lovely. Raw/RaaW FTW!

Congratulation on no gaudy, coloured cr@p that would make your otherwise awesome looking bike look cheap and nasty.

Looks lovely. <= already said that but that’s a sweet bike.

That’s lovely – always wanted one of these. Similar industrial vibe to my Geometron.

That’s a lovely looking bike.

Lawn needs painting and the fence cutting, though.

Oh that’s nice! Kind of fomo for going v2.2 instead of v3!
mine is in a similar ballpark weight wise but it just handles!

Like that very much. Looks like a burly version of my grey Optic. Think I might be on a similar journey, a year or two behind you!

Very nice.

It does look high stack when viewed from the side, but I see your stem is slammed or almost. I’d check the bar components clearance from the top tube in the event of a spin, if you haven’t already.

Lovely looking bike

Ace. Was sorely tempted by the older Jibb on closeout recently. They just look right.

I seldom look at anyone’s bike and think wow, but wow! Some bikes just look completely right. That’s beautiful, my dream Alps bike right there. I’d rip Morgins a new one on that thing. Nice job!

Looks smart and it got me clicking, reading reviews and conjuring up a dream build…. Reasonable price for the frame and only good reviews as far as I can see.

Oh….

And it’s not another bloody ebike!

Looks good that. I’m still a bit sulky they didn’t stretch the sizing, as I’m still stuck between the L & XL. The XL Jibb V2 is almost ideal, but I have a great small bike already.

I am not too bothered though, managed to get a Megatower V2 full bike for less than the Madonna frame was going to cost. Fits well & will be ideal for the small amount of riding I do on a big bike these days.

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

another ride today and I am so pleased with it. It’s an absolute beast!