Frameworks 2026 DH frame: corrected specifications and build questions
By Jerwin Antivola11 May 2026◷ 3 min readMTBSource check: 14 October 2026
A downhill frame is the start of a build project, not a complete bike waiting for pedals. For the 2026 Frameworks DH frame, the first useful step is to separate the manufacturer’s confirmed specifications from the ride impressions and mismatched numbers in our earlier archive article.
This is a corrected technical overview, not a hands-on test. The old article mixed 170/172 mm travel figures into a downhill discussion. Those figures and its inconsistent geometry table have been removed in favor of Frameworks’ DH-specific documentation.
The confirmed frame basics
Frameworks lists an aluminum front triangle, carbon-fiber rear triangle and four frame sizes. Its DH documentation specifies mixed wheels: 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear. Rear travel is listed as 209, 206 or 204 mm, depending on the shock-mount position.
| Item | Manufacturer-listed DH specification |
|---|---|
| Shock size | 250 × 75 mm |
| Rear hub | 12 × 148 mm |
| Bottom bracket | 83 mm threaded |
| Rear brake mount | 200 mm post mount |
| Wheel format | 29-inch front / 27.5-inch rear |
The technical guide describes a frame designed around a 200 mm dual-crown fork and a 602 mm axle-to-crown measurement. Its instructions—not a generic downhill label—should govern a proposed build. Confirm the latest document revision with Frameworks before ordering parts.
Make a frame-only budget
The product page lists a frame package with a custom-tuned FOX Float X2, Burgtec axle, UDH and seatpost clamp. A fork, wheels and the rest of a complete build still need to be accounted for. Keep the distinction visible when comparing this package with a complete bike.
Prepare a component list with your builder before paying a deposit. Record the exact wheel, drivetrain, headset and brake choices alongside the labor estimate. If a compatible part is already owned, have it inspected rather than treating it as a zero-cost certainty.
Geometry needs a personal fit discussion
Read the size-specific geometry in the official guide as a set of measurements, not a verdict that the bike will feel stable to everyone. Your proportions, cockpit and riding context matter. Moving from a familiar bike is easier to discuss when you bring its actual measurements to the builder.
Do not swap a fork, wheel format or shock position simply to chase a preferred number in a spreadsheet. Check permitted configurations and the fitting procedure in the technical guide. We have not tested alternative combinations or verified a workshop setup for an individual rider.
Where it belongs on a shortlist
A rider budgeting for a dedicated downhill build can compare the process with our S-Works Demo 11 cost explainer. Someone seeking a complete gravity-oriented bike can use the Canyon Torque buying guide to frame a different set of questions.
For either path, our Philippine ownership worksheet adds the expenses that disappear from a frame-price comparison: servicing, transport, riding costs and replacement parts. Race results and product specifications are useful context, but they cannot substitute for an ELEV8 test of the bike you plan to build.
