I dont see it as an improvement, I got it to try a change of Geo, and see how it goes. I would say they are both really nice frames, the Zhi is lighter and feels just as solid as the Ashton and my favourite colour is blue(or white on bikes), Because i've had 2 Ashtons I was like the only thing for trials must be an Ashton but just want to experiment in the jungle of frames lol, and got the Zhi tom