Oops, ignore me. Missed the news article.

bugger beat me to it......the boy and rip....not R.I.P

link to [url= http://www.cotic.co.uk/news/ ]cotic website[/url] to watch vid

This looked fun, anyone know where it was filmed? Especially the last bit.

Nice one. Almost makes me want to buy a Cotic, or at least one of the "26 ain't dead" tops.

I must admit that I lost a bit of respect for Orange when they jumped on the 650b wagon, which is silly really. If they hadn't done so I wouldn't have got such a good deal on my 26" Five frame. But when everybody goes in one direction I can't help but admire anybody who chooses not to follow.

Parkwood springs according to the vimeo comments.

Nice video but I was hoping for some in-depth physics and statistical analysis to back up the proposition 🙂

Aka 26 ain't dead as we ordered these frames 9 months ago and they just landed

itll never catch on

This looked fun, anyone know where it was filmed? Especially the last bit.

Sheffield.

Ah thanks mrblobby... Didn't even know this place existed, will have to check it out.

Nice video but I was hoping for some in-depth physics and statistical analysis to back up the proposition

Nice one. Almost makes me want to buy a Cotic, or at least one of the "26 ain't dead" tops

do they have a warehouse full of t shirts to shift as well as dead 26" stock then? 😉

cool vid though

does make you wonder how they will approach the PR of dropping 26 for 27.5 if they ever do !!

..proud Soul owner btw 🙂

[i]26 Ain't Dead[/i]

I’ve not seen the video but if it’s like other Steel City productions I imagine that it’s very good. It does however seems like a strange stance for Cotic to take.

I ride two bikes: a 2008, 26” hardtail and a 2010, 26” full suss. I have been in not great rush to upgrade from 26” wheels.

Recently, however, my full suspension bike cracked out of warranty. I’ve decided to replace it with a 2014, 650b full suspension. My decision was based on a multitude of reasons but the key thing here was I didn't choose a 26”.

I imagine that I'm like many other riders in this respect. No rush for change, 26" is still fun, but when forced to buy a new bike (mine had cracked) I didn't buy a 26".

I don't doubt that Cotic still has customers that buy 26” bikes/ frames but it seems curious that they are, apparently, ignoring potential customers who want a 650b.

but when forced to buy a new bike

Makes me want to move to Sheffield even more

A man riding in skinny jeans, and pushing uphill is supposed to be telling me about mtbing?!

That boy was ragging that BFe. Makes me want one even more.

As for being "forced" to buy a 650b, I refuse to call them the other name cos they ain't, you can still buy plenty of perfectly good 26" FS frames.

Don't believe the hype.

bigblackshed - I think you need to re-read. I was forced to buy a new bike (mine had broken). I chose to buy a 650b. My comment was that I don't think I'm unusual in the position of having the choice and not choosing 26".

BBS, have a look at next years range of bikes. Really not much choice in 26" frames compared to 27.5/29ers

Great video. Warms my heart to see the Manufacturers assisting the 650b backlash. At this rate we will be able to get back to 26" 2 years earlier than the industry plans to.

BBS, have a look at next years range of bikes. Really not much choice in 26" frames compared to 27.5/29ers

Which is why it makes sense for a niche manufacturer to keep supporting them. The number of people who would prefer to stick with 26" bikes may not be huge, but it's enough to keep Cotic in business.

Size of wheel means nothing compared to having the skillz. Hence biking companies can make a video with any old rubbish bike and give it to a good rider and they will make it look amazing. If we all believed the hype we would all be riding road bikes like Martyn Ashton off road doing rad stunts.

Or Mongooses like Chris Askrigg.

Great vid. Cotics are brilliant bikes irrespective of wheel size. My riding buddy has a Soul and a Norco Shinobi and loves both bikes - different tools for different jobs, but both can do anything. I'm sure that rider would have shredded any 29er/650B bike just as much.

I just look at the whole wheel thing like this. Right now in mtb, I can choose 3 wheel sizes. If I like another 26er, if I feel the need for another bike, then fine by me .
Real nice video.

No one wants 650b though. It was pushed on us by the marketing people wasn't it? 😉

it makes sense for a niche manufacturer to keep supporting them. The number of people who would prefer to stick with 26" bikes may not be huge, but it's enough to keep Cotic in business.

This. It's the same reason why they've done so well with the Rocket; because they're not trying to directly compete with the big boys.

Fun.

GEDA +1

There is nothing in that video that sells a wheel size to me. That guy would do exactly the same on a 26, 26.5, 27, 27,5, 28,28.5,29 or watever standard they come up with next.

Most people seem more concerned about not picking the betamax option.

Ahh, jonba, the irony there is that the Betamax option was actually the best! I think that is a classic example of proof that the masses don't always make the right choice. I don't know which wheel size is the correct one, I suspect none are.

As a frame only and with many of us with 26 wheels and forks...'26 aint dead' makes perfect sense to me....well done Cotic ( was that Cy cryingin the vid?)

1. That RS Pike looked ever so composed
2. Ah that's how you ride Parkwood Springs

That is all.

roverpig - Member
Nice one. [s]Almost[/s] makes me want to buy a Cotic

+1

There is nothing in that video that sells a wheel size to me. That guy would do exactly the same on a 26, 26.5, 27, 27,5, 28,28.5,29 or watever standard they come up with next.

Excellent - so I can do all that on my 26" 100m HT? Great news!!

None of them are right. I have a 29er which is great and a dialled Alpine 26er but it makes no difference. The big difference this year is that I have been out in the woods, built my own trails, jumps, drops and a pump track and I have got so much better. Once you know you can move/push/pull the bike around instead of just standing on it I started getting better. I also ride a 2006 Patriot and am going to be 40 next year and still (Due to lack of competition in my part of the world 🙂 ) get KOMs on stuff. I am a firm believer in Shimano Deore and firm hater of marketing that makes me confused between biking and golf.

That was ace! The whole wheel size thing doesn't really interest me, during my season I was riding a 29 and 26 almost every day. i was doing runs on the 26 and 29 back to back quite often as I pulled whatever bike came to hand out the van. I found them both brilliant, different but great. Next year I will choose the bike I want and that will determine the wheel size.

I'm seriously considering scratching my hardtail itch with a BeFe though!

iainc
does make you wonder how they will approach the PR of dropping 26 for 27.5 if they ever do !!

Perhaps a viral video based campaign called "26 IS dead"??? 😉

Great riding, I enjoyed the video and watched it right through.

= good marketing. Good on them.

That guy definitely wasn't hanging around on that bike, looked like a fun place to ride too.

fantastic that.......all bikes all good....... 8)

Excellent vid but it's all soft dirt and smooth trail centre stuff, if there was any rocks he'd have had to switch to 27.5 in order to roll over them smoothly.

(did anyone else see in the last Canyon vid with the Dudes, they managed to include a bit with them talking about rolling smoothly over rocks, and demonstrated it with a bit of someone hopping completely over some rocks without touching... that's how smooth those wheels are.)

A man riding in skinny jeans, and pushing uphill is supposed to be telling me about mtbing?!

Yeah, and probably knows a lot more about riding than most of riders on this forum I bet 😛

Nice video, great frames too but obviously Cotic being a very small company can't change their bikes to 650b overnight, just as well most of us don't think 650b makes much difference.

I actually spoke to Cy recently, when ordering some replacement decals for my Soul. I told him that I'd definitely buy a 650b Soul...but I wish I hadn't now.

Like for many people, the outlay required to simultaneously upgrade a frame, fork and wheels is a lot to me. It just doesn't seem worth £1,500 or so to get a slightly different Soul; whereas at least with a 29er it's typically a considerably different ride.

He's definitely sticking his neck out with this - full credit to him.

Unfortunately, it's come a little late to secure a sale from me. I decided that amidst all this uncertainty I would refurbish my "old" Soul - it cost pretty much the same as the [i]net[/i] cost of getting a new frame (i.e. buying new one, selling old one = net cost).

Ben H - agree totally, the cost of updating to 650 isn't worth it for most people.

But is Cotic/Cy really sticking his neck out? Isn't he just advertising his product in pretty much the only way he can against bigger companies with their 650b frame overhaul on every model? Not wishing to be critical, I think Cotic frames and the company in general are ace, just it'll be interesting/surprising if the next Rocket, Soul and Bfe aren't 650bs!

Top vid.

Wheel sizes? WGAF?

If I wear skinny jeans will it make me ride like that?

If so...

Am I the only one not inspired by that vid?
To me it was dull, yes the riding was to a good standard, but it was hardly breaking the mold of what could be done on just about any bike, so I just don't get the relevance to 26" not being dead 😐

If I wear skinny jeans will it make me ride like that?

If so...

If you're anything like me it'll make you look like a ****t even if you're just walking along in them!

I have to marvel at some riders sometimes, and that geezer is one of them.

The only thing that could make me ride like that is a full scale talent transplant.

26 to 27.5 isnt worth an upgrade

29 to 27.5 is a downgrade

26 to 29 is an upgrade

29 to 26 is madness

How on earth do you learn to ride like that..even just a little bit?

26 to 27.5 isnt worth an upgrade
29 to 27.5 is a downgrade
26 to 29 is an upgrade
29 to 26 is madness

I can't stand 29ers and will never own one.

+1

Who'd change their bikes if there was nothing to change to. The industry wheels will keep turning wether they have real innovation or not.

Not worth flapping about really......

I want to know where the first bit of that video was filmed. Anyone know? I've seen that track on a couple of videos / photos and I can't work out where it is. I thought I knew all the decent stuff around Sheffield 😡

Middle bit is Greno / Wharnside I think? Only the very end is Parkwood springs.

duntstick - Member
Who'd change their bikes if there was nothing to change to.

Don't get this. I have a 26" fs bike that will get changed when a) I'm bored with it or b) when it's past it's best. Surely no-one would swap bikes on the strength of wheel sizes

(I do have a 650b bike, but it's a hardtail to compliment my full susser and was bought for spec not wheel size)
'

Surely no-one would swap bikes on the strength of wheel sizes

That was my point...... 🙂

The industry thinks otherwise and marketing is a wonderful thing nowadays

Nice video, great frames too but obviously Cotic being a very small company can't change their bikes to 650b overnight

They thing is, they don't need to.

The industry thinks otherwise and marketing is a wonderful thing nowadays

..and people seem to have far too much spare cash these days to indulge them.

tenfoot - Member

Surely no-one would swap bikes on the strength of wheel sizes

I've met a few folk who have

Cy's sitting back in silence with a smug grin.. knowing that you'll all realize something about the soul sooner or later.

Whatever your wheel size preference, I doubt he'd have been able to chuck a steel 29er around on some of those trails with similar panache. A lot of the steep, serpentine trails in Northern England just ride better under a 26. 29ers feel like oil tankers where a tug would be more than sufficient.

Ha, tug.

26 to 27.5 isnt worth an upgrade

29 to 27.5 is a downgrade

26 to 29 is an upgrade

29 to 26 is madness

Upgrade=Spend more money=Work more=Ride less=Be worse on bike. Simples

A lot of the steep, serpentine trails in Northern England just ride better under a 26. 29ers feel like oil tankers where a tug would be more than sufficient.

I seem to remember a reluctance at Cotic to go to 29". They relented and made an excellent one in the end. For his same I hope Cy is working on a 650b hardtail and FS, as there will undoubtedly be increasing demand. And it doesn't mean it will be impossible to sell a good 26er. Market forces init. I bet they'll be great too.

Was that Cy as a the priest?

It looks like those woodland trails had just been cut (for this video?)

I think specialized have not gone into 650B because the difference
between the two sizes is insignificant , they can hardly be described
as a niche outfit.

66deg - Member
I think specialized have not gone into 650B because the difference
between the two sizes is insignificant , they can hardly be described
as a niche outfit.

Like so many have said - stuck with stock that isn't selling.

The video is a clever response and does feature some top riding but it's the rider not the bike, didn't Cotic do a similar video for their 29er earlier this year ?

Was that Cy as a the priest?

In a couple of years there will be a decent market for aftermarket 650b hardtail frames which I'm sure Cotic will tap into as people strip their full sus and want to plug it all into a hardtail.
There's going to be a market for 26" frames too for quite a long time to come.

Video not as good as Rocketman but then he did have a cape ;0)

The video is a clever response and does feature some top riding but it's the rider not the bike, didn't Cotic do a similar video for their 29er earlier this year ?

Very similar, yes.

I'd have to say that the 26" rider is getting more rad 😛

Like so many have said - stuck with stock that isn't selling.

Or they're just not taking it too seriously and are just mucking around. Playing Devil's advocate whilst selling the type of bikes people who ride bikes actually want?

I don't know if its the same rider or trails as the Solaris vid, but this guy seems to be having more fun chucking the bike around. If you watch the two back to back it perfectly shows the stereotype of the two wheel sizes. But it's just telly so who knows what's real.

Think the video was just as much about wha the BFE is about as well as showcasing 26ers. That Orange video put up a few months ago showed that 29ers can be chucked around just as vigorously with the right rider on them.

"Like so many have said - stuck with stock that isn't selling."

Really? I thought the vid is to celebrate they got a new shipment of frames in new colours coming in this week?

"To celebrate the arrival of our new 2014 colour 26" hardtails, check out the latest Cotic video from Steel City Media showing why 26" wheels are ace.

The BFe is the first frame to get our new Black Grape colour, which is a fantastic deep purple gloss. It is now available alongside the Gloss Bright Green (as shown in the film) and Matte Gritstone.

Our legendary Soul frame is now also available in subtle Gritstone, as well as Duckegg."

Bugger the wheelsize where's the orange!? 👿

any one else see minnaar's poison this morning?

[img][url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/11203321096_c4bb8da196.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/11203321096_c4bb8da196.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/66541880@N03/11203321096/ ]Untitled[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/66541880@N03/ ]passtherizla[/url], on Flickr[/img]

MTB Rob - you missed the point.

he has 'clarified' subsequently;

[i]my comment wasn't about a wheel size, it's about a video 26 Ain't dead[/i]

so really not sure if he's talking about that specific Cotic and how it appears in the video rather than 26" bikes as a whole?

Fair enough. When you spend your whole life trying to get from top to bottom of world cup courses as quickly as possible it's easy to forget that for most people it's just about having a bit of fun in the woods.

yeah looks like it was a direct cotic diss? eeek. I own 2 and think they're ace.

Twitch as a ferret on crack sounds like fun though, no? Unless you have a reason to be the fastest. Sort of why I love riding in the wet, just not all the time.