[Closed] Cotic Rocket

Wow. What a disaster for them, and for customers.

Although that thread with the bloke form Bicycle Manufacturing last week was a real hint that thing weren't right.

Got one for sale if you're interested. Medium, Black.

I'm sat with a fractured hip at the moment so not urgent, but am in a similar situation, pile of bits, and shock ready to fit. Nothing else new looks like its going to tick all the boxes (long, slack, 26"), the only potential option I guess is the Banshee Rune/Spitfire. I picked up an Orange 5 frame to race the EWS on (it turned out to be really fun, it's a shame they don't sell a 26" version any more), so I guess I can keep riding that once I'm fixed until the Rocket is ready to go (launch?)

Bit sad. Thought the same, sort of, when the grapil died.

Better luck next time.

To be clear the letter said that the Rocket26 (which makes the other wheel sizes appearing soon seem likely) would happen, but that they wouldn't take orders on it until they were boxed up and ready to ship.

And a 25 percent off voucher if you hold on for when they are ready.

26" wheeled, steel, British designed full-sus frame = DMR Bolt Long.
It has almost the exact same geometry as a Medium Rocket - Head angle: 67º. Seat angle: 73º. Top Tube - 595mm.
Designed for a 140/150 fork. The rear travel is slightly less at 125mm.
RRP is £899 with an X-Fusion shock, but can be had online for £720ish if you look around. I just upgraded mine with a CCDB inline, and it rides great 8)

I've ridden both... the bolt is a dog in comparison. my Friend Si has owned both and he also much prefers his rocket.

why not ask the guy from Bicycle manufacturing to make a RockIt "to your own design".

A real shame. I hope they get it done eventually. Good luck to those searching for a frame in the meantime - I think this puts me on a Banshee Spitfire.

what happened? Why would they not build a bike that clearly is in demand?

Mackem - Take a read of the rocket vs BTR Pinner thread.

Covert. Nuff said.

I know it's been a tough slog for the Cotic guys and the BMC lot. I understand it can't be easy for them to see this dream through. And I really believe in what they're doing. I want a 26" steel bike that is built in Britain and the Rocket is a stunning looking piece.

The Banshee and the Bolt just don't tickle me and obviously they're not UK built.

If they will eventually produce a Rocket26 I will wait for that.

Damn, that's a shame. I had to cancel my pre-order earlier in the year, but I was still hoping to be able to order one when I could justify it. Hope they still manage to put together a UK-made frame.

Why would they not build a bike that clearly is in demand?

It sounds like it's been one setback after another. I am sure Cy will be along at some point to explain.

H4muf, not from 2015. The Covert is no more 🙁 neither is the Bandit. Replaced with the Patrol and Scout. I've been wearing my black armband for a few days now. Having said that my Covert has plenty of life left in it!

Shame on the Rocket. It was a toss up between a Rocket and a Covert for me, and I still have a Rocket itch to scratch. Hopefully it'll all be sorted in a few years when, maybe, I'll fancy a change from the Covert and still won't be to old and infirm for a lary bike like that.

That BTR is gopping....

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Looks like an ugly Empire...

Guess this makes a pocket rocket unlikely now too. 🙁

How did you get the notice?
I'm on the list and not heard a whistle...

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Letter received in the post on Friday.

I waited 10 months for a rocket, it wasn't the wait that pissed me off, it was the utter lack of communication. The only time I ever got any info at all, was when I emailed, not once did I ever receive an email to tell of a delay, never mind actually explain a reason.

I know Cy has had a nightmare with this, but your customers are your bread and butter.

The rocket 26 has missed the boat, I know there is some support on the likes of this forum for it, but the vast, vast majority of UK MTBers want 650b now.

Sorry if this comes across as a rant, I really hope cotic get this sorted, still love my soul and always will.

Edit - yes. That pinner is bloody ugly!

I'm lost for words over that BTR.

Real shame about the rocket...by Cotic will pull something out of the bag in the near future I bet.

There were three (I think) group emails at various times when deadlines were about to be missed. You must have been missed from the distribution list. Probably worth getting in touch with them.

Between January and November last year? No there wasn't.

They were after they'd taken pre-orders earlier this year.

So 26 is dead then!

Real shame this - I follow mikes Instagram and does look like frames were close to completion, progress did seem very slow though - looks like the work just didn't get done fast enough - bills need paying I suppose.

He is posting pics of nw rings now so I am assuming needs to get money back in with other projects - it's a swamped market though.....

What exactly was the problem.
Did they have a design that worked.
Did they have a factory filled with the appropriate machinery to build said design.
Did they have the materials to build the frames.
Did they have the customers ready to part with their reddies to buy the frames.

If so why no frames.
What have I missed.

Nothing more to add other than +1 to Nobeerinthefridge and chip.

I demo'd a Rocket last October, pre-ordered in January but ran out of time & patience and bought a Spitfire in March.

Wish them all the best for their UK facility though and still love my Soul 🙂

such a shame. but for me thats the nail in the coffin for Cotic. their inability to send out a frame on any day apart from thurs/fri when they bulk shipped their goods was just plain silly in this day and age. now with manufacturing issues as outlined in other threads i don't think the brand will survive. they will always have their staunch fans but that isn't enough these days. let's hope they get back to the drawing board and come out with something truely stunning.

If so why no frames.
What have I missed.

As much as the end of 26" is a pita if you haven't got in yet with the frame you want take a look at if your forks take 650b (or how much new lowers are) then the only thing missing is a pair of rims and a handful of spokes.
As much as I was happy to pick up a 26" bargain a year ago and I'm happy I'm going to get another 2-3 years out of it and have enough spares to keep me going. If I was buying today it would be 650b.

Did they have a factory filled with the appropriate machinery to build said design.

IIRC one of the problems they had was that it took ages to find someone who could do the seatstays they way they wanted, and then the only bloke that could do it came down with a terminal illness.

They also had to build a lot of the machinery from scratch.

I reckon your right about the 650b thing but even now, if they can build the damn thing in 26", there must be plenty of folks with nice wheels, new Pikes & a garage full of tyres.

If they make it work for both then that's even better.

I am very sorry for the gentleman who became ill.

But when I think of steel, industry and manufacturing I think of the north of England.
And when I think of cheap tat I think of Asia.

And yet I feel now I have done them a massive disservice as apparently they can achieve the impossible.

Did the people involved really try to get this going or was it something they thought about when they had a spare minute in between doing there proper jobs as I can't see how you can not build a frame in this country for under £1800 if you employed unemployed bankers to build them.

I am probably being very naive here. (Almost certainly).

I reckon your right about the 650b thing but even now, if they can build the damn thing in 26", there must be plenty of folks with nice wheels, new Pikes & a garage full of tyres.

By the time you get it made and sold (no warranty replacements available) the price would probably mean you can do the swap. Run the rubber down on a HT.

Did the people involved really try to get this going

nope, cy and mike really just couldnt be @rsed. Turns out you cant actually make a batch of bikes without stuff like capital. They've both ploughed a LOT of time, effort and money into trying to get this up and running. 🙄

I like having time when im not working, bet you do to 😐

But when I think of steel, industry and manufacturing I think of the north of England.
And when I think of cheap tat I think of Asia.

Dear oh dear.

nope, cy and mike really just couldnt be @rsed. Turns out you cant actually make a batch of bikes without stuff like capital. They've both ploughed a LOT of time, effort and money into trying to get this up and running.
I like having time when im not working, bet you do to

So they ran out of money,

Do bml actually build any other bikes at the moment.
Or is there a almost complete factory somewhere sat empty and in silence.

But when I think of steel, industry and manufacturing I think of the north of England.
And when I think of cheap tat I think of Asia.

But when I think of steel, industry and manufacturing I think of the north of England.
And when I think of cheap tat I think of Asia.
Dear oh dear.
POSTED 5 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

Sad but true , how often is the term "cheap Chinese import" used with the cheap meaning rubbish.

I find old derelict factories very saddening, I don't know why.

You'll need to move your time machine to the present time, not the seventies. 😀

Sad but true , how often is the term "cheap Chinese import" used with the cheap meaning rubbish.

I find old derelict factories very saddening, I don't know why.

How about now?

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More dancing required

By adding a scary clown...and where's his trike? 😀

They don't make proper films like that any more it's all cheap Chinese digital tat and low rent martial arts stuff and noodles. I don't know why, but I associate northern England with proper food like fish and chips and tripe, man nosh. Chinese food on the other hand is all stringy, low-rent things with unidentifiable bits of organic stuff mixed in with it. How can people on a diet like that be expected to produce high precision engineering etc... 😉

I am sure china makes great stuff, well that is very expensive.

People moan about IT workers riding oranges,
But at least orang build some bike in this country helping the economy and families in this country put food on the table.
And if we have no factories, all we have left is IT workers .

I say let make it the 70s again, pin some nudey pictures on the wall, write Dave is gay and a closet Wednesday fan on the toilet wall in permanent marker and turn the machines on and make some bikes.

(All remarks are made with tongue firmly in cheek and not meant to offend)

No scary clowns.

I find old derelict factories very [s]saddening[/s]scary, I don't know why.

I find old derelict factories very saddeningscary, I don't know why.

probably the clowns. I hate clowns.

I am very surprised by this and would like to know more about why it has ended up going this way. I find it hard to believe it is all because they couldn't get a part made by someone or couldn't redesign around the manufacturing available so there must have been something else. Maybe just simple cash flow exacerbated by delays on parts etc.

variflex - Member

now with manufacturing issues as outlined in other threads i don't think the brand will survive.

This only affects the Rocket, all the other models are business as usual so it's a setback and a big loss of time, and a it of loss of rep but it shouldn't harm the core business.

chip - Member

And if we have no factories, all we have left is IT workers

We have factories- UK manufacturing (just before the recession) was at an all time high. It's just that we make different things now.

add in the delays and the almost universal dropping of 26" bikes are as current product (not 26" spares - not going down the wheelsize debate) there would be only this one production run to recoup all the design, tooling & manufacturing costs. You either sell for a premium or pull the plug.

Chinese food on the other hand is all stringy, low-rent things with unidentifiable bits of organic stuff mixed in with it. How can people on a diet like that be expected to produce high precision engineering etc...

something something forks all noodly etc etc

I am very surprised by this and would like to know more about why it has ended up going this way. I find it hard to believe it is all because they couldn't get a part made by someone or couldn't redesign around the manufacturing available so there must have been something else. Maybe just simple cash flow exacerbated by delays on parts etc.

Reading between the lines, people needed to pay their mortgages, and there came a point where money wasn't going to be coming in soon enough. I don't know if BML is dead or whether it's got other work lined up, but I'm sure Mike said on the other thread the Rockets will be manufactured elsewhere.

Cy has previously said (on here?) if he'd known how long it was going to take he'd have ordered another batch of Taiwanese Rockets.

It's all very sad; apart from those who'd actually ordered frames, there were an awful lot of people watching with interest, and a terrific amount of goodwill.

It looks like Mike was a one-man-band doing machining, jigs, welding, etc etc so its not surprising things took a long time.

Should these guys have realistically known how long things would take, probably, but shit happens when making stuff even with the biggest budgets.

Hopefully it will still happen, another UK made frame would have been great and I would have been a definite potential customer.

We cancelled the orders not because we aren't making the frames ever, we just aren't making them yet and it's hard to see how another missed deadline was going to help anything. It was getting unfair to customers who were hanging on, missing out on riding their bike. And it was putting a lot of pressure on us. Sometimes that's good, but it was getting unhelpful too.

We're still working on making the frames in the UK, we're just going to make sure it's properly done and dusted and ready to sell before putting them on sale again.

As for communciation, that is something we realise we've been bad at in this case, and I did apologise for that in the letter. Lots of lessons learnt.

I was idly flicking through a copy of this month's MBR in Tesco and noticed an article about the Cotic Rocket 29, complete with a picture of an (orange) prototype. The article mentioned that they will be built in the UK with fifty 26" models being produced "soon" and the 29er being on sale within six months. No idea how accurate that is. I'd hope that the editor would run the copy past Cy before going to press, but maybe not. Still, good to hear that the project may not be dead.

That would be good although i would personally love to see a 650b version. Even better would be a 26" / 650B.