Peak District-based Cotic Bikes has just released what we believe to be the only new 26in mountain bike frame launched in 2018 – the BFe26. Following in the footsteps of the latest 27.5in version, the BFe26 takes the same robust steel construction and 66° head angle, but arranges it around everyone’s least-detested wheelsize.
Designed to cover everything from 4X racing through to big all mountain pummelling, the BFe26’s straight 44mm head tube is ready to accommodate between 100-160mm of travel on the front. The head angle is measured with a more sensible 140mm travel fork, so expect it to slacken or steepen with a longer or shorter fork. The chainstay sits nice and snug at 420mm to take advantage of the smaller wheel’s agility.
Structurally, you’ll find external cable routing for a front and/or rear derailleur, though the frame is Stealth dropper post ready too. There are new 12mm bolt-thru dropouts, with wider 142mm spacing replacing the previous iteration’s 135mm quick release setup. Bridgeless chainstays provide additional mud clearance, while ISCG05 chainguide tabs provide a place to wang on a chain device for the naughtier riders among us.
The new BFe is already in stock at Cotic, and is available in three sizes and in two colour options; Team Blue and that incredible Mercury finish. You’ll be able to get these as a frameset, though Cotic is offering complete bike options with an X-Fusion Slant 26in fork and 26in Hope wheelset. Get in touch with Cotic for info on build options.
Cotic BFe Frame Features
- Rowdy 26in steel hardtail
- Reynolds 853 & 4130 chromoly steel frame tubing
- 26in wheels only yo!
- 2.5in max tyre width
- Designed to work with up to a 160mm travel fork
- Head angle: 66° (w/140mm travel fork)
- Seat angle: 72°
- Chainstay length: 420mm
- English threaded bottom bracket
- 31.6mm diameter seat tube w/Stealth dropper post routing
- Syntace 142x12mm X12 thru-axle
- Frame sizes & reach: Small (412mm), Medium (424mm), and Large (440mm)
- Claimed frame weight: 2.59 kg / 5.7 lbs
- Frame RRP: £449
For more information on the BFe26 or the 27.5in version, head to the Cotic website.
Comments (7)
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Nice !!!!
Woah, the mercury finish is gorgeous!
Bugger – just sold my 26″ wheels 🙁
PERFECT!!!!!
The mercury colour has me imagining a ’80s BMX for grown-ups thing. Lovely
Nice, but would prefer to see a sliding dropout arrangement like a Sovereign to allow SS setup, or to set the chainstays shorter than 420mm.
The new 26er BFe might be slack but still seems to be quite a lot shorter (less reach) than the 650b version