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* The only company (apart from Chromag perhaps) that made a frame with the geometry I wanted.
* Cos its burly as owt and cheaper than the other one
* 9 gears, pike forks and a front and rear brake
* its decent, rides xc well and its good for playing about on
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*Lots of good vibes from people on here so I tried one to see what the fuss was about
*Soul suits my riding 100% - happy doing big days out in the hill and plenty capable enough to get me out of trouble if I bite off more than I can chew. Did a demo at Dales Bike Centre and never looked back
*U-turn Revs (perfect match for a Soul), XT groupset inc. brakes, Flows on Pro2
*Love it! Am tempted by a Solaris though...
Rocket.
Because...
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/7177589673_3b4749e3d9_c.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/77564901@N06/7177589673/ ]Rocket_0192[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/77564901@N06/ ]Metalheart-UK[/url], on Flickr
Soda (sold to fund Rocket...)
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6847998682_9eab1747ee_c.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/77564901@N06/6847998682/ ]What are they doing?[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/77564901@N06/ ]Metalheart-UK[/url], on Flickr
Cotic large size has fitted perfect for me (just over 6ft2) on all four that I have had, Hemlock feels Exactly like the Soul/Soda in top tube length wise. The Roadrat I've had for a very long time so went with the recommended 130mm stem at the time and it's still a very nimble bike.
Solaris.
Sold on coz it wasn't green enough... 😳
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/7027698915_b088400b4c_c.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/77564901@N06/7027698915/ ]Glen Tanar Solaris 2514[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/77564901@N06/ ]Metalheart-UK[/url], on Flickr
wow !!! quite a few on here then and not just mtb's
loving the black rat up there ^^^^^^^
suprised to see only one rocket so far??
have you noticed that most of the mtb's have thomson posts and stems fitted!
keep them coming then !!
More Rat?
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* After a versatile FS frame...Hemlock ticked the boxes.
* As above
* Trail bike...120mm rocker, Fox Talas 100-120-140, Joplin post , XT drive
* Rides great...simple as that really. Shame they ditched it
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On the trail...
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I had this for about a month. Nice to ride, made everything feel pretty easy but not amazingly different to my Trailstar and I needed the money so I sold it.
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Set up was 2x9 with Pikes around 125mm. I'd probably have one again but go 1x9 and with a much lower bar setup!
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* I chose the frame not the brand.
* Wanted to self-build a non-alu HT for XC and ST, everyone here says they are good.
* Reba Team, Sram/Truvativ 2x10, Stan's Crests tubeless with RoRos, now has Hope Race X2 as well. The build is optimised for where I ride (Surrey Hills), I have a FS for rocky places.
* Does everything I need it to for 95% of my riding.
I'm perhaps less of a Cotic fanboi than some, I don't doubt there are other HTs just as good, I followed the crowd because in practice it's not practical to do multiple demos. You could say it was a safe buy.
Metalheart - what are your thoughts on the Rocket so far?
Croc: pretty much as detailed here http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/if-this-is-slack-then-i-like-it-warning-rocket-content
I also demo'd a Labyrinth Agile which I was also quite taken with (a really nicely balanced bike). Went for Cotic as I know them better and also I knew how to set it up to suit. Wasn't an easy decision though.
Weather here has been completely utterly pish of late and I've not really been getting out on it...
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* why cotic ?? Cy and Paul.
* why that model - Saw Robbie Rickman took his MK1 BFe to the Megavalanche and thought 'that's the bike for me'
* set up 36 TALAS, X9 1X10, Saint, Tubeless 823s, Nobbie nics, Hope
* opinions !! Coming from 3years of BFe riding, the bendy middle is taking quite a bit of getting used to. So far Rocket is a comfortable all day ride but also good fun for a couple of hours play down the local jump spot. 🙂
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I have an >X<. Bought it through c2w so its the Weekday with Carbon forks. Upgraded to disks & just paid at time of purchase. It was one of only a few with disks when I looked for a new commuter bike and I love steel. I'll pop up a photo when I get to work.
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Bfe with 150/120 Sektor Coils (here at 120), 2x10, mainly Hope kit inc excellent "big" brakes, Flows on Pro2. The build was a present to myself upon being made redundant !
I wanted an all round steel HT capable of long distances (for me that's 60k) but fun on the Surrey Hills trails and capable of the drops and jumps I am (ie on the smaller side). Frame was a bargain at £300. Cotic is a strong brand, with a well designed and made product plus it's a British company run by people who care about their customers and love their bikes. (note I have a PAC coming too, dialed bikes is a company with the same characteristics)
Love the Blue which is bettered only by the new Green 🙁
I have a 5yr old Reign with Fox 160mm 36's and I will take both bikes to the Alps this summer, will be interesting to see which I ride more out there. Since getting the BFe I've ridden the Reign twice and that was primarily to get it sorted for upcoming Alps trip. It feels like a WW1 tank in comparison to the BFe.
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@jambalaya what chainrings tooth count?
My Truvativ chainrings on my '11 Soul are worn out and damn hard to replace, I am thinking of dumping but I want to be sure XT 2x10 will fit before I buy. ( http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/anyone-running-xt-double-crankset-on-a-soul)
If they fit on your BFe, they must I guess, would you know what the chainline is on your double, just in case Shimano have changed it?
(on looking closer - bugger that's a triple set as double & bash isn't it?)
@mattjg - embarrassed to say I'm not sure! Initially with Simon I specced SRAM triple set up as a double/bash but Rohan talked me into putting this setup on. It works really well and I've not lost any low gearing if anything I have an extra ratio vs my old 9 gear setup. I will have a look this evening (If convenient and you don't mind a drive to Guildford you are welcome to take a look sometime)
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Why? Because I wanted a purpose built SS frame and Cotice Simple fits the bill. Then cobbled together with bits left over from other bikes in the shed and minimal eBay / new spend.
Thomson stem, and post. Renthal 34. Acros Headset, Formula brakes, SLX crank, Lapierre bar - cannibalised from other bikes.
Recon Gold TK - eBay
Hope hubs, Fatties Flatties - new.
Simply brilliant, in Pantone 1655 orange too.
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'sok it looks like double and bash to me, what I really need to do is find someone running a real XT double rather than a converted triple
I'll see if I can get past the gatekeeper and through to Rohan.
* why cotic ??
Because I appear to be a FanBoy
* why that model
Simple - Dims were right and it had track ends.
Hemlock - Price was right and I wanted shorter rear travel with bigger fork.
Bfe - Couldn't afford a Soul.
* set up
Simple - Light and fast or light and slow in fixed mode. Still needs nice stem and carbon bars.
Hemlock - 140/120 but stripped for Bfe
Bfe - 1x10 with big forks running at 120 as they were a hoot like that on the Simple once over.
* opinions !!
Erm I'm a FanBoy so all ace.
I'd have a Rocket but can't afford to build one at the moment.
Overpriced Hemlock frame anyone?
Simple
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5103/5677483774_ea40bf7e16.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomlevell/5677483774/ ]Simple[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/tomlevell/ ]tomlevell[/url], on Flickr
Hemlock
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomlevell/6897013864/ ]DSCN1958[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/tomlevell/ ]tomlevell[/url], on Flickr
Bfe (Forks at 140 but too long for me)
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomlevell/7030276245/ ]BFe breaks cover of darkness[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/tomlevell/ ]tomlevell[/url], on Flickr
A Kona for the 21st century..yawn
Why Cotic? I have always liked steel frames, having worked at Brian Rourke Cycles and had a couple of 653ATB custom frames built for me. I left the industry for a few years, went on a MTBing honeymoon and rode a Cove Handjob which was massively different to my very XC Rourkie, I loved it but felt it was slow in the steering dept.
I did some research and found the Soul having similar ideas to the Handjob but crucially with better angles for quicker steering. In 2004 I got my first Soul and loved it, in 2010 I got the FS itch and scratched it. That particular FS lasted 6 months (which some folk consider to be reasonable!) so I got a secondhand Soul and vowed never to stray from a steel frame again.
So now Cy makes a steel FS aaargh!!
Heres my latest addition. Amazingly quick and fun.
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And my latest Soul.
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Vortexracing - Member
while we are all talking about Coticsam I asking too much for my Soul frame?
Just under 2 years old and £275 posted seems OK to me, but alas no takers as of yet
Think most people would bay the extra £25 and have a new BFe.
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BFe with new 2013 140mm Talas. Rear brake is being fixed by shimano.
On my connute home.
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As it came from the shop.
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I have two Cotics - can't post pics as one (Roadrat) is minus wheels, and the other (Soul) is minus hanger, chain & mech from a rock, hanger, spokes disaster last week.
davecrampton - that picture by the forth bridge is stunning!
I have a BFe; I'll post pics later
Mk II Soul:
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(Doesn't normally have the Crud Guards on, but this is the most recent photo I have of it.)
Had a ride on a friend's Soul and thought it was great so I bought one.
140-110 Talas forks, run at 110 most of the time but the 140 is brilliant on bumpier stuff. HiLo seatpost cos it's 27.2mm, works really well once you swap out the useless original cable. Crests on Hope Pro IIs and a mix of old and new stuff. No idea what it weighs but I think it's reasonably light.
It's ace: if I could only keep one of my bikes it would definitely be this one.
Why Cotic - because I was let down by another British frame manufacturer
Why the Soul - because 90% of the build parts were a straight swap
Setup - 2x10 XT, Hope X2 special ed' brakes & 100mm Sids
Opinion - loving it
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It's a bit of a britbike build
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Revelation RLs
XT 2x10 (may change the chainset to 3x)
Renthal bar and stem
Hope V2 Brakes (braided hoses for added *bling*)
Hope Hoops (old pair of DT swiss 5.1s, will be looking for something lighter, the havens I have on another bike are a full pound lighter than these)
Maxxis HR 2.35 kevlar rear, Schwalbe 2.4 NN snakeskin front
Hope Headset and seat clamp
Thompson post
SDG belair saddle
total build weight; 31 lbs
sadly she'll stay under the stairs till mid july as I had to leave the country (actually *continent*) the day after I finished the build
manitou - MemberA Kona for the 21st century..yawn
Good thing really as Kona aren't doing a very good job of it.
Why Cotic - If honest it was a bit bandwagonish - best best wagon to date though 😉
Why the Soul - Aesthetics. Plus didn't need the gnarl of the Bfe.
Setup - 2x9 SRAM, Reba Team 120mm Bolt through, flat bar, Thomson bits.
Love it.
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Cheers all for the replies so far,
have to say there are some really nice bikes on here.
really like the roadrat and also the rocket.
keep them coming !!
Why cotic: on sale
Why bfe: Hardtail, good reputation, good comms with cotic staff, adaptability and low slung. It also good for street and skatepark duties
Setup: Marz 44Ti RC3 forks, Sun Ringle Black Flag expert wheel set, Saint/Slx brakes, RaceFace respond doublecrankset, Funn Fatboy bar and other small bits.
It's in commuting mode at the moment with some slicks on. They're pretty fun in mud! XC rides i use Larsens and big stuff i use Big Bettys
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Always fancied a Bfe and after seeing this thread and the new Bfe I think i'm going to treat myself.
I'm 6 foot tall, will the 17.5" frame be a good choice?
My BFe.
* why cotic ??
I have wanted one for a few years they just looked lovely. After owning a 456 that I wasn't impressed with I wanted a change.
* why that model
Suits my riding style.
* set up
Pikes, 321 rims, wide bars and shortish stem. May try a shorter stem and see what happens.
* opinions !!
Bloody love it.
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6825319677_8a277686c8_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/29930426@N04/6825319677/ ]P1010082[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/29930426@N04/ ]i_ache[/url], on Flickr
BFe in blue with Pikes, Tech X2's, SLX drivetrain, Superstar wheels, Nukeproof bars, Reverb - it's ace on just about everything! Looking forward to getting my 'X' arriving in the next few weeks!
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7460178944_4e0097a61b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/66691733@N05/7460178944/ ]Cotic Bfe[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/66691733@N05/ ]dave.w.taylor[/url], on Flickr
* I love Brit bikes, and after Benji Haworth's review on the Hemlock in an earlier issue I was sold
* Wanted a bouncer, and as above
* 150mm DT Swiss EXM - Fox RP23 - Sram X-9 1x9 - 740mm Nukeproof Warhead - (Mud wheel set) Hope Pro II Mavic 317 - (Larking about wheel set) Halo Combats with Hope front and DMR rear hubs - Hope Mini brakes
* Chuckle.. I love it. Shame the production stopped
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Oh... and now my 8 year old's got one 🙂 Now sporting a Hope Pro3 wheel set
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I just thought of something crappy about Cotic! The awful Hope seat clamps that come with the frame.
That's about it.
I forgive them
Anyone got one with a Lefty attached? Not sure how it would look with the comparatively thin tubing, but love the look of the Solaris...
As an aside, what do you think the chances are of a 29er Rocket or equivelant coming to market soon? I'd Hoover one up!
Not wanting to poop anybody's party, and I enjoy riding my Soul, but I don't quite undertand the adulation the brand gets, it seems to be up there with Apple.
If things don't work out I reckon Cy could have a very lucrative second career as a marketing consultant.
I don't quite undertand the adulation the brand gets, it seems to be up there with Apple.
I think it is the personalised service and niche products. But also the products are extremely good and by looking at reviews, my mind was made up to get a BFe. I could have had the un-decaled carbon 456 for the same price and would have saved 1kg off my build weight but the reviews convinced me that the weight was worth taking for a frame that was much for fun and suited me more. I came to like long travel steel hard tails. they may not be the fastest or lightest but for me everything revolves around having a great time and my BFe has certainly given me that. I admittedly would have probably got a stanton slackline but it didn't seem to be worth the extra £100. Also I think I could find a lot more negative feedback about apple! and rightly so IMHO. the only thing I would like to have seen when I got my BFe, was a made in England badge rather than Taiwan.
quick question for smoothchicken and ropey job......
what rise are the nukeproof bars you both have??
cheers
steve