[Closed] Cotic appreciation thread, post them pics up!!

with the above comment, I think Cotic is one of the fewer brands out there that give off bullshit marketing tactics. Apple on the other hand are the complete opposite with media coverage release lectures. Cy takes time to explain his methods rather than pummel POS into the consumer.

renton - I've got the 20mm rise 760mm wide Warhead bars coupled with a 60mm Warhead stem on a small Bfe

I think the fact Cy comes on here to answer questions and has taken on board comments is a great approach to customer service.

I think the fact Cy comes on here to answer questions and has taken on board comments is a great approach to customer service.

nail - head

I've had 3, kept one... Started out with a Soul, which I miss... It was a perfect bike for me when I got it, so well rounded, took me all over and really pushed me along. But eventually I decided I wanted something less of an allrounder and more of a descender so chopped it in for an Mmmbop (mistake) then a C456 (going well)

[IMG] [/IMG]

So then I got this, still got it, no intention of changing it. Lyriks up front, 120mm in the back, slacked off to 66 degrees with a works components head angle reducer, light-ish and strong enough. I've raced at fort william on this, and done enduros and downhill at innerleithen, but also rode it for a week in france, xc rides in the pentlands and on the west highland way... Love it.

Oh, and I had a lovely grey BFe but didn't keep it long, not the right bike for me.

And then, there's "Why cotic". Well, first of all for making a great bike, and also for putting in the development, frinstance suggesting the head angle reducer. But also, I broke the swingarm after an uplift day at innerleithen. No warranty, I bought it used. No bother, says Cy, have a new one for free. Last year, I broke the linkage on the world cup route at fort william, practicing for the endurance downhill race. Phoned up to buy a replacement, they wouldn't take my money.

And sure, you might say it shouldn't have broken- but it's not a downhill bike, so to have them honour a warranty that doesn't exist, on a bike that they know gets used for stuff it's not really meant for, is awesome. I can't fault it for breaking and I'd not have faulted them for charging me for replacements. Especially since with the new link fitted it went on and performed faultlessly for 6 hours of racing at fort william, while proper downhill bikes fell apart.

So yeah. Fanboi but I think they deserve some fanbois.

[url= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6010/6189164405_1ff0162b87_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6010/6189164405_1ff0162b87_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53860438@N06/6189164405/ ]This is the pits man[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/53860438@N06/ ]Northwindlowlander[/url], on Flickr

Soda 1. Lovely, but it broke.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Soda 2. Even more lovely, but I discovered the wheels weren't big enough.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Solaris. It's lush in every respect. I'd probably buy a Ti one if they made it, but only because I'm a tart. Love the orange anyway.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Why: I love the way they ride, the way they look and the fact that they're really nicely made. I like the fact they're UK and smallish and that they interact with and listen to their customers. I like their marketing and their brand image.

I'd like a Rocket too, but will have to wait for the big wheeled version.

Ok, it looks a little different now with white AC wheels, but you get the idea.

[IMG] [/IMG]

* why cotic ??

* why that model

* set up

* opinions !!

Same really on both bikes pictured - Lightweight tubeless wheels, 3x9, and adjustable travel forks. (Hers Recons 85-135, mine Revs 100-130)

Simply the best bike I've ever owned, and the first I haven't wanted to change after a year or so. It's as quick as I can be going up, lets me get away with plenty coming down, and on the kind of undulating, pedally singletrack, well, just fantastic.

Side question: those horseshoe shape clips that came with my frame, for clipping the brake hose into the little welded brackets, what are they called and where can I get more? Ta.

[url= http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/plastic-hydraulic-hose-clip-prod27591/ ]Hose clip.[/url] I [i]think[/i] that's the right thing, anyway.

Aye, that's them. Or you can use cableties obviously.

Ta. Good god a quid each!

ok 5 for 2.69 from [url= http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_categoryId_165608_productId_729009_langId_-1?cm_mmc=Shopping-_-Google%20Product%20Search-_-Bikes%2FBike%20Parts%2FBike%20Brakes-_-Halfords%20Brake%20Hose%20Clips&source=shopping#tab4 ]Halfords[/url]

* why cotic ??
they offer about the nicest production frames I can imagine / know of.

* why that model
because I was looking for a big wheeled hardtail.

* set up
120mm reba, mavic/hope wheelset, xlc uppy downy post, syntace stem, 710mm groovy cycleworks luv handles, saint mech, 1x6 on the ss hub, old lx cranks, diy chain device, time xroc pedals, 2.4 ardents and my trusty old magura louise with a new old raceline lever (wich i got in finale after i busted the original one. got the other one as well, just have to find time to install it).

* opinions !!
it's just ace! a very versatile and well balanced bike that could take everything I threw at it so far. that includes proper freeriding in finale (e.g. defender tour) and the rock strewn trails we ride here in the czech/german border region (labe sandstone mountains) on a fairly regular basis.

[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7278/7421884448_e468c8345b_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7278/7421884448_e468c8345b_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/martn_rtr/7421884448/ ]All Martn Schussfahrrad[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/martn_rtr/ ]all martn[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6848288024_d3d81550bd_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6848288024_d3d81550bd_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/martn_rtr/6848288024/ ]Drivetrain of Death[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/martn_rtr/ ]all martn[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7225/7008948627_b8086af702_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7225/7008948627_b8086af702_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/hagbard/7008948627/ ]All Martn Stairs[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/hagbard/ ]Hagbard_[/url], on Flickr

[i]Side question: those horseshoe shape clips that came with my frame, for clipping the brake hose into the little welded brackets, what are they called and where can I get more? Ta. [/i]

No idea but everytime I buy something from Cotic I ask for a bag of them. Apparently they get a "few" spares with every batch.
A £1 each mental.

[IMG] [/IMG]

[IMG] [/IMG]

[IMG] [/IMG]

[i]why cotic ??[/i]
I love hardtails and Cotic seem to make very good ones. It was between that or an 456ss at the time, I couldn't resist the lovely blueness

[i]why that model?[/i]
It was to be my only bike and it needs to be able to do everything from all day XC to uplift days/Alps.....so BFe.

[i]set up[/i]
AM set up, ZTR Flow/Hope wheels, Pikes, Big stupid bars, 1x9 (coz I'm norvern 'n' 'ard)

[i]opinions[/i]
I love it, really, it's quite amazing. So direct and sturdy. I do sometimes worry that I could never love anything as much as I love my BFe. The only thing I would change is that I want to try it with 160mm forks, but other than that, it's perfect.

Original build:
[img] [/img]

With super-duper bars
[img] [/img]

In the air up at Inners
[img] [/img]

Why Cotic?
I like the way their design philosphy and end product

Why that model?
It was sitting in my LBS window for ages and talked to me everytime I passed it. A combination of a size that's too small for most and a colour that "divides opinion" was probably why it wasn't bought by someone else sooner!

Build?
I call it a "$h!t from the shed" build. Other than the frame the only bits I bought were the cables and a new stem. The rest was just stuff that I had sitting in boxes in my shed.

Opinions?
Love it! It's built up with heavy, old, cheap parts and it probably deserves a better build kit but it just rides so well and works so reliably that I just don't give it too much time or thought.

[IMG] [/IMG]

My old BFe, with the seat up for going uphill, but with it down it was as much of a hoot to ride as it looks...

[img] [/img]

Sold it (to Northwind) cos it just wasn't the bike for me most of the time. At the time, I had 2 other hardtails and this was really just a play bike. It was also, being a Mk1 BFe, ridiculously stiff! Cy definitely made the first BFe's to last, put it that way, you won't find one snapped anywhere! Didn't help that in my case I covered it in pretty heavy components and it came in at about 32lb, cos it wasn't light and lively, but my god it was a tough bit of kit!

Long time lurker, first time poster.

My Soul:
[img] [/img]

Wanted to replace my Marin Pine mountain with something longer travel, have always ridden steel hardtails and the Soul seemed to be best of breed.

Build. RockShox Reba RLT 120mm,and alot of old stuff off the Marin, Hope Mono Minis, Hope XC Hubs with Mavic 717s, full XT.

Just done my first Mayhem on it, great bike!

Why Cotic?
I always wanted a versatile steel frame and that orange colour looks awesome. Also quite easy to obtain in Germany thanks to Eaven Cycles 🙂

Why that model?
I had to replace a damaged cross country carbon frame. Soda would habe been nice too, but I couldnt afford a titan frame 🙂

Build?
Just switches all useable parts from die Lapierre Pro Race 500, which frame I damaged by stupidity (aluminium seatpost got somehow "glued" to the frame, could only be removed by destroying it).

Opinions?
I really love that bike. Though the soul frame has twice the weight of the carbon frame, the bike is more versatile, feels indestructible, looks way better and got awesome handling on the trail. Just switch fork and tyres to get a completely different bike.

Parts: RockShox SID RLT 10mm 2011, Fulcrum Red Metal 5 wheels, XT / SLX mix, Formula RX Brakes, stem + handlebar Lapierre, seatpost Crankbrothers Cobalt 2, Fizik Gobi XM saddle, Michelin Wild Race'R Advanced Ultimate 2.25 tyres

[img] [/img]

davecrampton - Member

On my connute home.

Are you just out of shot commanding the sea to come no further? 😉

it seems a lot of people buy this bike in extra small and then stick a massively long seat post in it.Are they cheaper to buy in xxs?

manitou - Member

it seems a lot of people buy this bike in extra small and then stick a massively long seat post in it.Are they cheaper to buy in xxs?

It makes it more like a Kona thanks.

Really like that build, mboy(and Northwind). Would love a little play bike like that.

it seems a lot of people buy this bike in extra small and then stick a massively long seat post in it.Are they cheaper to buy in xxs?

Not seen an xs in this thread I think... but I ride a small frame at 5'11". The top tube is long enough that I can stick the seat post up and comfortably ride it on the trails. Drop it down and have a small feeling, chuckable play bike that can handle the downhills and the 4x tracks.

No idea but everytime I buy something from Cotic I ask for a bag of them. Apparently they get a "few" spares with every batch.
A £1 each mental.

I dug into this a bit (yes really), they're called 'C Clips' in the trade it seems.

They seem to be actively priced to discourage the home mechanic from using them! Perhaps the trade gets them cheaper and they make builds a bit quicker to do (or redo) than with zip ties.

Enjoying this thread btw.

it seems a lot of people buy this bike in extra small and then stick a massively long seat post in it.Are they cheaper to buy in xxs?

Short seat tube long top tube is how they're made, Cotic even say 'make sure you get a long post' in their build advice. If you see a build with what looks like a 'normal' post length for an XC set up, it's likely the rider could have gone down at least 1 size in frame.

Why Cotic?

Well built, great design, clean lines

Why that model?

Soul for XC stuff, then got the BFe for bigger stuff (but used it for everything, as it basically is the same, only a bit beefier...)
Roadrat was just picked up for a commute bike, has been battered, bashed, nearly nicked, but still plugs away.

Opinions?

Tyre clearance is not great on the older Souls or BFe. Limit was about 2.25/2.3 on a Flow rim. The BFe was really direct (or harsh, depending on your POV), which is great in some situations, but I guess I'm not a good enough rider to really get the best out of it on fast rocky descents. I initially ran the BFe with §60mm Wotans, which were cast-offs from another bike, and didn't like them, then had U-Turn Lyriks which were better, but ran them at around 140 most of the time. Think I preferred the Soul geometry with 130mm forks - climbed great, and still stayed direct enough on singletrack/descents.

Having now switched to a Blue Pig X, I'm preferring it to the BFe, although would be tempted in due course back to a Soul, or maybe even a Solaris (I must be getting old!) The 'Rat is fine, if flexy as a flexy thing with panniers on. I used to single speed it, with a single pannier, and cranking up a hill was like driving an articulated lorry. I've now stuck gears on it, and its mainly used for dragging a Chariot trailer, which it is fine for, although have also used it for CX-lite stuff around Winter Hill and even 60-90km road/off road rides, and it feels comfortable, if not the fastest.

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]
(After someone tried to nick it)

Would I buy another? Yes, great bikes. They make you smile, which after all is what its all about!

ps. Northwind, that's me in your pic of the Hemlock, at Fort Bill!

* why cotic - I read great reviews on the Soul when looking for a new frame and before I knew anything about the brand. Found a 2009 Soul frame on sale in my size just after the CEN frame came out.

* why that model - Was looking for a do-it all bike and wanted to build one up from the frame to hone my building skills and use parts I already had from my old bike (drivetrain, brakes, wheelset etc)

* set up - see pic

* opinions - It does it all and more, it's light weight (ish) but not fragile, seat up and fork locked it goes up hills efficiently, seat down and fork open it goes down hills playfully, comfy for long rides, fun and chuckable for short rides, what's not to like!
[img] [/img]

it seems a lot of people buy this bike in extra small and then stick a massively long seat post in it.Are they cheaper to buy in xxs?

[img] [/img]

Why Cotic? Because I was looking for a steel frame to replace my Kona Explosif which had been nicked and the Klein Attitude and Cove Handjob didn't hit the spot. First ride on the Soul was such a joy in comparison, felt like how my Kona had felt when I could actually ride! Plus I had a bit of a medium/large conundrum and emailing/talking with Cy & Paul they steered me right. In what was for me a leap of faith. It paid off! Because of that I'm happy to give them a go.

I also like the fact that they properly test their frames themselves and only put out what they are happy with (i.e. See the no small Solaris and why would we reduce the Rockets travel posts on their website).

Why that model? I went for a Rocket because I wanted a full sus that felt right and it does. I went for a Solaris because I wanted to dip the toe onto the 29er idiom to see what it was like. I also tried a Nic am29er but I had reservations... Knowing, from years of Soul ownership, how to set the bike up so it would ride how I wanted it was a no brainer and I've not had to change anything. Felt great from the outset. Got a demo on the Rocket, decided that long, low & slack was what I was looking for and didn't care that I wasn't looking for 150mm travel as it didn't detract from the ride (never found myself thinking god, it's just too mutch I wish I had less...)

Set up is pretty much consistent across the bikes: XT trans, Hope M4's & headsets, pro11 hubs (stans rims preferred) maxxis tyres, flatties, Thomson/Easton stems/pins/bars, bolt through forks (both RS & Fox).

Opinions: they're all right I suppose...

Here's mine. It got a bit of a slagging the other day, but I love it.

[img] http://flic.kr/p/ckr7y5 [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

The Soul is the only bike that I've regretted selling and that was due a dream frame appearing on Classifieds! A real workhorse, inspired confidence and the 120mm Fox forks were perfect. Geometry fantastic for me too.

Love my Simple, again same geometry.

Really like that build, mboy(and Northwind). Would love a little play bike like that.

It was fun, but ultimately I didn't really do it any justice. My current hardtail is about 8lb lighter, and even my full sus is about 4lb lighter.

Tyre clearance is not great on the older Souls or BFe. Limit was about 2.25/2.3 on a Flow rim. The BFe was really direct (or harsh, depending on your POV)

I thought the tyre clearance on my BFe was enormous! How many other hardtails can you get a 2.5" Maxxis in happily?

With you on the very direct/harsh thing though... For my old Mk1 at least.

prezet - Member
Not seen an xs in this thread I think... but I ride a small frame at 5'11".

Right there on page 1. XS BFe with silly long seatpost. Suits me just fine.

[img] [/img]

slainte 😀 rob

There are some lovely looking bikes on this thread.

* why cotic - Not sure. I trashed my 1997 Orange P7 in a crash. I wasn't happy with a replacement Inbred, my own fault, got a 14" and it was too small for me. Saw some pictures of the Soul and thought they looked nice. Read some reviews and sounded nice. Saw some more pictures and decided to give them a go.

* why that model - It's a pretty much do-all-I-want-it-to bike. I've commuted to work, gone to the shops, ridden my local trails, got around the xc route at Aston Hill (which is as gnarr as I'll ever get). I've even used it to escape from a horse that wanted my bag of blackberrys in Ashridge.

* set up - Hope BB and headset. Thomson stem and post. Easton bars. Pretty much everything else is XT. Rebas at 100mm. Only thing I want to change are the tyres (Bonty XR4 tubeless). They grip well, but there is not much clearance on the forks.

* opinions - I love my bike. As I am short in the leg, a 15" would have been better for standover (I notice the new one comes in 14.5) but length wise it is fine. I don't feel the need to change it, not even for a Rocket!

[IMG] [/IMG]

I'll try again

[url= http://flic.kr/p/ckr7y5 ]pic[/url]

It's a large, yet it looks in the pic as if it's still too small for me. All those spacers, that long stem - do you lot with smaller stems have and trouble climbing with long-travel forks? Front bobbing up etc?

ta

timnwild - Member

I'll try again

pic

It's a large, yet it looks in the pic as if it's still too small for me. All those spacers, that long stem - do you lot with smaller stems have and trouble climbing with long-travel forks? Front bobbing up etc?

ta

Tim,

How tall are you?

I am 6' 3'' and ride a L with a layback post 70mm stem and 762mm bars.

I have to say I was skeptical moving from a 90mm stem and 685mm bars but it works. I dropped the spacers from under the stem - coupled with the 762mm bar being flat has had a really positive affect on handling and comfort.

Just a thought I suppose.

M

All glory to Talentspotter . . .

[img] [/img]

@tim that setup does look like the frame is too small for you. Cotic suggest stem size ranges on their site, if you can't fit happily somewhere in that range that probably backs that up.

Handling wise I want from 690mm/90mm to 725mm/70mm and it transformed (positively) the bike (on a small, I'm 5'8").

timnwild

I would say that you probably worry about the front coming up because the bars are way too high.

Mine is a medium and I am bang on 6ft, yes for longer rides a large would be better for me but a large wouldn't be as good around the BMX track or down the jumps. Anyhow, my front end doesn't lift at 140mm and a 65mm stem because I have the stem on the headset and my bars are low rise. This keeps the front much lower than your setup and my weight further forward. Ok a lot of my weight is on my hands which again isnt great for all day comfort but the bike is fun and thats the main thing I want out of a bike.

why a cotic soul? Is it the colour, the ride, the feel? who knows, ......it just makes me smile:-)
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5249/5226739842_9feb441f96.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5249/5226739842_9feb441f96.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatnametochoose/5226739842/ ]soul in the church yard[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/whatnametochoose/ ]Whatnametochoose[/url], on Flickr[/img]

* why cotic ??
Best customer service I've ever had with a bike/frame purchase. The frames are good value, well made and look good.

* why that model
BFe, hard as nails I won't break it, good geo. It's a do it all bike. I always wanted a soul but then I started doing more dirt jump and the BFe was better suited. 

* set up
SLX, Sektors, DMR V12's, hope gold bits and hubs and a trusty titanium spoon saddle I've had for years.

* opinions !!
My BFe is the best bike I have owned, it fits me perfectly and is inspiring to ride. For me the service I have had from Cotic has been spot on, Paul is always helpful and emails back. If I could afford it I'd buy a soul too.

Pics to be added when I get home

New fork arrived this morning! 😀
[img] [/img]

FWIW, I'm 6' or 6'2" depending which doctor is measuring. 😕

Mine is large, 70mm stem, 745 bars inline post with saddle back on the rails. I have maybe 25mm spacers under the stem which was fine with the old 130mm fork, will experiment a bit now I'm running 120mm.

Hmm - way too many spacers on mine I think, and a shorter stem/wider bars perhaps in order.

Thanks for the help folks. This is the sort of thing that leads people to fiercely debate bike geometry, I suppose. I"m beginning to understand.

ta

For the record on stems and bars.
Simple has a 70mm stem with 685mm bars.
Hemlock and Bfe have a 50mm stem with 685mm bars.

All are smalls and I'm 5'10"

Will probably get a bit wider bar next time and lose some skin off my knuckles locally.