[Closed] Cotic rip off ?

Did they have to ? Was that a pre-requisite ? Maybe they've just managed to not pass on the increase that SHOULD be on the bikes/frames instead, so whilst you're not getting it for less, you're not actually paying more due to inflation/Euro etc

Sadly the 50 percent saving isn't coming our way.

It's hardly a rip off, is it? Have you seen the price of Stantons? 😆

Maybe they’ve just managed to not pass on the increase that SHOULD be on the bikes/frames instead

I think that was the general gist of the email (and press release?) that they sent out.

Don't feed him!

Perhaps taking the retailer out of the equation is a way of avoiding a price increase for customers. I can't imagine currency shifts since June 2016 work entirely in the favour of a manufacturer whose frames and components are pretty much entirely produced outside the UK.

Didn't read the explanation of them going direct then?

Don’t feed him!

Gaaaaaaagh! Soz.

Cotic were already selling direct for the most part, despite having some dealers - it's not a situation like Commencal or Intense where they went from manufacturer-distributor-dealer to manufacturer direct. They went from manufacturer-dealer on a minority of sales and manufacturer direct on a majority, to wholly manufacturer direct.

So you shouldn't expect a significant change in pricing. And when you look at the quality of their frames (how often do you hear about Cotic QC problems?), the excellence of their support (compare that to almost any of the big manufacturer direct brands), and the cost of manufacturing in fancy steel vs aluminium, the prices are actually very sharp.

Is it just me or have they not passed the savings on to the customer?

Just you. The rest of us have got discounts.

Cy sends me free frames weekly and adds it into your bill. Using Flare Max as toothbrush holder.

How dare you attempt to be negative about the blessed Cotic OP, don't you know where you are?

They're still cracking value for a UK boutique brand, considering the customer service and frame quality. Their frames hold good resale value for a reason.

TBH a manufacturer with a mobile demo fleet is far more likely to sell me a bike than a shop with one bike that doesn't fit me that I'm allowed to ride round the car park only if I've bought a bike from them every year since the Muddyfox Courier was released. And I suppose it probably isn't that much cheaper than paying dealers for a small company like Cotic.

Cy sends me free frames weekly and adds it into your bill. Using Flare Max as toothbrush holder.

I was struggling to find a use for the "26 ain't dead" BFe's he sent, but if you put three together with a bit of wood on top they make a nice coffee table.

are these actually made in the UK?

are these actually made in the UK?

No but they don’t claim to be either.

Can’t see where the OP is coming from at all.

No.

Can’t see where the OP is coming from at all.

From under a bridge I think. Trip, trap, trip, trap...

Haha.

Sounds like people get mad when talking about "Cotic" and "rip off".

I don't like to get into trouble - and don't talk about potential Cotic-rip-off...

But, generally: have the impression that quite some brands are starting to offer more for less money recently. No idea if the market slowed down or if the big direct marketing companies are responsible for it.

Cotic: is sacred. Better not touching this....

TBH a manufacturer with a mobile demo fleet is far more likely to sell me a bike than a shop with one bike that doesn’t fit me that I’m allowed to ride round the car park

Conversely I'm not going to drive hundereds of miles at my time and cost, to see a bike I may not even buy, when I can easily walk to the local bike shops and see the latest Trek, Spesh, Cube, Scott, Santa Cruz, Cannondale, Whyte etc. Most of whose offerings are highly rated and ridden by some of the best riders out there.

I crikey ! I was only asking the question !

I think Starling would be a better buy anyway.

thanks for your opinions anyway.

‘Conversely I’m not going to drive hundereds of miles at my time and cost, to see a bike I may not even buy, when I can easily walk to the local bike shops and see the latest Trek, Spesh, Cube, Scott, Santa Cruz, Cannondale, Whyte etc. Most of whose offerings are highly rated and ridden by some of the best riders out there.’

You don’t have to. They come to you, hence ‘mobile demo fleet’.

It's all relative. Compared to 9 grand for a Yeti race replica or 8 grand for a Specialized S Works Demo, 2 and a bit for the Rocket or Flare seem pretty good value.......but then some people are never happy

hardly the same is it.

Steel flexy frame vs carbon superbike?

@jonundercover:

not allowed to ask wrong questions...

(hell - where is the emoji...?)

emoji, emoji, emoji

Which frame is flexy? And in what way? Interesting generalisation…

You don’t have to. They come to you, hence ‘mobile demo fleet’.

very doubtful that they'll ever be in Aberdeen.

Have you asked?

Conversely I’m not going to drive hundereds of miles at my time and cost, to see a bike I may not even buy, when I can easily walk to the local bike shops and see the latest Trek, Spesh, Cube, Scott, Santa Cruz, Cannondale, Whyte etc.

Assuming it's the same deal as Orange have, if you get enough mates together they'll come to you.  We had Orange turn up with their demo fleet to a club weekday night ride.

Most of whose offerings are highly rated and ridden by some of the best riders out there.

Which gives no inkling whether they fit, how they ride, whether the standard shock tune suits me or where I ride, whether a Lyrik is worth it over a Yari, etc, etc. Step away from the advertorials in MBR.

Is it still half term?

I was kind of hoping this thread would die as it seemed so obvious, but since we've wandered off topic anyway, I'll chip in.

One of the "problems" with the mobile demo idea is that it is based on the notion that most people "ride with their mates". But what about us antisocial gits who enjoy riding on our own but don't live close enough to a population centre to be able to experience many demos?

There may be enough lone riders up here in the Aberdeen area to warrant a demo, but since we don't talk to each other, how would we know 🙂

"hardly the same is it.

Steel flexy frame vs carbon superbike?"

Yes, steel is ever so bendy, that's why we build skyscrapers and trucks out of it. And carbon is super rigid, like fishing rods and golf clubs.

(Obvious sarcasm is obvious).

Dunno, have you tried Cotic? I'm sure if you asked they could add you to a mailing list if they ever were in Aberdeen.

OTOH, it's no more a risk buying mail order than buying a bike off the shop floor without the opportunity to properly ride it anyway. Most of the big brands you;d buy from a shop only really have proper opportunities to demo bikes via mobile fleets anyway. Which when bike are costing as much as a small city car (which you can go into a car showroom and demo) it seems odd that Specialized* would expect people to buy a 29" Enduro bike in Large having sat on a medium XC bike and bumble round a car park.

I like LBS's but their business model for selling bikes sucks.

*Or giant, trek, yeti,

Can't see why Sam wouldn't put something together for riders in the Aberdeen area. It has got to be worth an ask.

Roverpig - not only that, but they also need to be in the market for a new bike. Most of my mates have bought new bikes in the last 12-18 months, so have no interest in a demo.

Yes, steel is ever so bendy, that’s why we build skyscrapers and trucks out of it.

Ever been at the top of a skyscraper on a windy day?

However, materials aren't inherently bendy or not, it'show you use them, form them etc. that has that impact.

Dunno about rip off, but I was also hoping for a price drop, which hasn't happened, so still too steep for me.

"Ever been at the top of a skyscraper on a windy day?"

Isn't that the much sought after compliance? 😉

"However, materials aren’t inherently bendy or not, it’show you use them, form them etc. that has that impact."

My point exactly. I've never seen anyone making sweeping judgements about materials mention the second moment of area...

It makes me sick to see Cy working out of his s****y city offices and driving around in one of his sports car collection. I wouldn't mind if he did any of the work himself, but instead he uses all those illegal immigrants on zero hours contracts while he has a permanent holiday.

It wouldn't be so bad if he put something back into the sport, but instead he sticks 2 fingers up to the local riding community and keeps all the money for himself. Cotic never sponsor local events, trails, riders or anything!

Cotic are a good example of exactly what's wrong with this country. Parasites.

Kelvin, maybe you should have 'works for Cotic' added to your name or something so that newbies and occasional surfers understand when you comment on a Cotic thread you are speaking from a position of authority somewhat.

"are these actually made in the UK?"

No. If they were they would be substantially more expensive.

"Cotic are a good example of exactly what’s wrong with this country. Parasites."

LOL emoji 🙂

They should hand out bikes for free.

Fair point @jekkyl, sorry

I was only asking clarifying questions in this thread… …trying to see if the "beef" other posters have is due to poor communication on the part of Cotic. Trying to lidentify misunderstandings from in amongst the light relief.

When I post opinions on the bikes I tend to insert the "my view is biased" disclaimer.

= :87)

Others have made all the points I'd have wanted to make anyway. Cotic have always sold direct being the main one. Prices being held another. Talking up Sam's demo tours another. The price of other 853 full suspension frames would have been another. Only things not mentioned are that the build kits have been steadily getting better specced for the price so far this year… rather than having some kind of shrinkflation to keep to the price points in a time of rising costs.

It makes me sick to see Cy working out of his s****y city offices and driving around in one of his sports car collection. I wouldn’t mind if he did any of the work himself, but instead he uses all those illegal immigrants on zero hours contracts while he has a permanent holiday.

It wouldn’t be so bad if he put something back into the sport, but instead he sticks 2 fingers up to the local riding community and keeps all the money for himself. Cotic never sponsor local events, trails, riders or anything!

Cotic are a good example of exactly what’s wrong with this country. Parasites.

Wasn't there an undercover video a while back that showed the whole lot of them lighting up cigars rolled using £50 notes with £50 notes, just before they all dived into that swimming pool filled with £2 coins?

[img] [/img]

jekkyl
Kelvin, maybe you should have ‘works for Cotic’ added to your name or something so that newbies and occasional surfers understand when you comment on a Cotic thread you are speaking from a position of authority somewhat.

Nothing on this thread gave any clue to that. Well, apart from jekkyl saying it. Never would've guessed kelvin worked for Cotic [not sarcasm!].

(can I have my free frame now? ta.)

They should hand out bikes for free.

I don't think anyone is saying that, just a few people expecting a direct to sales model to lead to cheaper bikes, as you don't have all the costs assoicated with dealerships and their backup.

Cotic to me do seem a bit pricey compaed to the big name brands, but then it's up to you whether you want to buy into something more niche and the steel frame USP.