Never really loved my old BFe (26” 1 1/8 model) didn’t hate it, but felt the B.B. was too high and always felt “on top” of the bike. Stand over on the medium my balls were on the top tube, but with a 70mm stem and seat back on the rails it still felt short
So I’m looking at the new one and I like the look (it’s longer and lower) but would I be daft to buy one when I didn’t really like my old one much?
I must add that I’m a funny sized person, I’m 5’10 but with stumpu 31” legs so a long reach for my height
Out of stock till February so I’ve got a lot of time to squirm over the decision (if they were in stock I’d probably just buy one and live with the consequences)
You're looking at Cotic, possibly the most demo-friendly company in the UK right now.
Email them and get a demo of the new bike.
Makes perfect sense - I didn't like my old GF, and I want a new one.
Oh, BF[b]e[/b]
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mad? probably not.
Stupid? possibly
Keep reading your own post back to yourself until you spot all he stupidity. Learn from your mistakes and move on.
Hmm I’m on the Isle of Wight so demo might be trickier, there was an agent here but they’re going direct sales only now
Suppose I could wait till the little mountain bike centre here Re opens and try to organise something
Do you have a med or large, it's not clear from your OP?
Are you thinking of another 26" ie 26 aint dead?
I bought a medium 12 months ago without demoing one(2nd hand)
It's great!! And even made a guest appearance on Cotics Instagram 😉
I'm the same height and leg as you and the crown jewels are no where near the TT
I's set up with a 60mm stem and seat in the middle.
Nope, not mad at all. The older 26" ones are different to the 650B frame. My small old shape 650B frame (with 26" wheels) is loads nicer/lower/longer/faster/awesomer than the small 26" Soul I had. I do think the new one might be a smidge too long/low/slack for me though so I'm staying with what I've got (for now, depends what colours the new 26 ones are...)
Hi Nigew, I had an old medium 26 but am looking at a new medium 27.5
Compared geo charts to my medium ragley bp (which is v. Good but still maybe a fraction short) it all looks good, except I think the bb might still be higher
I doubt the new ones will be too short, they are supposed to be really long, i'm tempted too but can't justify another new bike!
Maybe give 'em a call, they're supposed to be a helpful bunch,
or pop a request on here to put your leg over a local one 😉
I had an older BFe from around 2012 and eventually changed it for a Solaris. Ran it with 150mm forks and was never truly happy with it.
Recently bought a new BFe and did a parts swap from a 160mm bike. Much better fit wise, and personally think it climbs better than the older one even with a 160 fork in it. And the downhills, well, my flaremax hasn't seen the light of say since I got the new BFe.
Cotic *are* a helpful bunch but they're also a small company that don't necessarily have people waiting by the phone. Probably better to drop them an email.
New BFe is awesome and handles very differently to the old BFe (I agree on the high BB thing). New Soul is equally, but differently awesome if a) you can't wait, b) you don't need the solidity of a BFe.
I'm 5'10" too but with 32" legs. Medium is spot on with a 35mm stem, so there's a decent amount of room to play with there.
Maybe spread your net a bit further if you didn’t like your old one? There’s plenty of great bikes about.
Above post from Chestrockwell: I agree.
There are so many interesting and beautiful bikes around ... try something totally different this time!
It's quite a radical revamp, I'd not infer too much from the old one to the new.
Yeah there's other options but not many that look as good and with that level of design detail. And the price ain't bad at all comparatively.
I don't want a 27in HT myself, but if I did then I'd want one that could take big 2.6in tyres like the new Cotics.
Surely you can fit in a demo on the mainland before Feb?
but not many that look as good and with that level of design detail.
Are you sure? It’s a reasonably generic shipped in frame to my eyes. Not saying it’s not decent but i’d Bet there are plenty of bikes about the op would prefer. Cotic seem like a decent bunch but that does not make them the bee all and end all.
It’s a reasonably generic shipped in frame to my eyes.
You're not looking close enough. For starters, who else makes a steel frame that strong and that light for that price?
How strong is it? Coz 5.6lb for a small hardtail frame sure as hell isn't light
The new Soul is the choice if weight is high up your list of priorities.
BFe is hard as… and a good weight for it… but the Soul is over a lb lighter.
It passes CEN for 160mn forks. Everything else that can do that in steel is heavier, I believe?
Oh... so you read the marketing blurb?
Must be strong
😕
It isn't about marketing blurb, I'm just asking who makes a lighter 160mm steel hardtail at a similar price?
I have a new one, and I have three old ones of varying ages and I can confirm the new design is a completely different bike. I really like mine but it's worth recognising that most of the new flush of hard tails are adopting the latest geometry trends and it will come down to your personal preference.
I am absolutely happy with my new Bfe but I do not have any genuine experiences of other modern frames to compare it to. I really like Cotic bikes so I bought another.
If I recall my Switchback is 6.4lbs! Although the HA is slacker, I don’t think the frame is as long and low as the likes of the Bfe, as Stanton don’t see the point on a HT.
I'm a similar build to the OP and have just got a large 5th gen 27.5 Bfe which fits great.
I think there is a demo day at QECP on 16/12, so I suggest you contact Sam and get booked in.