Very, very nice build.

What size frame and how tall are you? Humming and arrhhhing about one of these myself but can’t decide if I should go compact and chuckable at 54 or more stretched and roadie at 57. I’m 5ft 11. Nice build by the way.

Posted amongst regular NE riders.

Hamsterley and the top of Transmission

Very nice indeed.

A CX bike will be great fun in the Cheviots. The limiting factor is usually the rider. Don’t expect it to be as forgiving as a mountain bike though, you’ve definitely got to have your wits about you and pay attention when riding a CX. Give me a shout if you get one. Also local ish to the Cheviots. .

Oh, go on then. My Rocket.

Been riding a Planet X Uncle John for a good few years. Great frame for the money. 5ft 11 and ride a 54 with a 100mm stem.

Biased also as I own a Rocket but they really do handle very well. Super agile, great on the steep stuff and they pedal really well (explode out of corners). So much better than the MkII Nomad I was riding previously. Haven’t tried a 66 but I do know someone who as cracked 3 back ends on the Alu version.

Shame to hear of another independent LBS closing up. Only had one dealing with TBC and that was the use of their demo Cotic Rocket (for no charge!). They seemed to be really nice, clued up guys. I went on to buy a Rocket frame from EBC as I work for them. Granted EBC are more commuter orientated but don’t write them off as they do have some very good staff dotted around the business.

Here’s mine just for good measure. Great bike, really loving riding it.

Owned an Alu Nomad for 4 years. Just sold it and bought a Cotic Rocket. Nomad is very good. Excellent on big rocky terrain, really excels at square edged hits. Found it a bit cumbersome at times on more normal trails though. The Cotic in comparison is so much more lively and fun. The Cotic is not as composed as the vpp in the rough stuff but generally I think its a better bike most of the time. If you regularly ride rocky stuff then the Nomad is a great choice. The carbon version is just going to be better in terms if weight and stiffness.

Cheers crispy bacon. Not very good at this picture posting lark.

View from top of Kirnie Law today. Nice frozen trails. See below.

Some thoughts on it here:

http://pathlesspedaled.com/2012/12/salsa-vaya-1000-mile-review-or-our-thoughts-on-salsa-vaya-vs-surly-lht/

Liking that a lot. In the market for a steel CX/Touring style bike that takes discs. Will have a closer look at the Salsa.

How does it ride off road? Big grins?

Had one a couple of months now so had time to give it some abuse in different places. I’m really loving this bike. It climbs well for what it is, pedals well, Explodes out of corners, descends amazingly well without being disconnected from the trail. It’s super agile as well. It’s a bike to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck so to speak. The faster it goes the better it feels. I moved from a Santa Cruz Nomad which was a great bike but the Cotic is so much more fun. Maybe its not as composed in the real rough rocky stuff as the Nomad but everywhere else I prefer it. Most of my riding is steep, rooty, loamy (muddy) tech stuff. What the bike doesn’t do very well is flat stuff (due to the 66 head angle with 160mm forks) but that’s not what it’s about. My build is Lyrik u-turns, Fox CDT kashima shock, Hope Hoops, Hope tech brakes, reverb and 1×10. If you want fun on a bike then it definitely ticks the boxes.

Sweet.

Always been a fan of KMC chains but I do like the Wippermann split link.

I use both Hope Hoops on Mavic 719 and a Pair of Halo Aero Warrior disc wheels. Both pairs work well for CX or a 29er. The Halo wheels spin better than the Hopes but the Hopes are still good with a better rim I reckon.

Run 140mm Pikes on mine. Generally they are set at 130mm, seems to be the sweet spot. Reckon a 150mm fork would be just a little too much. Give it a try though you might like it.

Lovely. Might have to purchase one to compliment my Rocket.

I was there today. Didn’t notice any closed trails. Some very wet and muddy trails but nothing actually closed. I did a mix of red and black including Transmission, Section 13, Brain freeze etc. Didn’t do Beehives or Route 666 though as they are a real muddy mess.

Should be fine if you fancy a walk.

Pretty sure the answer is no.

For a CDF you want SKS P50’s if you want to run 35mm tyres.

Inbred plus salsa cromoto here as well. They work well together. To be honest though I haven’t tried the frame with any other fork. The inbred can feel a bit dead but that’s also one of its strengths as it just steam rolls through stuff.

Over the last 8 month. A Santa Cruz Nickel, On One Inbred 29er and a Cotic Rocket. So 2 26’s and 1 29er.

The ultimate UK trail bike maybe?

The Rocket doesn’t pedal like a 150mm bike either.

Will let you know. Just bought one but not built it up yet. Will be running Lyrik coil U-turns on it.

Duane, EBC no longer stock Commencal, haven’t done since distribution shifted away from Madison.

Nukeproof Mega is brilliant on the downs and one tough little nut of a bike. Not to everyone’s liking on the climbs but it still climbs ok once you get used to the seat angle.

A mate has just purchased a YT. Not ridden it yet so no comment. Looks awesome value though.

I know someone with an Alu Yeti 66. Rides pretty hard, 3 cracked swing arms tells its own story.

Considering the new Enduro myself as I get them at 50% discount but I’m also tempted with a Cotic Rocket. Had The Bike Chains demo Rocket recently and loved it.

You don’t fancy a large Santa Cruz Nomad frame? Got one for sale.

ir_bandito, yes I’ve used Bettablast before. It’s been a while since I used them but have got good results from them in the past. Had both steel HT frames and Alu full Sus frames done there. I think it’s about £35 an item these days.

Bettablast in Shiremoor, Newcastle are good for powder coating. A huge choice of colours.

Great fork the cromoto.

Got u turn Pikes on mine. Sweet spot is 130mm but they are also fine at 140mm.

Butcher and Nickel frames down to £999. Just bought a Nickel, great bike. Wouldn’t worry too much about it being discontinued as spare hangers and bearings kits will still be available. Shame they haven’t been selling well as they ride real nice.

Santa Cruz Nickel maybe? Tough, climbs well, playful on the descents, decent price (Stif had them at £999 recently). Not sure it would be happy at 100mm but 120-140mm is spot on for it.

Great forks. Mine are battered but still running sweet. Keep them clean and change the oil fairly regular and they won’t let you down. Remove the floodgate if you want better small bump sensitivity (see Pink bike for a guide on how to do it). Sure newer, more expensive forks might have more sophisticated damping but these are great forks if you get them for a good price.