I have 4 cotic bikes. All hardtails. A Simple 26 ss; a last generation 26 BFE (brought 2 hand for my son); a 1 or 2 gen 29 Solaris; and a 2021 Solaris Max. The builts are all with XC in mind, but the 29ers are amazing decenders. The Solarismax is almost too fast. It also excells in tecnical climbs. My 16 years son uses the Solaris in XC races and loves it. Never add any kind off problem with the frames. Amazing quality. Now, and with 52 years old, this is going to be my next Cotic... I hope. Brexit, made things more complicated: customs, in Portugal, are a nightmare, Despite the amazing costumer service from Cotic.

Cotic bikes are works of art. The frames are beautiful. Any components added to their frames simply exemplify the characteristics of the steel they are made from. They now have enough choice to suit any type of rider in my opinion. If you fancy more xc orientated stuff or more aggressive trail, enduro / downhill their frames can adapt to suit. Very well thought out and certainly for those who appreciate good design.

@CoticBikesUK

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@cmtx6967

Жыл бұрын

You are welcome! Would you ever consider for future frames - downtube protection of some sort and maybe an integrated chainstay protector?

@CoticBikesUK

Жыл бұрын

@@cmtx6967 Steel doesn't really need down tube protection. Chainstay protection is included with the rubberised wrap. Whatever we do it will be stuck on. You can't really integrate protection on a metal frame.

@cmtx6967

Жыл бұрын

@@CoticBikesUK I see ! Didn't think of that.

Thanks for lovely words and fun ride Guy. If anyone has any specific questions, drop 'em here and we'll answer them. Cheers!

@GuyKesTV

Жыл бұрын

Just speaking as I find folks, thanks for showing me the local trails. Could have warned me about that drop though 🤣

Nice, Alway's been a fan of Cotic Bikes...'SteelIsReal' Ha!

Awesome bike. Riding the Wolfpacks now on my XC and AM bike. Fantastic like you told me

@GuyKesTV

Жыл бұрын

Those Wolfpack tyres are a real hidden gem if you're bored of all the heavy, sticky stuff people default to now

@tobyg4556

Жыл бұрын

I couldn't agree more. I run the trail up front and a specialised ground control on my Bird aether 7 and couldn't be happier. They need to sort out their UK distribution though.

Downcountry is not a Trend it is a Lifestyle, a Bike for true Riders. Cotic make a great Job .Greetings from the Tyrolean Alps, Cheers !!!

@GuyKesTV

5 ай бұрын

Yes Bernhard! Totally agree.

And i just bought a generation 4 ! 😢 It was a good price though! 😉

It's like the cycling world has come to my hometown ... Yesterday I watched with joy as @julietelliot did a chilled gravel ride covering some of these same trails on her recent video... Now Mr Guy Kesteven himself steaming down the lanes I cut my teeth on as a 90s mtber. All welcome to the old school local trails 😎. New demo loop doesn't quite have the fun of the descents into Stoney Middleton but the run down Cartledge Lane isn't bad when there's no horses on it. You can compare to my efforts on the Jeht 🤣 kzread.info/dash/bejne/Zoarr7igdpbWYdI.html Actually, I imagine a new Jeht model is the next one in the production line? I imagine the new FlareMAX would make my gen 2 feel a bit long in the tooth. Looks and sounds like another belter from Cotic 👍

So wondering what bike Cy was riding today....doesn't look like something in the current catalogue. Is it the camera angle but does the front wheel look small? And is that an 'inside frame' bottle mount under the shock??

@GuyKesTV

Жыл бұрын

I couldn't possibly say, but sure Cy will reveal more in good time 😜

@CoticBikesUK

Жыл бұрын

Wheels are both 29 and it's a C5 with a trial finish. Because it's big I could squeeze a bottle in. Just playing. Nothing radically different. It's basically a Rocketmax with some bosses that wouldn't work on smaller sizes

The previous version didn' t have the BB strut; any reason for reinforcement in that area?

@GuyKesTV

Жыл бұрын

Basically people are riding harder even on short travel bikes and this move (plus the new down tube) adds extra strength for very little extra weight.

@CoticBikesUK

Жыл бұрын

The previous version did have BB web gussetsto reinforce the same place. We had to move to the brace on the rocketmax because the head tube and fork length required it. It's a bit overkill on the Flaremax, but because it's UK made we are now set up for the brace not the gussets so we did the brace.

Do you think the Revelation (non charge) fork will be OK up front? I can't stretch my budget to a nice fork at the moment. I've already upgraded the Silver build to Hunt XC wheels.

@GuyKesTV

Жыл бұрын

Wheels upgrade is a definite win and the Rev is a perfectly decent fork you can drop a better damper into at a later date if you feel the need.

@blackmac1970

Жыл бұрын

@@GuyKesTV Thanks for taking the time to reply. Looks like my first full suspension will be a Cotic then. Hope I love it as much as I loved the Soul 17 years ago.

@alexcunliffe3432

Жыл бұрын

@@GuyKesTV What do you think of the Rockshocks vs Cane Creek for the rear suspension? like @blackmac1970 I am trying work out where to eek out my coin...

@CoticBikesUK

Жыл бұрын

@maclaggan We sent the Charger2.1 damper upgraded Revelation on the bike radar BOTY Jeht, and to quote "it's basically a Pike Ultimate at this point". The Rev chassis is great. We have Charger2.1 dampers on the shelf, so you could buy that upgrade further down the line if you want, but the Revs are a great fork.

@CoticBikesUK

Жыл бұрын

@alexcunliffe The Deluxe is a great set and forget option, and it's a little lighter than the Air IL. It's got quite a firm compression tune to keep things lively. It's not a bad shock by any means. However, the Air IL is basically the best shock you can put on a trail bike. It is better, and we help you out with a base tune, but if you aren't comfortable tuning it in it might not be for you

My biggest headache is this or the Jeht: I know that for 95% of riding this would be plenty but there's always just that suspicion that a rider with my lack of skill might welcome the extra travel to get me out of trouble...

@GuyKesTV

Жыл бұрын

That's the eternal question right! New FM feels noticeably more hench and less likely to squirm off line than the previous ones, but still essentially the same weight if that helps

@alexcunliffe3432

Жыл бұрын

@@GuyKesTV Absolutely, the eternal question. It looks an awesome bike and like all Cotics truly beautiful. I was wondering just how tough you could go on it: I was wondering whether you could put a Fox 36/Marzooci Bomber on the front for a beefy build. Similar to the Spectral 125, but steel.

@CoticBikesUK

Жыл бұрын

Alex, the Flaremax will take up to a 140 fork for a mini Enduro style build, but the key compromise you will be making is in the seat angle as it will be about 1 deg slacker than the Jeht with a 150 fork by that point. On the flip side the BB of the FM will still be lower than the Jeht. Comparing Trail FM and Jeht builds there is very little in it weight wise. If a lot of your riding it smoothish trails where you need rolling speed, the Jeht Trail Light build has similar Wolfpack tyres to the FM Douncountry build so you will get the rolling speed. We could throw in some WTB tyres for you to swap onto for big trips maybe? We are big believers in not over biking or compromising yourself for most of your riding because of the odd trip to bigger terrain. The FM is very capable due to the geometry, so if most of your riding is fast Singletrack style stuff, get the FM with some Wolfpack tyres, with your choice of fork travel or build elsewhere and have fun. This is exactly why Paul rides a Flaremax. Drop us an email or call to discuss. We can give you all the time and space you need to make a decision.

@alexcunliffe3432

Жыл бұрын

@@CoticBikesUK Thanks for this really comprehensive reply. I really do not doubt how capable the Flare is: watching the old bike descending Snowdon should be enough to convince anyone of its credentials. I would agree about not being over biked. My thoughts were more about being under-skilled! I am sure that in the right hands there is basically nothing that the flaremax couldn't do. My thoughts were really that the Jeht's travel might benefit a very average rider like me. Very interesting to hear what you say about the BB height though. I hadn't really thought of that.

Just swallowed a fly! 🤣

@GuyKesTV

Жыл бұрын

Sorry, did I not cut that out? I remember it happening but must have missed it on the edit - it was a late one!

@alexcunliffe3432

Жыл бұрын

@@GuyKesTV I thought you were quite tame, I normally make noises like i'm about to vom when I get that happen!

Starling murmur or this??

@cmtx6967

Жыл бұрын

It will depend on your preferences and riding style. I Suppose one of the starling's USP's is that it has an adjustable rear end, will you make use of this?

@GuyKesTV

Жыл бұрын

Having ridden Cotic and Starling back to back for an MBUK test a few years ago I definitely preferred Cotic then. Hopefully Starling have improved though.