My Cotic Soul...

Northwind

I've posted this already in the main forum, but I'm a big tart so might as well fire it in again here







Just "finished" this a couple of weeks ago, took it out for a test and instantly had a big crash and just about re-broke my pelvis :oops: It's the bike's fault, where my Scandal said "Steady on now, I'm a jumped-up XC bike!" the Soul just goes GRRRRR

It's built pretty light just now, it's used about equally at Glentress on the reds and locally for XC riding, though it just got put through its paces at Innerleithen red last week, and did just fine. I might be a weight weenie but the bike still has a tough job to do, and that's not compromised- though it helps that I'm only 60kg myself so it has a fairly easy time of it!

Over time I reckon I'll bulk it up a little as I start trying to ride bigger stuff (and as my ability to carry extra weight around rises!) but right now it weighs in at 11.7kg/25lbs with the Nevegal/Blue Groove combo. Not bad for a 130mm steel hardtail 8) It'd be easy enough to get it to 11kg but not without making sacrifices in strength, tyres, etc. There's a set of Roval Traversee wheels on the way now though, and a shorter Truvativ AKA stem to replace the over-long Team one.

Speclist:

Frame:Cotic Soul in medium, wrap vinyl graphics
Forks: 08 Rockshox Revelation 426 dual-air u-turns
Bars: Truvativ Noir Team carbon 680mm
Stem: Truvativ Team 90mm (too long, Truvativ AKA 70mm on the way)
Headset: FSA Orbit
Grips: Lizardskins Charger lock-ons (with ODI bar-caps, they're nicer)

Front Brake:Shimano XT on 160mm XTR centrelock rotor
Rear Brake: Shimano XT on 160mm XTR centrelock rotor (I'm only 60 kilos, 160mm is enough so far!)

Shifters: X9
Front Mech: XT
Rear Mech: X9

Seat: Charge Knife
Seat Post: Raceface Next SL carbon 400mm
Seat Post Clamp: Hope QR (should be Salsa but the shop lost it)

Cranks: SLX triple 170mm
Chain: KMC X9
Cassette: XT
Pedals: Wellgo MG1
Cables: XTR sealed

Rims: Mavic 717
Spokes: ACI d/b
Hubs: Shimano XT centrelock (Superstar carbon quick releases, not sure I trust these)
Tubes: Panaracer XX lightweight tubes
Tires: Kenda Blue Groove 2.1 front, Nevegal 2.1 rear (I vary these around, sometimes 2.35s for trail centre use)
And a small scattering of titanium bolts, because that's the sort of idiot I am. Plus a Mint Sauce top cap . PS, for filling bottle bosses, M5 grub screws are perfect, they weigh about the same as nylon bolts, cost almost nothing, and look great on a black frame)

(how to transport a bike frame:
)
2 wheels good...

Captain Turok

Two wheels good, ti luverley,enjoy! 8)

myopic

I had missed your main post and had been wondering what the Soul would look like. The answer's great!

Is your hilltop pic from the top of Black Hill or is it Harehill? The run down from Black Hill is a great one.

I like the bike transport, but shouldn't you have a rag tied to the end of that frame?

adb1006

Very very nice mate.

What are the Noir bars like? weight, cost, strength? I'm torn between these and the Raceface Next SL's.

Da Mighty Chicken

Looks really good

the Soul just goes GRRRRR

You should name your bike 'The Tiger'

The Big Cheese

I really love the Cotic frames - nice simple lines and great graphics... nice rig mr!

Chaz.Harding

Yup, nice ride.

Are the Cotic Soul's as good as everyone makes out??

Are they worth thier tremendous asking price (for a steel frame!)?

Stoo61

I love the Cotic frames, they look the beezers. Nice ride.

Soul Boy

Not as nice as mine

Only kidding, looks great. We're at one with the frame, decals and wellgo peddles, though I've gone full XT, dressed with Thomson seat-tub, stem, Answer carbon bars, Jucy 5's and Mavic Cross Rides, Charge Spoon ti saddle. Oh we are tarts.

Taking mine back to Les Arc this year, chasing the full sussers down the mountain....

And yes, they are as good as everyone says. The more you throw it about the livlier it gets.. :twisted:

Father Faff

And how comfy are they on a long days ride?

Northwind

Father Faff wrote:

And how comfy are they on a long days ride?

Reasonably... I went from a Scandal, which is pretty flexy too, this isn't so different but it has the same flex without feeling bendy, if you know what I mean. With decent size tyres on it's comfy enough, not like an XC full suss but very nice for a tough hardtail.

myopic wrote:

Is your hilltop pic from the top of Black Hill or is it Harehill? The run down from Black Hill is a great one.

Black Hill mate, almost right at the top of the climb. Evidence of pushing up the hill could probably be found in that photo

adb1006 wrote:

What are the Noir bars like? weight, cost, strength? I'm torn between these and the Raceface Next SL's.

I like 'em... I put them on to replace a set of EC70s, because I wanted an oversize bar, and these are a wee bit wider (680mm), the feel's really pretty much the same and the weight's close too. And also, they look mint They were £60 from bike discount store, they're sold out now but they still have the Race model for £50. Bargain really, I was looking at used EC90s for about the same.

mountainroadie

northwind you have stole mint sauces bike ....very nice 8)

but whats with the flat pedals noooooooooo :!:

get some spudz and some carbon soled spesh or sidis to get the best out of it

Northwind

My knee's knackered so I can't use SPDs Not a great loss I don't think, might be able to use them again once it builds back up. Only time I really wish I was clipped in is when I'm doing rubbish jumps

mountainroadie

Northwind wrote:

My knee's knackered so I can't use SPDs Not a great loss I don't think, might be able to use them again once it builds back up. Only time I really wish I was clipped in is when I'm doing rubbish jumps

have you conSIDered the look quartz pedals very light clip in and loads of play for knackered knees 8)

Northwind

It's not so much when I'm riding, I'm fine with that and with clipping in and out, it's the risk of a twist if/when I fall off and don't get unclipped right, it wouldn't take a lot to finish off my mcl. I get on fine with flats so it's no real hardship though, maybe its just sour grapes but going back to flats with good shoes I'm not convinced that there's half the difference most people think between the two, not for me anyway. Except while doing rubbish jumps :oops:

mountainroadie

oooohh dont know about that northwind .
a few years ago a mate of mine convinced about using spd"s and i had the initial doubts falling off while locked in . etc etc {and i did fall of a few times in the first week}
but now the combo of my carbon soled spesh pros and my shimano m959 spd"s is for me what its all about .the thought of sticking a big pair of flat pedals {wich should be on a downhill bike} on my trek elite 9.9 would give me nightmares.

shoes soon to be upgraded to sidi dragons srs vernice and look ti clip ins cos they match my bike :oops:

mountainroadie

northwind you got a pm 8)

AndyTheRocketeer

Nice bike. Real glad I got my Soul just over a year ago. Black is definitely the colour imho, although be interested to see the new ltd edition colours for the next batch.
In fact might just go write up my "My Rides" page now...

thermal monkey

I have just ordered my soul, should be built by the weekend if the delivery goes well. yours looks sweet dude, mine will be slightly more stealth like, black forks, although blue headset and BB!

I cant wait, although there is another in our group with a custard one, kinda why I bought the frame. COS IT ROCKS!

Surf-Matt

Northwind - that's a lovely bike and sensibly specced too (in fact specced rather similarly to my Stumpy HT!).

Northwind

Fangyou 8)

Oh, since then my roval traversees arrived- very nice they are too. And I replaced the 90mm Team stem with a Truvativ AKA 70mm, a change which has shown my that actually I needed an 80mm stem :roll: Oh, and one of the jockey wheels did a runner so now it has BBB Rollerboys instead, which seem alright. Still loving it

The Prodigy

Very nice, congratulations