WIP Cotic Soul - Finished (for now)

fat_homer

So I finished last weekend but only just had time to take some decent pics, so here we go:











Frame: Cotic Soul, Medium, Black
Forks: Reba Teams, 120mm
Bars: KCNC Scandium Bone
Stem: 70mm Thomson
Headset: Crane Creek S3
Grips: Superstar Supagripa
Brakes: Shimano XT M785
Shifters: Shimano XT M770
Front Mech: Shimano XT M781
Rear Mech: Shimano XT M770
Seat: Charge Spoon
Seat Post: Thomson Elite Layback
Seat Post Clamp: Hope QR
Chainset: Shimano SLX M660-10
Bottom Bracket: Shimano SLX
Chain: KMC X10
Cassette: Shimano XT
Pedals: Wellgo MG1
Wheels: Hope XC Hubs, Mavic 717 Rims
Tyres: Nobby Nics, 2.25

...............................................................................................................................................

So I'm attempting my first build to replace my trusty Cube.

I was all set on a Ragley Piglet but after coming in to a bit more money, decided on the Soul after a vist to 18 Bikes. The frame looks fantastic and I can't wait to get it build up over the next couple of weeks.



I've been accumulating bits over the last couple of months, a mixture of new and used, basically what you see below plus the wheels, forks and shifters which are upgrades on the Cube. I may also add a few more blue bits. The only thing I can't decide on is tyres, though will probably be nobby nics.

blablablacksheep

be looking closely at this as im also considering a new bike..../DIY build.

out of interest what other frames did you consider/test? rock lobster/on-one 456?/malt 4 ect..

the_fuggler

Hoping to follow suit with a Soul build next year. Look forward to seeing the finished build.

allthegearnoidea

Soul's are Awesome bikes! Had no idea what I was after but after building mine up found exactly what I wanted!!
Dont worry when you get your first bit of air though, the short rear travel feeling is natural and doesn't mean that you've broken it!!

If the worst came to the worst and i had to replace it then it would be with another!!!

fat_homer

Thanks for the comments, I'm slowly getting there, the other half said "it's actually starting to like a bike" when she got home tonight! Just waiting on some tyres, copter tape and mount for the rear caliper to turn up and I've got everything I hope.

Apart from the bits above, I've just the brakes left to fit and shorten which I'm dreading as me and breaks, especially bleeding, don't get on!

Pic as it stands:

blablablacksheep wrote:

out of interest what other frames did you consider/test? rock lobster/on-one 456?/malt 4 ect..

The Piglet (Ragley don't return emails, so a no go )was the main contender, but also the Inbred, Sirius and a couple of others. I generally haven't found a bad word said about the Soul and a very brief test ride sold it to me. I think the problem with all the frames mentioned is it's very difficult to find test rides!

allthegearnoidea love you're Soul, your thread is a good read!

jay12

they'rr shimano brakes so you'll be fine. just take your time and read through the instructions/watch the video more than once and you shouldn't have problems

allthegearnoidea

Thanks fella, have added a couple of bits since the last time i updated it bu only cassette and a couple of bolts haha!
Just love the bike and the way it rides, i can't help it!!

The back ends build up very light which can be a bit unnerving but also adds to the chuckable feel of them! Is very easy to build a cracking mid 20's lbs trail bike out of them that you can ride all day long as happily as hurling it downwards at some hell of a rate!!
No idea what mine weighs but would think 23/24lb ish, but to be honest t, i wouldnt care if it was 10lb more! So much fun to ride! I hope you enjoy yours as much as i have mine!!!!

MountainMonster

very nice looking bike!

waughie

There is a few of us with them on here, I love mine!

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 3#17024593

this is mine!

allthegearnoidea

Thats because they are simply Awesome waughie!!

BTS6463

Looks a great frame
I look forward to seeing the finished bike

waughie

Allthegear are they kcnc jockey wheels?

allthegearnoidea

Yes matey they are indeed! I got mine from Andy at Clee-Cycles.co.uk back when they cost £15 for the Pair! Brilliant though! Not that you notice them! Lol! That said, there 2 1/2 years old and the annodisings come off the outside (happens first ride from the chain!) But otherwise look good as new!

waughie

I was just checking as they looked very familiar! I've got them on mine too, although as you say you can't tell they are there as they spend most of their life black rather than red!

blablablacksheep

The Piglet (Ragley don't return emails, so a no go )was the main contender, but also the Inbred, Sirius and a couple of others. I generally haven't found a bad word said about the Soul and a very brief test ride sold it to me. I think the problem with all the frames mentioned is it's very difficult to find test rides!

aye, finding test rides is near impossible i agree, i not brave enough to drive all the way to merlins shop in wales from london just to try out the malt 4+853

atm im looking into getting a canyon XC7 but given a lot of their parts are 2012 and yet to be reviewed i holding back atm.

if it all goes tits up il go with a hardtail, as either way i want a bike that can last and be used for decent days out rather than 10 mins blitzs down the trails.

let us know how the soul performs,as it would near the top of my list with the Rock Lobster 853+AL 8 for canyon

fat_homer

Right, finished at the weekend, quick (read crap phone pic) pic of the finished bike on the way home from work today. Just need too give the brakes a bleed when the stuff turns up, made a bit of a hash of trimming the hoses and should be good to go for a trip to Llandegla on Sunday, can't wait!



I'll sort some decent pics at the weekend and a spec list, not that anyone will be interested!

allthegearnoidea

Ofcourse we'll be interested!
A boutique bike on a bike forum Needs a spec list! And as many pictures as possible!!!

blablablacksheep

out of interest, how does the frame compare to others you have ridden, in terms of ride quality?

the frame looks pretty dam sick, you tempted to stick a bigger fork on it?

fat_homer

allthegearnoidea wrote:

Ofcourse we'll be interested!
A boutique bike on a bike forum Needs a spec list! And as many pictures as possible!!!

Added in first post, hope they pass. Jockey wheels and a few more blue bits to follow at some point!

blablablacksheep wrote:

out of interest, how does the frame compare to others you have ridden, in terms of ride quality?

the frame looks pretty dam sick, you tempted to stick a bigger fork on it?

To be honest, I've not really ridden much other than my Cube and a Rockhopper and I'm yet to ride it in anger (that comes tomorrow at Llandegla). From ridding it to work a couple of times, it's more responsive and relaxed, which I'm hopeing equals more comfortable on long rides.

Maybe in time I'll go for something longer, but it'd have to be easily adjustable for going up! I'd more than likely do it when upgrading wheels to allow for a 15/20mm axel.

allthegearnoidea

Love it fella! Come together real nice!
Good spec too, nice one! Update after you've llandegla!

fat_homer

allthegearnoidea wrote:

Love it fella! Come together real nice!
Good spec too, nice one! Update after you've llandegla!

Will do, just hope my newly learned (read not very good) mechanical skills keep it in one peice for the whole day!

blablablacksheep

that is a very nice bike, how did you find it putting all the parts on it and together?

Did you get LBS to do work ie cutting fork steerer or putting BB on ect.?

Again nice bike, im really considering a Soul for myself too, if i can afford one.

chrisjnr19

Very, very, tidy... those Souls have a nasty tendency to look bloody brilliant!

You getting some blue Slik decals for the forks? I think they'd look the nuts!

Anonymous

Very pretty bike.

Wouldn't mind one of those.

What are they like with 140mm forks?

allthegearnoidea

how did your weekend go fella??????

pastey_boy

are you mixing 9 speed cassette, rear mech and shifters with 10 speed chain ,front mech and chainset ?

blablablacksheep

how are the Hope XC Hubs, Mavic 717 Rims holding up, are they very loud?

By the way have you had any issues with the Thomson Elite Layback slipping at all?

fat_homer

allthegearnoidea wrote:

how did your weekend go fella??????

Brilliant, the bike was fantastic, not overly keen on the trail though, was ok I guess, my lack fitness didn’t help though.

I hadn't tightened the pad retaining bolt on the rear calliper though and it went missing right near the end, luckily I didn't lose the pads! Problem is I'm now struggling to source a new one.

pastey_boy wrote:

are you mixing 9 speed cassette, rear mech and shifters with 10 speed chain ,front mech and chainset ?

I am, from what I've read it should work and I didn't seem to have any problems with it at the weekend, I'm pretty sure any miss shifts are down to my poor set up skills!

blablablacksheep wrote:

how are the Hope XC Hubs, Mavic 717 Rims holding up, are they very loud?

By the way have you had any issues with the Thomson Elite Layback slipping at all?

Hubs and rims are fine, been using these for a couple of years (and they where second hand then) with no issues. No problems with the seatpost after one ride either.

allthegearnoidea

it looks like you could use a split pin (often used on hopes!) or if its threaded on the wheel side then another same size bolt?? crc often have a load of random parts like that!

fat_homer

Couple of new blue bits following xmas:

Rotor bolts:


Top cap:


Crank bolt:


Bottle bolts:


And I've started using self amalgamating tape on the chinstays:


Not alot else to change now, though some new pedals might be needed soon as I've got a fair bit of play in the drive side and as and when things wear out I'll got 10 speed and maybe 2 rings upfront.

And a quick pic from out and about:

MountainMonster

Bike looks lovely, you should check out my Cotic Soul as well. I've gone red though, not blue! Good spec, and don't worry about the 9 and ten speed thing. I've got mostly 9 speed drivetrain, but a XX 10 speed front mech working with shimano 9 speed shifters.