Cotic Soul Component Advice

jt_intheuk

Good Morning,
I am soon starting to slowly build up a Cotic Soul frame I recently bought. Hoping to transfer some of the components off my 2010 Core 20 over to the Soul, and then buy bits I cannot re-use.
I am sure I will need a new headset to fit the tapered 34/44 headtube. Will be using my 1 1/8” 120mm Reba RL forks. The question is which to choose? Hoping not to spend too much, as the budget will be pretty low and it might take a while to finish.
I have read that the FSA Orbit XL2 headset would be suitable, however I can’t seem to find the correct bottom cup size?
Any ideas where I can get the correct headset and maybe any other recommendations?
This will be my first build, so bound to be further questions! Any help will be greatly appreciated.

thelonegroover

Cy at Cotic should be able to tell you all you need. After all, they are his frames!

poah

Hope 1H pick and mix which are traditional cups then the reducer to fit your 1 1/8 fork

passout

Yes, I vaguely remember that Hope would do this. Good quality. I'm not 100% sure but i think Cane Creek have an appropriate headset too.

jimothy78

jt_intheuk wrote:

I have read that the FSA Orbit XL2 headset would be suitable, however I can’t seem to find the correct bottom cup size?

That's because it doens't exist. The XL2 would fit your fork, no problem, but won't fit the frame. You'll either need:
1. to get one of those "pick and mix" types
or
2. just look for a dedicated tapered-to-straight reducer headset.
Or
3. Buy a standard tapered headset and replace the crown race with this

This last option's going to give you the biggest choice of headset, and will therefore probably work out cheapest.

jt_intheuk

Found these, Canecreek 40 upper and lower external cups.
http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;navigation=1;product=61218;page=1;menu=1000,4,40;mid=0;pgc=13476:13478::13439:13440
And
http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;navigation=1;product=61243;page=1;menu=1000,4,40;mid=0;pgc=13476:13478::13439:13441
They seem reasonably priced. Will they work with that crown race reducer?

jimothy78

Yes, but if you're going to buy separate top and bottoms anyway, then you may as well get the simplest combination you can, so use this bottom, which uses internal bearings, fits in the soul headtube and takes a 1 1/8" steerer directly.
http://www.bike24.com/1.php?product=609 ... 3477:13485

note that the picture is wrong, and shows the one that fits a 49mm internal headtube, not 44mm, but the info and product code is right for what you need.

jt_intheuk

Cheers, thanks for the advice so far.

jon87uk

If you go on the Cotic website (here) you can buy a suitable headset direct from them if you want to guarantee that it will fit.