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Hi all
Now I know there is a lot of love for the cotic brand on the forum, so bear with me. I'm maybe looking to go back to a hardtail.
I'm currently running a meta 5.5 as my only bike but there are a few issue's, going downhill the bike fly's but anywhere else it's a bit of a struggle so I'm looking for something a bit more of an all rounder.I'm also having a few shoulder problems which I'm sure is being caused by the very short top tube. I'll be running 140 forks 2x9 setup.
Could I get some opinions on how the BFe is as a all rounder bike (this will more than likely be my only bike) compared to my meta.
I.e what's it like for long slogs round dartmoor, is it going to feel like I'm going over the bars on the downs, just general feed back really.
I have had a 456 before and hated every minute of riding it,again how does the BFe compare.
Cheers
P.s if there is anyone near Exeter who could maybe let me try there's out, that would be ideal
If you hated the 456 I suspect the BFe will be too similar! What did you hate about it?
So the BFe is a nice bike no doubt, but its built tough. For long slogs around dartmoor you'd be having more fun on something a little more lively. If you want a Cotic then the Soul is a nice XC bike, a friend of mine had one and it was really nice. If you want to run longer forks then look at a transam perhaps. But there's loads of nice hardtails out there. My one word of caution would be dont buy one thats too overbuilt if you're going to be doing xc stuff on it.
I didn't like the way the 456 was very low at the front even with 140mm forks, maybe this was due to the fact I'm used to rear sus. It felt like when I cornered the front seem to dive a bit. Could have been the forks or my riding position.
I'm not really a long distance xc rider however when I do go for the longer rides the meta is killing me.
[i]when I do go for the longer rides the meta is killing me[/i]
I'd try and sort out first why the Meta isn't working for you, before spunking proper money.
Put your details in here, and then measure the Meta.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO
[i]It felt like when I cornered the front seem to dive a bit. Could have been the forks or my riding position.[/i]
or maybe a too hard front tyre, or too high a pressure?
I too had a Meta 5.5 and constantly felt under-biked. I now have a BFe and it is amazing. I have it built up with stupid wheels that would be more suited to freeride rig. But I find it still pops when I need it too and can be very lively even on level single track. Not done any massive rides on it but what I have it's been fine. Point it downhill and it just comes to life. With the right build it could be even better.
Go for it.
I bought a BFe as my all round bike and it's been perfect. Quick spins, normal rides in Surrey Hills including all the steeper and technical trails I used to ride on my FS, more than capable of all the jumps I am, plus long rides in the Peak district. For max flexibility I have 150/120 adjustable travel forks. Some talk on here about the bike being a harsh ride but I think that refers to earlier models and that has certainly not been my experience.
As you say get a test ride on one.
The BFe is a better riding bike than the 456 IMO but it does have some similiarities- they both have a fairly dead, heavy ride feel. I think it's just a character you get when you have a lot of steel in a frame, all the sturdier steel frames I've ridden feel fairly similiar.
(fwiw- I replaced my BFe with a carbon 456, the geometry isn't as good and the handling isn't as good but the airy-fairy "ride quality" is better, or at least more to my taste. And that seems to be more important, I prefer riding a bike that feels inspiring to ride rather than one that actually works fantastically but doesn't inspire)
chiefgrooveguru - Member
If you hated the 456 I suspect the BFe will be too similar! What did you hate about it?
Disagree.
I didn't like my 456 but love my BFe with the same build. As my only bike however I'm not sure I would go for the BFe. If I only had one bike I would prefer an FS, a reasonably light one at that well sub 30lbs anyway. Have a look at Stumpys or Trek Fuels as you are used to an FS already. Oh and do try to get the correct size.
I recently bought an 853 BFE off the Bay, built it up with 120mm forks and the rest of my bits from my 853 Inbred. Didn't get on with much to my disappointment, think the Soul would have been a better choice.
The Inbred is off to the powder coaters soon, bright green me thinks.
Giant nrs is a nice all day bike, so maybe an anthem would fit the bill
The BFe has exactly the same geometry as the Cotic Soul, which was designed around a 120mm fork (I believe). The BFe therefore actually feels quite high at the front with a big fork on it. I run mine at 140mm and it's definitely on the wandery side on climbs (nice on descents though). If I had a suitable fork, I'd probably drop it down to 130 or even 120mm.
Other than that, it's a nice bike, I'm pretty happy with it. It's my "when the lifts are closed" Alps bike, so the down > up compromise works fine for me.
I've had a 456, BFe and a Soul and the BFe is definitely similar to the 456. The back end feels nicer, and it feels slacker to me, although the forks I run on the BFe are longer (Lyriks vs Pikes), so I can't be 100% it's a geo thing.
If the front felt too low on the 456 then just run a higher rise stem/riser? Or a longer fork?
I love my BFe but it's not really an all day ride kinda bike, or something for a lot of climbing, due to it's weight. Sure it can do it but the Soul was better for this.
Try a chumba hx1. Very very comfy but can take long travel forks if you want gnarr.
I didn't like the way the 456 was very low at the front even with 140mm forks
I found the exact same thing - the dimensions really didn't feel comfy to me (C456, so guessing the steel one is similar/same).
I'm not really a long distance xc rider however when I do go for the longer rides the meta is killing me.
The Meta ain't particularly heavy - possibly (probably) your setup/build. However, sorting out the Meta probably won't satisfy the desire for something new & shiny.
I've had a Bfe and it was very different to the 456. Definitely try before you buy & don't discount the Soul purely on cost, it's worth the little extra for a slightly livelier ride.
I've been riding a 456 for the last couple of years.. mostly for long slogs across Dartmoor with plenty of blatting down the techy downhill on the eastern edge of the park..
I just changed to a Soul last week, and it's a revelation.. either that bike is endowed with magical powers, or perhaps the energy gels that online shops seem to include in every order these days are laced with steroids, or perhaps it's the low fat diet I'm on, but I'm suddenly totally loving riding again.. the hype is very well deserved
that's at 5'8 on a 16" frame, with a 445mm A - C rigid fork, (100mm travel suspension corrected) a 70mm 25 degree rise stem and 38mm rise bars.. the geo is glovely
It's sturdy enough that I'm not a bit worried about smashing it up riding over rough stuff (as long as you have a bit of finesse) but the rigid fork will have to go at some point.. I keep going way faster on the gnarly Dartmoor descents than my skills on a rigid bike can deal with, and eventually something will have to give if I carry on like that..
I picked the frame up in almost as new condition for a song on the classifieds