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New member here looking for some help and advice on a new bike.
Having never owned a FS bike I'm wondering about one now. I currently have a Cotic Soda (Titanium version of the Soul) which has served me very well since 2008 and continues to do. I'm therefore not necessarily looking for a direct replacement.
I'm probably just suffering the 'new bike itch' and wondering what else might be fun.
So....question 1 for those who might know. Would a FS bike serve me better for general riding ? If so, what would it give me in addition to what I've got ? I'm interested in most kinds of riding except downhill.
Being a Cotic owner already, I've found myself drawn to the new Rocket 275. However, before ploughing c.£4k into a new bike I suppose I'd better look around and see what else is available.
I live and ride in Perthshire and the Scottish Highlands and the Soda has been ideal for general riding and some long wild adventure stuff, while perhaps not being quite as perfect for my rare visit to a trail centre.
Question 2 - is the Cotic Rocket 275 the kind of bike that would suit for general purpose ? I enjoy the ups as much as the downs, so I don't feel particularly inclined towards something heavily downhill biased.
Question 3 - What else should I look at ? The obvious/naive(?) alternative (especially if I'm looking at a British bike) might have been an Orange Five. However, I've just come across the new Orange Four and my intuition is that between those two, the Four would suit me better.
I'd be very grateful for any input/guidance/experience/views to help steer me in the right direction.
Many thanks
See what your local bike shop has on Demo. Try a few of them in the normal places you ride.
That will help you a lot, as what you ride and like will be quite different to everyone else.
Also pretty much any XC or Trail bike from the main manufacturers now will be quite a lot better than a bike from 2008.
Greetings
What else should I look at ? The obvious/naive(?) alternative (especially if I'm looking at a British bike
Whyte T130
Your welcome .
The Four looks great and would definitely feature on my test ride list if I was in the market for a full susser.
west of Scotland here, riding probably similar stuff to you. most of it on a Soul. I had a 5 yrs ago and always felt it was too much bike, so your thoughts re the 4 are probably spot on.
Id also suggest riding your mates bikes - that way you can ask them what they think and then ride it to see if what they think is anywhere close to what you think.
Gotta say if the soda is doing the job ok then most shorter travel bikes will be a good move. Depending on budget and of cause wheel size options! 650b being my preferd size I'd look at!
not in order.
Orange,four
Transition,scout
Intense,spider 275
Giant,anthem SE
Canondale,habit
Banshee,spitfire (more travel)
nukeproof,mega TR
Good luck and enjoy
Bats.
Thank you all for the input. Looks like I've got plenty research to go at before shelling out cash.