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I have a really nice hardtail that I really like and I don't get to ride enough and still Cotic marketing has me desperate to buy the new BFE
https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/BFe
The white looks ace, or there's a gunmetal one, and will take a 27.5 rear wheel via a trick dropout. Looks ace, I had the previous one and loved it.
Do not need. do not need.
The 27.5/29 rear dropouts is a genius idea! I wonder if the disc mount is positioned so with the same adapter it fits a 200mm disc on a 27.5 and a 180mm disc on the 29?
Was also just reading that. Is it their first UDH frame?
Completely unreasonable.
chiefgrooveguru
The 27.5/29 rear dropouts is a genius idea! I wonder if the disc mount is positioned so with the same adapter it fits a 200mm disc on a 27.5 and a 180mm disc on the 29?
Interesting, certainly looks like that. Would be another layer of clever to what already looks like a really neat setup. I've seen some other brands saying they can't do flip chips with UDH (although suspension adds extra complication, I'm sure).
You even get a shorter (effective) chainstay in the mullet position. It's all very smart.
Not just b****, but clever b****, those Cotic lads
"I’ve seen some other brands saying they can’t do flip chips with UDH (although suspension adds extra complication, I’m sure)."
I wonder if the dropout being steel means you can do things that aren't possible in alloy or carbon because it can be much thinner (giving clearance for the UDH parts) and still be strong/stiff enough?
Interesting to be see on the images how little actual difference there is between a 431mm (pretty short) chainstay and a 445mm (pretty long) chainstay!
I think the way a transmission mech clamps either side of the dropout means the thickness of the dropout is predefined, but yeah, there's probably more space in that general area with skinny tubes and no suspension movement
Its a neat idea but I'm interested to know whether it has true, full UDH compatability in the upper/long/29 position - in other words, can you fit a t-type mech and run 29? Does it clear the bottom dropout?
Rear Mech Hanger: SRAM UDH (Not Transmission compatible)
Ah, you're right - so not quite as clever as firs thought. I'd say the advantages outweigh the slight disadvantage, though
Is Transmission compatible with the ethos of a burly steel hardtail? Surely any bike like this should be getting something tough and good value like LinkGlide 10 speed! (10 gears feels like loads when you're used to only having one!)
I wonder if the disc mount is positioned so with the same adapter it fits a 200mm disc on a 27.5 and a 180mm disc on the 29?
In the mullet position, it uses a special post mount brake adapter to use a 180mm disc... that adaptor comes with the frame. I checked this with Cy yesterday.
In the full 29er position, standard post mount brake adapters can be used for 180 or 200 (or 203) discs.
I literally posted on a comment on Instagram that I regretted selling my first gen longshot BFe and now this.... Am very very tempted even though I'm really saving for a full suss. But could just move everything from my Scandal onto this.
kelvin
In the mullet position, it uses a special post mount brake adapter to use a 180mm disc… that adaptor comes with the frame. I checked this with Cy yesterday.In the full 29er position, standard post mount brake adapters can be used for 180 or 200 (or 203) discs.
Cool... although I liked the idea that they had somehow just lined it all up with the old fashioned IS mount that's pictured
chiefgrooveguruFull Member
Is Transmission compatible with the ethos of a burly steel hardtail?
Well, there are mechanical versions on the way, it seems - tbh, I'd have it on all the bikes if I could, just to avoid the constant hanger tweaking that's a feature of 12 speed
If anyone doesn't want to wait, and fancies a BFeMAX frame (small) to tide them over in the meantime I have one going spare... #notaverystealthad
Looks just what i'm after geo wise but the colours are bobbins!!
I asked on the insta post where the bright colours are and they said they would rather have done brighter colours but they don't sell!?
Yep I want one of these in gunmetal. I had a gunmetal 26" BFe for a while back in the day! What's mullet like on a hardtail? Could be pretty decent for us "one bike for everything" riders - keep it mullet for jump and fun rides, swap to full 29" for longer rides/more chunk trails that benefit from the rollover.
I asked on the insta post where the bright colours are and they said they would rather have done brighter colours but they don’t sell!?
Yup, see also the motor industry. Boring greyscale is where the world currently is ?
The white one is covered in colours! Using three popular loud colours from Cotic BFe/BFeMAX past.... Cyan, Magenta and bright Yellow (there was a mostly black CMYK BFe as well). It's going to be brighter than you think... I can say no more 'till the frames arrive... it won't be dull. Wait for photos.
☺︎
What’s mullet like on a hardtail?
It works. Rollover is reduced as you might imagine, less of a problem with a + tyre, but turn in is improved or at least is quicker, and arse clearance is better if that matters. Rollover reduction not much of an issue as you're basically riding a ht like a pogo stick. 🙂
This is based on riding a chameleon with rear wheels I swap out on a roughly 6 monthly basis.
Looks fantastic, to me it feels like a bit of a return to form for Cotic? Doing clever engineering things that add value, and while it's not cheap, it's not £1200 quid. Not a fan of the colours on the white one, that's not what I buy a white frame for, but that's just detail (honestly it is crying out for a black and white edition with oldschool Cotic wrap, stark and simple and clean) I don't see a weight? Yeah I know, "It's not the sort of frame you should be worrying about grams" but it's still relevant. Also glad to see the end of the bloody rubbish Syntace X12 dropout.
It's the first Cotic hardtail for a while I can imagine me buying (though I won't be, cos I have no money and because I love my Loco Moto) I am in a weirdly low-Cotic place since I sold my old solarismax, only got my og Soul left! And my battered Hemlock hung in the shed.
Go on, I'll bite £?
What's the weight of the frames then ?
Am I being dim but what is Transmission?
Is it a new SRAM standard or something and why does it matter.
Always fancied a BFe and it has been 10 years since my last new bike ... Although toss up between ruffty hardtail and longer travel FS will be the choice.
Luckily for me, Cotic never seem to make single speed compatible things (aside from the Simple years back)
“Am I being dim but what is Transmission?”
It’s the new SRAM wireless electric shifting, that bolts the mech straight onto where a UDH mech hanger go if you were attaching any other mech. The standard means that you don’t need to adjust anything because the position of the cassette vs mech are very tightly defined. It’s very clever but very expensive.
Apparently cable Transmission shifter/mechs will be happening too.
“Luckily for me, Cotic never seem to make single speed compatible things (aside from the Simple years back)”
There’s a good article by Andrew Major (ex NSMB) on Meat Engines about singlespeeding bikes that don’t have moving dropouts or EBBs - he argues that in most cases a single unsprung lower roller attached to the ISCG tabs is an easier way to tension a singlespeed than the built-in solutions.
Found it!
https://meatengines.com/f/single-speeding-your-hardtail-mountain-bicycle-without-sliders
An advantage of using a blackspire stinger or similar not mentioned in that article is that it leaves the rear dropout unencumbered, so you can fit and remove the rear wheel as normal.
Also, if you don't tighten the thing down too hard you can just give it a tap to take up chain slack.
I always thought a stinger style tensioner would be cleaner and nicer than a mech mounted one for SS hardtails. Was going to do that with my old Hornet to turn it into more of a fun little DJ build, but never got round to it and ended up selling it.
@dartdude Frame only is £699, builds are in line with what Cotic builds cost on top of frames. Available Feb 2025 according to website. Made in Taiwan.
Also glad to see the end of the bloody rubbish Syntace X12 dropout.
Snapped mine off on a recent Veneto Trail trip = wild camp (as was dark) and 20Km push/scoot/roll to nearest bikeshop. Now has sloppy play in it somehow 🙁
These look good. Decent value and versatility. I’d be keen if I was in the market for a hardtail (in white if anyone wants to buy me a Christmas gift)
Is anyone riding the new BFE that can comment on the sizing?
I was on the previous gen medium frame and I'm 5 10", wondering if I should go C2 or C3 and the previous medium was bang in the middle.
Looking at the reach and stack, the old medium is the same size as the new C2. The older bike’s ETT is longer because of the slacker seat angle though.
I’m just over 5’10 and I’d get the C3 - it’s super close in geometry to my Moxie which rides brilliantly.
I'm edging towards the C3. I had a 35mm stem on the medium originally and ended up changing it out for a 50mm, so if I drop down to a 35mm stem again it evens out the increase of Reach and ETT length. I've been using a DMR stem to increase the stack so the extra 20mm there is fine.
Looks just what i'm after geo wise but the colours are bobbins!!
I asked on the insta post where the bright colours are and they said they would rather have done brighter colours but they don't sell!?
Look at how many black, grey, white cars you see. Flat grey is the worst colour for VW Transporter, but very popular - they must all be wrong!
Just seen they've announced a new denim colour, looks quite nice but I'd probably still end up getting the black/grey! Doesn't look like the denim is metallic which would probably make it a bit nicer. Still haven't really seen any reviews for these yet.
Wondering how silly it would be to build one full 27.5, with a 160 fork up front, and the rear in mullet position
Not very silly (but these bikes are inherently silly in the best way). What works best would depend on if it’s 29 or 27.5 fork, if you’d fit a normal headset or angleset, and you can change the angles and BB height by putting a 27.5 wheel in the 29 position.
Wondering how silly it would be to build one full 27.5, with a 160 fork up front, and the rear in mullet position
I had similar thoughts when they first announced this 🙂 I'm still not convinced on big wheels but there's not much choice for new 27.5 stuff these days. Then again I used to ride a Dartmoor Hornet with a 170mm Lyrik and it felt very weird and unbalanced having that much fork up front on a hardtail.
“Then again I used to ride a Dartmoor Hornet with a 170mm Lyrik and it felt very weird and unbalanced having that much fork up front on a hardtail.”
I’ve not tried 170mm on a hardtail but 160mm feels great on a modern geometry bike that’s designed for it, and with a fork that’s properly set up with good damping.
I recently mulleted my ebike and it’s SO good like that - I’m happy with full 29 on my hardtail but I doubt anyone riding a 27.5 hardtail would find a mullet worse for anything apart from full-on tricks or big jumps on windy days.
Not very silly (but these bikes are inherently silly in the best way). What works best would depend on if it’s 29 or 27.5 fork, if you’d fit a normal headset or angleset, and you can change the angles and BB height by putting a 27.5 wheel in the 29 position.
27.5 fork 27.5 wheels, not because I'm a 27.5 holdout, but they're the bits that are in the shed, I'd eventually make it 29.
“Then again I used to ride a Dartmoor Hornet with a 170mm Lyrik and it felt very weird and unbalanced having that much fork up front on a hardtail.”
I’ve not tried 170mm on a hardtail but 160mm feels great on a modern geometry bike that’s designed for it, and with a fork that’s properly set up with good damping.
I recently mulleted my ebike and it’s SO good like that - I’m happy with full 29 on my hardtail but I doubt anyone riding a 27.5 hardtail would find a mullet worse for anything apart from full-on tricks or big jumps on windy days.
Yeah to be fair it was a 2016 26" frame so not modern at all, shortish reach and a 66 degree (unsagged) head angle. Paired with an old and unserviced 26" Lyrik RC2DH. I keep meaning to try mullet on my current hardtail (Vitus Sentier 29), afaik it's not particularly low or slack so it might actually do it some favours for descending..