Why Big Wheels?

At first I figured the Shimano XT brakes were underpowered, but now I’m convinced their power was intermittent — it may be just the set I tested, but you could downgrade to Deore (and save £99) or upgrade to Hope Tech3 X2s for £150 more. The WTB Vigilante didn’t work for me either, so I swapped it for a Minion DHF for £30 extra. Have a look at the Want to get right into the details about why our bikes are built the way they are? You need the Maybe you're more a hardtail rider, but like the versatility of the FlareMAX with 29er and 275 Plus wheels? The Cotic FlareMax has 125mm travel delivered through its linkage-driven single-pivot suspension design, that’s an increase of 5mm from the old bike and a change Cotic says is down to a shock position tweak.Made from a blend of Reynolds 853 steel tubing combined with an alloy swingarm, the bike looks unpretentious and workmanlike. To do this we allow these bodies to place a cookie on your machine and track your progress.

The extra reach is really important because it allows Cotic to run that steeper seat tube angle without the bike feeling too cramped when you’re seated.

We all know it's good to head off piste sometimes!Tap on a build title below to see the default specification and price for that build... then hit the 'CONFIGURE YOUR BIKE' button to see all the customisations you can make to the build. A trail bike from UK company COTIC bikes. The Frame.

There's no point you getting kit you don't want. After we've agonised over the colours, designs and decals the frames are painted to the highest quality including a protective clear coat, before extensive QC by our agent in Taiwan.

Now in 2020 the changes are more subtle, with the reach having crept up 5-8mm, dependent on size. I started off with 130mm travel but upped it after a few rides to 140mm, something you can do in half an hour with a few spacers — kudos to Cane Creek.With that little extra insurance (and a dab more ride height) the FlareMax dishes out confidence on steep natural trails, in large part thanks to the excellent geometry. This frame is hand made in Taiwan by our specially selected framebuilder, chosen because of their vast experience with our favourite materials, and their top quality finish. Hear about everything we do first - even before the media.

It's wasteful. They are fully certified and lab tested in excess of the requirements of ISO4210 safety standards. At the front the Helm fork is a proven performer, supportive yet echoing the supple feel from the bike’s suspension. Combine that with the FlareMax’s brilliantly low standover height, and even riders under 6ft could fit a size XL, if they so wished.The bike climbs better too, of course, with that steeper seat tube putting you further forward and over the BB and closer to an ideal pedalling position. If this is okay with you, please hit the accept button to carry on. Thanks. To me it feels spot on, the suspension is deliciously lithe throughout the travel and works well on off-camber sections and that sticky, loose brown stuff that’s everywhere at the moment. And of course, it’s easy to reach the travel limits of a 125mm-travel bike with pretty linear suspension… then again, isn’t that what we want from a short travel bike?Hunt Trail Wide 29 XD, Maxxis Minion DHF/WTB Trail Boss 29x2.5/2.4inCotic Calver 780mm bar, Cotic Shorter 35mm stem, X Fusion Manic Stealth 125mm post, Cotic saddle If you can't see an option you'd like on the order form, get in touch. 29inch wheels roll easy and give a lot of stability, confidence and speed in rougher terrain, at the expense of being a little heavier and less playful than regular 27.5" wheels. Cotic considered using aluminum for its original Rocket, but when they found a 35mm diameter seat tube was the maximum they could use with … Want a big can air shock on your RocketMAX instead of the inline? The FlareMax is now in its third frame generation, and it too has that vertiginous feeling, adding two degrees in actual terms to that seat tube angle.Steel tubing and external cabling makes for a utilitarian aestheticWe’ll come to the details later though, because the bike needs something of an introduction. MAXimum speed, MAXimum rollover. Want the Silver spec bike with tubeless tyres? The Cotic FlareMax has 125mm travel delivered through its linkage-driven single-pivot suspension design, that’s an increase of 5mm from the old bike and a change Cotic says is down to a shock position tweak. They are the best in Taiwan for what we need, and have been making our frames to our high standards since day one.Each frame is dip coated inside and out with zinc phosphate before painting, to prevent corrosion and ensure the best paint finish. Send us your wheels if you have a nice pair you want to use. Tick! the above deposit is payable, via credit/debit card, when placing your order online,The combination of big wheels and mid travel is an irresistible recipe for all round fun; whether it's an all day epic or an evening blast, steep and tech, or fast and flowy, Live ride video including back to back comparison against the previous FlareMAX 132 on Choose 130mm forks for the perfect all rounder, or up the ante to 140mm for a slacker, faster ride. Whatever height you are, if you're after more speed and stability from a bike, then the big wheels are the way to go.All Cotic bikes are assembled in the UK from and frame up, right here in our workshop in the Peak District.We have set specifications, but these are just the start. Couple a super short 35mm stem to the optimised head angle and the bike really pushes you on, looking for every stump to boost off, rock to gap and berm to rail, keeping you connected to the trail while maintaining incredible poise and composure.29inch wheels roll easy and give a lot of stability, confidence and speed in rougher terrain, at the expense of being a little heavier and less playful than regular 27.5" wheels.The way the MAX frames are packaged around the larger wheels (longer rear end, longer wheelbase, taller front end) can suit the proportions of a taller rider better, this will minimise any potential drawbacks, as a taller rider tends to have long enough arms and legs to move the bike around easily. One that can use 29er wheels or chubbier 27.5+, 120mm/130mm travel forks.