Cyclocross - My finished Cotic Roadrat

I just figured I'd post this thread becuase 1) It's an uncommon frame, and 2) I would welcome suggestions/criticism and I didn't want to hijack the 'show your bike' thread.

Pics first:

http://i39.tinypic.com/357hg0o.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/1ymmg7.jpg

Edit: Whoops, accidently hit 'post'...

I picked the frame becuause of the flexibility- my ultimate goal is to start cyclocross racing, but I also love fixed-gear bikes and touring, and this frame can do all of that, plus more.

The only parts I bought new specifically for this build were:
Frame - Cotic Roadrat ('medium short'... its still got a long toptube)
Headset - FSA (I admit, I jumped on it half because it was white)
Wheels - 105 hubs, Open pro rims (The front is actually still on order. What you see there is a Phil Wood/Mavic wheel I had lying around.)
Tires - Cheap Vredsteins. Theyre still fast- 160 max PSI, and light compared to the Armadillos I have on everything else. I have some knobby CX tires that will be installed soon enough- the road build was more appropriate for me at the moment.

Parts-bin stuff (mostly leftovers from touring bikes)

Crankset - FSA touring cranks (53/42/36?) on a UN54
Cassette - another touring leftover (11-32? Too lazy to count, but its pretty fat. Between the cranks and cassette, I never really drop below the middle chainring on the road, and the lowest gear isnt comfortable to ride without the wieght of loaded panniers)
Shifters- Tiagra triples off my tourer (I found out that I preferred bar-ends). I would like a double set-up, but this is what I had.
F Der - Tiagra. I think I'm going to have to replace this, becuase it doesnt seem to fit over my 53/42 chainrings very well. It either rubs my 42 or sits too high over my 53.
R Der - XT, long cage. Might be too long, especially if I move to a smaller cassette.
Brakes - Tektro Oryx. They're ok.
Easton bars
Seatpost is carbon, left over from an old bike
Selle San Marco Aspide saddle- not padded at all, but Ive had no issues riding it. I'm afraid of mounting/dismounting it, however....
Fizik tape

Hah, maybe this should be my 'almost finished' build... but I never really stop tinkering, so I have to pick a spot somewhere :]

Anyway... thoughts?

Very nice bike. I've been tempted by this one--did you have it shipped to the US or are you across the pond? Also, what's your height/inseam and how's the fit?

Not a fan of triples, but that's a nice looking bike. Where'd you get the frame from?

If my Brodie Romax dies, that's on the short list. Nice work!

As for the fit: I generally ride a 52-54/Medium compact; the top tube is as long as they say, as this bike fits like a typical 56 or so. Note the short stem and the saddle position. I suggest having a good look at Cotic's frame size diagrams and comparing to what you ride currently. I think I may have been happier with a 'small' frame, but...

As for the shipping- the frame was already in the States, unbuilt, and I had it shipped to me by a fellow Cotic fan.

Very nice bike ! What does it weigh ? Frame and fork for 299£ seems like a really great deal. Any ride-impressions to share ?

That's a nice looking bike! I don't get the fork though. It's a disk and canti capable fork, but why is the disk mount on the right side? At first i thought it was backwards, but that can't be right. :wtf:

That's a nice looking bike! I don't get the fork though. It's a disk and canti capable fork, but why is the disk mount on the right side? At first i thought it was backwards, but that can't be right. :wtf:


Hmmm... good observation. Maybe you flip it over if you want to use discs? Sort of odd though..

The fork/boss design is intentional- they claim it's safer (btw, cotic's site is cotic.co.uk).

As for ride quality- even on that rock of a saddle and lots of bumpy back roads, I have no issue pounding out some of my fastest miles ever, 20-30-40 at a time. Those used to super-stiff Al or cf road frames might be a little disappointed (but who cares about those guys? :) )

No idea what it weighs (my build includes some cheap, heavy parts). I've still also yet to give it a good offroad ride....

That's a nice looking bike! I don't get the fork though. It's a disk and canti capable fork, but why is the disk mount on the right side? At first i thought it was backwards, but that can't be right. :wtf:

My memory is that the mount *is* backwards- normal disk brakes try to pull themselves *out* of their mounts while braking, this one pushes more firmly in. Cotic have a very strong cult reputation for high quality, subtle but innovative engineering, especially among the hardcore hardtail MTB set. The Rat is said to be great fun - a sort of hybrid BMX/TDF bike in its handling - fast, but very throw-around-able.

That is one of the slickest cross bikes I've ever seen.

I thought it was this way to clean up fender mounting.


That's a nice looking bike! I don't get the fork though. It's a disk and canti capable fork, but why is the disk mount on the right side? At first i thought it was backwards, but that can't be right. :wtf:

Updates- some proper tires (Kenda Kross- much heavier than the Vredstiens, more like my Armadillos, but still smooth and roadworthy despite being knobby), and I stole a Campy double and BB from another bike. With some tweaking, I got the triple shifters to play nice with the cranks- so much so that I'd recommend anyone else in the same position to do the same.

Thanks for the compliments!

http://i42.tinypic.com/n1xi01.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/34h6fd4.jpg