Cotic has released its updated RocketMAX, and the new Longshot geometry follows the trend for longer, lower and slacker bikes. Combined with rolling characteristics of large, 29-inch wheels, Cotic has created an enduro hard-hitter for the most demanding terrain.
Cotic RocketMAX highlights
- Reynolds 853 front triangle
- 6066-T6 aluminium swingarm
- Longshot geometry
- 1x-specific design
- Integrated chain guide
- Cotic Droplink suspension with 150mm travel
- Threaded bottom bracket
- Clearance for 29x2.5in or 27.5x3in Plus tyres
- Frame only or complete builds
- Front triangle, finishing and assembly handled in the UK
- Frame from £1,749
- Complete builds from £2,999
Progress to Longshot geometry
The biggest update is the move to Cotic’s Longshot geometry. This follows the long, low and slack trend of much of the industry, targeting increased riding stability with a shorter stem to maintain active handling.
There’s a fairly radical change going on here. With 160mm forks, the head angle is now a slack 63.5 degrees, which combines with a seat angle of 75.3 degrees to help keep you centred on the bike.
In a size large, the bike has a substantial 490mm reach and a 1,290.3mm wheelbase.
It you’re interested in how Cotic came up with its Longshot geometry, you can listen to a podcast with Cy Turner, founder and bike designer for Cotic.
The significant changes to the Rocket geometry also serve to stratify Cotic’s range a little more, with the RocketMAX now squarely placed as an enduro bike and the FlareMAX remaining the more trail-friendly option.
Droplink suspension
The 150mm travel frame uses Cotic’s established Droplink suspension platform, which is based on a linkage driven single pivot design.
Cotic says that this is tuned with some chain growth to provide pedal feedback, allowing you to judge the terrain you are on. A progressive leverage rate is apparently designed to keep the suspension feeling taught and active.
Cotic makes valid arguments for the inherent simplicity of the single pivot design. The solid swingarm, coupled with large 15mm pivots and the 12mm thru-axle, creates a sturdy unit that can be made both light and stiff.
All the mod-cons
1x specific design is often an expectation now on modern mountain bikes, and it does appear to help with tyre clearances and stiffness of the frame to be optimised — particularly for the suspension pivots.
The frame is designed with Boost spacing and has clearances for 29x2.5in or up to 27.5x3in plus tyres.
There’s also a mount for an integrated chain guide from One Up Components.
The frame will be available in two different paint jobs: a subtle grey Metal-on-Metal and a louder Teal and Tangerine finish
Made in the UK from steel
In a first for Cotic, the Reynold’s 853 front triangle is manufactured in the UK by Five Land Bikes in Scotland.
This follows on from Cotic’s work making prototypes in the UK, and it claims this allows it to be more flexible adapting to consumer demand.
While the alloy rear end continues to be made in Taiwan, machined parts are made in the UK by Superstar Components, the frames are then all finished and assembled at Cotic HQ in the Peak District.
The RocketMAX will be available as a frameset only option and as a complete build.
Cotic RocketMAX Platinum
- Shock: Cane Creek DB Air IL
- Fork: Cane Creek HELM29 160mm, Boost 110x15mm
- Drivetrain: Shimano XTR M9000 1x11, Hope 10-48 cassette
- Crankset: Race Face Next R Cinch 175mm Carbon Cranks, DM 30t chainring
- Wheelset: Hope Hoops Tech Enduro wheels or Hope Tech 35W wheels
- Tyres: WTB Vigilante 29x2.5 TCS, Judge 29x2.4 or WTB Ranger 27.5x2.8
- Brakes: Hope Tech X2 brakes, 180/180mm rotors
- Bar: Burgtec Ride Wide Carbon
- Stem: Cotic Shortstem 35mm
- Seatpost: X Fusion Manic dropper, 125mm S/M, 150mm L/XL
- Saddle: Cotic Cromo Rail Saddle
- £5,049
Cotic RocketMAX Gold Eagle
- Shock: Cane Creek DB Air IL
- Fork: Cane Creek HELM29 160mm, Boost 110x15mm
- Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle GX
- Crankset: SRAM Eagle GX, 175mm, 32t
- Wheelset: Hope Hoops Tech Enduro wheels or Hope Tech 35W wheels
- Tyres: WTB Vigilante 29x2.5 TCS, Judge 29x2.4 or WTB Ranger 27.5x2.8
- Brakes: Shimano Deore XT M8000, 180/180mm rotors
- Bar: Cotic Calver Bar
- Stem: Cotic Shortstem 35mm or 45mm
- Seatpost: X Fusion Manic dropper, 125mm S/M, 150mm L/XL
- Saddle: Cotic Cromo Rail Saddle
- £4,149
Cotic RocketMAX Gold
- Shock: Cane Creek DB Air IL
- Fork: Cane Creek HELM29 160mm, Boost 110x15mm
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT M8000, 1x11, 11-46 cassette
- Crankset: Race Face Turbine Cinch 175mm, 30t chainring
- Wheelset: Hope Hoops Tech Enduro wheels or Hope Tech 35W wheels
- Tyres: WTB Vigilante 29x2.5 TCS, Judge 29x2.4 or WTB Ranger 27.5x2.8
- Brakes: Shimano Deore XT M8000, 180/180mm rotors
- Bar: Cotic Calver Bar
- Stem: Cotic Shortstem 35mm or 45mm
- Seatpost: X Fusion Manic dropper, 125mm S/M, 150mm L/XL
- Saddle: Cotic Cromo Rail Saddle
- £4,149
Cotic RocketMAX Silver
- Shock: Custom tuned X-Fusion O2 RCX
- Fork: X-Fusion Trace36 RL2, 160mm travel, Boost 110x15mm
- Drivetrain: Shimano SLX M7000, 1x11, 11-46 cassette
- Crankset: Race Face Affect Cinch 175mm, 30t chainring
- Wheelset: Shimano SLX hubs on WTB ST i25 rims or Hope Tech 35W
- Tyres: Continental Trail King 29x2.2 or WTB Ranger 27.5x2.8
- Brakes: Shimano Deore M615, 180/180mm rotors
- Bar: Cotic Calver Bar
- Stem: Cotic Shortstem 35mm or 45mm
- Seatpost: X Fusion Manic dropper, 125mm
- Saddle: Cotic Cromo Rail Saddle
- £2,999 — or £3,199 for 650b Hope wheels
Frameset pricing
The frameset starts at £1,749 with a custom tuned X-Fusion O2 RCX shock.
It will also be available for £1,999 with a Cane Creek DB Air IL shock. This can be upgraded to a coil shock for an additional £80.
Custom options
Cotic offers a range of custom options and upgrades. For all the details you can go to Cotic’s bike configurator.
Cotic RocketMAX availability
The RocketMAX is available to order now. Outside the UK frames will be shipped internationally, while complete builds are available in some European countries. For more details visit Cotic.
A demo fleet is also available if you want the chance to try the bike before you buy.