Cotic Rocket Long Shot Gold: Best bikes in the world live ride review

Hitting a classic Peak District loop on the latest radically long reach, stiffer rear end, increased travel Generation 3 version of Cotic's steel mainframe enduro pinner to see if things really are "faster on a Rocket".
All GuykesTV edits are totally honest professional reviews based on 20 years of professional testing experience. I hand pick the best bikes from the huge numbers I test and the relevant brands pay towards video creation and comment admin, because otherwise I can't make them. I don't pull my punches and you can't buy 'the best bikes in the world' edit for an unworthy bike. Thanks to Endura, 7mesh, Gore, Giro and Camelbak for the test kit worn while filming. Any questions message me. Cheers Guy K

[@djrouge3300]

Cracking vid, that bike really does have charisma and an amazing retro look to it overall. I was over in the Peaks with the GoPro and Gimbal the other week. Lovely place with some really testing descents that'll put you and your bike through your paces. +1 sub here mate!

[@GuyKesTV]

Sorry for late reply DJ, yep I'd not ridden the Peak for a while, was great to refresh on what good trails there are. Can see why Cy's bikes evolve well when this is on his doorstep. Thanks very much for the sub, keep spreading the word and hopefully see you on the trails some day.

[@MTB_Derbyshire]

Ah the Peak District.....my crashing grounds. Shame that chin mounted camera angle didn't quite come off for you but it still captures the rocky loose nature of the riding up in the high peak.....why not come back and do a retake! 👍 Loving the channel BTW

[@GuyKesTV]

Ey up folks, like I say in this video, I actually shot the original video for this on Helvellyn but a dead gimbal meant it wasn’t useable. If you want to watch it in action though, Brian from @bkxc nailed the whole adventure in his usual awesome style here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anPMiJJqbrR5aaM

[@moandhannahtravel]

Solid job amigo! Wish I could get my hands on one of those here in the states!!

[@MrPutrifyingEagor]

Great review, a Cotic could well be my next bike for sure, I’ve lusted for one for a while now! Full circle Steel Frame - Ally frames - Carbon Frames - Ally frame Current bike(Marin Mount Vision XM7) , Next bike Cotic ! - I’d never have carbon again, way to fragile.

[@taffycymroukmtb9073]

Grate Video Guy Looks a Cracking Bike sound and looks good thumbs up

[@jamiehamilton3253]

From NZ I'm definitely keen on some these botique uk bikes. Be interesting to see you compare the Rocket to the Bird Aeris 145 LT 27.5 👍🚴

[@rramirez19]

Another great Video Guy

[@GuyKesTV]

Thanks John, you got there before it got all the links and cards added but I'm guessing you watched the previous Soul and FlareMax reviews and the chats with Cy so the links don't really apply to you ;-)

[@doomvolvo]

I'm very tempted by one of these. Very local to me. Shame I'm in such debt already

[@Paulmtb]

good review.. Any chance of a review of the new Whyte G170s ?

[@donalb23]

Very helpful live review, considering a Rocket frame and wondering how tall you are Guy - looking at the large or XL size.

[@GuyKesTV]

donalb23 cool, glad it was helpful. I’m 5’ 11” or 180cm and I rode the large.

[@donalb23]

@@GuyKesTV thanks for that - I'm 186cm, so thinking the XL will be good with a short 35mm or 32mm stem. Thanks again!

[@GuyKesTV]

@@donalb23 Yep, that sounds spot on and definitely go short on the stem. Tell Cy I sent you 😜

[@micksay]

Is Cotic short for "phsycotic" Guy - looked like fun..

[@GuyKesTV]

Yep, Cy is the chap in charge so Cy Cotic ;-)

[@markevans1259]

Yo Guy good work dude !! 🤘begs the question what trail bike / do it all bike do u actually own ? 🤔

[@GuyKesTV]

Mark Evans I’m too busy testing bikes to actually have my own! Apart from the tandem the last bike I bought was a Dave Yates Diablo with a custom longer top tube in 1993!

[@allflats]

Unrelated to this video, but any plans on testing a Santa Cruz Hightower LT in the future?

[@GuyKesTV]

KnobheadRacing yes definitely but hopefully lining up a Nomad first.

[@sundayblack]

Will you be testing the BFe.

[@GuyKesTV]

Yes hopefully but I'm probably going to wait for the new one. Online review of the current one here: www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/mountain-bikes/hardtail/product/cotic-bfe-silver-special-review-51854/

[@sundayblack]

Guy Kesteven WHAT... there is a new one due. I'm looking at getting one in the near future.

[@GuyKesTV]

MaMamsYo I’ll double check with Cy but there’s a note on the website that says so

[@sundayblack]

Guy Kesteven I'm on the big save now. When I'm close to my target I'm going to book a test ride.

[@GuyKesTV]

Good luck with the saving!

[@steveb8269]

Awesome bike 👍

[@mt27]

What size frame is this Guy? Large or an XL?

[@GuyKesTV]

It's a large frame in this video

[@roddas26]

@@GuyKesTV, how tall are mate. I'm about to press go on one of these. I am 187cm and fall in-between L-XL. Cheers from Aotearoa NZ

[@GuyKesTV]

roddas26 I’m only 180cm so you definitely want to be on the XL mate. Enjoy 👍🏻

[@roddas26]

@@GuyKesTV, thanks for the quick reply mate. Can't wait to place my order. Cheers again a great review.

[@tommyestrada6464]

Steel is real!

[@1981merk]

Nice to see my local loop. What did you make of the condition of Rushop Edge? There's a current consultation on planned improvements but they aren't going down very well with MTBers. www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/have-your-say/consultation-search/all-consultations/consultation-details/planned-repair-of-chapel-en-le-frith-byway-open-to-all-traffic-no144-known-as-chapel-gate.aspx

[@1981merk]

Also...www.mbr.co.uk/news/trail_news/rushup-edge-resurfacing-376126

[@GuyKesTV]

It's bloody awful isn't it. Just buried in big jagged rocks that are never going to wear down and are dreadful to ride, walk or horse on so everyone is just going to ride the grass banks instead. I was riding with Jon Doran who's local and he filled me in on all the details. The same is happening in bits of the Lakes (Helvellyn) is now partially buried in unrideable rubble and other places. Just ignorant council heavy handedness that could blight brilliant rides for years. I'll get onto that consultation link straight away and I'd encourage anyone else reading this to do the same. Cheers for the links Merk.

[@1981merk]

Guy Kesteven definitely. It'd be great for as many people as possible to respond.

[@ashleyscarth8363]

hello which peak district route is this your riding guy top review

[@GuyKesTV]

Cheers Ashley, out from Hayfield, Mt Famine (?) Roych Clough, Rushup Edge, Jacobs ladder and then the Glossop bridleway offshoot towards Kinder reservoir back into Hayfield.

[@CoticBikesUK]

It's a great route in all weathers, and also works both ways. Oddly enough the way Guy did it is opposite to the way we normally go. Haven't done it that way around for years. That's the beauty of it though; the tech climbs become bangin descents in either way around.

[@GuyKesTV]

TBH I normally run it the other way round too, but even with my fast mouth Jacob's Ladder and Roych are over too quickly to get all the words out in time. This way round gave me more gob time but going up not down Jacob's Ladder was painful emotionally and physically. Better than last time when I was pushing a tandem up it on the Scott Marathon though 😂

[@MTB_Derbyshire]

I've never done that route up Jacob's Ladder but as I get sick of bottling it on the first drop I might give it a go. Guy I'd have thought a man as fit as you would have sailed up Jacob's 😜

[@GuyKesTV]

jnadin39 the lower bit has so much loose rock on it now it’s a lottery. I dabbed about 4 times before I even got to the corner. Middle bit is fine but what used to be rideable steps in a couple of places near the top then right at the top are proper trials style hop ups so I failed those too 🙄 TBH I’ve only ever seen two people actually clean it one, Nick Craig and a young Martin Brookes who now races enduro for Whyte.

[@Goodman-4525]

What's with the field of view lol

[@GuyKesTV]

Too narrow? Too shallow? My gimbal died so I tried chin mounting the GoPro on a full face helmet but think the camera was in wide not superwide. Seems more obvious on some segments than others. Sorry.

[@Goodman-4525]

Guy Kesteven sorry idk the term, but I was used to seeing the entire bar being in shot. Like I did in your vid with the Soul.

[@GuyKesTV]

Goodman 4525 sorry, I’ll make sure I shoot in super wide next time.

[@Goodman-4525]

Guy Kesteven Brian shoots in wide and it looks just like your previous vids. Though your commentary makes up for it :)

[@GuyKesTV]

Yeah that's why I tried it. Think SuperWide works better for where I generally mount my cameras - or maybe I just ride wider bars more!

[@roik.6694]

when you test an enduro bike you must take it to it's element ,not to a mild single trek, as bike industry progress your reviews must a be the same. test a bike in the environment it was designed for

[@Salvotation]

i think it's rougher than you think, just coz the trail is wide. also he needs to be able to talk so can't be pushing his limits for a video

[@GuyKesTV]

roi kombelis yep that’s why in the video I mention I also rode it down Dolly Wagon pike on Helvellyn and a bunch of very fast and technical local DH courses to properly put it to the test. Unfortunately the gimbal blew up on Helvellyn as it was so rough so that footage was junk so had to shoot on a route local to Cotic as they needed it back that evening for a demo. So yeah you’re dead right all bikes need to be tested in their right environment and don’t worry I make sure that happens.

[@roik.6694]

Salvotation talk less shred more

[@GuyKesTV]

Salvotation I can push pretty hard and still talk but unfortunately like you say wide open trails always look slower than tight singletrack with trees flashing past the bar ends.

[@NoxiousNoodles]

roi kombelis You're the one who's banging on. You ever ridden down Jacob's Ladder?