Cotic BFe26

[HourGlass]

Hi all, this is my Cotic BFe26.

It's been an on-going project which started a few years ago, built up from FleBay and Market Place-sourced parts. It's completely flat where I live so primary use is bridle trails and the local pump track.

Mechanically sound (and photographs well!) but the frame was resprayed by a previous owner using rattle cans and is only just hanging. It might receive a respray in the future but for the moment, it's the sort of thing that one doesn't have to be too precious over.

Specs: [Updated July 2022]
Frame: Cotic BFe26 (2012-ish? Reynolds 853 DT, 44mm HT, 135mm QR rear end and Dropper Post Provisions)
Fork: Fox Float RL 140. Messed with by TF Tuned.
Wheels: Mavic 717 on DT Swiss 240s. 54T ratchet upgrade. Schwalbe Table Top 26 x 2.25".
Brakes: Shimano XT M775 levers mated with M755 '4-pot' calipers.
Drive: Shimano XT M780 - 10 speed. SuperStar 38T Narrow-Wide.
Finishing: Hope Headset, Easton Haven Bar / Stem, Oury Grips, Brand X Ascent 150mm dropper Post and Charge Spoon Saddle, Rust Converter

Initial build.







As it stands - Autumn 2021.






Cheers!

 

[HourGlass]

Since lockdown 2020, I've been rolling around with a mis-matched rear caliper after a piston seal failure. As Shimano don't make available seals and such like, your only option is to replace your lever / caliper in the event of a leak. At the time, I temporarily fitted a Deore M535 caliper (which shares the same fittings and pads as the XT M775, but my longer-term plan was to ditch the 2-pots completely in favour of the venerable XT M755 '4-pot' calipers. Recently, I sourced a working '4-pot' brakeset and set about putting my plans into action.

General opinion of the XT 775 brakes were that they were good, offering excellent modulation but were lacking somewhat in power. I believe the changes made between the M775 and its successor, the M785 to increase the power of the brake at the expense of reliability. I'm hoping that the slightly more mild-mannered cam-action of the M775 lever, combined with the benefits of the 4-pot brake should make for a well-balanced, reliable set up. One that looks baller too

Install went without a hitch using brand new brass barbs and olives, as well as a a BH59 hose kit (to suit road R785 brakes). M755 '4-pot' brakes use a banjo fitting at the lever + caliper, where as the newer M775 brakes use the straight fitting at both ends. My front 4-pot example had crusty fittings and a cheap braided hose so it was easy enough to recycle the supplied rear hose and shorten it into a front, then use the brand new BH59 hose kit to complete the rear.

M755 calipers are 'handed' meaning they are front/back-specific. If you're like me and mounting them to a post-mount fork, you'll need the appropriate adaptor but it will restrict your rotor size to 180mm minimum (Adaptor P/N: SM-MA-F180SP). Rear caliper bolted straight up to the BFe's rear IS disc tabs, clamping a 160mm rotor.


Cheers!

 

[sminchnz]

Never thought a brake lever could look hot but those are sweet

 

[HourGlass]

Never thought a brake lever could look hot but those are sweet

Ha! I actually think the M775 levers are pretty ugly! Function over form however

 

[mk one]

Hi all, this is my Cotic BFe26.

It's been an on-going project which started a few years ago, built up from FleBay and Market Place-sourced parts. It's completely flat where I live so primary use is bridle trails and the local pump track.

Mechanically sound (and photographs well!) but the frame was resprayed by a previous owner using rattle cans and is only just hanging. It might receive a respray in the future but for the moment, it's the sort of thing that one doesn't have to be too precious over. It's the only MTB I have so it's definitely subject to its fair share of tinkering and fettling!

Fork: Fox Float RL 140. Messed with by TF Tuned.
Wheels: Mavic 717 on DT Swiss 240s. Schwalbe Table Top 26 x 2.25".
Brakes: Shimano XT (M775) - DiscoBrakes Sintered pads. Shimano XT M775 levers mated with M755 '4-pot' calipers.
Drive: Shimano XT (M780) - 10 speed. SuperStar 38T Narrow-Wide.
Finishing: Hope Headset, Easton Haven Bar / Stem, Oury Grips, Brand X Post and Charge Spoon Saddle, Rust Converter

Initial build.
View attachment 603701

As it stands - Autumn 2021.
View attachment 602068

View attachment 602069View attachment 602070
View attachment 602073

Cheers!

Looks a fun ride. Great photos too, can see you have done that before. Where are you based by the way, just those woods look familiar.

 

[HourGlass]

Where are you based by the way, just those woods look familiar.

Thank you!

You might be recognising Thetford Forest which isn't a huge distance from me.

 

[mk one]

Looks a bit like Sherwood Pines, which is where is was thinking

 

[HourGlass]

Looks a bit like Sherwood Pines, which is where is was thinking

*googles*

I'm a new resident to the UK (moved recently from Australia) so I shall have to check it out!

Another grand day out yesterday on the steel whip. Brakes have bed in quite nicely (particularly when coming into berms perhaps a little too hot!).


Took the liberty of sourcing some NOS Shimano M03 pads to keep in the parts box as I anticipate that by the time I'm actually ready to replace the pads, I'll be reduced to aftermarket options.

 

[TAnh]

Hi . Pardon me for this question. I just bought a used bike frame. Cotic BFe26 . I am wondering if the headset cane crek zs44/28.6 EC 44/40 will fit. thanks

 

[HourGlass]

Hi . Pardon me for this question. I just bought a used bike frame. Cotic BFe26 . I am wondering if the headset cane crek zs44/28.6 EC 44/40 will fit. thanks

Hiya!

Yes, that will work but it will depend on a) what year/generation BFe you have and b) what fork you wish to use.

The 2012-ish "MkIII" frames and onwards use a 44mm headtube with will allow you to use a fork with a tapered steerer. If this is your setup, then the ZS44/28.6 (upper) and EC44/40 (lower) cup set is what you want.

Headset choice will be a little different if you want to use a fork with a 1 1/8th straight steerer, or you have an earlier BFe frame (which will only take a straight steerer fork via external cups).