Cotic Escapade

[cherrybomb]

So earlier this year I decided that I wanted a change from my carbon Ridley road bike.

I'd been toying with the idea of a CX bike and had been considering getting something from Planet X. Then I found some information on the Cotic Escapade and after a bit of deliberation a decision was made.

I ordered a medium frame set along with a Hope headset & a pair of Hope Hoops with Pro 4 hubs & Stans Alpha 400 rims.

 

[cherrybomb]

Re:

As I'd got on so well with the Campagnolo groupset on the Ridley, I decided to transfer that to the new Cotic. I love the look of Campag kit & although it created some minor issues, I was happy to put up with a bit of extra complication.

 

[cherrybomb]

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For finishing kit, I chose Controltech for seatpost & stem, with a hope seat collar & re-re Flite.

The flight deck was taken complete from the Ridley, with Campag 'brifters' and Easton bars.

 

[cherrybomb]

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The biggest issue with going the Campag route rather than Shimano or Sram is the lack of hydraulic disks.

I had been waiting for Campag to release a disk brake but it just wasn't happening. I didn't want to go with cable disks (although this would have made life easier) so had to find a solution.

I looked at the TRP cable/hydro option, but the callipers are really not pretty. Then I discovered that the guys at Hope had a solution in the form of their V2 setup.

 

[cherrybomb]

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The bike is currently running Schwalbe CX comp tyres, but I have just got a pair of Stans tubeless CX tyres that will go on. The bars have also been changed for a set of FSA compact drops since the photos were taken.

The bike rides brilliantly. It's real fun in the rough stuff & sling on a set of road rubber & I can happily do a 100 mile day keeping up with guys on road bikes.

I love it to bits & am now thinking about a spot of bike packing. I have racks for it, just need some warmer weather.

 

[rienster]

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Very nice. Have had a look at this one myself, but am thinking of going for the Genesis Croix de Fer.
Loving the campagnolo parts. Been missing their disc brakes and mtb style cassettes.
Have you considered a red flite?

 

[cherrybomb]

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I have considered a red Filte (or a Turbo), I just can't make my mind up.

I might go with something else- I have a hankering for a Brookes. If I do, I'll change the bar tape to match the saddle.

 

[Madmax1993]

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You thought the TRP HYRD wasn't a pretty caliper, but you didn't find the chunky conversion box from hope displeasing? Seems an odd choice to me.

 

[wicket]

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What rack are you using. I have trouble with racks because of the wishbone rear seat stay.

 

[cherrybomb]

Re: Re:

You thought the TRP HYRD wasn't a pretty caliper, but you didn't find the chunky conversion box from hope displeasing? Seems an odd choice to me.

Each to their own.

I like the look of the Hope remote master cylinders, but that's just the engineer in me. I think the TRP callipers look bulky. I don't like the thought of long cable runs either. If you're going to have a hybrid system, then I'd rather keep the cables as short as possible, which the Hope V2 brakes do.