 I'm in the market for a long-travel steel hardtail frame and I'm currently looking at the Cotic Soul and Cove handjob - but have I missed any alternatives? I'd prefer 853 or another high-quality (light) tubing and I'd like something that climbs well. My riding style is pretty light, unless I'm being clumsy. I weigh about 11.5 stone. Also, has anyone ridden both the Cotic and Cove to offer a comparative opinion? Cheers!
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 Prince Albert Charge Duster One One Inbred Evil Bikes Souverigne Pipe Dream Sirius They should keep you going for a while...
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 I was admiring the evil sovereign this morning, its very nice, very nice indeed.
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 only one to consider as i keep pointing out - prince albert 853 although if price is an issue on-one 453 for 149 quid is untrue. the new blue of the PA is amazing .
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But the PA is named after a cockring...
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I like the Charge (and esp. the fact that it's made from old-school Tange Prestige), but is it really suitable for long-travel forks? I had the idea it was designed for 100mm? The Evil Sovereign looks lovely, but the price is tantamount to extortion. I've read that the Prince Albert 853 is a bit on the heavy side, and I'm specifically after a bike that has that light steel feeling. Perhaps that was just one reviewer though, or the bike has been changed? Can the P7 take a 130mm fork without going all Peter Fonda? Might be worth a look. Some food for thought, ta.
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TBH, the Cotic Soul is worth considering for it's versatillity alone and quality of the finish of the frame.
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The PA might have an embarrassing name, but it's not as bad as the Cove's.
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 The Cove is an amazing ride, well pleased with mine, it just feels so right. What surprised me most was the comfort of the frame over the rough stuff, nothing seems to faze it
More here
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mmm It's true Cove are very juvenille when it comes to naming bikes, I'm waiting for them to make the Soapy Titwank...
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The Cove is an amazing ride, well pleased with mine Blah blah blah. So boring. 
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He's asking for opinions, could you possibly keep your juvenile comments in the Soapbox where they belong. Would that be expecting too much of you?
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I didn't read back, but the Soul is not too heavy a beast. The PA is designed for between 130 and 150mm fork and is pretty sturdy. Not so sure about it's climbing ablillity though.
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A quick search reveals:- 4.2lbs (17.5in) - Soul 4.6lbs (17.5in) - Handjob 5.5lbs (Large) - Prince Albert Not that it's important
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get thee behind me on a 2 hour climb and we'll se how you think when we meet at the top or after it gets me up the seemingly impossible rock formation you thought was a wall! yeh it weighs 5lbs but surely you can build light with components its all subjective and as i constantly say consider your own weight and how much easier it is to lose a pound off yourself and give it to the bike to gain durability and reliability.
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Doesn't the big fork hinder climbing though? Do you have to wind it down somehow?
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 Don't know if you'd be interested Chaka but I've got a Soul and I was considering selling the frame. I love the bike but I've had it for 18 months and after tweaking the spec pretty much constantly, I've decided it's a tad too big for me. It's a M (17.5" in matt black. Some cable rub/stone chips but no damage. Drop me a mail if you're bothered.
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yeh its called lock down and several manufacturers if not all have caught on to the idea!! although in essance if a frame has been desigend around a taller fork it should be quite nuetral both up and down thats the bit they call geometry.
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Yeah Stevey! you missing the label or summat!! ETA is where it's at for climbing.
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