Strengths: Fantastically powerful beam. Superb build. Light as a feather.
Weaknesses: Light beam is too narrow. Bar fitting doesn't allow you to fine tune the direction. For £400, run time is too short. Pimpy light switch is a fiddle to use with gloves on.
Overall: Well I borrowed this with a view to buying the Edison 5. Sure the beam is powerful but in this version, the runtime is too short. However my main gripe is the beam which although very bright is simply too narrow. There is very little periferal vision and this is compounded by the bar fitting which while effective doesn't allow you to adjust left and right, so if like me your bars are pretty crowded and your fitting options are limited, you may not get the beam pointing straight ahead.
The light switch looks really impressive but proves a real fiddle on the trail, especially with winter gloves on.
I haven't ridden with the Lumicycle HID yet, but a comparison on the trail suggests that both lights are as bright as each other. Certainly this is not 60% brighter as suggested by the output.
It's a beautifully built light and I really wanted to buy one, but in the end, my old 2001 NiMH lights light the trail better. Sorry folks!
Strengths: Supple frame Geometry allows for fast cornering and excellent control
Weaknesses: Cable guides on the top of the top tube allow paintwork to get scratched easily.
Overall: I've been riding suspension bikes exclusively for the last five years, so the move to the cotic was an apportunity to get back to my MTB roots.
Bike is built with Vanilla RL's and XT. The front shocks seem to suit the bike really well.
First impressions when riding was that Cy had built some secret suspension into the frame. It does an incredible job of soaking up all the trail vibration and providing a really comfortable ride. I love the suppleness of the frame.
However the qualities of the frame were really highlighted on a two day trip to Afan and Cwn Carn. I'm 6'2" and ride a large frame so getting round tight switchbacks is always a clumsy effort for me. But this bike turns on a penny, and confidently so. On the "slalom" section at Cwn Carn, I could hammer through the switchbacks never feeling like I'm not going tto make the turn.
Downsides are not many. Service and support from Cy is great. My decals are wearing fast and the stickers are looking tatty after just a few months - the product of bike carrier abuse and a few spills on the trail. But the unkempt look suits this bike.
Strengths: Superb frame with anodised finish resists chips. Superb balance gives great confidence in technical situations. Three position shock gives variety of feels for different trail conditions. Fox RLC a superb XC front shock.
Weaknesses: Not much really. I'm not sure that the XT shifters that use the brakes to change gear really are better but they work OK. A trade off for superb handling is a low bottom bracket. Expect to bask your pedals a couple of times each ride. In the chilterns the RollX tyres aren't really suitable and have been changed for Fire XC pro's. I threaded a crank and was a bit pi*@ed to have to spend £90 on the new combined branck/bottom bracket.
Overall: Fantastic value for money. This bike has doubled my enjotment on the trail and given me much more confidence over technical sections.
I have been riding a 5" FRS Marin but the spesh's 4" seems as competent. Stepping up from a 5th element air shock (which was superb but lost that "plush" feel)the three positions on the fox shock (lockout, pedal platform and plush) allow you to choose the type of ride you want dpending on trail conditions.
I cant fault the bike build although I have had to change stem and seatpost to gain extra length. Even with a 410mm seatpost at max (I'm 6-2 and the bike is a large) it's only just big enough.
'COMPROMISE BIKE THAT MAKES TRAIL RIDING SUCH A PLEASURE.'
Strengths: Adjustable frame gives you three different bikes in one. Mostly the 5" is ideal but 4" gives you a really stiff bike for light trails and 6" for big hits.
Long travel front and rear allows you to leave your chums behind on the downhill and go at speed with confidence.
Hope upgrades are simply superb. I love the on the fly adjustment.
Weaknesses: BB and cranks fell appart after just a few miles - as has everyone elses who has bought one (apparently). After a bit of pushing following the third episode, changed for UT cark and BB - what a difference! Apparently chaged for 2002.
I'm 6'2" and the stem is a tad long. Apparently changed for 2003.
Overall: Eighteen months of sublime pleasure on the trail.
