The all-new Cotic Tonic is a polished titanium gravel bike based on the geometry of a long-standing member of the Cotic stable; the Escapade. The 3Al/2.5V Titanium frame shaves off over 600g compared to its steel counterpart, pitting it a seriously lightweight and capable gravel bike. With improved clearance thanks to the advent of the latest Wide Chainline gravel cranks, the new Ti frame could be just the Tonic for off-road epics to come.
Cotic Tonic Titanium Gravel Bike
You know the old saying… if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. That’s why Cotic has chosen the proven geometry of the steel Escapade gravel bike. This is based on their Ultra-Compact Geometry idea with fairly short seat tubes and actual top tube lengths more akin to traditional road geometry. Geo numbers on the XS-L frame size range show Cotic have gone for a proportional fit, optimizing head and seat tube angles to maintain ride feel whilst minimizing toe overlap.
So, what are the Cotic Tonic geometry figures? Reach spans a 360.6mm to 397mm range with chainstays at 425mm. The head angle starts at 71° in Small, creeping up to 72° in XL. While the head angle is steepening up, the seat tube angle slackens off from 73.5° to 73°. You’ll find the complete geometry chart at the foot of the article.
The Tonic benefits from generous tire and mud clearance thanks to the rise of wide chainline gravel cranks. You can run up to 700c x 44c tires or, if you’re opting for the smaller wheelset, 650b x 50c. Cotic supply complete Tonic builds with 700c x 37c tires on Deep Section disc rims.
Weighing in at a claimed 1647g, the Cotic Tonic is around 600g lighter than the Escapade. It features the Cotic Ovalform top tube that introduces a little vertical compliance while keeping it stiff laterally. The frame gets a smooth integral headset tapered head tube.
At the front is Cotic’s latest full carbon fork, the RB5, 200g lighter than the RB4. This 550g fork is updated with 3 “Anything Cage” style bosses on each leg. Complementing those are rear rack and full mudguard mounts.
The Tonic offers multiple cable management solutions, including semi-internal routing for gear cables, full Shimano Di2 compatibility and optional internal routing for a dropper post.
Pricing & Availability
The Cotic Tonic is a limited edition model. There will be just 32 of these in 2021.
The frame and fork set including Hope seat clamp plus UK delivery will set you back £2,199. Complete bike builds start at £3,449 for the Gold Apex1 build. That money gets you Cotic hubs on Deep Section Disc rims with Continental Sport Contact 2 37c tires with tubes, SRAM Apex 1×11 drivetrain with Rival 1 40T chainset, and 11-42 cassette and hydraulic disc brakes.
There’s a Road Plus option on that build with WTB KOM i23 rims and a pair of WTB Horizon RoadPlus 47c skinwall tires for £3,649.
The full house, top-spec Platinum build gets an SRAM Force22 eTap AXS wireless drivetrain with Hope wheels, retailing at £5,099. All bikes come with a Hope headset and carbon seat post.
The framesets and Apex1 builds are available now. The Platinum spec Force eTap builds can be ordered now for delivery in early June. Unfortunately, due to parts shortages, the GRX build shown in the photos isn’t available to buy.
