UK-based steel bicycle manufacturer, Cotic, has introduced the new RocketMAX, a steel enduro mountain bike now entering its 4th generation. Sticking with the Drop-Link suspension platform, this 160mm travel 29er is now available in 5 sizes, as opposed to the four previously offered, reducing reach increments between sizes in a bid to make it easier for riders to find a good fit.
The RocketMAX gets a geometry refresh, optimised for use with the latest 38mm stanchion forks with 170mm travel. Other key updates include a revised kinematic to suit both air and coil shocks, as well as the introduction of a Drop-Link that is keyed in to the rear axle to reduce twist and flex through the linkage.
Cotic RocketMAX Gen4
- Intention: Enduro Mountain Biking
- Wheel Size: 29″ or Mullet
- Rear Wheel Travel: 155mm or 160mm
- Fork Travel: 160mm or 170mm
- Frame: Cotic-exclusive Reynolds 853 steel tubeset
- Starting Price: £2,099 (Frame and RockShox Super Deluxe Select Shock)
The RocketMAX is Cotic’s flagship enduro bike, made from a Cotic-exclusive Reynolds 853 tubeset. The front triangle is fabricated here in Scotland by Matt and Callum at Five Land Bikes. The swingarms are made in Taiwan, while Unite Components and Bear Frame Supplies produce the various machined parts. The whole lot is assembled at the Cotic HQ in the Peak District, England.
Now entering its 4th generation, the RocketMAX isn’t a major departure from the Gen3 launched two years ago. Newsworthy here is the introduction of what Cotic call “C-Sizing”, and the addition of a 5th frame size resulting in smaller reach increments between frame sizes. Those increments are now down to just 19mm, as opposed to the 25mm gaps on the previous generation. The range of reach figures has expanded slightly, too, starting at 444mm on the C1, stretching to 520mm on the C5 (5mm longer than the Gen3 XL).
Seat tubes are now shorter, with standover clearance on the C2, C3 and C4 frames improved over the Gen3 Medium and Large frames. Though chainstay length is consistent across the range at 448mm, the seat tube angle is adjusted in order to ensure an actual seat tube angle of around 76°. It’s nice to see that Cotic chose to specify the saddle height that pertains to the quoted actual seat tube angles, providing angles for two different saddle heights too.
The Drop-Link kinematic is revised on the Gen4 frame reducing leverage ratio yet again to make the linkage more amenable to use with both air and coil shocks. While the bike has been developed specifically for the requirements of a 170mm Fox 38 or RockShox ZEB, shorter stroke shock options (60mm for 150mm travel) can be combined with a 160mm fork to deliver more of a trail bike ride feel.
Like its predecessor, the RocketMAX Gen4 can also be converted to a mullet setup with the use of a Works Components 1° angleset. This goes some way to correcting for the drop in BB height and the more relaxed head angle that comes with it when the 29″ rear wheel is swapped for a 27.5″. The 29er can be converted to a mullet post-purchase of course, but customers are also given the opportunity to order the RocketMAX Gen4 in the mullet configuration at checkout.
Pricing & Availability
Cotic offer oodles of spec options for the Gen4 RocketMAX, an exhaustive account of which is outwith the remit of this news piece. Briefly, it is available in multiple frame and shock options, rolling chassis and also in several complete bike options, the most affordable of which is the RocketMAX Silver which retails at £3,999, approximately $4,220 USD and €3,870.
That bike runs just 155mm rear wheel travel and a 160mm fork (as opposed to the 160mm rear wheel travel you’ll see on the higher spec options). That money fetches you a Shiamno SLX 12 speed drivetrain, Shimano Deore Brakes, a Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate fork, and a Rockshox Deluxe Select Plus shock.
