Cotic roadrat and singlespeed

[rideswithmoobs]

Been a while since I posted, I'm looking at a singlespeed bike the Cotic and interested in people's opinion of it for daily all year/weather riding, from canal paths, roads etc. What are single speeds like on hill climbs . I would like a steel framed bike rather than Alu or Carbon for use all year. It's says the Cotic is go anywhere do anything except off road but how true is this with a singlespeed
I had thought of going MTB and using it around Grizedale about an hour from here but think it's over kill for majority of my riding.
With a singlespeed I'm guessing it would be some fitness ride !!!

 

[JimboJames1972]

I am loving my SS rides.

Saying that though, single speed will always be a compromise, but not necessarily a bad compromise. Where I live we are pretty flat with just the occasional long, gentle inclines or short steep climbs. We don't get big hills in Suffolk! This is primarily why I went to single speed, I just did not need gears. I just chose my ratios carefully and it has been perfect - I can bomb along the flats at a comfortable 18-20mph, freewheel down the hills and just get up on the pedals and grind it out to get up the hills.

If you are in a more hilly area, my own advice would be to gear lower, something that you know you can get up the hills in. Or be happy to walk the really steep bits.

As far as off road goes, I would look carefully at the capabilities of the frame, wheels and tyres as well as the gearing. If the frame can cope with tyres fat enough to deal with the surfaces you want to run on you are on to a winner!

Just my thoughts,

James

 

[rideswithmoobs]

Thanks James, off road is more bridleways not serious MTB stuff as its full of cycle paths, canals and the like round here. I spoke to my dad who is 74 and unremarkably he just said he used a fixed speed to tour all over Wales and even Germany when he was younger and you can pretty much do anything once you get your fitness up and leg strenght ......full of surprises eh dad ???

 

[Bodhbh]

As far as off road goes, I would look carefully at the capabilities of the frame, wheels and tyres as well as the gearing. If the frame can cope with tyres fat enough to deal with the surfaces you want to run on you are on to a winner!

I know zilch about single speed riding and as I'm still suffering after a hernia op I'm in no hurry to find out

However, the Roadrat will take up to 42mm tyres easy (wheel slammed right to the front of the dropouts). I've fitted 50mm tyres in there too but that's with the wheel fairly far back and hardly any mud clearance. Roadrat is perfect for riding bridlepaths, canals, etc.

 

[rideswithmoobs]

Is the roadrat as good as they say Bodhbh ? I'm 5'11" so probably looking at a large which is out of stock at present so time to do research and find out people's views.

 

[Bodhbh]

Is the roadrat as good as they say Bodhbh ? I'm 5'11" so probably looking at a large which is out of stock at present so time to do research and find out people's views.

Well happy with mine, I liked it enough I bought a second RR frame - the new one has a few tweaks, like lower BB, longer headtube, disc mounts on the chainstay so not to effect rack mounting etc. I'm 6ft, the large one fits me fine with a 80mm stem. Could probably fit the medium one fine too. I do have short arms tho, so my cockpits tend to be shorter. It's fine for off-road stuff, I think it's just Cotic mainly do MTBs and they want to make clear it's not one of those.