Cotic‘s tough hardtail – the BFe – has been rejigged but the 26in wheelsize remains unchanged.

It isn’t just a case of a new paintjob and ‘bold new graphics’. The wheelsize may be ‘old’ but the geometry takes cues from the modern era’s move to longer top tubes, slacker head angles (67 degrees with a 140mm fork), steeper seat angle (73 degrees) and short 16.5″ chainstays.

The BB height has also been tweaked – the BB drop is 10mm lower – so as to handle better with longer forks than previous BFe frames.

It’s not as hugely slack or slammed-low as some progressive geometry hardtails we’ve seen of late but that’s because the BFe is meant to have pop and playfulness rather than being a speed-sled trail-plough.

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Cotic‘s range of mountain bikes does include plenty of other options for the regular trail rider or enduro racer who wants a bike from a Brit designer who does things a bit differently.

What sort of riding is the BFe for?

It’s hard to pin down but essentially is principally aimed at the age old MTB discipline of mucking about.

Perhaps it’s not a bike to put any amount of serious miles in although with a 120-140mm fork it would probably be okay for the occasional trail riding sesh. It’s more aimed towards jumps, berms and 4X type behaviour.

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Bullet point me up

• Cotic Fm Heat Treat Cromoly throughout with Reynolds 853 DZB down tube
• 44mm standard head tube
• Internal “Stealth” dropper post remote routing on seat tube
• Non-Stealth Dropper remote hose clips under the top tube
• Bridge-less S-bend chainstays for huge mud clearance
• ISCG05 mount
• Sizes – 16″ (S), 17.5″ (M) and 19″ (L)
• Colours: Fast Red or Gloss Orange
• Weight – 5.4 lbs for the 16″

They’re due into stock first week of June, priced at £349 for the frame only.

If you have a riding buddy who’s a members of the “26 ’til I die” brigade, you might want to forward them this story.