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Cotic Roadrat Drop Bar

9
£742.50

VERDICT:

9
10
Possibly the ultimate 'do it all' bike
Weight: 
9,600g
Contact: 
www.cotic.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Cotic first launched the Roadrat a couple of years back as a flat bar'd bike and pretty much ever since they've been threatening a drop bar version, so now here it is.

Drop bars or not the Roadrat's sloping top tube and compact geometry shows its mountain bike heritage, it comes from the same stable as the splendid Soul, and gives you a lot of goolie clearance (stand over height) which is great if you have a track standing 'moment' at traffic lights or junctions.

 

Built using fairly thin diameter double butted cro-moly tubing the Roadrat's frame is both light yet durable. Building an urban crusader in steel prevents dinks caused by general town life i.e. people carelessly pranging your bike with their bike lock or pedals etc – don't get me started.

It's a good looking bike too, attracting a lot of admirers when exercised around town, the graphics are very understated and the skinny tubes make it look sharp and business like.

The Roadrat has all the characteristics that a good steel frame should; the springy nature of the material makes it feel lively and responsive and mated to the Road Hog, a robust looking straight legged steel fork, has excellent tracking without being too twitchy.

Our test bike came with £90 worth of Bontrager carbon uprades: Race X lite drop bar and seat post. For the added comfort that these components offer I'd say that's £90 well spent. The combination of those carbon bits with the springy steel frame and 25c tyres make this bike noticeably comfortable even on short rides, allowing you to stay in the saddle and get on with it.

 

Not only is the Roadrat comfortable its adaptability is incredible too – something the drop bars can only add to. Our bike came with the Tektro cable disc upgrade which worked very well and is in keeping with its uncluttered look. The brakes bedded in quickly and didn't have an aggressive bite but were able to lock up either wheel without too much force on the brake levers. It's a shame that the forks don't have fully detachable canti mounts like there is on the back as to my mind this is a little unsightly.

In keeping with its adaptable nature the Roadrat has so much tyre clearance that you can run 700 x 42c or 26 x 1.8 tires to help iron out rough ground or for further protection against punctures and you can still run mudguards! Rack mounts are fitted for those who go on epic adventures which I think this bike would be perfect for.

Cotic Roadrat gallery

So does the drop bar version have any advantage over the standard flat bar offering? Drops do give a wider option of positions and tend to put you in a more aggressive riding position which encourages you to push harder. I am a fan of riser bars but this bike rode well with drops and didn't feel like a mountain bike with road bars - that's got to be down to Cy at Cotic shortening the top tube. If you didn't like the hunched up riding of drop bars then swapping them for flat bars with the short top tube would give a very safe and upright riding position. Or, another 10mm on the stem to slow down the steering for more sedate/nervous riders. Or maybe you just get the flat bar version in the first place.

If you like riding on drops this is the Roadrat for you, even more so if you want it as the ultimate do anything machine. If drops aren't your thing or you just want a full-on urban tool the standard issue Roadrat with riser bars is your best bet.

Verdict

This is possibly the ultimate do it all bike. With the component package supplied, it make a nimble, low maintenance urban bike. Although it runs very well as a single speed I do feel that it isn't getting the full potential from the frame but it wouldn't take much to include gears. By swapping or adding a few components you can turn the Roadrat into a bike that is very competent at whatever it is used for, add panniers and you have something you could go touring on, put some skinny knobblies on it and race cyclo cross, it can do it all and do it well!

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Cotic Roadrat

Price: 742.50

Weight: 9600g

Size tested: Small

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

Cotic's custom butted cromoly steel. All meticulously and thoughtfully designed in the UK. Great attention to detail and finished to a good standard. It might not be hand built but the love has most definitely been put into it on the drawing board and through testing.

Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

This bike can be adapted to suit almost any type of riding with subtle changes. Our one suits the urban rider who wants a nimble ride with minimal maintenance. The low slung compact frame is ideal for mountain bikers who want a tarmac shredder.

Frame and fork

Overall rating for frame and fork
 
8/10

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

Very clean welds throughout and all the add ons you could shake a stick at. Mounts for mudguards and panniers, disc brakes or cantis. The gloss black paint had a good resistance to chipping and always looked good.

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

Uses Cotic's custom butted cromoly throughout to give a responsive, long lasting frame. Super skinny stays read across from the SOUL, but in a lighter gauge and plenty of tyre clearance

£255 for frame and fork, mech hanger and UK delivery.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

This version of the Roadrat has a shorter top tube so you can have drop bars and still use a 90-100mm stem. The 73 degree head angle and straight legged forks makes the steering sharp and direct but not too twitchy, great for navigating through heavy traffic.

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

The ultra compact frame has a very sloped top tube which gives you heaps of stand over height and a lot of seat post showing. The bike looks small under you and feels like you can throw it around and have fun.

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

The thin steel tubes, 25c tyres and carbon seatpost and bars made this bike incredibly comfortable to ride, experienced even on short journeys.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

Flex in the bottom bracket was noticeable but the bike accelerated well and no rubbing occurred with the single chainset.The front fork was stiff and direct but not uncomfortable. Running so much (carbon) seatpost could have contributed to the ride comfort

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

The springy nature the frame made it feel lively. The relatively short rear stays made the bike accelerate well.

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?

Foot overlap wasn't an issue.

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? The steering was lively and direct but not twitchy.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?

The carbon bars and seatpost both would have contributed to the bicycles comfort and a worthy upgrade (£90)

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's stiffness? would you recommend any changes?

The Bontrager external BB cranks transfered power well.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's efficiency? would you recommend any changes?

I would like to ride this bike with gears, set up as a cyclo cross menace.

Rate the bike for efficiency of power transfer:
 
7/10
Rate the bike for acceleration:
 
8/10

Shortish stays

Rate the bike for sprinting:
 
7/10
Rate the bike for high speed stability:
 
7/10

The direct steering makes it better at mid range speeds

Rate the bike for cruising speed stability:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for low speed stability:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for flat cornering:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for cornering on descents:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for climbing:
 
9/10

The drivetrain

Rate the drivetrain for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the drivetrain for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the drivetrain for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for value:
 
8/10

Tell us some more about the drivetrain. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any components which didn't work well together?

I'd like to try this bike as a fixed

Wheels and tyres

Rate the wheels and tyres for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for value:
 
8/10

Controls

Rate the controls for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the controls for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for value:
 
8/10

Your summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Great comfort and agility lead to an enjoyable ride

Would you consider buying the bike? I would buy this and put gears on it, but then I'd also like to try it fixed too

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes

Anything further to say about the bike in conclusion?

Great frame with a massive universal appeal. This bike can be dressed for nearly any occasion and perform well in any of its guises.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 78  Weight: 178

I usually ride: Sparton, brakeless fixed  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, sportives, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

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