Learning how MTBs work: Cotic Soul

You're lucky I didn't post my freshly mangled leg....taken at the scene

On the wheel front I'd for those dirt cheap WTB i25's rims from Planet X and lace them to SLX hubs (to match the rest of the groupset). I've had 30,000km in all weather on a pair of those with not even a bearing change.

With Sapim Race spokes that'll come to around £100.

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/

50% off some wheels.
Had some for several years no problems at all.

Well there is in that I lost my race fitness. And I can't run long distances anymore because my leg just isn't strong enough. But hope to get there soon...

meticulous how? I know you can get attachments for the can. Pretty sure I'm going to paint myself.

Also, inspired by this sort of thing:
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/301513/

and

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Good frame to start off with, Cotics ride very well. I would go 100mm to 120mm for the forks; Rebas are a good shout, or Rockshox SID.

I'd go 1x10, I find it wears better than 1x11. Also wouldn't bother with a boat anchor cassette, unless you're planning on riding up mountains. A 32 or 34t is fine.

Proper surface prep is key, as is laying multiple, very thin coats and allowing adequate drying time in between to avoid runs and ensure a smooth finish. The spray gun adapter for rattlecans is a godsend. Use lots of clear coat. Read as much about it as possible basically, and make sure your spray booth is set up well

cheers. what was your spray booth set up? Any recommended reading?

I've mostly been reading this: https://spray.bike/pages/how-to-use-spray-bike

The paint seems to be a mix of powdercoat/paint.

I rigged an old fence panel up in the passage behind my back door into the garden to enclose it and draped everything else with some tarp. The wind still got in somewhat, so it wasn't ideal. Would have preferred a garage and a respirator

So I tried an XS small Cotic Soul the other day and it was fun! It's making me think I should trade in this S and go for the XS.

So if anyone is interested in a small cotic soul frame RAW for £250 (what I paid) give me a shout.

The small is only a centimetre longer than the xs. Maybe build it up first and give it a go?

Yeah maybe you're right. Wise old one.

This is going slowly due to high work demands, pending deportation and low budget. Forks are ££££££!

But MTBing doesn't sound safe either...flying off rocky jagged mountains and whatnot.

Some inspiration! Sure it's quite a bit burlier than what you are planning. 1x10, 160mm X-fusion forks and mostly parts bin build. Gonna drill it for a dropper soon and get something functional but "budget". I'd really look into X-Fusion forks, they can be had really cheap used and aren't much £££ in the UK, I bought my Sweep for 150£ and the Streat model should fit your build really well!

Some progress...started painting using the spray.bike stuff in the orange that would be closest to the soul stock colour. Decided not to go too crazy just yet...

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And thanks to @TomvanHalen I acquired a used X Fusion Streat Fork and got some wheels (Stans Fuel Crest from Superstar Components)

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I used the spray.bike stuff that @hp93 used and it is a bit weird. Certain places were a bit splotchy like...like this area. Perhaps @hp93 can comment?

Not sure if this is how the paint is or if I'm just incompetent (most likely the latter).

Might strip and try again. What could I use to strip? Nitro moors?

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@hp93 's is worse. Don't know why that stuff gets good reviews.

Does it have to do with shaking or hand movements? They make it sound so easy and the stuff does seem quite popular.

Other parts are smooth as butter.

Yeah mine is like powder all over. the first coat I came back two weeks later and it simply brushed off the frame, would not use again, Especially as its only bricklane that sell it.

Id try to flat it though before going through the ball ache of nitro.

Yeah, maybe let it dry, give it a sand down, and then another coat?

I've used spray.bike and only had the bubbling problems when I didn't shake it enough or when there wasn't enough paint left in the can. I was surprised how good it was, actually.

Yeah I figured it was something like that (tho I did shake for about 3 min as instructed). Do you have any tips on fixing the bubbles?

Oh god, I should be the last person to give paint or frame detailing advice.

I gently sanded it with superfine sandpaper and tried again.

Tbh, the biggest problem with spray.bike is it's durability. It chips and flakes away pretty easily.