Brad Walton

2012 Cove Sanchez DJ - First Look

Nov 23, 2011 at 16:14


2012 Cove Sanchez
  Floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee, the yellow 2012 Cove Sanchez awaits for those who like it dirty. With a slacker head angle and an inch lower seat tube for the new year, this one-size bargain bruiser cruises jumps for any rider over DJ, park, or urban terrain. DJ bikes are pretty simple and Cove's Sanchez is no exception. Its 4130 cromoly steel frame, complete with horizontal dropouts and sans a rear derailleur hanger, is about as straightforward as you can get. But it gets even more simple: the Sanchez is designed to be a one-size-fits-all frame.

Cove Sanchez Details
• Purpose: DJ/being a hooligan
• Frame: 4130 cromoly steel
• Weight: 5lb (2lb lighter than the '11 Sanchez frame)
• Threaded bottom bracket shell
• Horizontal dropouts
• No rear derailleur hanger
• One size frame offered
• Head tube angle: 67.5 (one degree slacker than the '11 model)
• Top tube length (actual): 22.45''
• Chainstay length: 15.5"-15.7''
• Frame price: MSRP $400 USD, Complete bike: $1395 USD

2012 Cove Sanchez
  Cove is known for being meticulous in their manufacturing processes, and this simpleton of a steed didn't miss any details. The inside of the steel Sanchez frame is painted black to elude corrosion, a nice touch for those of you that are looking at the Sanchez for the long haul. With not much to choose from as far as sizing or frame options, you're left with only color choice: red, blue, grey silver, orange, green and yellow

Cove has chosen a stout mix of components to hang off of the Sanchez, including a RockShox Argyle coil sprung fork up front - simple, strong and reliable. Truvativ looks after the hard goods with their Holzfeller bar, Hussefelt stem, seat post, and Stylo 1.1 cranks, while a single Avid Elixir 7 brake lever is all you'll find on the bar. Cove adds a few extra touches with a custom Cove logo WTB saddle and laser etched front hub. Finished off with some fast rolling Maxxis Larsen rubber, it looks to be a fun and sturdy build that we're looking forward to thrashing.

Specifications
Release Date 2011
Price $1395
Fork Rockshox Argyle 302 Coil
Headset FSA Pig
Crankarms Truvativ Stylo 1.1
Handlebar Truvativ Holzfeller
Stem Truvativ Hussefelt
Brakes Avid Elixir 7 160mm Rear
Wheelset Cove 20mm/ Mavic 719; Sram X7/ Mavic 719
Seat Cove WTB Dirt Jumper
Seatpost Truvativ
Compare to other DJ/Street/Park Bikes

Pinkbike's take:
bigquotesA solid steel bike is hard to beat, in more ways than one. For those looking at the value in a bang-for-buck bicycle, it doesn't really get much more simple than the Sanchez for 26". And it certainly doesn't hurt that the frame has dropped a full two pounds of weight for 2012, from 7lbs to just 5lbs. Not much else can be said other than watch out pumptrack, here I come! - Brad Walton


www.covebike.com

96 Comments

  • + 87
flag SamNesbit (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:33)
 now thats a sanchez id be happy to receive Smile
  • + 43
flag boo86 (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:36)
 Dude....oh my god....bad image.. Frown
  • + 2
flag Huckers2011LTD (Dec 8, 2011 at 10:12)
 choice of frame colour and options
  • + 5
flag harveyhoman (Dec 8, 2011 at 10:18)
 Is it just me, or does it look rather a lot like a Norco Ryde 09!? Still looks incredible!
  • + 5
flag Williss (Dec 8, 2011 at 14:11)
 Thats a clean sanchez!
  • + 2
flag BCbikers129 (Dec 9, 2011 at 7:37)
 amazing, what a sick bike
  • + 3
flag mtnbker395 (Dec 9, 2011 at 22:30)
 mmmmmmm......sanchez.
  • + 1
flag GunsANDCigarettes (Dec 13, 2011 at 15:03)
 chain on it sucks, other than that its sick.
[Reply]
  • + 9
flag R-trailking-S (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:09)
 long and low... definitely not for anything remotely "urban".
  • - 23
flag bananaslug (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:36) (Below Threshold) show comment
 How is a hardtail DJ bike not ideal for urban? It's the seat tube that's an inch lower than previous models, not the bottom bracket. Top tube length is almost exactly the same as a Specialized P2 - not exactly "long."
  • + 6
flag Colin994 (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:37)
 chainstays could definitely be shorter
  • + 1
flag R-trailking-S (Dec 8, 2011 at 1:04)
 Chainstays for sure if you wanted to call it urban, or more correctly street. As far as I am aware nobody but the occasional downhiller straight hucks stairsets in what we typically call "urban". As for long, .75inch in the chainstays and 1.5 degrees slacker than the typical dj bike makes it very long.
  • + 1
flag kanioni (Dec 8, 2011 at 1:45)
 Agreed, definitely a dirt/pumptrack frame only. If you ever ride park or street, or just like your bike to be nimble, look elsewhere.
  • + 1
flag spaced (Dec 8, 2011 at 2:45)
 banana it's not what the producer calls it, it's what it is and this bike is a bit to much of a do it all.
  • + 2
flag xpirimint (Dec 8, 2011 at 3:53)
 I feel like the bike could be a little bit, just a little bit nicer for the price.

So just so I know, what specs are more ideal for urban/street vs specs for dirtjumping, and why?
  • + 6
flag audeo03 (Dec 8, 2011 at 4:28)
 @R-trailking-S:

A 414mm chainstay (16.3") is relatively short for a mountain bike. Look at the tire. It's almost touching the seat-tube. Unless you bend the seat-tube, or have it hit the downtube above the BB, how are you going to get the CS any shorter? I guess you could run 24" wheels, but this is a 26" bike.

And, a really short CS gets twitchy. The ratio of TT to CS determines how easy it is to get the front end up. Unless you like the squirrelly feel of a 20" frame, there is nothing to complain about here (besides a slack HTA for street). Plus, is a .5" difference in CS going to prevent you from riding well? No, a talented rider will be able to do exactly the same things...

Cove FTW...
  • + 6
flag olaffons (Dec 8, 2011 at 5:08)
 Audeo,don't get me wrong,but Kona Entourage with 170 mm travel of rear wheel has a 416 mm chainstays...
Any questions...?
  • - 3
flag derekt (Dec 8, 2011 at 8:07)
 If you ride street you should use a bmx anyway, frame looks nice, alot less chunky looking.
  • + 1
flag kanioni (Dec 8, 2011 at 9:08)
 @audeo03
It's pretty simple to make the stays shorter, just look what other manufacturers have done. 380mm is pretty much standard these days, and it feels good. I bet that geo feels very nice and stable on dirt, but if you take it to a skate park or streets (which are great fun btw.), the Cove is gonna be difficult to ride. I'm rocking an O1 Void frame at the moment and I love it's versatility. It's stable enough on our local trails (most 26" wheelers are anyways) and very easy to throw around, but I can also enjoy it elsewhere.

The Cove may be spot on for some people, but I personally get bored after riding 2 weeks dirt in a row and therefore would like to see the Cove having at least shorter stays to make it feel more alive. Just not my 2 cents

@derekt Not everyone can afford a separate bike for dirt and street
  • + 1
flag derekt (Dec 8, 2011 at 9:14)
 Never said anything about separate bikes.
  • + 2
flag kanioni (Dec 8, 2011 at 9:42)
 True, but at my point of view a bmx is very street/park specific so you'd want an other bike for dirt. On the other hand you could make an mtb versatile enough and not need 2 bikes to be happy.
  • + 1
flag Silverrider (Dec 8, 2011 at 11:18)
 You can make Bmx versatile enough too.. I mean look at Giants of Dirt or the Dirt portion of the Dew tour.
  • + 2
flag kanioni (Dec 8, 2011 at 12:07)
 Yes, sure. It just looks like many people on this site prefer mtb Big Grin
  • + 2
flag GoAnDRiDe (Dec 8, 2011 at 13:43)
 What useless arguing, ive seen bmx and mtb ride the same disipline as well as a dh bike,cross country bike,enduro bike...ive seen them all used for all kinds of biking disaplines...saying that bmx is street/paek specific is stupid,considering they make dirtjump bmx's, i myself own a norco twofifty with dmr trailblades that i use at the park in the street on dirtjumps cruisin around and even down the occasional trail, my point being, you can ride any kind of bike almost anywhere, surw they can be said to be used for specifics, but irl i can take my sx trail and hit a dj line just as good as i can on my norco twofifty
  • + 4
flag sweetonic63 (Dec 8, 2011 at 15:47)
 or we could all stop bitching and admit that this bike is f*cking sweet
[Reply]
  • + 5
flag Webster10 (Dec 8, 2011 at 11:25)
 Cove doesnt just do one build kit, you can put whatever you want on the bike.. you can have one built for $1000 or you can build a baller one for $2000 that will blow 90% of the hardtails out of the water.. how can you complain about the price when konas asking close to the same price for their shitty mass produced aluminum hardtails that fall apart in the first year.. I personally ride the new sanchez and the geometery absolutely dialed; hands down the nicest hardtail ive ever riden. I have mine built up to 24lbs and the ride is phinominal. Anyone who hates on this bike is clearly a joey and hasnt ridden this bike before. Quit bein joeys and ride the damn bike.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag tobylikesbikes (Dec 8, 2011 at 6:53)
 all im going to say is i had a 2011 sanchez and it just felt like the longest heaviest frame ever, but hopefully by losing 2 pounds the 2012 frame will be a lot lighter feeling to ride, but i cant see slackening the head tube angle being to nice, have to wait and see i suppose
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag tom666 (Dec 8, 2011 at 9:05)
 New weight and shape looks good, I like the new colour and the geo looks good for dirt. But the seat on that complete looks amazingly shit.
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag atrokz (Dec 8, 2011 at 5:43)
 Pretty disapointing that they did a 'one size fits all' approach, obviously to save some $$. What about us taller peeps with monkey length arms?
[Reply]
  • + 6
flag egorka (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:22)
 Dirty Sanchez? O_o
  • + 15
flag DIRTESANCHEZ433 (Dec 8, 2011 at 8:54)
 thass me!
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag rustybones (Dec 8, 2011 at 4:35)
 Love it. Like the geo. As a taller rider who ain't obsessed with a thousand tweaks a minute it looks spot on. Want one.
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag dydanz (Dec 8, 2011 at 6:27)
 good but still, i'd prefer blkmrkt or ns. no offence..
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag GavinTimleck (Dec 8, 2011 at 17:26)
 Anyone else want to see an integrated headset, and seat post clamp and maybe step up the fork to an argyle 318 for the $1400?
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag Webster10 (Dec 8, 2011 at 11:29)
 And your comparing a Cove bike to a norco...? THE CHAINSTAY IS ACTUALLY 15.6, they f*cked up in article
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag c-bernier (Dec 9, 2011 at 10:12)
 Cove, really stepped up there hard tail game. Frame looks pretty sick and sturdy,and to top it off its a great price. Way to go cove!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag Wribit4567 (Dec 9, 2011 at 16:01)
 If you upgraded the forks and the seat it would be one of the best DJs on the market.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag cretin82 (Dec 8, 2011 at 15:23)
 hahahahaha " intended use DJ/being a hooligan"
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag groen (Dec 8, 2011 at 13:52)
 riding it for a half year now and i must say that it is a awesome frame!!! good geo, lightweight, good looks = awesome!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag YourFutureHero (Dec 8, 2011 at 20:00)
 And it comes with a replica stick kickstand!!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag bluezac17 (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:31)
 How do you drop 2lbs off a frame without compromising materials or design? I'd like to know...
  • + 1
flag dunks95 (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:37)
 They would say manufacturing process, I suspect otherwise..
  • + 5
flag Walrus666 (Dec 8, 2011 at 1:04)
 7lbs for a steel hardtail was way overrkill. Most steel hardtails are around the 4lb to 5lb mark now so they're just going in line with the rest of the market.
  • + 1
flag kanioni (Dec 8, 2011 at 1:47)
 I'd say most steel frames are in the range of 5 to 6 lbs. I Don't mean to sound like an ass but just wanted to point it out Smile
  • + 1
flag Walrus666 (Dec 8, 2011 at 7:32)
 Not if you look at steel frames that are in a similiar price range to the cove. For example, NS majesty is about 4 and a half pounds. Fair enough you get heavy steel frames for the same price but they're built for freeride, not park and dj's.
  • + 1
flag kanioni (Dec 8, 2011 at 8:42)
 Fair enough, I was thinking of cheaper/older frames like O1 void, NS frames from past years, blk mrtks etc., which are all very common. Although I still doubt there are any 4 lbs steel dj frames Wink (doesn't really matter, but if there are it would be interesting to know)
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag egorka (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:26)
 G Spot... Hooker... and now just Sanchez? No, something HAS to be wrong...
  • + 8
flag Knife-in-the-dark (Dec 8, 2011 at 7:28)
 You seem to be a little late to the game.
  • + 2
flag EddyDave (Dec 8, 2011 at 8:14)
 I think something HAS to be right Wink
  • + 2
flag A-Bunnah (Dec 8, 2011 at 11:17)
 Cove has been around for a while, along with the clever names.
  • + 1
flag misspent-youth (Dec 8, 2011 at 11:42)
 It's all good in the Cove world cause we are all dirty!!!!
  • + 1
flag klapper-03 (Apr 14, 2012 at 18:08)
 You forgot the hand job
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag pmaj0518 (Dec 9, 2011 at 13:30)
 Just another blk market wanna be
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag madbiker786 (Dec 9, 2011 at 19:08)
 hahaha im so stupid i cant belive i thought i was a kick stand hahaha! dumbass
[Reply]
  • - 2
flag scaliwag (Dec 8, 2011 at 4:45)
 One size fits all? Nice try but it's not true in real life. Seems like a copout. Headtube angle is crazy. I'll take a TOP, personally, for the geometry and simplicity: integrated headset and seatclamp and Spanish bottom bracket.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag pitbull26 (Dec 11, 2011 at 19:39)
 love the kickstand! what degree is that? how come that isn't in the specs? nice bike thuogh!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag richlong28 (Dec 9, 2011 at 4:30)
 Can't believe I managed to pick up an '07 Sanchez fully build for £125 two years ago. Best value for money evarrr
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag giantkid97 (Dec 9, 2011 at 16:51)
 nights od Columbus thats sweet!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag RobbyBriers Plus (Dec 8, 2011 at 12:42)
 If you keep it clean like that, it will never be a dirty sanchez.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag The-Pitbull (Dec 8, 2011 at 14:50)
 I own production frame #1. It is a WICKED riding bike, dirt, pump or urban
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag madbiker786 (Dec 8, 2011 at 17:02)
 why the f*ck does it have kick stand on it!?
  • + 1
flag GavinTimleck (Dec 8, 2011 at 17:26)
 Its a stick holding it up..
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag sweetonic63 (Dec 8, 2011 at 15:46)
 By the beard of Zeus...
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Rob-Chapman (Dec 8, 2011 at 10:34)
 Nice bike but $1400 is a joke for that spec
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag NateL (Dec 8, 2011 at 9:43)
 such an ugly seat. It needs something slimmer.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag stuart001 (Dec 8, 2011 at 3:10)
 I love the design. Can this kind of steel be lighter?
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag MONSTERAIR (Dec 8, 2011 at 10:31)
 Nice clean looking bike ...i want one!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag saturnine (Dec 8, 2011 at 7:19)
 double the price of a yeti dj. no thanks.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag T-woot (Dec 8, 2011 at 1:37)
 I like the Kona Shonky I just built up better, that yellow is fuggly too. Also not a fan of one sized frames since I'm tall.
  • + 1
flag klapper-03 (Apr 14, 2012 at 18:11)
 Yellows not the only colour
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag milanboez (Dec 8, 2011 at 1:07)
 wow out-dated geo or what, slack as a DH bike from back in the day
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag I-CanDoRideTheBike (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:26)
 Ahh brings back memories of Gta San Andreas.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag boo86 (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:38)
 Very nice, super clean frame deisgn.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag madbiker786 (Dec 8, 2011 at 8:12)
 it looks like the old norco ryde
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Holywood (Dec 8, 2011 at 6:01)
 Looks sweet, I'd be happy to own one Smile
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag DIRTESANCHEZ433 (Dec 8, 2011 at 8:46)
 my last name is sanchez....i should get a free one Big Grin
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Wribit4567 (Dec 9, 2011 at 15:36)
 WHERE CAN YOU BUY!!!!!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag rickyretardo (Dec 8, 2011 at 9:33)
 not bad
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag rand0m619 (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:12)
 so piiiirrrrttttyyyy
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag kimn (Dec 8, 2011 at 0:10)
 That looks nice tup
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag medina (Dec 11, 2011 at 19:10)
 Ugly crankset
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag BIKERCRAZY23 (Dec 8, 2011 at 12:59)
 the seat is ugly as hell
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag DIRTFACTORY (Dec 8, 2011 at 9:03)
 Ugly.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag James-M (Dec 8, 2011 at 15:11)
 sick bike!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Gabe352 (Dec 8, 2011 at 19:25)
 hey its the bridge jumps
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag NWA911 (Dec 8, 2011 at 16:21)
 siiiiiiiiick bike yo
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Felix316 (Dec 8, 2011 at 5:10)
 That's hot...
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag EddyDave (Dec 8, 2011 at 8:15)
 I want one. End of.
[Reply]
  • - 1
flag derfmtb (Dec 8, 2011 at 10:23)
 Slacker = Worse.
  • - 1
flag Rob-Chapman (Dec 8, 2011 at 10:34)
 You = Wrong
  • - 1
flag derfmtb (Dec 8, 2011 at 10:42)
 For riding trails? Slack is sluggish.
  • + 1
flag Rob-Chapman (Dec 8, 2011 at 13:02)
 We're talking slightly less twitchy not sluggish, its not exactly a DH bike Razz
  • + 1
flag n3lson666x (Dec 9, 2011 at 12:10)
 i have to agree with derf unless your hitting 100 ft gaps you clearly dont need a slack set up.
nice tight geo for me! Smile
  • + 1
flag derfmtb (Dec 9, 2011 at 14:42)
 Exactly! Nice to have a responsive bike!
  • + 1
flag Wribit4567 (Dec 9, 2011 at 16:02)
 Its only 1 degre
[Reply]

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