Cotic fanboy

[cherrybomb]

I think I've turned into one......

.....and now I really want a Flare MAX.

HELP!

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

Looking at building a 26" HT myself and had considered the Soul but they seem to hold their value horrendously well. Worth it?

 

[cherrybomb]

Re:

I can't really comment on the Soul, but the Solaris is reportedly supposed to have a very similar ride.

I was a 26" till I die kind of guy. I loved my Sanderson Life, it was an ace XC bike and loved twisty singletrack. I'd tried a couple of 29" hardtails and they just felt heavy and BIG and I'd kind of convinced myself that it was a total marketing con. Then i had a go on a mates Solaris and was instantly sold on it.

They ride really light and fast and give you a real sense of confidence on gnarly downhills too. I went out and acquired one for myself straight away and it's now my go-to bike for almost every situation.

The Escapade is a real tool too, Equally at home in the mud as on the road. I did 180 miles over two days on it a couple of weeks ago & it was totally at home on the road with some skinny tyres.

Sling on some CX rubber and it turns into a bit of a hooligan.

The Soul was the frame that started it all off for Cotic & I guess they wouldn't hold their value so well, if the reputation wasn't deserved?

 

[yeti_bomb]

Re:

Just bought a Solaris myself. Been riding a Chromag Rootdown, loving 29 steel. Riding since 1989. Totally changed my mind about 26.

Love your build. What travel fork are you running.

 

[shogun]

Re: Re:

Embrace it cherrybomb! Grand bikes.

Looking at building a 26" HT myself and had considered the Soul but they seem to hold their value horrendously well. Worth it?

Love mine! Fun ride, little bit of whippiness, just a fun all round bike with a little bit of a nod to getting down fast.

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

Cheers for the info. Like the look of the Cotic hard tails but will probably go for a transition trans am I have been offered as it's meant to be a budget build.

In regards to 29ers I totally agree. My main bike is a Orange Segment

 

[cherrybomb]

Re: Re:

Just bought a Solaris myself. Been riding a Chromag Rootdown, loving 29 steel. Riding since 1989. Totally changed my mind about 26.

Love your build. What travel fork are you running.

Cheers. Its a 120mm Revelation which is the maximum they recommend for the Mk1 frame. Given that it's quite slack geometry anyway & fitted with a reasonably tall fork,; it climbs really well- better than many other bikes I've owned & on top of that it has the shortest stem & widest bars I've ever had.

Full spec for the Solaris is:

Frame: Medium Mk1 Cotic Solaris (Reynolds 853)

Fork: Rockshox Revelation Dual Air 120mm

Headset: Hope semi integrated
Stem: Renthal Duo 60mm
Handlebar: Renthal Fatbar Lite
Grips: Renthal Kevlar

Brakes: Shimano XT Disc

Shifters: Shimano XT 10 speed
Front Derailleur: None
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT Clutch
Derailleur Cables: Shimano
Cassette: Sunrace 11-40
Chain: KMC
Cranks: Shimano XT
Crank Bolts: Shimano
Chainrings: Renthal 34T
Chainring bolts: Unknown
Bottom Bracket: Shimano XT
Pedals: Spuperstar Nano

Hub Skewers: Hope Rear Rockshox 20mm axle front
Rims: Hope Hoops Enduro
Hubs: Hope Pro 2 Evo
Nipples: ?
Spokes: ?
Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nick
Tubes: Tubeless

Saddle: Charge Spoon Titanium
Seatpost: Giant SL Switch 30.9 (With shim)
Seatpost Binder: Hope

Weight: Unknown

 

[cherrybomb]

Re: Re:

In regards to 29ers I totally agree. My main bike is a Orange Segment

How do you like the Segment?

I've been looking at the Bird Aeris (which is 27.5") and I love the ride of the Cotic Flare & Flare MAX after I when on a test day at Hopton Woods earlier this year.

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

My Segment is brilliant tbh. I had a 5 29 before but the Segment is just tighter and feels like it has more zip. I run mine with 140mm forks so the rear at 110mm just seems to take the edge off without bogging down. Still some great deals at Sunset MTB with the current frame with 11sp SLX coming in at just above 2k.

 

[cherrybomb]

Re: Re:

Just bought a Solaris myself. Been riding a Chromag Rootdown, loving 29 steel. Riding since 1989. Totally changed my mind about 26.

Your Cromag looks a cracking bike. I've had a bit of a search and they're big money over here (that's if you can get hold of one).

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Solaris, mine makes me grin every time I ride it- even if it's just round the block.