5' 7 1/2" = medium Cotic soul?

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This topic has 32 replies, 25 voices, and was last updated 8 years ago by chestercopperpot.

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5' 7 1/2" = medium Cotic soul?
makecoldplayhistory
Free Member

As in title. I’m an averagely proportioned 5′ 7 1/2 person. Medium or small soul?

Secondly, I can’t see any reason why not to use a 150mm fork (66RC2X). It’s the same geom as a Bfe. I’m a light rider both in terms of what I ride and I’m skinny! I know it’s not a perfect combination but it’s what I have and I’m on a budget.

I’m looking to build a bike for my sadly predictable Friday rides (25km – long hard ups and downs. My Norco LT is too much work on a 30 min climb!), 3km daily commute (with 2 boys in a bike trailer) and 4 times a year all day-ers.

Thanks

Posted 8 years ago

jambalaya
Free Member

What wheel size ? I have a 26 BFe in Medium, I’m 5’10”. The bike has 110/150 adjustable forks and rides fine in the longer setting. It’s my do-it-all bike ridden from xc to “DH” trails. Based on your height you might be a small ?

Also getting to ride 25k on a Friday is to be saluted 🙂

Posted 8 years ago

makecoldplayhistory
Free Member

Came back to edit but was too slow.

2nd hand Soul so won’t be running to Cotic if I broke it by ignoring the rules.

edit: 26″.

I’m a teacher so follow the children out of the door and meet fellow bikers/teachers in the car park at 3:25. Just checked Strava. Only 22.7km 🙂

It’s my only time off family duties. Every other week we go to the pub with a “the children are already in bed so might as well have another few beers” attitude!

second edit:

I know they’re different bikes but wife’s 14″ Inbred is too small.

Posted 8 years ago

Fresh Goods Friday 700 - The censored edition

jambalaya
Free Member

Not sure where you are located, my bike is in Winchester area if you wanted to try it for size.

Posted 8 years ago

makecoldplayhistory
Free Member

S.W. Thailand…. but thanks for the offer.

Living over here has many benefits but it does mean buying bikes by numbers; especially if you’re studiously studying the classifieds waiting to jump on a bargain.

Posted 8 years ago

mr_stru
Full Member

I’m 5′ 10″, but with short legs, long back and have a small but that’s with 100mm forks so the reach on it is going to be a bit longer than it would with longer forks. I’ve done plenty of long days on it and it’s been perfectly comfy.

However, I’ve also got a Rocket and that’s a medium so make of that what you will.

Posted 8 years ago

JonEdwards
Free Member

Small.

I’m 5’10” and pretty much perfect for a medium. I do have a small BFe too, but that’s very much a jumpy/play bike kinda thing.

Paul @ Cotic is 5’8″ and he’s perfect on a small (in fact it was pretty much designed around him).

120/130mm forks will just be better all round than 150s. I’ve run 150s on my BFe, and whilst there’s certain conditions they’re awesome in, it does jack the BB up a bit high, and generally just takes the edge off the handling that makes Souls quite so good.

Posted 8 years ago

ryu1720
Free Member

OP I’m the same height as you and had a go on a medium 275 soul at the weekend. Did feel a little long for my tastes .I’ve found Cotic sizing recommendations tend to be spot on.

Posted 8 years ago

chiefgrooveguru
Full Member

I’d get a medium if I were you. I’m 3″ taller and have a medium but if I was buying again now I’d get a large. Bear in mind that the longer the forks, the shorter the reach. To be honest you’ll probably be fine either way!

Posted 8 years ago

jonnyrockymountain
Full Member

i’m 5’8″ and had a small just right, don’t know why I sold it

Posted 8 years ago

jambalaya
Free Member

Chapeau again fomroding in the heat and humidity. In 2yrs in Singapore I went cycling twice, not helped of course by living in such a built up place

Posted 8 years ago

MoreCashThanDash
Full Member

Ask Cotic, they are pretty helpful with these things

5’9″ on a Mk1 medium, if it helps

Posted 8 years ago

yunki
Free Member

I’m 5’7 and 3/4 🙂 and have a small MkII
It has a shortish stem at the moment which feels a tiny tiny bit cramped, but then I am used to riding an 18″ 90s Voodoo on a daily basis which probably increases the perception of feeling cramped on the Soul… i could easily solve this with a slightly longer stem

I wouldn’t recommend a 150mm fork personally, but then I’ve always found LT hardtails of that era more than a bit iffy..
I use a suspension corrected for 100mm rigid fork on both bikes (445mm A-C IIRC)

Posted 8 years ago

metalheart
Free Member

As mentioned above, the Cotic sizing guide is pretty accurate (and! dare I say it! there for a reason). You are top end of a small but still a small.

Will you ‘get away’ with a medium? Possibly, if you’ve a long reach and (run a short stem). I’m just shy of 6′ and I’m on a medium (70mm stem & setback seat pin).

I remember asking a similar question about running a set of 140 vans on my Mk 1 and Cy was adamant: no. Length of forks acting as a lever can rip the head tube off. Besides, I thought just about everyone was agreed now that 120mm is the sweet spot…

Posted 8 years ago

orena45
Full Member

5’8″ on a medium Mk3 26er – fits me well

Posted 8 years ago

spacehopper
Full Member

im 5ft 9… 29inch inside leg..

bought a second hand small mk2 26″ cotic soul off ebay..

it turned out to be a medium.. 🙁 I built it up anyway as I was unsure of the sizing too..

and it felt absolutely massive..

I think the main problem for me was the longer headtube and therefore higher top tube.. the reach i could have coped with but the top tube was way too high for my liking..

this was coming from a 16inch mk1 inbred though which has a tiny headtube and v.low top tube..

dismantled it and sold it straight on..

still got the inbred..

Posted 8 years ago

porlus
Free Member

Im around 5’8″ and just recently got a small sized 26″ wheeled Bfe. Fits great.

Posted 8 years ago

Psplat
Free Member

5′ 8″ and the small the the GF has is too small, she loves it though @ 5′ 7″.

Posted 8 years ago

P20
Full Member

I’m 5’8″ on a medium
The wife is 5’9″ on a small.

Posted 8 years ago

imnotverygood
Full Member

5’8″ Small. Fits fine
I think you could probably just get away with a medium

Posted 8 years ago

superfli
Free Member

I’m about 5’7 1/2″ same as you. I ride a small Mk2 Soul. 70mm stem, 740mm bars. I find it about right, although a little longer reach wouldn’t hurt.
I also run 150mm forks. They were originally 130mm, but I wanted them set to 140mm/coil. The chap I gave them to had probs with the coil, so left them set to “140mm”. This was after some time and I needed the bike back. Turns out the travel is at 150mm. Still it rides fine@150. (on your head be it though! Headtube may crack!).
I’ve just had my last ride on it though. Got a new HT frame/forks. Was a lovely lovely bike.

Posted 8 years ago

P20
Full Member

Photos might help:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/rmddpV]DSC_0020-1[/url] by ritcheyp20, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/eeRT8z]Cotic Soul[/url] by Tasha, on Flickr

Posted 8 years ago

hopkinsgm
Full Member

5’11” and my dear old medium BFe (26″ wheels) feels just right. Previously ran a set of Revelations set at 140mm, but it’s a surprisingly good all-rounder with a set of Lyriks set at 160mm. It’s my go-to non-fat bike.

Oddly, my medium Soul (also 26″ wheels) feels a bit on the small side, though with shorter forks (130mm Floats) and a longer stem, it ought to feel longer if anything…?

Posted 8 years ago

wallop
Full Member

I’m a 5’8″ doris and my medium was too long for me.

Posted 8 years ago

jambalaya
Free Member

😀

Posted 8 years ago

makecoldplayhistory
Free Member

Thanks all.

Looks like a med will be a bit big.

PSA. A med Soul with King headset and Hope seat clamp. £150 on Pinkbike.

Posted 8 years ago

superfli
Free Member

You can have my small Soul Mk2 orange with FSA headset and Hope seatclamp for £150 – Portsmouth area. Email in profile

Posted 8 years ago

burnsybhoy
Free Member

makecoldplayhistory – Member
Thanks all.

Looks like a med will be a bit big.

PSA. A med Soul with King headset and Hope seat clamp. £150 on Pinkbike.

Any idea if this is still available. I know I can register and ask but I’ve never bothered with Pinkbike before.

Posted 8 years ago

Scamper
Free Member

5ft 8. 31 inside leg. Had a small soul and bfe with 55mm stem. Perfect for messing around in the woods and going down hill but a little cramped for long xc days. Also found my reverb could not extend enough to give me my perfect xc riding position at minimum insertion ie the medium would have more seat tube length I think.

Posted 8 years ago

Haze
Full Member

5′ 7″ and another small, it’s perfect 🙂

Posted 8 years ago

martinhutch
Full Member

I’m 5ft 7 and a half inches. I have a small. With a 65mm stem. Occasionally it does feel a touch cramped for flat out pedalling, but unless you are slightly bizarrely proportioned in terms of arm length, I think it’s the right size for you.

Posted 8 years ago

Northwind
Full Member

I’m 5’10, had a medium soul and a small bfe. The Soul fitted me like a glove, the Bfe was a bit small. I reckon you’ll fit on it but I don’t think it’ll fit.

Posted 8 years ago

chestercopperpot
Free Member

Small will fit you. Bear in mind if you read Cotics spec the higher up the height range the longer the stem i.e. Cotic say a 50-90mm stem for 5’5″ – 5’8″ height with layback seatpost, therefore a 60 or 70mm stem will most likely be best for your height.

Not sure but remember the Soul/BFe geo was originally optimised for 120mm travel!! Many are comfortable with 140mm maximum static travel, anything over is going to be DH orientated with front wheel lift on steep ups, which might not matter to you.

Posted 8 years ago