Hi
Could I please get some advice from the people that know what is the difference in the cotic soul and the cotic Bfe. I’ll be doing normal xc/ all mountain ridding so which would you recommend.
+1 for the Soul. Mine is built quite strong with Flow wheels, bolt-through fork, a 740 bar and short stem, would be just the job for the riding you’ve described. I’ve never felt the need for anything stronger and I’m 17 stone.
I decided to sell he Soul last year to buy a CX bike, went for one last ride on the Soul and thought I cant sell this, and have not regretted it…Great Bike,
You need a medium green 2013 Bfe! There just so happens to be a great one in the classifieds at the moment. The fact that the guy selling it has the same user name as me is errrr…. Some kinda fluke. Yeah, I’ll go with that
I had a BFe with u-turn lyrics and it was a laugh – think FRANK THE TANK.
It was a heavy mother – 3 hr ride in the hills and I’d definitely be feeling it. Cool bike, but really – who is riding a soul and thinking man, I need to hold back or I might break this? Basically no one, so it’s not like the BFe will take you places the soul cannot reach.
Soul is a decent amount more expensive is it not? So not a completely like for like comparison – makes the BFe more attractive from that POV.
The Soul felt more special, but I actually preferred the Bfe. Cornered harder, went down rough stuff faster. Would get to the bottom of a run knackered from concentration, battered thighs, moving around on the bike continually but with a big smile on my face. Rear triangle was a tad dead compared to the Soul, mind. Actually wished I’d kept both frames now.
I’m riding a bfe and it’s definitely the best bike I’ve had. I have 160mm Fox 36s on it and even going down serious stuff it feels like it could do so much more. It’s heavy but so capable. And a considerable amount cheaper. I’ve had a Soul too and it didn’t have the indestructible feeling that the Bfe does.
Had to use my Bfe as a commuter for a couple of weeks earlier this year. I got side swiped by an idiot in a car, lost my endpapers, but utterly destroyed his mirror. Tis the Tonka truck of hardtails and makes you ride like a hooligan. Great confidence inspiring bike that can tackle pretty much anything.
The Soul felt more special, but I actually preferred the Bfe. Cornered harder, went down rough stuff faster. Would get to the bottom of a run knackered from concentration, battered thighs, moving around on the bike continually but with a big smile on my face. Rear triangle was a tad dead compared to the Soul, mind. Actually wished I’d kept both frames now.
Couldn’t have put it better myself. The Soul was beautiful to ride, but always thought I was doing it an injustice with my poor lines. The BFe that replaced it is a hooligan, which suits my roughness better.
The main difference between the Soul and BFe is the tubing (including the head tube). From memory, it’s 4.4lb for a medium Soul versus 5.5lb for a BFe.
I’ve had my Soul for 5 years and re-painted it last year. I really should have put a 1.5 head tube on it though…
The new one is still the same geometry and it’s still made of 853 – I’d like a new head tube, but I can’t find enough reason to change it otherwise.
Great bikes from a great company. I went to their warehouse clearance back in June. Friendly bunch of guys who seem to have a real passion for what they do. I really want a Solaris 🙁
funkmasterp – Member
Great bikes from a great company. I went to their warehouse clearance back in June. Friendly bunch of guys who seem to have a real passion for what they do. I really want a Solaris
Spent a fair chunk of today riding my Solaris. Great bike. Probably not want you wanted to hear though 😉
Ben – I think the latest Soul/Bfe have dropped about half a pound each. My Bfe was 5lb on the nose, my classic Soul 4.4lbs, but I think the latest version is lighter still.
I’m confused now!! Looking at buying a BFe for thrashing around over the winter. I want to be able to ride it around the likes of Brecfa but also my local DH track (slowly) as I have a Nomad bigger days and uplifts. Now not sure if I want a BFE or a Soul !!
Gixxer – how tall are you and what does that weigh roughly? I like the look of that!!
Never ridden a soul. Have a bfe though. Built up with pikes,saint cranks etc. 1 x 10 with an expansion ring. 27 lbs which in my opinion is light enough for xc stuff and strong enough for anything else. Love it.
I love the ways that not one bad thing was said about either these bikes. They sound unreal. Can’t wait to get one now. It sounds like I can’t go to wrong going either of the two.
Went from a soul to a bfe back to a soul. Bfe can be a bit stiff for full days riding, but tbh the soul isn’t as comfy as it used to be before they beefed up the seat tube. Still got a certain amount of compliance though. As said above, both great bikes.
I don’t think there is a better hard tail frame than these two, I certainly can’t imagine any hard tail could be more fun or do anything better than my soul.
It s more than capable for anything I’m prepared to ride down anyway
mk3 Soul here, with 120 forks and a reverb. It copes admirably with variety of natural and tecky stuff I ride and I rarely miss the Orange 5 it replaced
I love my Soul. I got it when they were selling the last batch of green 26 for a discount in January this year. Cotic offered a swap for the 27.5 when I asked but I decided to stck with the 26, and I’m glad I did.
I’ve done 95% of my riding on it this year and barely touched the Five. It’s as good as people say it is and depending on the build, very aesthetically pleasing to the eye.