I owned a medium Cotic Soul for about three months and absolutely loved it. I sold it in favour of a second hand ti456 and have always regretted it.
I'm just short of 6ft and the medium was a great fit. I think I could even have ridden a small and indeed, I'm now on a small Dialled Alpine, although the small Alpine is a little larger than the small Soul.
The Soul is just one of those bikes. In ten years time magazines will have it in their 'top ten bikes of all time' lists. It's just so right, so well balanced, so capable and so much fun.
I can't answer your question about comparing it to the Hemlock as I haven't ridden one and I would suggest that it's not an apples with apples comparison. But in terms of geometry and handling, with a 130mm-140mm fork, the bike is beautifully balanced when speeding along single track and descending.
It’s not the best on super steep stuff and it still has a discernable twang to its ride (whereas the BFe I rode was noticeably stiffer and less forgiving) but to a large extent that is all part of its charm.
At your height, a small is the right choice in my view. You may be able to ride a medium, but I think for that compact, ‘chuckable’ feel then the small is the way to go.
Put it this way, Dirt have had the Soul in their yearly ‘Dirt 100’ for the last three years.
You’ll love it so just buy one.
You’ll love it so just buy one.
You’ll love it so just buy one.
You’ll love it so just buy one.
You’ll love it so just buy one.
You’ll love it so just buy one.
You’ll love it so just buy one.
and was wondering how I would go with a small frame in terms of size. I like smaller, chuckable frames, so thought this might be a goer. Can anyone offer any experience/advice?
