Ive had a trek fuel over 3 years now and thinking about a change back to a hardtail. Trying to decide between the 2, solaris would require a complete build while the bfe would be a frame only using the parts from the trek. Before anyone suggests the soul I’ve got a reverb so has to be solaris of bfe. Obviously the bfe is the cheaper option but would I regret not going for the solaris. Anyone ridden both and have an opinion?
Cheers .

Solaris.

Trek fuel or fuel EX?
Trying to work out what length forks you have to go in the BFe

So 26″ wheel or 29″ wheel then? But Cotic only?

Have you ridden (m)any 29″ wheeled bikes?
Maybe need to try a few, and a few steel hardtails too?
Are cotic still doing demo days, albeit in derbyshire?

What sort of riding ?

I got a BFe a few months back as my do it all bike, it’s been fantastic, it’s done long rides, short rides, xc, steep and techy. It rides smoothly, not harsh at all, and is loads of fun to chuck about. I have 150/120 adjustable forks for max flexibility. Since I got the bike I’ve not ridden my 160mm FS.

If you want a fun chuckable bike then the BFe perhaps spending some money on new adjustable forks – you cannot go wrong.

So I’ve not ridden any 29er and to be honest feel no need to.

Trek fuel ex8, set up 1×10 gearing, sektor fork set at 130 but could go to 150mm, or get them converted to dual position. Thinking that the bfe would make a great bike for shorter rides and maybe get a short travel fs 29er like an anthem when funds allow for longer rides.

@Duke, I got my BFe for longer rides (for me that’s 50k plus, 3-5 hours) and its comfortable on such rides but still fun on descents and jumps.

Solaris is a great long distance mile muncher and fast. Went from a fuel ex and solaris seems just as fast if not faster…

Just ordered a Bfe in green from cycle world in Arbroath, cant wait to get it built up 😀

Don’t know about Solaris but agree all the way with jambalaya. I have a BFe as a do it all bike and it’s fab I do Dales Lakes and some trails centres.

New Soul will take your Reverb!

PS> Loved my Solaris today riding for 5 hours on Exmoor – handled rocky drops where friends on 26″ were almost endoing but munched the miles as well…

But you cant get the soul in green !

But you cant get the soul in green

True, but they come in Orange

P1040580 by eastham_david, on Flickr

Ooo, nice Vortex, I like that a lot!

Sorry Duke, please carry on…

Have to agree that orange soul looks fab, but i really like the green and the bfe is £170 cheaper

but i really like the green and the bfe is £170 cheaper

True, but it is a full 1lbs heavier.

I went for the Soul again rather than the BFe, because the last 2 have been great, My riding really does not require a BFe. (I have had one of those as well)

If the Soul would have been in green I would have had that rather than Orange.

Blue is nice too…

Untitled by oxym0r0n, on Flickr

I must agree that the soul would suit my riding style more but i’ll be using my gold hope hubs and bottom bracket and dont think they would go too well with orange

Green soul you say? You could just buy one cheap second hand then get it whatever colour you like!

Are you choosing a bike based on frame colour 😯

Yeah isn’t that what everyone does? 😕

whereisthurso, that looks very similar to how mine should look like, only with gold hubs and a reverb seatpost. Is that dundee in the background?

It is indeed Dundee. Not many souls in this neck of the woods and even fewer green ones!