Soul and BFe - weights and ride differences?

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Soul and BFe - weights and ride differences?

16 posts & 11 voices | Started 1 year ago by reggiegasket | Latest reply from chutney13

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reggiegasket - Member

Tempted by both but was wondering what the differences are in terms of:

- frame weight
- ride characteristics

Cotic claims the geo is "the same" but what length forks do you need for them to be "the same"?
The the BFe is set up for a longer fork as standard compared to the soul. If the geo numbers are based on the same fork then the BFe will surely raise it's BB when you stick a 160mm fork on...?

Also the BFe is £375 and the Soul a whopping £480. What does the xtra £100 pay for?

or rather, why buy a Soul?

Posted 1 year ago #
Roblilly - Member

Reggie, it depends more on what type of riding you do or want to do more than anything (IMO) as you can pick up either frame, pre loved, for similar money.

I run a BFe with 160's, but will be moving more to 140-150 when I can afford to.

I don't ride with a lot of finesse and am a bit of a chubber so the whole "how much does it weigh" is irrelevent!

Posted 1 year ago #
souldrummer - Member

Have a look on the Geek part of Cotic's website. It explains how the angles change with various fork lengths. As I understand a Bfe with a 120mm fork will have the same geometry as a Soul with the same fork.

Posted 1 year ago #
davidtaylforth - Member

Soul is lighter and probably comfier for xc riding.

If you want to ride any dh/dirt jumps/4x then buy a bfe. it is heavier but the geometry is just the same. I think mine rides nicely with about 100mm of travel.

Posted 1 year ago #
reggiegasket - Member

thanks, that's what I wanted to know.

So basically, you want a BFe if you want a tough build and can absorb/tolerate the extra weight, and Soul if you want lighter, more XC ride.

But they aren't any different in terms of angles (i.e. slackness)...

So the question must be... how much heavier is the BFe and how strong/whippy is the Soul

Posted 1 year ago #
chutney13 - Member

i think it's about a pound difference, 4.4 for the soul, 5.4 for the bfe.

Posted 1 year ago #
trailofdestruction - Member

* hijack *

Nearly got all the parts together to finish buiding my Soul, but need a seat clamp. Does anyone know what size is it please (older style frame). Is it a 31.8 ? Thanks.

* /hijack *

Posted 1 year ago #
Klunk - Member

30mm

Posted 1 year ago #
reggiegasket - Member

I want similar ride qualities as a 456 - i.e. strong and solid on the downs but I also want to ride Lakes trails for 3 hours and not puff out....

Is the Soul or BFe closer to a 456....?

I'm thinking the Soul is probably closer to what I want but I don't like whippy frames, so I'm a tad concerned the Soul won't be stiff enough for chucking about.

Posted 1 year ago #
damion - Member

AFAIK, going from memory, a 456 is about a degree slacker than either a soul or bfe for a given fork length.

Skinny wise, soul closer to old inbred, bfe closer to 456. I've been promised that a bfe is not much different to a soul in the long run, as they can't make a 14" soul.

Still got my finger hovering over the buy button...

Posted 1 year ago #
trailofdestruction - Member

Thanks Klunk

Posted 1 year ago #
younggeoff - Member

Soul is plenty stiff enough for riding in the lakes in my humble opinion

Posted 1 year ago #
davidtaylforth - Member

I'd get a Soul, my bfe is very stiff and isnt very comfy at all.

Posted 1 year ago #
rondo101 - Member

Pretty sure it's 30.0mm

edit - took too long to reply.

Posted 1 year ago #
brewking - Member

The steel 456 I had was not as nice to ride the old version BFe I now ride. The 456 flexes and is softer overall. Also found the BFe to climb better and I think the stiffer chain stays help. Going down the BFe feels far more planted and fun.

Posted 1 year ago #
chutney13 - Member

i'd get a soul too, they are so comfy. never feels out of depth, well at least it doesn't before i do, and does feel light.

Posted 1 year ago #

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