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Jon
Whilst at 35 I'm not ready for my pipe a slippers, with the day job and the reality of life I am not going to be launching off any sheds anytime soon.
As much as I lived the BFe and think it's a beautiful bike I think I know the Soul is probably the right choice
Incidentally - what colour frame did you go for?
This thread has led me to change my next bike from a bfe to a soul. And I’m 100% sure it’s the right call too.
don't get the BFe, the handlin won't be much different, it'll be heavier, you won't do anything on it you couldn't have done on the soul etc etc.
but most importantly, there's nothing worse than a steel frame that doesn't give you the comfort a steel frame should. it's just a drag. get the soul. be comfortable and not beat up at the end of a ride.
nb, i've never owned either, but i have owned a 2 too heavy too rigid steel hardtails...
I don't need the brick outhouseness of the BFe
I don't think anyone does tbh. As someone who would rag the shit out of this type of bike, and is relatively heavy @ 15st, i'd still go Soul all day long. Unless you like crashing into walls - the BFe is complete overkill 😀
<not helpful post> Never ridden a soul but my 2012ish 26" BFe never fails to make me grin like an eejit </not helpful post>
I think it is amazing really how much love there is for both bikes.
Having ridden the BFe I can say that I thought it was a great bike and a lot of fun. I would agree with everyone who says that it is heavier and more than I would need or use. The only "problem" - if you can all it that - was that whilst it is heavier I didn't feel it was heavy and whilst it was more than I needed it was still tremendous fun.
So that is why despite knowing that the Soul probably is the right choice I have felt so torn.
Having said all of that I would probably have fun on either!
Buy Both 🙂
It isn't just the strength though - the BFe is stiffer, which some prefer, particularly with a longer fork trying to twist the frame about. And the BFe is optimised for 20mm more fork travel (steeper seat angle and lower BB), so if you prefer how a longer fork feels (I'm liking 150mm travel on my hardtail) then it's probably the better choice.
I doubt you'd break either in normal riding, even with some hefty cases and hucks.
Love the look of the new be... But...
I bought a new soul in Mercury. It looks gorgeous, took it for its first ride last night...
It's awesome. Apart from the saddle.
I have the bike we first tested the Mercury finish on. It's lush. Still looking great after plenty of abuse as well. Photos can't do it justice.
I love my Mk5 BFe, having owned a Genesis Tarn and tried a number of other alu 150mm hardtails whatever the static weight the BFe rides lighter, has the most compliant feel and best ride up, down and along...
To be fair I bought it before the new Soul was released and as I wanted to reuse a 150mm fork and non boost wheels the new Soul would not be a contender.
Being a Cotic convert I'm sure you will love either!
Every1 I see riding a Bfe looks like their having such fun
&
I was gonna go 130mm for the fork
BFe is NOT some kind of brick sh.t house, I ride mine for everything inc xc all day rides.
You can put a 130mm fork on a Soul and you won’t die or the frame disintegrate.
Buy the bike you WANT. Either will be just fine 8)
Soul will happily take 140 - it’s rated for it. It’s usy more than is sensible though, 120-130 is usually a happier place for the bike. I failed to catch fire at 140 for a couple of years before trying shorter forks though...
Theyre both loveky
Inspired by this thread, I left the Rocket in the garage and dragged the BFe out round the woods today. Of course it can do 'normal' XC style tides, even if an XS BFe feels like a BMX after riding the Rocket.
It IS a brick poocabin of a bike though...
[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4610/28040932219_9a04485875_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4610/28040932219_9a04485875_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/JHT7dB ]2018 01 21 bike 10 02[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/robpaul/ ]Rob P[/url], on Flickr
Im glad it inspired you and that is a lovely bike
I think they are both so capable that they cross over so much
The soul is so tough it will do all I could throw at it
The Bfe so tough but still lighter than many more xc/trail spectrum bikes.
Cotic have made 2x fantastic bikes and I'd probably have a blast on either but just need to choose 1
Where are these SolarisMAX frames on offer?
New Solaris coming...
Just as well I've at least decided it's 27.5 so I don't have to add that in!