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I’ve a MK5 Soul and I’m thinking about replacing it with a new Solaris for general riding duties - trail and XC.
Worth the change or not?
By the way I’m a short arse at 5’7”.
Best head to a cotic demo to test the Solaris max and maybe ride one back to back against a soul. The new Solaris max seems popular on here judging by the nine pages!
Tested latest soul vs previous Solarismax last year. Expected to love the soul but the Solarismax was the better bike for me. Can only imagine the new Longshot one is even better (i am a fan of long bikes)
Had a back to back demo on both a small Solaris Max and a Soul last week on the Cotic test loop. Much perferred the Solaris Max - it just felt ‘right’ and like the option to run as 27.5 plus or 29.
I’m 5’7” too and as a previous Soul owner expected to prefer the Soul but this definitely wasn’t the case. In fact i got a bit giddy and ordered the new Soda Max as a very early 50th birthday present to me...😳
Thanks Chunkly
Can I ask what we’re the main differences that you noticed on the back to back test?
There is a Cotic day neR me fairly soon but I have a busted wrist so will only be able to get a very gentle test ride on the Solaris .
Hi
It was more of a general feel.
Difficult to explain but I felt like I was sat in the Solaris and slightly more perched on the Soul (I hope that makes sense!). The Solaris was set up with plus tyres, a 45mm stem and 140mm forks, the Soul with standard tyres, a 35mm stem and 130mm forks so that might explain some of the difference. The Solaris felt a lot more stable going down but the Soul was slightly more agile in the twisty stuff (possibly the stem and steeper head angle). I mainly ride on open rocky trails so not too bothered about slightly better 'flickability', although if I rode in tight wooded sections it might be more of an issue. I also did a quick car park test with 29 wheels on the Solaris and it still felt spot on position and fit wise. Looking at the geometry charts there is a slight difference in reach between the two (Solaris has slightly more) and the Solaris has a slacker head angle and steeper seat angle.
I have bought the bike for mainly big mile days so that stable reach/position/comfort thing was my main consideration. I also do a lot of road miles and can't stand feeling cramped. I have shorter legs and longer body (gibbon like!) so the new geometry probably suits me perfectly. Probably could have tried a medium Soul but the Solaris was just right so I felt no need (although it would have saved me a boatload of cash...)
Hope this helps.