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I have a fork-related question - I'm currently running a 140mm Pike on my Solaris Max - I love the bike, but I think the front might be a bit too slack for me. Does anyone have any experience with the difference in feel between 140-120mm? The geo chart says it steepens the HA by around 0.5deg, so I assumed it wasn't worth the hassle of changing my fork travel.
I went with 140mm forks, thinking I could reduce the travel later. I haven't found the HA too slack, and like the bike as it is. I'be been interested to try one day though.
@twrch It's not just about the angles. The shorter fork and shorter front centre and lower front end all will help sharpen up the steering response as it will be easier to weight the front wheel. It's also a little more centre for seated climbing too. My personal preference is for 120mm on these bikes, and you can tell the difference despite it looking quite subtle on paper.
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So after starting this thread bloody ages ago finally got out for a first ride after a crap winter of back problems and illness. Did an 11 mile wander around Delamere and although very boggy in places when you go off the fire roads it was a good first test of the bike.
Very happy with it. The new SLX brakes where superb, felt much better than the guide t's and R's I've had recently. Those Hunt wheels are amazing. Only ever had stock wheelsets before and these are the first I've ever upgraded to. Just roll so fast and feel really planted. Also very happy with the NX gearing, doesn't feel any different to the GX I had on my last bike. So glad I went for this frame, just feels like you can throw anything at it and feels high quality. Looking forward to trying some more testing routes when the weather improves.
Ta @cy. I ordered a set of Maxxis WT tyres for my 30mm 29 wheels last night. I placed an order last week for an XL in red dwarf after seeing some great photos of a bike in that colour (not sure if solarismax) made up on Cotic's flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/coticltd/46867722484/in/photostream
I was so close to pulling the trigger on a Mercury with some orange or pink hope bits, but those photos swung it in the end!
Sorry to say I also went 130mm travel but I figured I could reduce it down the line.
Just had what I think will be my last ride on mine, due to a little re-shuffle of the fleet.
Anyone after a medium, you know where I am.
I was intent on dropping my Fox 34 forks from 140mm to 120mm. Yet it seems to ride well in the 140mm guise.
My concern about dropping the travel on the front is how that affects the stack height and riding position. I'm already running 15mm of spacers under the stem with no room for manoeuvre due to the steerer tube length and I wouldn't want the cotic stem and bars any lower. As they are pretty low already. This provides a stretched, seated riding position even with the saddle pushed forward on the rails.
The bike did get some getting used to too. I bought a large cosmic black frame in Sept but didn't get it built up (taking all of the drivetrain, forks, brakes and wheelset from a donor bike) until Nov. I'm running 30mm internal DT Swiss wheels and Maxxis 29 x 2.5 DHF and Aggressor tyres. The first four rides (the second ride resulted in a crash losing the front end) before Christmas I struggled to get a feel for the bike and gel with it.
The last two rides have been much better. I'm getting used to the longer, slacker geo, the increased wheelbase, etc. What felt heavy, not as playful, not as poppy is actually stable and centred. The increased reach over the previous bike is also an improvement. The more I ride it the more I'm getting used to it and adapting. So the poppy and playfulness is returning. It's quite the steamroller and even though it's perhaps the heaviest bike I've had for a while reasonable nimble.
I'm not rating the Aggressor though, especially at this time of year so will change to a DHR II WT.
So, I'm still tempted to drop the forks to 120mm but seeing as I'm still getting to know the bike I might leave it for another month. Has any else gone from 140mm to 120mm?
@kingofbiscuits I've ordered the airshaft to drop mine from 140mm to 120mm. I'll report back once I test it out.
Thanks for the info, @cy. It persuaded me to spend the cash on a 120mm airshaft.
@ductions Ace! The Red Dwarf is such a rad colour. Good call. And don't apologise about 130mm forks. They will be great, I really am talking about just tailoring the bike to suit certain conditions, but it certainly doesn't ride badly with any of the different forks, it's just degrees of awesome 😉 Excited for your first ride. I love getting new people on Cotic's.
@kingofbiscuits As I mentioned, it doesn't ride badly with 140 - far from it - it just tips the balance towards bombing down rather than flick/flack singletrack. I know what you mean about the front end though. I'm tall and ride an XL and I ended up with 38mm rise bars on my SodaMAX (same shape, ti frame) with 120mm forks.
Thanks @cy I'll look to source a stem and bars with increased rise to compensate with the lower front end when its reduced to 120mm.
Although it rides well at 140mm I think 120mm would be the sweet spot for my local riding and the bike in general. Hell, my original Mk 1 Solaris coped admirably with everything I've thrown at it over the last 8 years with 100mm forks.
Looking forward to hear how it goes @twrch
@kingofbiscuits I have already been down this road on my XL, I ended up with a cotic 35mm Stem (£39) & Nukeproof Horizon Carbon bars (38mm rise) for £50 in the CRC sale a while back.
It makes difference so Id agree its worth exploring.
Ive also been at 120mm & 140mm & have stayed at 140mm.
Im also considering trimming my bars to 780mm to add that consideration
@kingofbiscuits The Renthal Fatbars (same as we offer as a build option) are a similar shape to Calver bars, but available in 38mm. I've been using some Spank Vibrocore bars for a couple of months which are really comfy too and they have a 40mm option.
@timc Interested to know what difference you felt at 120mm, and why you switched back.
Got mine set at 130mm and can't really imagine going any less. The front end feels a bit low on mine but could be due to my lower back issues. Trying to upload a picture but cant find a decent picture hosting app.
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I test rode in 140mm fork mode and couldn't fault it. Loved it.
My actual build has the 120mm Yari from my Mk2 at the moment. I'll see how I get on but may get it swapped for a 130mm or 140mm. I'd planned to go up immediately but based on @cy comments I'll give it a fair crack at 120!
@leythervegas the blue works really well with that frame, looks great. What tyres are you using?
Cheers ductions. Got Minions front and rear. Too early to say how good they are bit did ok on my first ride and it was pretty wet.
Oh no just got an email from TNT saying estimated delivery is next week on 20th, made sure I was at home today as well!
@kingofbiscuits Here's my update...I cancelled my order for a 120mm airshaft, based on people's comments here. Not sure it's worth the dosh and hassle to change.
Well, Friday I'm going to take back possession of dark metal... My 'packer's trans is worn out and I fancied a change so it'll be B+ 2x11 and 120 X-Fusion.
However, my question is about 29x2.6 tyres... My flaremax has a light/high grip 2.5 vigilante up front (tough/fast 2.4 judge on the back) and I'm planning on swapping out for 2.6's (vigilante front/trail boss rear). Is it worth going tough/high grip upfront? Esp as (when the foot isn't acting up) I mostly ride it natural/wild in the Cairngorms... (Lost a rekon on the Lairig and louigih 50m meters after the saddle to a big slash...)
Also, what pressures are people running 2.6's at? I've a set of specialized 2.6's on one wheel set that I'm heading to the same pressures as for 2.8 B+'s....
I don’t think FlareMAX will take a 29x2.6 Trail Boss in the Swingarm. It’s a monster of a tyre. I use grip up front and fast at the back. The sidewalls on more recent light WTB are tougher than they used to be… which makes the call on light vs tough tricker. Rekon have super light sidewalls in comparison. WTB are heavier in all guises to a Rekon.
Ah, forgotten that it was just the hardtails that were 2.6 compatible. I’ll try the specialized shod set in (its the bike I bought them for, to replace the Hope endurotechs) and check for clearance. I noticed quite a few frame pings from gravel pick up on the SodaMAX so just as well I’ve not ordered yet (come to think of it there is a 2.4 trail boss lurking in the ‘spares’ pile... cheers kelvin!)
Is there any problem on the SolarisMAX/SodaMAX with the 2.6 trail boss? It’s actually the wheelset off this that I’m going to change tyres on (currently unfashionable skinny HR2 2.3/Ardent 2.25 atm... 😱).
Initial impressions are that this is the way I want to go now... 🤷🏼♂️
Anybody any pressures advice/comments?
@metalheart how do you find having a Solaris/SodaMAX and Flare. I have a Soul 275 (non longshot) but have a hankering for a 29er hardtail, my worry is that there'd be a lot of overlap between the bikes, plus it's even longer in the reach department.
@fathomer
The SolarisMAX is built up (and will be built up) purely as a ‘packer. So it’s workhorse guise (comparatively) ugly build but it’s for all day comfort and I don’t care how it looks if it minimises my pain. It’s also currently B+.
The SodaMAX is my preferred ‘go to’/first choice ride. To me, it rides just as good as it looks and it’s as bling as I go. A 35mm stem and 800mm renthals feels the right reach for me. As above I mostly ride natural/wild around the Cairngorms and this lets me get to feel like I’m hanging out at the edge a bit (it’s all comparative and I’m too long in the tooth to want to ride hard all day and risk harm). It’s probably my favourite bike ever. Has been (and always will be) 29er.
The FlareMAX is the short blast let it all hang out (i.e. Laggan red runs) push myself and because (before tendinitis issues) I’d my eye back into riding ‘properly’ I could ‘justify’ a full sus again. Truth be told I find this one just a little short even with a 45mm stem. But because it’s not intended for all day riding it doesn’t really matter enough to bother me. And with 140mm forks I’ve need to go for 10mm rise fatbars (over the 30mm ones on the SodaMAX) as even slammed it feels too high. Likewise, 29er.
Bikes are what I spend my money on and it helps my general health and well being. I’ve discovered that it’s almost essential for my mental well being as well so you need to factor that into my response.
HTH.
Thanks @metalheart if/when I decide to change the hardtail I'll get a demo on a Solaris back to back with my Flare. I just have a feeling I want something a little shorter etc. so it feels different enough.
I tend to ride my bike the other way round, full sus for days out in the Peak/Lakes etc. hardtail for evening rides in the woods etc.
@metalheart I had thought about that, it'd still be 40mm ish more reach than the Soul.
Is there any problem on the SolarisMAX/SodaMAX with the 2.6 trail boss?
As far as I know they’re fine.
Anyone else noticed a possible frame redesign on the seat tube / seat stay / tob tube junction?
Check the bridge on the purple and red frames!
That's the arrangement on the size small
Anyone else noticed a possible frame redesign on the seat tube / seat stay / tob tube junction?
That’s different to my large purple Solaris. Is that just on the small frame?
Aha that explains it 🙂
Yup, no room for a wishbone on the small.
@fathomer The SolarisMAX will feel wildly different to your Soul if it's pre-Longshot. The new SolarisMAX sort of doesn't understand it's a hardtail, so you'll definitely be able to get into rowdier terrain with more confidence. Get a demo and you'll see what I mean.
@cy my Soul is pre-Longshot and know it'll feel very different. I just don't want it to feel to similar to my Longshot FlareMAX (which is bloody awesome). If/when I decide to replace the Soul I'll definitely get a demo booked, I've been on a couple before 🙂
@fathomer If you have a FlareMAX, the SolarisMAX will feel familiar then. I can't deny that! Maybe a look at the current Gen5 Soul might be the thing?
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Can anyone compare the Solaris against the Sonder Signal Ti ? I have narrowed it down to one of these two. I will be running 2.25inch tyres on long XC days in Scotland, and then 2.4inch for general trail riding.
Just for info really,
Raleigh EGO carbon bars can be had for £60 if you look around, same specs as the Cotic Ali bars. Bit more back sweep than normal but I have found this alleviates any wrist ache I used to get on big mile rides.
I tried 2 different spec/sweep etc bars I had in spares box on my Solarismax and they didn’t really work with the reach of my large frame 5’11”, with normalish (beer gut) body proportion
The EGO bars are Bob on 👍
I'm 6ft., looking st buying a large. Given the length of the seat post, how small is too small for a dropper? Also, how is the "fun-factor" on the Solaris Max?
I’m 6 ft and ran a 150mm x-fusion dropper post. Could probably have squeezed in a 170mm if I tried....