Owned a few over the years including these two, now have a bogey green Solaris..
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4249/34972237296_147a0d36a7.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4249/34972237296_147a0d36a7.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/VhnRJy ]1[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/49281217@N02/ ]Scud75[/url], on Flickr[/img][img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4226/34201438883_5704835afd.jp g" target="_blank">
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4226/34201438883_5704835afd.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/U7gjdK ]2[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/49281217@N02/ ]Scud75[/url], on Flickr[/img]
I'm on my fourth Cotic, first came a mk2 Soul to replace my Genesis Core frame, loved it, so got a mk3 frame to facilitate tapered forks and a dropper as I thought it'd stay forever. Cost me nothing to change to the mk3, one off here, one pinkbike, sold the mk2 on. mk2 was black, mk3 green.
Then I decided I wanted a full sus, so sold my soul frame and built a zesty up, keeping my On One Scandal as only hardtail. A few months later that got a frame swap for a mk2 solaris, in orange.
I then basically decided I don't like 29ers on tech/steep stuff, so I got rid, and now, have a lovely orange Soul275:
[img] https://imgur.com/a/wxAJR [/img]
Fixed link:
[img] 
[/img]
On it's first decent ride here, a 30 mile meander through Radnorshire hills, old Rough Ride territory.
This one's a keeper, though I wouldn't mind a Flare to go with it.....
1 week on...Friday bump
Took delivery of a Solaris Max last week from Keswick MTB. First ride out around Whinlatter yesterday. Just fab!!! 🙂
One week on and I'm fully bonded with my week old flare, over 100 miles of singletrack and twisty forest switchbacks and I'm getting faster still 🙂
[img] 
[/img]
Cotic Number Three was just finished, a New Solaris in gloss gunmetal with orange Hope bits to pimp it slightly. So far it's gone to the end of the drive and back, hope to get a coast-to-coast (all 11 miles of it) in this weekend to check I screwed everything down.
Here are mine - still got all 3 of them:
Early Soul:
[img] 
[/img]
BFe:
[img] 
[/img]
Roadrat Alfine:
[img] 
[/img]
My escapade. Tested a lot of similar bikes at the time but this one felt the best. Really good to ride both off and on road.
[URL= http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af325/root-n-5th/Escapade/2D4BD814-33F1-4B75-AC91-14B5A2FF2F6D.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af325/root-n-5th/Escapade/2D4BD814-33F1-4B75-AC91-14B5A2FF2F6D.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
So every friday is Cotic day!? 🙂
It should be 😉
Finally got down the woods this evening to get some mud on my shiny new Solaris.
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4275/35060173776_12537d5c8f_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4275/35060173776_12537d5c8f_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4254/34266311524_0823455282_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4254/34266311524_0823455282_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/UcZNAy ]The rat[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/19705521@N00/ ]DaveyBoyWonder[/url], on Flickr
My utilitarian Roadrat. Does the station commute brilliantly although a much shorter stem has been fitted since this pic and the bar ends have gone.
Going to 1x it sometime though as the Alfine is just so damn heavy!
Its my 3rd Cotic. Had a mk2 Soul and one of the very first Roadrats about 8 years ago...
Here's my Mk2 Soul on a misty traverse across to Cragg Quarry earlier in the year:
[img] 
[/img]
For all that the wheels are too small, the travel too short, the steerer too straight, etc, etc, it's a totally awesome bike and I love it 🙂
@mikesbikes71 - contact me if you're still up for a ride. email in profile.
Finally finished, bought the frame in the yellow sale. still playing around with the bars flat or low rise.
loving it so far, the one thing is mudguards, i like the clean look of the bike and I'm loathed to chuck a load of scaffolding on it, any stealth options out there?
[img] 
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[img] 
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[img][url= http://i.imgur.com/ZSLga0j.jp g" target="_blank">
New to me, or at least the frame is..
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4201/34866678511_e7cbaa4fc7_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4201/34866678511_e7cbaa4fc7_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/V83QMv ]DSC_1247[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/136996011@N06/ ]RYAN KENT[/url], on Flickr[/img][img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4220/34835221662_c139da1df4_z.jp g" target="_blank">
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4220/34835221662_c139da1df4_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/V5gBL3 ]DSC_1252[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/136996011@N06/ ]RYAN KENT[/url], on Flickr[/img][img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4199/34866669601_eac92089ca_k.jp g" target="_blank">
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4199/34866669601_eac92089ca_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/V83N8T ]DSC_1260[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/136996011@N06/ ]RYAN KENT[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Here's my trio all absolutely brilliant fun to ride
Non owner here.... But some lovely builds in this thread!
Would love a Solaris but budget doesn't run to that...
Great thread! 😀
Solaris frame in the classifieds atm 😉
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/cotic-solaris-frame
What are you replacing it with RD?
Is the Solaris a big Soul? My old 456 hasn't turned a wheel since i got the RocketMax and i think it has a touch of wheel envy. I think a 29 hardtail would do me rightly (and mean i'll have the option of swapping wheels/tyres if something unfortunate happens). Sadly yours is too small Mr d0g.
Speaking of the Max, i can't be the only chap to have one can i??? I'm posting another pic then. Up the Big Rockets! 😀
[img] 
~original[/img]
One down (Flare went yesterday), one to go (still waiting for payment for the BFe frame (XS, green, in case anyone else wants it?)).
I'm keeping the Soul though and I've put the plus wheels that were in the Flare in it - they [i]juuuuuuust[/i] fit - I've got some other wheels with 26 x 2.3 semi-slick tyres and a pair of 700c wheels that go in ok as well. They're dead easy to swap over cos it's singlespeed and they're all on the same make hubs 😀 Down to one bike again! Huzzah! Stop buying shit and clogging the place up!
What are you replacing it with RD?
Already have, a BMX 8)
Sadly yours is too small Mr d0g.
Are you a giant? I'm 6ft2" and the large (19) seems much longer than any other HT I've had
[img][/img]
This is nice, what is it?
@Euro I think that's the rough marker. Solaris is the 29 Soul qnd tje BFe is the tougher built Soul.
Are you a giant? I'm 6ft2" and the large (19) seems much longer than any other HT I've had
No just normal sized (6'5")
Cheers Jamba, that's kinda what i was thinking/hoping. And seeing Ryu's delightful Solaris is deffo helping me make my mind up. A set of interchangable +wheels would be just the ticket.
I must say that black and orange Solaris looks great.
In other news, my Hope f20's have arrived and are fitted so hopefully tomorrow will mean a Friday Cotic ride to try them out!
No just normal sized (6'5")
Grown up adult size, I'm hoping for a growth spurt in my 5th decade 😛
Have to say I'm enjoying Ryan's bikes, especially the SolarisMAX. All look very nice! Looks better than my b/p mule 😀
Yep Mh I like the presentation of Ryan's bikes and similarly, in particular the Solaris MAX. Nice choice of colours and components.
I'm loving the Solaris Max. How does it ride?
Ok, I'm bored, it's a cotic thread so WTF heres a Cotic timeline.
[b][u]Part 1: The Soul[/u][/b]
It all started with/like this:
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2412/2254696780_3de0869fbd_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2412/2254696780_3de0869fbd_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/4reUNq ]Cotic 008[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/sofaboytt/ ]Sofaboy TT[/url], on Flickr
It then got, er, a couple of upgrades:
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3140/3039200406_8fa06e7d22_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3140/3039200406_8fa06e7d22_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/5CyGp1 ]The Cotic - final guise for now[/url]
To be honest, I didn't think Pikes were matched to the Soul. So I got some TALAS to try (oh, and wider bars and shorter stem...):
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2710/4041675999_d848a15fc7_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2710/4041675999_d848a15fc7_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/7a9DsX ]Soul Oct 09[/url]
And it finally ended up like this:
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6191/6086703214_0f3a0f0c17_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6191/6086703214_0f3a0f0c17_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/agRWNS ]Soul G1[/url]
It's now been 'donated' to the Loon as he needed a bike and I needed the space... 😳
[u][b]Part 2: Soda[/b][/u]
I liked the Soul so much I just *had* to get a Soda:
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6072/6086704528_ffe8a8bac0_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6072/6086704528_ffe8a8bac0_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/agRXcw ]Soda G2[/url]
Heres a photo 'in the wild':
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7179/6847998682_9eab1747ee_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7179/6847998682_9eab1747ee_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/br8MqN ]What are they doing?[/url]
Turns out I didn't really like ti after all and it got punted on.
[b][u]Part 3: Solaris[/u][/b]
It started off in orange:
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7038/7027700307_b3f15e967b_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7038/7027700307_b3f15e967b_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/bH1NsF ]Singletrack Fungle[/url]
Think that even photo even got a mention on Cotic's twitter account or something.
But it had to be [i]that[/i] green. Cy relented under intense pressure to get a half consignment in it so I had it buy after that (thanks Cy)
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8173/8035089382_f944dda246_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8173/8035089382_f944dda246_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/df2W8Q ]Frame detail #2[/url]
It got built up like this:
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8032/8035089901_ecd72ff7fe_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8032/8035089901_ecd72ff7fe_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/df2WhM ]Finished (and post ride)[/url]
It's had some luggage:
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5793/30389346661_693a032d57_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5793/30389346661_693a032d57_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Nipm1M ]Packed up again, ready to go at 9.00 am sharp...[/url]
And some bigger boots:
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8135/29386780061_df3b7278c5_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8135/29386780061_df3b7278c5_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/LLNVTK ]Semi fat solaris[/url]
@Metalheart - thats a fab story, now finish it with the latest Solaris.
Heres mine on Harter Fell
[img] https://goo.gl/fUt88G [/img]
[b][u]Part 4: The Rocket[/u][/b]
I got a demo bike shipped up north and took it over my favourite route (up the Firmounth/down the Fungle):
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8163/6976335084_1723349df3_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8163/6976335084_1723349df3_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/bCtxno ]
Rocket @Fungle[/url]
I wrote it up on here and unleashed a shitstorm about steel framed FS...
And I bought one of my own as a result:
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7223/7177589673_3b4749e3d9_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7223/7177589673_3b4749e3d9_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/bWg2m6 ]
Rocket_0192[/url]
Took it out to GT (another that featured on the Cotic feed...):
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2866/9239778637_098302a4b4_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2866/9239778637_098302a4b4_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/f5uhhe ]
Pre-puncture. Larsens no use for the sharp loose stuff (schoolboy error I'm afraid)[/url]
But I hit a slump bike wise and it got moved on (to fund the deposit on a new motorbike... 🙄 ).
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8457/8035014412_02c9362438_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8457/8035014412_02c9362438_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/df2xRf ]
Solaris/Rocket[/url]
Mk1 solaris
Plus front
Probably my favorite frankenbike to date.
[URL= http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u603/davecorleoni/Mobile%20Uploads/20170407_185310_resized_zpsg3ewe84b.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u603/davecorleoni/Mobile%20Uploads/20170407_185310_resized_zpsg3ewe84b.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Loving the thread. Have a rocket max and it is the dogs wotsits.
Just got a Solaris max frame (xl) has anyone had issues with clearance of break leavers/shifters on the top tube?
Running two spacers but they're hitting the top tube
[b][u]Part 5: The SolarisMAX:[/u][/b]
The green Solaris is a medium. Which is great for 2-3 hour jaunts but at 6' I found to get the right reach I had to push the seat back and this made the front really light on really steep stuff and in truth it was a little short for all day trips.
So I got a SolarisMAX in large. Being the first built B+ out the door of Cotic it made their front page:
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3716/32240818284_ae4ebe13d2_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3716/32240818284_ae4ebe13d2_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/R81C2j ]SolarisMAX[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/coticltd/ ]CoticLtd[/url], on Flickr
Only for me to get it and stick a lovely white saddle, barend grips ( 😯 ) and luggage strapped to it then ridden for hours on end and left out in the open while I snuggled down into my tent or bivy bag...
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3737/33009611480_66ee854d47_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3737/33009611480_66ee854d47_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/ShWTsq ]
Packed and ready to roll[/url]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3804/33264999461_fa077d0c76_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3804/33264999461_fa077d0c76_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/SFvPpt ]
SolarisMAX after its 100 miles maiden voyage on the Moray Way[/url]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2897/33116314494_34b00cb961_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2897/33116314494_34b00cb961_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/SsnLxy ]
Weir/bridge[/url]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2921/33918834116_d424f1d148_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2921/33918834116_d424f1d148_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/TFhTEL ]
My bivy[/url]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4269/34792822471_1f046af0de_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4269/34792822471_1f046af0de_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/V1wiXv ]
Bivy erected (OR Helium)[/url]
[b][u]Reprise - Some random Cotic photos:[/u][/b]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8016/7122413305_3038aeb351_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8016/7122413305_3038aeb351_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/bRoekp ]
Top of the big climb[/url]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8037/8035089355_976075c631_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8037/8035089355_976075c631_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/df2W8n ]
Getting there - Day 1[/url]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8474/8087718977_71b329f794_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8474/8087718977_71b329f794_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/djFF5D ]
Cotic cubed - lomo[/url]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8051/8087716871_b303085c38_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8051/8087716871_b303085c38_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/djFEsk ]
S/R/S - 2[/url]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8045/8148740832_83e933d00c_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8045/8148740832_83e933d00c_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/dq5qKA ]
Snowy Soul.[/url]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7052/27228772000_f14a1944d9_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7052/27228772000_f14a1944d9_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Hu7zhd ]
The camp/bivi site (Sandy fannying about)[/url]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5345/25326048559_2cba4bdac6_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5345/25326048559_2cba4bdac6_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5568/30475143755_9ec537f979_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5568/30475143755_9ec537f979_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/NqZ5v2 ]
Crossing the Fords of Avon #1[/url]
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5798/29912748794_d406012052_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5798/29912748794_d406012052_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/MzhE5b ]
Front - damage - unwashed[/url]
That's enough... 😀
andysandes - Member
Loving the thread. Have a rocket max and it is the dogs wotsits.Just got a Solaris max frame (xl) has anyone had issues with clearance of break leavers/shifters on the top tube?
Running two spacers but they're hitting the top tube
Hi five fellow RocketMax owner. Dog bits indeed 😀
Low 5 for top tube clearance on the Solari though. Have the same issue on my Large (20") 456. As many spacers as would fit under the stem didn't cut it so higher rise bars (think they're 38?) and levers more horizontal than needed and helped. Still fouls a tad but not enough to do any damage. Pain in the arse not having that space when riding tough. Tall top tubes are shite on a mtb!
Now with a little more Hope
[img] 
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[img] 
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Some old photos, but good memories
[URL= http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/ben_p1/5F867446-F64D-43AF-8AE6-1A57A3FEA29A.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/ben_p1/5F867446-F64D-43AF-8AE6-1A57A3FEA29A.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
[URL= http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/ben_p1/D0532693-9555-4843-809C-78719B6874E4.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/ben_p1/D0532693-9555-4843-809C-78719B6874E4.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
[URL= http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/ben_p1/2BF98BC7-AF32-438F-B435-B4DCD237F030.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/ben_p1/2BF98BC7-AF32-438F-B435-B4DCD237F030.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
[URL= http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/ben_p1/F36756B5-9332-4CA6-AAF9-E21B29726FD2.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/ben_p1/F36756B5-9332-4CA6-AAF9-E21B29726FD2.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
