Forum menu
I picked up a standard flare a few months ago and absolutely love it. I'm a serial swapper, but this bike is a keeper. My first real foray in to full suspension too. It just feels right whether I'm blasting down a rocky descent, climbing an evil hill or bimbling along the canal on my way to work. Really chuffed with it
It's long and slack (for a 29er) so feels a bit different at first, but the more I ride it the more I like it.
The first thing that struck me about it (when I'd just built it and was messing around in the garden) was that it suddenly felt (for the first time) as though I could trackstand. I don't mean sitting at the lights rolling a joint or anything, but I could come to a halt without immediately falling over, which was unusual. That stability has been a reccuring feature over the past few months. It climbs really well. Put down the power and you can go uphill at a fair lick, but even more impressive is how slowly you can go! A few times I've ground to a halt but just managed to keep my balance and get started again, which has meant clearing a few climbs that I hadn't managed before.
Stability at speed is also great, as you'd expect from the long wheelbase and overall confidence when descending is better than anything I've ridden before.
The strange thing is that all this confidence and stability doesn't come at the expense of fun on the tamer trails. It always feels lively and fun to me. There is a lovely springy quality to the ride that just makes it a fun place to be and I'm as happy munching the miles on tamer trails as I am pushing my (very narrow) limits on the tech.
It's interesting that most manufacturers still seem to be trying to make chainstays as short as possible then dropping the BB for stability. Cotic have gone the other way, with longer chainstays but a higher BB. As far as I can tell you still end up with the balance of stability/playfullness just with fewer pedal strikes, which suits the rocky and rutted trails that I tend to ride.
Of course it's not perfect, no bike is, it just suits me and how/where I ride.
A longer travel bike would no doubt be faster down rough trails, but there would be a price to pay on climbs that I wouldn't want to pay.
A shorter bike would probably turn faster, but my trails are open and rocky rather than super tight and it turns quite fast enough for me. It does require a slightly different technique, more countersteer, but once you get the hang of it you can carry a lot of speed through the bends.
Well, that's my thoughts so far. I got it at the end of April, since when I've spent around 60 hours in the saddle and have not ridden (or wanted to ride) any of my other bikes.
Thanks for the update. My local trails are tame so I'd been looking at one of the new style XC bikes, but I want something I can still feel confident on when I do try rougher and steeper stuff. The FlareMax sounds like it would give me that and still be fun wherever I ride it.
Now I just need to figure out where I can demo one.
That's similar to my use. Not that we are short of tech up here, but my preference is to use the massive network of stalkers paths, logging tracks etc to explore new areas in the mountains. So I like a bike that climbs well and munches the miles. Something that's comfortable and enjoyable to ride all day just enjoying the views. But exploring new tracks you never know what's round the corner and it can suddenly get technical (especially if there has been a bit of erosion). I like to ride on my own and don't like walking, so I like a bike that will give me as much margin for error as possible while still being fun all day. The FlareMax hits that sweet spot for me.
It's worth bearing in mind that before the FlareMax I'd spent a couple of years riding 5" fatbikes, which also do that job very well. So it's fair to say that I prefer a steamroller to a sports car. What I really like about the FlareMax is that it seems to give just as much confidence as the fatbike while being faster over rough ground (full suss vs hardtail/rigid) and more efficient on the very smooth tracks and roads (where 5" tyres tend to drag). That came as a bit of a surprise to be honest as I never thought I'd find anything that felt as stable when riding over loose rocks/scree as 5" tyres, but a slack 29er seems to do the job.
Mine has just arrived .... frame to built up
So that is the up and coming wet Sunday sorted ... 🙂
Nice one. Don't forget the pictures.
My turn 😀
It's only been to the park so far but first impressions are very good. Will save further thoughts for after I've ridden it properly. Blue and magenta XL 29er, GX Eagle with X-Fusion suspension.
Very nice. Looking forward to hearing how you get on with it and to seeing a few pictures of it dirty 🙂
That's lovely.
There's certain bikes / frames that I've always thought "yeah, I'd have one of those". A Cotic steel full suss deffo ticks one of the boxes for me.
(Lone rider too - usually because it's a case of having a couple of hours "freedom" without the kids and wife allows it and too short notice to call anyone. Plus, I prefer riding alone anyway)
How are you guys getting on with these?
Financial plans have changed so might have some money for one to join the Solaris..
The LS SolarisMAX works so well, this seems the logical bike to go for.
Still loving mine. I know, logically, it can't be the perfect bike for everyone, but it's getting pretty close for me. Anything particular you want to know? If not, here are a few pictures 🙂
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
Love those photos.
Took mine to Swinley today, somewhere familiar for the first proper ride. Bearing in mind I'm still fairly new to MTB, I've been riding a Voodoo Bizango for the past 2 years and only have a few demos on other bikes as a frame of reference, it's hard for me to say whether the differences I notice are down to geometry, suspension or frame material.
The biggest thing is feeling far more in control of the bike - the best way I can put it is that it's intuitive to ride. I think it's the more central riding position, but I feel the bike responding to my movements more obviously and it's helping me work out how to weight and unweight and steer to get it to do what I want.
It's fast and stable downhill, lots of grip, and noticeably easier going uphill on rough or loose ground too. Obviously the rear wheel traction is much better than my hardtail but it's somehow more planted at the front too despite the long and slack thing.
It definitely helped me out in the rougher sections when I made some poor line choices, it just wanted to keep rolling. There's one awkward slow drop over a root that always catches me out - usually with the front wheel stalling in the hole and me nearly falling off. It still caught me out but instead of stalling the bike picked up speed and nearly sent me into a tree instead.
Downsides... it's a bit awkward round tight corners, and I'm getting more pedal strikes, but that's something I can work on with technique. The weight is noticeable though honestly I don't think there's much between it and the Bizango. I did try some lighter bikes that accelerated more easily, this takes some effort to get going. I didn't push it today (currently very unfit) but it's comfortable for seated pedalling and quite happy crawling up hills at walking pace.
Of course the most important thing is how good these bikes look.
Managed to beat the rain for a couple of hours at Bedgebury this morning, and had a play on a pump track in the week. The bike feels really good now I'm getting more familiar with it. It gives me so much more confidence and I'm trying things I never would have before - probably far less dramatic to watch than they feel at the time, but it's making my riding more fun.
It's not the bike for quick and efficient pedalling, it bounces like crazy if I sprint out of the saddle, but on the other hand steep climbs are quicker and easier, probably a combination of the 50t cog and the way the wheels stay glued to the ground. It feels like a bike I could ride all day if I wasn't bothered about how fast I was going, but fun to point it down whatever hill I can find.
I've booked a few days in the Peak District in a couple of weeks, I'm looking forward to seeing how I get on in its home terrain - and I'm pretty sure my ability will be the limiting factor.
Melton - how tall are you please? Limb length?
Kelron, not Melton........🙄
Autocorrect doesn't deal well with made up names does it...
I'm 6'2 and 34 inside leg, XL is definitely the right size for me. I'm using a 150mm dropper but could go longer if there's enough space in the seat tube, I haven't checked yet.
Ta, I’m a bit taller than you and have mk1 and mk2 Solarii (spg?) in XL, but the Longshot TT on the L is longer than my older XLs I think.
So how's everyone getting on with their Flare MAX's? Still loving it roverpig? I demoed one at the weekend and it was really good.
I'm seriously looking at getting one after having waited what seems like an eternity for the standard Flare to get the Longshot treatment I've had my head turned by the MAX and now have a 29" sized itch to scratch!
Will probably wait till after Christmas now but looking at getting a frame with Cane Creek shock, a set of 140mm Pikes, DT XM481 rims and hubs, then all the drivetrain etc from my current Transition Scout.
The one thing that puts me off ever so slightly is the weight, the Scout's a bit of a porker at 31lb and the Flare will add a couple of pounds at a guess.
Also demoed one at the weekend (along with a Rocket Max) and was really impressed with both on the downhills - so confidence inspiring, which for a wuss like me is just what I need. The rocket felt a bit draggy going uphill, which is inevitable I guess, and may be partly due to the tyres.
However the big problem for me, and it may be just me, is that my calves rubbed against the stays, just where the bolt was. Maybe the fact that was clipped in is part of the problem, but that's how I ride. But it is really annoying !
I'm still really happy with mine. Was in the Peak District last week and it rides really well up and down, on terrain I would have said was out of my comfort zone before.
re the weight, it doesn't feel noticeably heavier in practice than the Bizango I was riding before. That is coming from a £500 and fairly heavy bike of course, but they're both perfectly rideable. It doesn't make me want to race up hills but that's not what I bought it for.
I demoed a blinged out Intense Sniper before buying this, weighs a little over 10kg according to the spec sheet. It was a lot of fun to ride in a different way, super quick to accelerate and great on the flowy trail I demoed it on. I would have considered it if it had been in budget but I also can't see it being as comfortable as the FlareMax clattering down rocky bridleways at speed.
Yep, still loving mine. Not much to say that I haven’t said already really but no rubbing with my puny calves 🙂
According to my scales it only weighs 1 lb more than the 26” Five it replaced (32 vs 31 lb). It’s heavier than most (but not all) bikes I’ve owned in the past but also faster uphill than almost all of them, so I can’t really see a problem with the weight. In practice I only notice it when I have to carry it.
Thanks chaps, I'm pretty much sold. Now I need to decide what colour, blue, mercury or dark metal!
I'd be surprised if the FlareMAX was any heavier than your Scout. Transittions build their similarly durable to ours so I'd expect there not to be much if anything in the frame weight. There will be a little in the bigger wheels, but not a lot.
Glad to hear you're enjoying the bikes.
@cy I hope I've not offended in anyway, the fact I'm currently using a Float X shock will probably negate any extra weight.
I'm just struggling with colour lol. Any idea when you'll have some pics of the dark metal built up? I assume mid November when they arrive. Plus there's no date on the large blue/orange which is currently favorite.
My Mk1 FlareMax (M) with fairly heavy wheels (Hope hubs/35mm rims) and chubby tyres was 1lb less than a similarly spec’d (L) smuggler running 2.3 29s on Stan’s Arch MK3/Hope. Rest of the kit was very similar - XT/Reverb/X-Fusion fork.
The FlareMax always felt easier to pedal.
I have Dark Metal on my SolarisMax and it’s lovely 🙂
My flare max is no heavier than my remedy to be fair-the only thing that really changed it for me was the rear shock, the inline is miles better than the x-fusion, so go for that upgrade from the start, there was nowwhere near enough damping on the x-fusion.
Ive kept my 2.8 Alps minions on all summer, heavier but grip is great, maybe move to 2.8 Mary's for winter, but I just love the grip from big tyres.
dropping from Flare max to Solaris max is great, they compliment each other perfectly
Lovely lovely bike.
Im a lone Cotic (soul, Mercury with orange) rider too, expect those human types trying to talk to you from now on though.
What bottle cages are you running? I'm planning on going #fullenduro and assume I need something side loading? Actually can I go enduro on a 120mm bike, this is all so confusing. Anyway I'm another happy owner, love the centered feel and surprised how the wheelbase only seems to help even on tight stuff. Only thing wrong with it is it's made my dh bike feel too short...
Specialized Zee. Comes in left and right handed versions. Just about fits a 700ml bottle on the XL frame.
I was going to ask if anyone with a large frame has tried a 710ml Camelbak Podium bottle?
If not I'd be tempted to try one of the Wolftooth B-Rad things that let you slide the bottle mounts further back.
That's the bottle I'm using, I'd hazard a guess it won't fit on a large as it appears to be 30mm shorter.
Plenty of room to move the cage further back though with the X Fusion shock, I understand the position is to leave space for a piggyback shock if you want one.
Thanks kerlon, thought that maybe the case.
So handily I have a large flaremax a specialized zee cage (bought on way home tonight) and a camelback podium 610ml. It just goes in with cage slammed right back but rests on cables on downtube. I don't think I'm happy with it. Shame the bosses aren't 10mm back as there is loads of room to my cc shock. I think the large is 500ml bottles unless you can try loads of bottle and cage combos.
Cheers for cage recommendation.
Is there enough meat around the cage mounting holes to cut a new hole/elongate the current ones to move it back if it's that close to working?
I looked at it, only a few mm on the front. I got quite close by putting 4mm of washers between the frame and cage at the rear bolt to angle it upwards. The plastic cage seems quite flexy so I want decent clearance or every bump will have the bottle flattening the brake hose. I looked at the bolt hole spacer you suggested but as it takes up some height it's not a definite gain as it pushes the bottle down into the downtube. I reckon with some effort you can make it work, if I get time I'll go back to shop and measure up different cages to see if any are that 10mm further back that I need. For me over the winter I'll live with a 500ml bottle for post work rides and live with a pack on anything longer.
Wolftooth Morse cage might work, it has 3/4 different mounting locations.
https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/products/morse-cage
Okay so I've just been to a go outdoors with tape measure and bike in van. Camelback podium dirt series 620ml fits as it's a different shape to the one I already had. Its got 3or4mm clearance to the plastic hose guide rather than to the hoses themselves so I'm happy if it clashes over bumps. Large frame, specialized zee bottle cage.
I want ten geek points for posting this on the internet.
How about one of the Fabric cageless bottles?
I use a fabric cageless bottle on my med flaremax,not lost it yet on any rough descents. It's a tight fit between the db shock lever but doesn't rub or catch.
So I've been out a few times now and love the bike. However I've read in reviews that I shouldn't like the seat angle. A bit of a google talks about opening up hip angle for better power transfer on time trial bikes but surely our high handlebars mean we're already pretty good for this. So is it just for wheely versus wheelspin bal<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">ance on climbs? I think it's seems well balanced, maybe because of the long stays? I'm a bit confused as to the problem and don't have any access to bikes with steep seattubes to see the benefit. I don't want to go all cotic fanboy and claim it's perfect but am genuinely interested, can anyone explain why?</span>
I tried a large (I'm 6ft dead with 35" inside leg) and when seated felt like my weight was too far back and was pushing forward through the pedals not down while at the same time being stretched out. A very odd sensation. The nose got wandery and I had to shift the saddle all the way forward on the rails and then perch on the end for steep climbs. I suspect that if you have long legs for your height the very slack actual seat angle puts the saddle too far back so the effective seat angle is slacker than quoted. But it is also personal experience and preference.
Heading down with the saddle out of the way it was an absolute monster, loved it.
I did find it easier to pedal after shifting the saddle forward, and it still feels further behind the cranks than I'm used to. I'm considering trying shorter cranks but it's not a priority, it might be more efficient if it was steeper but maybe that would have knock on effects on the handling in other areas?
I’ve said it before, but I still find the balance on seated climbs amazing. The way I can pretty much come to a standstill but still keep going still surprises me. I’m 6’ tall too, but a more conventionally proportioned 33” inside leg 🙂 Most modern bikes have true seat angles that are slacker than the effective (I think the FlareMax may actually be steeper than many) so I guess leg length could be crucial to whether it feels too slack or not.
I've about a 32" inside leg so schoolboy maths puts my saddle about 20mm forward of Shackleton's saddle, using effective rather than real post angle. Maybe that's enough to explain the difference in feel as its similar to a degree and a bit of seat angle. Seems odd though otherwise why aren't seattubes at 90 degrees with an offset, surely all bikes have this issue and anyone below average height wouldn't get on with steep seat angles. I don't really get it, maybe I'll just accept my bike feels fine!
Yes, I’ve pretty much gone down that route i.e. given up trying to work out why it feels good and just enjoying the fact that it does. That doesn’t mean that those who don’t like the way it feels are wrong of course, just that we are all different.