Shame it’s 1x only.
It has M5s on the DT so you can probably pop a cable on with clips and have a Shimano sideswing on it? Cable run might not be 100% perfect but they're great FDs. I'd be tempted to go that way if it worked and the 2x chainset cleared. Highly uncool I know.
I’d be tempted to go that way if it worked
Ah, good idea, assuming that they haven't done anything weird with the tube profile and a band on mech will fit. I'd probably just use zipties 🙂
you can probably pop a cable on with clips and have a Shimano sideswing on it?
This certainly works on the mk2 SolarisMAX/SodaMAX. Checking, the stealth routing sits below the (high) band of the front mech and with all them bolts no problem for cable clips.
Wonder why the website states 1X only for the new one…🤷🏻♀️
BFe is much stiffer and snappier (in a good way) according to the HardtailPArty review.
Solaris is the compliant, comfortable, forgiving option.
This certainly works on the mk2 SolarisMAX/SodaMAX
and the website at the time said those bikes were 2x compatible. I've just taken delivery of a cascade and was wondering why its only 1x compatible. the bb shell isn't wider, its still boost at the back so I guess it must be chainstay length.
The cascade is getting built up flat bar and I've got a spare 2x chainset, sideswing and rear shifter, so might give it a go.
£849. Hmmm.
£849. Hmmm.
Hmmmm... quite an increase over the old one.
Hmmmm… quite an increase over the old one.
And makes the likes of Stooge look extra value for money as they comes with a rather spiffing fork.
I was all set to pre order a frame but the colour choices were holding me back.
Now I'm having second thoughts...
Do I just go with the new Solaris and ignore the crappy colour choices?
Do I stick with my current Soalris Max?
Do I just say too hell with it and go for a Flare Max?
Tough choices!
Edit: A bit of a curveball choice, what about a Mason Raw??
is there much difference between the solaris and solaris max to warrant the upgrade? But if I was after a short travel full suspension bike the flare would be up there. Rear shock options are the downside for me. Done the CaneCreek thing not going back.
Do I just go with the new Solaris and ignore the crappy colour choices?
Do I stick with my current Soalris Max?
I'd be reluctant to spend that much on a frame based on a digital render of the colour, though I suspect I'd like them both IRL.
If they're not for you, stick with your current frame until they add something that's more up your street?
Wonder how well this is selling, as it's such a strong proposition from them, but the worst possible time to launch a bike.
Do I just go with the new Solaris and ignore the crappy colour choices?
I like the colour options...
Edit: A bit of a curveball choice, what about a Mason Raw??
At nearly twice the price. It was on my list but I'm not keen on the colours.
Much harder to justify the extra cost then.
Wonder how well this is selling, as it’s such a strong proposition from them, but the worst possible time to launch a bike.
Not ordered yet.
At nearly twice the price. It was on my list but I’m not keen on the colours.
Much harder to justify the extra cost then.
I had this when the Bokeh first came out, I spent ages trying to justify the cost and tried both a Singular Kite and a Kinesis Tripster rather than buying the Bokeh.
I still ended up with the Bokeh and it was far better than either of the others and it would have saved men a fortune just getting the Bokeh straight away...
I don't plan om doing that again!
Luckily, I can afford the Mason and I can justify the price to myself by saving money rather than chopping and changing bikes to get what I wanted in the first place!
It is blooming pricey for the frame though.
but the worst possible time to launch a bike
Timing wasn’t planned… the SolarisMAX sold out in medium, and wanted to be able to give straight answers to people asking when there would be more. A spring launch with photos couldn’t wait.
As for prices… welcome to 2023. Want a great bike at a much lower price…? Grab a BFeMAX while they are on offer before the move. I have. I’ve gone Fast Red… so pick one of the other colours if you’re local, to avoid beer garden confusion. Ta.
I've just noticed that the Cascade has been discounted now as well.
A flat bar Cascade could be an interesting option. Looking at the geometry, it's not a million miles away from my old Pivot LES hardtail!
Yup, just need to get the right brakes.
Flat mount rear is easy enough to get hold of, I'd be running 120mm SIDs so normal post mount front to go with it.
Not sure how it would ride with the flat bar though, that's the main worry.
Would be fine, but not with 120 SiDs. They’d need dropping to 100 I think.
Ah, I’m not sure they can be reduced so that may rule that one out.
Interesting *how* long this new bike is compared to similar frames from only the last couple of years.
Those frames are different sizes Matt. The “C5” size is mostly for riders that would have ridden an “XL”. The “C3” & “C4” sizes are for those that would have gone “Large”.
Ah, I have updated link to C4 and C3.
Handy. Thanks.
I had this when the Bokeh first came out, I spent ages trying to justify the cost and tried both a Singular Kite and a Kinesis Tripster rather than buying the Bokeh.
I still ended up with the Bokeh and it was far better than either of the others and it would have saved men a fortune just getting the Bokeh straight away…
:0)
Had one and sold it in less than a year.
To be fair it was nice on the right terrain. I'd just prefer a MTB where I am or alternatively to be on my road bike offroad accepting the full compromise. It was an itch that had to be scratched.
For me the RAW only has the seat tube bottle mount over the Solaris which I hope I can fit two bottles on the smaller sizes on the downtube anyway.
For me the RAW only has the seat tube bottle mount over the Solaris which I hope I can fit two bottles on the smaller sizes on the downtube anyway.
The more I think about it, the more I’m thinking I might as well stick with what I’ve got.
I fancy a change of bike but not just for the sake of it.
As I said earlier, I was fancying a Solaris to replace the Max but looking at the Cotic website reveals the Max frame is the same weight as the Cascade and though they are being coy about the exact weight of the Solaris, I can't believe it's that much less .
though they are being coy about the exact weight of the Solaris, I can’t believe it’s that much less .
I think I red that the new Solaris would be approx 100g lighter than the Max, depending on size.
I was quite surprised that the Cascade was the same weight as the Solaris Max!
Anyone happy to know the frame weight for a large Gen 2 Solaris?
I know what mine weighs as a complete bike, but not frame only. Curious!
Think it was 2.65kg
Ta. Is that lighter than current versions then?
I keep being tempted with these never models, but not sure how much I'd gain. Longer reach would be nice and the additional mounts works be useful. Ability to run wider tyres also. But would cost loads to change wheels and forks to boost. Dropper post too.
A flat bar Cascade could be an interesting option. Looking at the geometry, it’s not a million miles away from my old Pivot LES hardtail
I'm running drops on mine at the moment but bought some on one OG bars to try out. Wanted to try bars with loads of back sweep for a while now, and was going to on my old mk2 Solaris, but reckon it'll work nice on the Cascade. I'm running rigid carbon forks on mine though.
So wish they did an orange Cascade. Any orange would have done.
But would cost loads to change wheels and forks to boost
Generic boost adaptors cost about a tenner.
Cascade is same weight as SolarisMAX because of all the bosses. It has to have the same thickness down tube as the MAX because of all the bosses (the new Solaris has a thinner tube which is where some of the weight is saved) and all the M5 screws that go in those bosses. There are 21 bosses on a Cascade. 21 M5 screws and bosses for them weigh quite a lot!
For those of you who have the SolarisMAX and love it 140, that's ace. Glad you're on board. However, for the vast majority of customers and builds, we're building them with 120 forks, and we have a 140 bike in the range (which really works better with 140s because it retains it's seat angle). So, that's how we're splitting it. It is much more in line with the bike we originally built, and we missed it. And the BB being lower works fine. We have a Climb Of Truth on my local loop, and if a bike won't get up that without clonking it's pedals all the time, then it's too low. The new Solaris is just fine on that climb, with my 170 cranks and maaaahooosive flat pedals.
As for building the Cascade with flat bars, it's totally doable, and will ride nice, if a little old school. You'll need something like a 90mm stem to run flat bars size-for-size against one of the mountain bike frame range.
As for price, take the current SolarisMAX price, do the percentage difference between the dollar exchange rate in Jan 22 and now, and see where you get to.....
As for building the Cascade with flat bars, it’s totally doable, and will ride nice, if a little old school. You’ll need something like a 90mm stem to run flat bars size-for-size against one of the mountain bike frame range.
In fact here's one I made earlier:
all the kit moved straight over from my solarismax - just needed flat to post adaptors for the front and rear which wok great with 180mm discs.
Nice!
What’s the verdict on it?
I like it. The bars are a bit too high right now, because i'm still messing, but in flat bar mode its a nice comfortable bike.
Needs some faster tyres and I'm getting some Jones Bars in to try out. Its an old school geometry mountain bike with modern standards, loads of mounting bosses and mile munching geometry.
And its £200 off until the new year. What's not to like?
In fact, its basically a MK3 Soul 29er.
I like it. The bars are a bit too high right now, because i’m still messing, but in flat bar mode its a nice comfortable bike.
Needs some faster tyres and I’m getting some Jones Bars in to try out. Its an old school geometry mountain bike with modern standards, loads of mounting bosses and mile munching geometry.
And its £200 off until the new year. What’s not to like?
In fact, its basically a MK3 Soul 29er.
That’s interesting, if I’d known it would be any good I’d probably have bought one of these a while back before I sold all the bits I had that would fit it.
At £649 it could make a rather tasty replacement/upgrade for my trusty do-it-all hybrid
@slackboy
Did you need to size up or anything to get the fit to work for you?
No, I'm on a large solarismax and choose a large cascade. Just added a 90mm stem as recommended by Paul at Cotic (and cy above 🙂 )
I posted a geometry comparison over on retro bike earlier
Post in thread 'Difference between modern Rigid MTB and Gravel' https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/difference-between-modern-rigid-mtb-and-gravel.454625/post-3336587
Nice one, thanks for that.
Because of this thread, somehow I've ended up with a BFEmax. Thanks STW 🙂 Back to a 2 Cotic household with my MK3 SolarisMax in 120mm lightweight built guise for my daughter. BFEMax built and ready to get extremely muddy this evening.
I've ordered a new one.
Anybody want a Mk1 Duck Egg Blue Solaris M frame which would keep me at 2 with the Simple in the loft.
I like the look and sound of the new Solaris. Someone must have read my What should I replace my mk.1 Cotic Solaris with? post 🙂
I'd like to see the frame and check the sizing out in person when they become available next year. The C4 looks to mirror the Large SolarisMAX '18 geo I had. Which I felt was on the large side. So even at 183cm the C3 is perhaps the way to go for a shorter, snappier bike.