Posted this on another forum but replies are slow.....
Searching the net there are various topics on Cotic Solaris Vs Stanton Sherpa, but these tend to focus on the bikes as a do it all bike.
I am looking at these as an XC bike for riding the South Downs and wonder which is going to be better suited to this terrain - speed, climbing, manageable on the down bits, comfort, efficiency etc. (I'm not looking for an all out XC machine that's twitchy).
The bike won't be going near a trail centre or similar.
I've checked frame weights:
Solaris - 2.2kg
Sherpa - 2.53kg (1.9kg in Ti)
Looking at the geometry too be honest it's all double Dutch to me........
Im a short arse at 5'7" and 85kg.
Real world differences or much of a muchness and buy based on looks???
I'd be happy with either. I was considering both but got a quick ride on the Solaris and went with that.
I haven't ridden the Sherpa, but the Solaris is a good match for what you describe.
It has longer chainstays, which will help with climbing and possibly with comfort.
If it's really 300g lighter as well as being cheaper, that's a lot of plus points.
I've been toying with either of these, missed a couple of decent spec second hand bikes which would be my preference on something I can ride the SDW to work on.
I think they are both ideal for your requirements really.
I don't think you'd go wrong with either. But in true STW tradition of recommend what you ride: Solaris.
I have been looking at those two. The Sherpa frames are shorter for the same seat-tube height (the main geometry diff. as far as I can see).
@breninbeener yes I do have email - what is it you would like to contact me about?
Im your size and have Solaris frame for sale bnib.
I didnt wish to hijack the thread
I have also been perusing.
Sonder Broken Road Ti. Is currently at the top of my list.
Two wheel sizes 148 rear end 68 degree head angle.
1600 for a full bike.
I may do the Puffer in Jan on one. If budget allows.
What size , colour and price please brenin
I have both (in fact I've a mk1 Solaris and a SolarisMAX, Sherpa is a next gen). But in B+ flavour. Can't think it would skew things unduly though.
The mk1 I've run in 29er guise mostly though. It's a bit wrecked now (well the bits are I mean). I loved it but found it a bit short and the front Found was a bit light on the climbs as a result. As it was being utilised mainly for bikepacking I decided i wanted something longer so sized up on the MAX. It's set up as a bikepacking mule, not as an out and out mountain bike. Feels a bit 'slower' than the Sherpa.
The Sherpa is the 'fun' bike but even though its a large it feels a bit short and I get sore wrists on it from the position. Would've helped if I'd gone for a 60mm stem I reckon. It's more 'agressive' than the Solaris but could be the set up.
From memory the geo is that the Sherpa is 0.5 deg slacker, a touch shorter in TT and slightly lower b/b. Its a prettier looking bike I think, has the versatility of different drop outs so you can run 135, 142 or Boost on the back. Its a £100 more though (and replacement drop outs are another £40 I think).
I prefer the Solaris for the ups but the sherpa for the downs. For me the Sol is more comfortable. If you don't have a stealth dropper then you'll need plugs for the 3(?) cable holes. Unless Dan has got his grommets and forgotten to send on to me.
You should really try and throw your leg over them both for size/fit if nothing else.
Only you can decide what suits you best though.
@ metalheart
You always make me feel better when I think I've gone overboard with 2 29er HT's that slightly overlap 8) Thank you 
For reference Solaris mk1 and KM Ops. The Surly is bigger and set up more as a mile muncher.
@Normal Man: you're welcome 😆
Sounds like we've pretty much the same overlap then...
I'm currently running a Mk1 Solaris with 120 Yari Boosts (for big front wheel compatibility) and a very trail-y 1x11 mountainbike build. I'm very happy with it on either 275+ 2.8's (the Yari will let me have bigger front next time) or 2.3 29's. I can see the potential 'short' criticism, although the Mk2 and the Max are both longer so this has been addressed in my view. I've yet to find anything it particularly disappoints on.
I'm also running a Soul275 with Pikes, and trying to work out if I still need an FS bike and if so if I need it as well as two very similar steel HT's, so the tales of even more similarer HT's above cheer me up 🙂
Trek Stache 9.8 😉
I've a MkI Solaris running a 120 Pike. I love it, very capable bike.Started with a 100mm Reba, and it was good, the Pike has transformed it though.
The Trek Stache 9.8 isn't really an XC bike, plus it's kitted out in that SRAM stuff and I prefer Shimano XT / XTR flavours.
Thanks all for your input, much appreciated 🙂
Had a Sherpa since the start of the year and absolutely love it. I raided mostly XC and have it set up singlespeed.
metalheart - Member
@Normal Man: you're welcome
Sounds like we've pretty much the same overlap then
I didn't even mention my fatbike though 😳