[Closed] Steel 29er HT's - Solaris, Sherpa, what else to consider?

What size you looking at?

ive a large Sherpa that I either build back up (or shift on...).

i would however recommend the SolarisMAX (having both incarnations currently in use)

If you've got money

http://trillioncycles.com/shug/

Parkwood isn't steel

Production Privee Shan GT?

Solaris MAX mk1 for tyre clearance. Be aware that the new one is much longer (I think the medium has around the same TT length as my mk1 XL).

I've a M/L Chromnag Rootdown frame for sale... if you're interested??

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/chromag-rootdown-29er-frame-m-l-size-340-inc-bb/

DrP

Onza payoffs can be picked up pretty cheap now. The only downside is the 27.2mm seat post makes fitting a dropper difficult.

I'm looking at a medium or large, possibly, effective top tube around 600-630mm.  Current bike is medium  580mm ETT and is just a bit short, even with an 80mm stem. I'm 5'10" and prefer a more forward than up riding position, if that makes sense?

Might consider a Soul also, having ridden the medium and large, they both felt good.  Earlier version though, current one is more long/low/slack than I think I will make use of.

Buy the Chromag - I’m 5’8” on an M/L Surface and can say it’s ace.

Top tube is about 600mm if it’s the older Rootdown.  620 if it’s the BA

I've got a Rootdown BA... great bike but currently struggling with the WTBi29 rims on the bike

I'm 5'10" too - the M/L Rootdown is a perfect fit.. I was toying between the M, and M/L, and the chap from Hotlines (can't remember his name) suggested that I should got for the M/L as I too wanted it to be a wee bit more 'forward...

DrP

Genesis High Latitude another option

I wouldn’t let the Cotic LS geo put you off, you just run a short stem instead. Would be wary of going large though!

Sherpa virtual top tube on a large is 622.5mm, I found it a bit short but then I’m 6’ and it came with a 50mm stem. The original SolarisMAX was longer than the Sherpa and I put a 60mm stem and it’s my all day mile muncher. Equally a 35mm stem on the LS version doesn’t feel that radical (until you point it downwards...)

The Solaris does have a lovely ride IMO, just the right balance of stiffness & comfort.

I'm selling my large mk2 (lovely orange colour) as i save for the newest version, drop me a line if you're interested.

Every time this topic comes up I only have one thing to say:

Pipedream Moxie

I really enjoyed my blue Mk1 Solaris for the two years I ran it, just bounce at both ends was calling. I should get it cleaned up and listed really. Medium if you're interested..

I can heartily recommend the Cotic. Just built a Mk 2 up and loving it. Sherpa seems nice, but not sure where the extra cost goes. I have only heard good things about the Chromag, but I am personally not a fan of the bent top tube.

Great, thanks for all the suggestions.

Genesis High Latitude seems like a good option too.  I have heard that the sizing is on the large side, any Ideas anyone?  Pipedream will be checked out

I should have said, Ideally I'd like to bit-by-bit the bike, start with just a frame, look for some bargain forks/wheels/tyres, then rob bits off the old bike until a spanking deal is spotted on a groupset.

Rolling chassis might be a good start.

Sadly, the general pricing of the Cromags is more than the budget allows... 🙁  and to that point the Stantons seem to be premium value too.  If I can find a frame below £250, cosmetic condition not too important, just mechanically sound.

I know most of the bikes I'm looking at are going to be older models, with standard 135mm QR rear ends.  Does a thru-axle on Steel HT make much difference?  My only thought on that front is wheels, lots avaailable are Thru-axle or boost sizing.

Still some bargains out there on 135mm qr 29er rear wheels. Long term, you'll probably be getting custom wheels built when/if new wheels are required… but then that's no problem really. Just don't get a frame that requires a 1 1/8" straight steerer… that's the killer with "very" old steel framesets.

If it helps, I'd do the Chromag for £300 posted....

DrP

Another thumbs up for the Cotic here. I've had my mk1 Solaris for over 4 years now and had some truly great rides on it.

@seadog: as I understand it the bolt through rear kind of goes hand in hand with boost. If you want to run B+ wheels then older frames will struggle with even 2.8” (proper sized ones that is) for clearance. I can’t say I can detect any actual advantage personally, but I’m not pushing things! If you wanted the capability to run say 3” then you’d probably need a boost chainset too (as I found out, the wrong way, on the Sherpa...)

its a bloody minefield out there, for instance my Sherpa is a 142mm bolt through... (you can get conversion kits for the likes of hope to take hubs either way) but it’s a pain these days for sure.

best make sure you know which road your travelling down from the start 🤪

Bargain wheels you say? Keep an eye on these Halo Vapour 35's - link

I recently bought a Genesis High Latitude in green which I built up over 6 months. Owes me about £500. Frames are ridiculously cheap. Mine was £120 off here and virtually new. Bagged some all black stealth Rebas for £110 again off here.

Someone on here had fitted a 2.8 plus tyre in the back so loads of room. See the 650b+ thread

Not many reviews but it is a lot of fun to ride. Again check the threads on here.

Size wise I needed an xl (20.5")  to get the reach for a 60mm stem but it does limit dropper options as does the 27.2 post . I would say sizing and geometry are not the latest thing but it all works together really well. The 2016 version has updated geometry but weighs a ton. Mine is perfect for longer rides and short fast blasts. Very capable all rounder if not the kudos of Cotic and Stanton

But I would say get a used Sherpa if you can get one at right price though as seem to be highly regarded.

Anyone able to comment on the Stanton Sherpa vs Cotic Solaris? Sherpas being clearly more expensive.  Noticable difference? if so how?

Rolling chassis might be a good start.

I don't mean to be pushy in any way, but I could do you a rolling chassis on the mk2 Solaris, with cheap wheels or really nice ones.

🙂

Anyone able to comment on the Stanton Sherpa vs Cotic Solaris?

err, thought I already had. I have 2 SolarisMAX‘s (and a mk1 Solaris) and a Sherpa that needs cranks and brakes fitted to build it back up (not that I’m in any rush). I’d take the new SM over the Sherpa any day, hands down. For me it’s a much better fitting bike that rides better too.

for mile munching I prefer the old SM over the Sherpa but the Sherpa was more fun/‘playful’. Both in B+ guise.

i can see why the Sherpa is more expensive, the finish is better (as is the headtube badge) and it has that wedge bit for chain/tyre clearance all which will add cost. No doubt, it’s a really nice bike. For ridability I’d still choose the SolarisMAX however...

i am a longstanding Cotic customer and I’ve developed a ‘relationship’ with them over the years. So just to declare an ‘interest’ as it were...

a mk2solaris would be a great option based on your stated wish to build gradually (don’t for get my commission chaka 🤣 ). I think it will take up to 2.8” tyres. Plus it would remove temptation for me to get the missing Solaris for my collection... 😜

@ metalheart here is me rooting for you to complete the collection 👍

I have the high latitude (2015) and it rides great, I don’t get out much on it other than the odd llandegna trip as I work away so struggle for time to make the trip and not much in the way of natural trails I know of round my way. Hence I may be selling it on along with the vagabond to fund a fat bike.  Both immaculate, both small 😉.  It seems a lot of bike for the money and was well received in the press.  I must admit I do have a pang for a Cotic though, lovely looking bikes.

I’ve a mk2 Solaris that I’ve built in chubby mode. 2.8  tyre in the 135mm rear is just about doable for summer months.

I love mine. Munches miles, great climber, is decent in singletrack and I even raced it last week.

Cant really think of any negatives other than the paint around the chainstay is starting to look a bit tatty- but that’s after 2500 miles

I'm slightly confused as to what the Solaris order is, can anyone help?

Mk1

Mk2 - what was the change?

Solaris Max

Solaris Max Longshot

I can't remember if I have the Mk1 or the Mk2. I thought there was a slightly different version of the Mk1 (but not the Mk2). I bought mine when they were only selling S, M and L frames, the Mk1 also came in an XL. My bike is from 2014

My understanding is it started out as quite an XC-ish bike and quite gradually got longer and slacker over the second and third iterations, then they went nuts (in a good way) on the new one.

I'm the opposite to Metalheart and very much in the Stanton camp - my BFe was a bit crap to ride (harsh and dead feeling) and the Slackline that replaced it was a revelation. I really like Stanton's 853 frames - they ride nicer than my Mk II Ti Switchback did. I didn't really like the Solaris that I've ridden, but I think it was probably a tad big (19) and it felt like a farm gate.

@benp1: Only Mk1 and Max LS have a Small, so yours is probably a Mk1.

Mk1 : http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/solari s"> https://web.archive.org/web/20140530083133/http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/solaris

Mk2:  https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/solaris

Max: https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/solarisMA X"> https://web.archive.org/web/20170226121815/https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/solarisMAX

Max LS:  https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/solarisMAX

OP - go and buy the Chromag.  You will not be disappointed.

Some light reading/drooling:

https://www.bikemag.com/gear/chromag-rootdown-review-dual-tester/

https://nsmb.com/forum/forum/gear-4/topic/nsmb-2018-hardtail-thread-129839/

https://nsmb.com/forum/forum/gear-4/topic/man-i-want-a-chromag-130417/

I'm 6ft1 and on a Large Mk1 Rootdown.  It's genuinely the most fun bike I have ever ridden.

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The new Solaris is lovely - test rode it a few weeks ago at Peaslake ...

I’m slightly confused as to what the Solaris order is, can anyone help?

I had a telephone conversation with Cy more or less about this (I think i was whinging about the change so soon after the last time...) he put me right (and me him!).

mk1: original incarnation. Cotics first 29er ‘Soul’.

mk2: increase in rear clearance for chubby tyres (up to 2.8” iirc). Correction for inline post and slacker HA Actually, I’ve just come across a print out for the mk2 and yes, this when it went OFI and also based on 120mm travel, hence the slacker HA (for 51mm offset forks apparently).

mk3/SolarisMAX mk1: according to Cy all that really happened was the new back end for up to 3” B+ and graphics name change... but the sizing adjusted in that large got longer to better space between med & XL. Geo alledgedly same as mk2.

Mk4/SolarisMAX mk2/Longshot geo: the current version - longer, lower, slacker...

i cant guarantee all is 100% but it’s not far off if it isn’t...

when did I turn into a geek, please someone, kill me now... 🤣

helpful guys, thanks a lot. Looks like mine is a Mk1 then

Just to clarify, there was a mk1 with the biggest size as XL, then a mk1 with the biggest size as L then?

(I'm 6'3 and got an L rather than an XL as the Solaris didn't come in a XL back then, only L)

a bit more checking. Thanks to that link up there on the Mk1, the website says "The latest iteration Solaris is now here"

So I suppose that means there is a Mk1.1 and a Mk1.2?

Blimey, trying to digest all this. What have I done!

Pretty sure  @metalheart is in the money. Mk2 is optimised around a 120mm fork and a little longer. The Max gave it a rear that could take more than a skinny trailblazer 2.8 at the back (it was billed as taking 2.8 but truth be known most 2.8’s  will be tight on a mk2. The new Longshot version n is long and slack. I’ve onky ridden the flaremax but I’m a convert.

If only I didn’t love my mk2 quite so much and the wife didn’t “need” a new bathroom.....

@ metalheart here is me rooting for you to complete the collection

he really doesn’t need encouragement

Pretty sure  @metalheart is in the money.

He must be to afford so many nice steel hardtails

😉

The MAX is a better do it all bike than the MAX Longshot (in my opinion obviously). If you like riding up and along as much as down, try to get a MAX.

There's also the Sanderson Town Crier at £300 - 27.2mm post though.  https://clee-cycles.co.uk/P46003/product

If it were my money I think I'd take a look at the Stanton Switch9er 631 as well. Geometry look "interesting".