After upgrading various components on my full sus bike in recent months in an attempt to make it a bit more burly, I found my self with quite a pile of spare parts in my shed.
With lockdown limiting the gnarly riding potential for the timebeing I thought that rather than flog all the old bits I would use them to build a bike a bit more suited to the trails accessible from my doorstep.
So after a bit of research I Settled on a large Cotic SolarisMAX. After ordering the frame I soon realised that didn’t actually have anywhere near enough parts to build a whole bike (whoops 😆) so after sourcing brakes, a few gear bits, a stem and a bar that I didn’t actually need I built this:
Paint looks great in the sun, bit standard when it’s dull.
After reading all about them I was expecting it to be good but holy moly I wasn’t expecting to be as good as it is. I love it.
I haven’t really ridden a hardtail since 2004 (and that was a tiny rock stiff alloy Norco Sasquatch with similarly rock solid Marzocchi dirt jumper forks) and I wasn’t really prepared for just how well a properly fitting steel hardtail with modern geometry would ride.
It absolutely rips. Everywhere. And it’s comfy!! It might well be one of my favourite bikes I’ve ever had. I was worried that at 5ft 10 that a large frame would be too big for me but I soon realised that it’s pretty similar to my full suss bike (other than standover) and it feels very similar with a 40mm stem fitted (started with a 31mm but that felt very twitchy.
Never really ever considered a Cotic until now and I am very glad I did. The coms and customer service from them has been great too considering the current situation.
After riding this for a week or so I went back out on my 170/150 mm travel full sus on some rougher tracks and I was going noticeably quicker than I was before. I forgot how much fun hardtail are and how much they help your riding.
Pretty much as soon as I bought this the BFE MAX was released but I think I got the right bike for what I want it for.
Cotic in my opinion is great to deal with. When I bent the rear triangle of my Soul I rang them up to ask if they could recommend a repair place. They offered me a discount on a new frame instead which I took them up on (can't remember if it was £100 or £150 off but was a considerable amount off the frames retail price). I sold the damaged frame too for someone else to repair. The only thing I don't like about Cotic is that whenever I have money for a new bike they've always sold out of the model or colour I wanted.
Nice bike. My first Soul was black.
So was mine!
Great timing. I've got a SolarisMAX and a spare frame - it was warrantied and I wasn't asked to post it back to the UK from Oz (it needs seatstay repair).
I keep thinking about building it up in a different guise to the one i'm riding. All those parts really add up though!
Niiice looking bike.
That is a nice looking bike
Schweet 👌
now that just looks reet
Cotic are great to deal with +1.
(As demonstrated by Renton thread)
Looks great.
I'm watching the SolarisMax stock levels with interest right now - most are out of stock until July, the red ones are almost all gone..... really interested to see what colour arrives next.
The latest Cotic email mentions Sam trying to snag a hot pink Cane Creek Helm for his new SolarixMax build - they wouldn't, would they?
Sounds like you found a bottom bracket and a seat QR and needed an excuse to buy a new bike!
Cheers everyone...
A hot pink frame would be awesome... I very nearly bought a Pipedream for that very reason... I can see me getting bored with black quite soon so might need to get my airbrush artist friend on the case (whats the deal with paining Cotics and warranty)?
Ha! The bottom bracket, headset and seat QR came with the frame... so yes there was definitely a strong internal voice helping me to rationalise the purchase... I had the expensive bits like wheels, fork, cranks and dropper etc. after all...